AKC Airline Dog Legislation
Subj: AKC Call to Action: Urge Airlines to Allow Travel with
Dogs
From: dep@akc.org (David Pike)
Sender: doglaw@akc.org
Reply-to: doglaw@akc.org
To: legislation@akc.org
AKC's Canine Legislation department is asking national breed clubs to help with an important new campaign. AKC is urging the airlines to allow travel with dogs, and we need your help. Please post the following on your web site or send it to your breed club via e-mail:
Several airlines have new, strict policies on air travel for dogs. People traveling with their dogs--for pleasure, when relocating, for competition, and for many other reasons--have been greatly impacted. First, several airlines no longer ship dogs as excess baggage. Passengers on these airlines have no choice but to ship their dogs as cargo--a more expensive, inconvenient option that does not guarantee a dog will travel on the same plane as its owner. Travelers who choose to fly United Airlines face a second problem--the carrier will only accept dogs shipped as cargo from "known shippers," i.e. commercial shippers or licensed pet breeders. The AKC supports temperature regulations and other guidelines to ensure the safety of dogs, but we cannot accept these carriers' added restrictions.
AKC wants to remind the airlines that they have a responsibility to provide passengers with a safe and affordable means of traveling with their dogs. It will take a concerted effort to get the airlines' attention, so we must generate thousands of letters! WE NEED YOUR HELP!
What to Write: (Choose the situation that fits you best)
Dear ________________________:
I wish to travel by plane with my dog. I am writing to
protest ___________
Airlines' policy of refusing to carry pets as excess baggage.
My concern is
that _________ Airlines does not provide a way for passengers
to travel with
their dogs on the same flight.
(Option 1) I show purebred dogs. I travel with my dogs
to events that I
could not otherwise attend if I did not travel by air with my
dogs.
There are hundreds of thousands of other individuals like me.
Last year,
there were over 2 million entries at American Kennel Club sanctioned
events.
Many participants travel by air to these events, especially to
large national
events.
-or-
(Option 2) I am [relocating] [vacationing] and must travel
with my dog. It
is important that my dog be able to accompany me.
I support safe air travel for dogs, and I do not expect you
to transport dogs
when temperatures are outside federal limits or under other conditions
that
may compromise the dogs' well being. However, to simply
stop carrying dogs
as excess baggage because it is not cost-effective or convenient
for your
airline is not acceptable.
In this era of airline travel, the public depends on being
able to travel
with their dogs for pleasure, when relocating, to participate
in dog events,
and for a myriad of other reasons. I believe that airlines
have a
responsibility to accommodate the public by developing and putting
in place
reasonable procedures that allow persons to travel with and ship
dogs at
reasonable costs.
When airlines are being criticized for lack of commitment to
customer
service, here is an opportunity to improve your services.
I strongly urge
you to allow dogs to travel as excess baggage. I would appreciate
a response.
Who to Contact*:
Mr. James Goodwin, Chairman and CEO
United Airlines
1200 East Algonquin Road
Elk Grove Township, IL 60007
Mr. Bob Baker, CEO
Trans World Airlines
One City Center
515 North Sixth Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
Mr. Leo Mullin, Chairman, President & CEO
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport
PO Box 20706
Atlanta, GA 30320
Mr. Gordon Bethune, Chairman and CEO
Continental Airlines
1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO
Houston, TX 77002
*Send a copy of your letters to AKC's Canine Legislation department,
5580
Centerview Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606. We will bring
these letters to
concerned Members of Congress!
Thank you for your help with this important issue.
Last Update: 01/21/06, 12:54:05 Terms of Use and Disclaimer.
