Pets in the Cabin - Coming soon on Virgin Australia

[SeaWolf]

I'm actually surprised so many ppl are allergic to dogs/cats and they are all here in AFF.

And given how gravely serious the issue seems to be I do wonder how these people cope with travel in the USA or Europe. Or is travel there something something they're simply not able to do?

 

[Pushka]

Hopefully shouldn’t be an issue.Protocols already in place for guide dogs. And if a person was to approach with a pet you can leave your seat immediately and speak with the crew. Should be little to no time needed next to an animal.

In theory.

 

[drron]

In the late 80’s a cricket team member of mine died on a domestic Flight in the USA. He died with a severe asthma attack. He was a known asthmatic but had never had a severe attack previously. He had stated before that he was allergic to dogs so who knows.
He was only 22.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In theory.

Unless it was someone unable to speak up for themselves, like a child. There possibly needs to be some training and protocols around that.

 

[straitman]

Unless it was someone unable to speak up for themselves, like a child. There possibly needs to be some training and protocols around that.

Agreed and I believe there will be plenty.

Remembering that CASA (whatever there input is and there will be some) don’t do risk management as they are totally risk averse.

 

[zoraya_lane]

And given how gravely serious the issue seems to be I do wonder how these people cope with travel in the USA or Europe. Or is travel there something something they're simply not able to do?

and how many of these people with severe allergies/resporatory issues take the precaution of travelling wearing an n95 mask? Because from my count I’m one of the few who travels wearing one.

 

[RooFlyer]

Coming next:

Hey, already on AFF

 

[Pushka]

and how many of these people with severe allergies/resporatory issues take the precaution of travelling wearing an n95 mask? Because from my count I’m one of the few who travels wearing one.

As there aren't any dogs or cats onboard then there's no risk to triggering an allergy in people allergic to pets. . If anything masks make breathing in many people more difficult. Thats why patients don't wear them but medical practitioners might.

 

[luckypierre]

Because from my count I’m one of the few who travels wearing one

+2 here, regardless of what other people think

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As there aren't any dogs or cats onboard then there's no risk to triggering an allergy in people allergic to pets. . If anything masks make breathing in many people more difficult. Thats why patients don't wear them but medical practitioners might.

Well… there’s always the possibility a guide dog will be on board, or has immediately been on board 20 minutes prior with the inbound flight.

And as posted above, the FAA believes the risk is present *at all times* given pax carry pet hair on their clothes.

 

[Pushka]

Well… there’s always the possibility a guide dog will be on board, or has immediately been on board 20 minutes prior with the inbound flight.

And as posted above, the FAA believes the risk is present *at all times* given pax carry pet hair on their clothes.

Possibly. Lucky so far I guess.

 

[astrosly]

Well, I learnt a new word: "dander"

 

[zoraya_lane]

As there aren't any dogs or cats onboard then there's no risk to triggering an allergy in people allergic to pets. . If anything masks make breathing in many people more difficult. Thats why patients don't wear them but medical practitioners might

Well… there’s always the possibility a guide dog will be on board, or has immediately been on board 20 minutes prior with the inbound flight.

And as posted above, the FAA believes the risk is present *at all times* given pax carry pet hair on their clothes.

And on top of this, if someone has a respiratory condition like asthma already then they should be protecting themselves as best they can from Covid given how much more serious it can be for them. If someone isn’t taking the bare minimum precautions already then I can’t take their claim that a dog in the back of the plane is going to cause them harm seriously.

 

[drron]

and how many of these people with severe allergies/resporatory issues take the precaution of travelling wearing an n95 mask? Because from my count I’m one of the few who travels wearing one.

So you are going to be a responsible dog owner and shampoo and brush your dog before setting off for the airport. It does reduce the amount of shedding and I am sure you want to reduce possible harm for your fellow travellers.

And by the way I have had Covid once in 2022 when in Thailand and I was wearing an N95 mask and the brand that fit tested me best when done at the hospital. Masks are great to stop you spreading infection but not so good at stopping you getting infection.

