The Federal Protocols For Accommodating Pets In The Passenger Cabin

You are overwhelmed by the company of your furry pet, and there is no chance where you can miss him out even for a second.  Now that also holds absolutely right when you travel to some outlandish destination with him on a commercial flight.  There are many domestic and international airline routes on which you cannot travel with your pooch in the cabin or the cargo hold area.  In this scenario, you ought to call the airline you are traveling on with the purpose to enquire if the pets in the passenger cabin are really allowed, or whether there are certain limitations according to the federal laws and the regulations.    

The Department of Transportation (DOT) under the specific federal regulations viz-a-viz (14 CFR part 382) has put forth norms whereby the airlines should allow passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin aboard the flights across the US. In this context, the Service Animals are definitely do not fall under the category of the pets. These are special class of animals that will help the passenger with certain level of disabilities to perform basic tasks while in his or her company. Moreover, any Service Animal will not need health certificate for boarding the flight. They don’t even need to be confined inside the container or the crate or any carrier.  

Specific Polices Relating to Pet Accommodation in Cabin

Each airline that flies either on the domestic or the international routes adhere to pet policies and procedures. The best way of knowing about these airlines is to scratch the information from the booking agent of the airlines.  Another way could be to read the policies written down on the airline’s website with regard to traveling in the company of your pooch.  

 Hypersensitivity to Pet Dander

If by chance you show hypersensitivity to some kind of pet dander, then check with the airline whether there is any other passenger who has booked the same flight with the pet.  If that is not the case, you still have the chance to get affected by dander, which by and large comes attached on the clothes of other passengers. You cannot do much about these situations. It is always better to check with your allergist or doctor before the air journey and get to know about the travel associated risks and carry prescribed anti pet allergic medications. In a fairly high probability where any reaction occurs in the flight, it is better that you adhere to the prescribed medications and also call the flight attendant for the much-needed assistance.  

FAA Regulations for Traveling with Pets

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permits each airline to choose if they will allow you to travel with your pet in cabin. If an airline permits you to bring your pet into the cabin area, then the pet container is regarded as the carry-on baggage and in this case strict adherence to the all-carry-on baggage rules (14 CFR part 121, section 121.589) becomes applicable.  These regulations are:

• The size of pet container or the crate should be small enough to fit underneath the seat and does not block the aisle or the regular passageway for other passengers;
• The size of pet container or the crate should be of such size that it could be stowed without obstructing the last passenger entry door is locked.
• The pet container should always be put underneath during the time the flight is on the tarmac, or in the flight and even during its descend as it lands on the airport.  
• Make sure that you strictly adhere to the instructions provided by flight attendant with regards to the stowage.  

Additional FAA Regulations for Traveling with Pets

There are many additional FAA regulations applicable with respect to bringing your pet onboard. According to these regulations, the passenger can only travel with limited pets in the cabin.  FAA also regulates on the type of pet breeds that can be accommodated in the cabin zone. The pet will remain in the container and the breed should not be a bully breed.  The pet should not exude offensive odor or any smell.  And above all, the pet owner should produce recent health certificate in the name of their pet when asked.

Verdict

It is the time that you seriously work out the strategies in line with federal protocols and various departments including the Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Center for Infectious Diseases and more prominently the AC 121-36, which relates to the Management of Passengers who may be Sensitive to Allergens. And in the end, it is quite evident that you adhere to these federal guidelines more religiously than never.