Airlines Change The Rules

Editors note: Again, we thank Kim Krohn for forwarding this information direct from the incomparable Patti Strand. I have followed Patti Strand's work for years. She and an estimable group of outstanding dog people have almost single-handedly exposed the corruption and truth about PETA and some other so-called animal rights groups. Her website address follows. Go there. You will be enlightened.

website address: www.naiaonline.org (will open in a new window)

Back

Different Jets For Different Pets ??

WORLD AIRPORT WEEK
June 20, 2000

Pets Not Cargo, Say Animal Rights Groups
Policies adopted by major U.S. carriers to improve the transportation of pets are failing to placate animal rights groups, which remain critical of the air transport of animals as commercial cargo.

Activists have applauded the latest move by many airlines to end the practice of pets traveling as checked luggage. However, skepticism still surrounds airlines' plans to transport animals in cargo holds, a significant revenue generator for many carriers.

"In 1993 United Airlines [UAL] made over $10 million transporting animals both commercially and privately," said Caitlin Hills, legislative specialist for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). "Whether animals are shipped as baggage or cargo they still go to the same place, into the cargo holds which are not properly ventilated and are not temperature controlled."
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) echoed the concerns of the HSUS. "On one hand we're thrilled," said Jennifer O'Connor, a cruelty caseworker for the organization. "But it's almost unbelievable as long as airlines make a ton of money (transporting pets as cargo)." She added: "It seems contradictory that it is too dangerous for some animals to fly if it's not dangerous for all animals." O'Connor said there is too much money to be made to stop carrying animals completely.

Commercial pet transport is so lucrative that some airlines place a significant value on their pet cargo customers. An internal American Airlines [AMR] memo obtained by sister publication World Airline News dated June 1998 identified two of the pet companies it worked with as "premium (cargo) customers."

Airlines' claim their proactive nature by maintaining that they will not ship animals commercially if the temperature reaches 85 degrees Fahrenheit or above for over 45 minutes. However, they neglect to mention that this policy decision is mandated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the government agency responsible for establishing rules governing pet transport. Increased government enforcement could lead airlines to eliminate pet transport completely if the cost of moving animals rises above the revenues. "If it came to the point where it was costing industry large sums of money we would have to stop," said Cronin. O'Connor, however, disagreed: "There's just too much money to be made. If they were going to stop transporting pets they would have done so by now."

Text of a June 1998 American Airlines Internal Memo to Customer Service Managers, Ramp Services and Field Services:
Premium PPS customers - Pet Destinations and Grand Pet/Pet Air will be exempt from the June 5-September 15 live embargo at all locations. Pet shipments from these two premium cargo customers will be accepted for transport during the embargo period provided exposure to temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit does not exceed 45 minutes.
----------------------------------------
Patti Strand, President
National Animal Interest Alliance
PO Box 66579
Portland, Oregon 97290-6579
email address: naia@involved.com
503-761-1139

Our members feed, clothe, heal, comfort, entertain, inform and protect the world!

Back