 

[Pushka]

And on top of this, if someone has a respiratory condition like asthma already then they should be protecting themselves as best they can from Covid given how much more serious it can be for them. If someone isn’t taking the bare minimum precautions already then I can’t take their claim that a dog in the back of the plane is going to cause them harm seriously.

Well, unlike dogs hair, Covid didn't bring on Asthma in his case so it's not as cut and dry as you might care to think and so dismiss. He doesn't have an Asthma condition. He has an allergy that brings on breathing difficulties akin to Asthma. And I'm just betting he's not alone.

 

[CaptJCool]

Perhaps we can make a paws here

So BC tHere was no pet in the house

But for 15 months I’ve had a cat in residence and can say there’s a range of issues any airline will need to address

1. Carrier Caging. Can’t think of anything worse than confined quarters

2. Ablutions. Babies on board will have disposable nappies. What will pets be expected to use ? Any poop and it’s an appalling smell quickly bagged up and thrown down the toilet

3. Wee wee wee all the way home.

3. Fur balls. Yes the darl puss coughs up these wherever and whenever - again how might the disposal system work

4. Projectile vomiting from overeating

5. Being encaged, there won’t be the ravages of scratching poles nor furniture damage

6. Cats meow and purr and lounge around most the day in Premium locations

Which proves she’s the Ringmaster - goes in frontwards and can turn in a very small space Bless

Just remember the PAX with bad BO smoking smells or loud voice or snoring or tapping or yapping

or the glass of wine that spills or turbulence that thumps heads into overhead lockers. Plenty of episodes that on the whole can be sorted if and ever if they occur

 

[jonboixxx]

If this ever happens in the 12 month timeframe announced, I would hope a similar charge of USD100-125 each way was applicable. Apart from the size of animal, that sort of levy would also deter uptake of whatever number limit per flight was applied.

 

[TheInsider]

To the naysayers - this is us and our backwards air travel policies finally starting to catch up with the rest of the developed world, they same to be coping ok with it

What has this got to do with air travel policies?
It's simply a business and commercial decision.

Instead, VA could've said, we are now making pet travel more accessible by allowing passengers to check-in their pets and use their baggage allowance to do so. This is what QF used to do about 10+ years ago.

This is purely a commercial decision, with a revenue focus - nothing to do with 'backwards policies' IMO.

 

[elanshin]

I posted above that the FAA - and that’s in one of the most litigious countries in the world - has basically said there is no little issue with animals being carried in the cabin as the allergens are basically everywhere, all the time, anyway. And there are HEPA filters.

If the US can manage pets in the cabin, and the law suits haven’t been enough to deter the airlines, can’t see why Australia will be different? Surely we are as smart as our US and UK counterparts when it comes to identifying and working out issues?

As for concerns about animals needing to go to the toilet… errr… anyone seen the state of airline WCs after a few pax have used them? We can’t even keep the floor clean!

I don't think it's a case where it can't work, but it can cause s lot of teething issues where frankly the button pushers haven't considered certain circumstances and thus resulting in situations where everyone gets frustrated.

I for one do think the concept is a good idea but until I see what VA actually details as a concrete plan for both pet owners and the general public in regards to this, where do we have the confidence that they will implement it correctly rather than a "well pets are allowed now. Cabin crew you guys figure out the rest".

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't think it's a case where it can't work, but it can cause s lot of teething issues where frankly the button pushers haven't considered certain circumstances and thus resulting in situations where everyone gets frustrated.

I for one do think the concept is a good idea but until I see what VA actually details as a concrete plan for both pet owners and the general public in regards to this, where do we have the confidence that they will implement it correctly rather than a "well pets are allowed now. Cabin crew you guys figure out the rest".

That’s the thing… if it has been working for year in other places, what’s so hard for us to work out in Australia? Things like reseating pax with allergies, or what to do in an emergency etc will all have blueprints. Nothing we’d need to do that is unique to Oz.

If the regulatory services had any safety concerns the permission to carry pets wouldn’t have been granted. Or so one hopes!