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The stupidity!
Jun. 25th, 2010 11:04 amSounds to me like everyone involved in this was stupid one way or another, but in particular, I find this too stupid to adequately express:
If AirTran is actually concerned about disease or health issues involved in having animals transported in cabin, then they should reverse this entirely. The risks of a passenger having an allergic response to a dog, cat, or bird is hugely higher than any risk posed by being in the same room as a caged turtle. Feather dust and cat hair will easily escape a kennel or travel-cage, floating about the cabin freely and exposing anyone who's breathing to common allergens (and how many people reading this do not know someone who has a severe allergic reaction to dogs and/or cats and/or birds?), whereas the only way someone will be getting salmonella exposure from a turtle is if they touch or hold it, and then stick their fingers in their mouths or handle food without washing first. Which seems more likely to be a problem? There is not a single iota of logic behind this policy.
Additionally, and with an eye towards getting pets transported alive to destination, most cargo areas are not climate controlled. Which species do you think will tolerate the rapid and sometimes extreme temperature changes that happen in a cargo hold? Warmblooded animals with well-established thermoregulation, or reptiles that rely entirely on environmental conditions to maintain internal functions?
I will not even bother ranting about the stupidity of not checking in advance about animal transport policies, or the frustration of inconsistent security and airline policies.
Tangentially--last I heard it was illegal to sell turtles less than 4 inches across. Wonder where they picked up this little 2 inch baby...
AirTran company policy bars animals other than cats, dogs and household birds in the cabin, said spokesman Christopher White. White cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that says the reptiles have been known to carry salmonella bacteria.
If AirTran is actually concerned about disease or health issues involved in having animals transported in cabin, then they should reverse this entirely. The risks of a passenger having an allergic response to a dog, cat, or bird is hugely higher than any risk posed by being in the same room as a caged turtle. Feather dust and cat hair will easily escape a kennel or travel-cage, floating about the cabin freely and exposing anyone who's breathing to common allergens (and how many people reading this do not know someone who has a severe allergic reaction to dogs and/or cats and/or birds?), whereas the only way someone will be getting salmonella exposure from a turtle is if they touch or hold it, and then stick their fingers in their mouths or handle food without washing first. Which seems more likely to be a problem? There is not a single iota of logic behind this policy.
Additionally, and with an eye towards getting pets transported alive to destination, most cargo areas are not climate controlled. Which species do you think will tolerate the rapid and sometimes extreme temperature changes that happen in a cargo hold? Warmblooded animals with well-established thermoregulation, or reptiles that rely entirely on environmental conditions to maintain internal functions?
I will not even bother ranting about the stupidity of not checking in advance about animal transport policies, or the frustration of inconsistent security and airline policies.
Tangentially--last I heard it was illegal to sell turtles less than 4 inches across. Wonder where they picked up this little 2 inch baby...
