Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia

[TheRealTMA]

I'd imagine the same as what happens as a passenger breaking any other rules on a plane. They'd get a talking to. If they don't comply they'd be forced and met by police on landing. It's not really rocket science.

BUT! But you are talking here about pet owners who are often, how shall I say, insensitive, to others around them.

 

[Quickstatus]

pet owners who are often, how shall I say, insensitive, to others around them.

Still, better than screaming children and nonchalant parents. Pets dont scream.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Still, better than screaming children and nonchalant parents. Pets dont scream.

"Better" is an interesting description.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Pets dont scream.

They might not scream, but getting meowed/barked at incessantly would be just as annoying.
(PS - I'm on the pet-friendly side here...)

 

[Chicken]

When I go to markets, pubs, cafes on weekends, I see most pets and their owners behaving well, as in I rarely see any who misbehave.

Also having lived with cats and dogs, I'm still amazed at how good they are at holding. They would hold until they see their 'toilets', even if you tell them that it's OK to wee or poo.

On the other hand, when I get home on a Friday or Saturday night, which involves full 60 mins on the M2 motorway, people on the bus:
- vomit on the bus
- ask bus driver to stop at the former toll plaza to pee
- vape
- singing
- talking loud
- open drinks (as in alcohol)

I feel more comfortable flying with pets, I have more fear from flying JQ to Bali, or seeing babies and children on a plane.

 

[simmomelb]

I feel more comfortable flying with pets, I have more fear from flying JQ to Bali, or seeing babies and children on a plane.

I fully agree with you on this one. Just got back from Auckland with a screaming kid most of the way.
Is it just me, or do some of you want to scream back at them in the same manner, and say, "See, it's very annoying, isn't it?" (must keep inner dialogue to myself).

 

[Quickstatus]

but getting meowed/barked at incessantly would be just as annoying.

Easier to control than a screaming child

 

[Chicken]

Easier to control than a screaming child

Yep. Once you have really stressed to a dog that everything is good and you mean business, they get it 99% of the time, unless it's from some trauma / PTSD. If there is trauma or PTSD, they would not even be able to make it half way to the airport.

Just got back from Auckland with a screaming kid most of the way.

I have been kicked by kids so many times in short haul economy. Parents either can't control them, or just ignore what's happening.

When I have a word with the kids, they would stop for a few minutes.

I get it, it's boring and frustrating to be a child on a plane, it's jail time; but the parents should plan for it, just like planning for a long car trip. Which they either fail, or just don't plan.

 

[Daver6]

BUT! But you are talking here about pet owners who are often, how shall I say, insensitive, to others around them.

Got any reputable data to back that up? Are pet owners more insensitive to others around them than non-pet owners? Especially on aircraft?

I feel that's a throw-away comment that the data doesn't support

 

[TheRealTMA]

Got any reputable data to back that up? Are pet owners more insensitive to others around them than non-pet owners? Especially on aircraft?

I feel that's a throw-away comment that the data doesn't support

YMSTBICNPC

 

[Melburnian1]

Completely inappropriate to allow pets in the passenger cabins of aircraft.

While we hope never (or extremely rarely) to have forced evacuations, I bet some entitled pet owners would bring their charges on the slide despite crew instructions to the contrary.

The thought of putting up with a yapping dog or howling cat on a plane isn't pleasant.

 

[Chicken]

While we hope never (or extremely rarely) to have forced evacuations, I bet some entitled pet owners would bring their charges on the slide despite crew instructions to the contrary.

What about people who carry their backpacks during evacuations? Like on THAT American Air AA flight?

The thought of putting up with a yapping dog or howling cat on a plane isn't pleasant.

Guess you don't use public transport? Buses and trains?

The number of times I have seen dogs behaving poorly in pubs and cafes? I am not sure if I could fill 5 fingers?

Kids and adults behaving poorly on public transport? Every single day during my commute into the CBD.
- man spreading
- littering
- vaping
- talking non stop for 65 km (from Sydney to Penrith)
- watching videos on speakerphone
- playing music on speakerphone
- spitting
- putting ebike in the middle of the carriage instead of wheelchair area
- letting luggage flying around instead of securing them in wheelchair area
- not giving seats to people who need them
- blocking rear door on buses
- trying to get on trains before letting people get off first.

