I want to discuss this topic without getting all animal rights activist on you… I've been reading about this issue in the news a lot lately, because apparently doctors are all of a sudden stressing that maybe we shouldn't allow small animals fly in the cabin of the airplane along with the humans. Reason being you ask? Allergies. I understand people have allergies. I have allergies for sure! Studies show that one in ten people have some form of animal allergies as well. Why the issue is being brought up now, I'm not sure. Doctors are comparing these allergic dangers to the ones with peanut allergies, hence why they no longer serve peanuts on the airplanes. I just don't see the similarity much though, but can understand the concern. The problem with banning pets from the airplane cabin all together is that it is many times dangerous to the animal to put them below the cabin. You have to worry about temperature fluctuation and restrictions at many times. Some pets aren't allowed to fly below the cabin if it is higher than 75 degrees outside!
Here's how I'd like to solve the problem… Small animals should still be allowed to fly in the cabin, while unfortunately, larger pets may have to go below. Or, there is always the option to use a pet-friendly airway service, such as Pet Airways. When I fly, I am much more concerned about the germs and bacteria that the humans are carrying on board an airplane, much less the possible pet allergies from an animal that is being stowed below someone's seat in a crate. I will take plenty of Vitamin C prior to boarding the plane and avoid touching things too much on the plane as well. Why can't allergy sufferers take the same precautions? Take your allergy meds! Benadryl perhaps? You might even enjoy the nap through the flight! I'm just saying, I don't think we need to worry as much about possible allergy problems than you do the close quarters with cold or flu-infected humans. I'm not trying to put animals over humans, but there just isn't many options to transport our pets, especially small ones, besides the airways we humans use too. Hopefully, there will be more options available to keep pet's out of harm's way and those with allergies as well.
To read more about the possible banning of pets in airplane cabins, click here.
For more information about the guidelines of traveling with pets, click here.
I'd love to hear your comments!!
