Thank you SWA for your new pet policy. I fly several times a year to dog shows sometimes with a entry (yorkie). I respect other passengers with potential problems. I ask those seated next to me if they have allergy issues or concerns. I am well aware that all folks don't like pets or have medical issues. I go to great lengths to prepare and be responsible. On a flight last year to Westminster, the passenger next to me shared his involvement with a chld with severe allergies as he was enroute to a meeting in NY on research funded by concerned parents in this area. His son and other allergy patients have such severe allergies they react to even particulates on other peoples clothing from pets. My flight buddy with her entry and I spent a long time answering his questions on how and if he could realistically bring a dog into his family as his children were begging for a dog despite obvious problems. So if you take the debate to the next step than there is a real problem when you consider that animals need not be present for sensitive individuals to succomb to allergens on a pet owning passenger's clothing. There is growiing concern and research over the increased incidence of allergies and other major health concerns and the debate needs to find workable solutions. It doesn't stop at pets .........
Perhaps SW can post on their website suggestions for passengers with pets to do their part to ensure that this is a successful program. For the record, I have had a dog escape her carrier by nosing through an opening at the closure when the snack cart was going by so I now fasten the zipper enclosure shut. A second experience was a soft whine for a moment when her ears were adjusting to the cabin pressure. I now carry chews in my pocket for the problem. There was the passenger in the next row that shouted that there was a dog running up and down the aisle when in fact she never went beyond the seat directly in front of me. I thought the outburst was ridiculous and even amusing and I definitely am reading that type outburst in the posts here. Most of us know that does go with the territory when it comes to internet posts. It's a tactic and not very productive at that.
There has to be some tolerance when flying. My peeves are being shoved in between elbows or hips that spread into by seat, the smell of tobacco or alcohol, body oder, heavy perume, unruly children, and passengers who don't cover their cold and flu fluids or cough into their hands and then touch hundreds of surfaces after. If available I can look for another seat and I now carry sanitizing wipes and tissues and have shared them with my seatmates. And, I'm just fine with not being a frequent flyer. Nothing glamorous about it and the best happens when you can have a good conversation with a fellow traveler. Happy Flying!
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