I don't think dogs do any of these, and they definitely don't block exits, unlike human

A dog barking for 15 mins is hard; but I don't know if you have experienced someone playing loud music or talking on the phone for the entire 65 km journey on a full train.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Completely inappropriate to allow pets in the passenger cabins of aircraft.

While we hope never (or extremely rarely) to have forced evacuations, I bet some entitled pet owners would bring their charges on the slide despite crew instructions to the contrary.

The thought of putting up with a yapping dog or howling cat on a plane isn't pleasant.

No doubt tens of thousands of pets have been carried in europe and the US. No evidence yet to suggest they have impeded an evacuation?

And again, while the *thought* of a yapping dog - the same as a crying baby - is not pleasant… have you ever heard a pet crying on a flight in the US or Europe?

I admit however i would almost certainly attempt to take my pet in the event of an evacuation. You’d have to have some sort superhuman willpower not to. That’s nothing to do with being entitled… that’s just ‘normal’ behaviour.

Obviously if the fire is lapping at your seat you might be forced to leave the pet, but otherwise I’d reckon most people would attempt to take it. Guide dogs for example go down the slide with their owner.

 

[CaptJCool]

Another spin

 

[AuSammy]

Another spin
View attachment 509610

That sign is a bit short on some details. Can I bring my assistance camel on board?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That sign is a bit short on some details. Can I bring my assistance camel on board?

If it meets the criteria set out under Commonwealth legislation, namely:

(a) is accredited under a State or Territory law to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of disability; or

(b) is accredited by an animal training organisation prescribed in the regulations; or

(c) is trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meets standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place.

 

[AuSammy]

If it meets the criteria set out under Commonwealth legislation, namely:

(a) is accredited under a State or Territory law to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effects of disability; or

(b) is accredited by an animal training organisation prescribed in the regulations; or

(c) is trained to assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meets standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place.

C: is really vague. My animal reduces my anxiety that the ferry might sink. What benchmark is “appropriate for an animal in a public place”

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

I've been rather surprised by many of the comments I've seen on social media, articles, and even in this thread regarding this policy given upwards of 75% of Australians have pets.

I appreciate that for some, allergies especially can be a real concern. I also appreciate that there are genuine situations where it's not possible or very traumatising to a small animal to travel in the hold, and situations where people do need to move pets around where driving isn't possible or realistic.

In my view, the balance starts with the practical reality that very few people actually travel with pets in the cabin. I've taken nearly 1,000 flights in my life -- more than half of which have been outside Australia and on airlines that allow pets in the cabin -- and it's very, very rare that I have seen a pet travelling in the cabin. I have never had a situation where a pet caused disturbance. (Children, on the other hand...)

I am just one anecdote, but it feels like there is a lot of jumping at shadows happening at the moment.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

C: is really vague. My animal reduces my anxiety that the ferry might sink. What benchmark is “appropriate for an animal in a public place”

Given you have an assistance camel… have you had any problems bringing it on board to date?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've been rather surprised by many of the comments I've seen on social media, articles, and even in this thread regarding this policy given upwards of 75% of Australians have pets.

I appreciate that for some, allergies especially can be a real concern. I also appreciate that there are genuine situations where it's not possible or very traumatising to a small animal to travel in the hold, and situations where people do need to move pets around where driving isn't possible or realistic.

In my view, the balance starts with the practical reality that that very few people actually travel with pets in the cabin. I've taken nearly 1,000 flights in my life -- more than half of which outside Australia and on airlines that allow pets in the cabin -- and it's very, very rare that I have seen a pet travelling in the cabin. I have never had a situation where a pet caused disturbance. (Children, on the other hand...)

I am just one anecdote, but it feels like there is a lot of jumping at shadows happening at the moment.

The US DOT/courts have also ruled that pet dander is so prevalent in public spaces that airline cabins are no more or less at risk.

So the allergy angle has been ruled out in the USA… and given that’s one of the most litigious countries in the world… if they can’t prevent the carriage of let’s on that ground, it would be hard pressed to get the argument up anywhere else.