Coffee, Tea or Kibble?

Air Canada travelers who fret over leaving Fifi at home when they fly can relax, the airline is once again allowing furry companions in its cabins.

I squealed in delight!!! Quickly grabbing cat no. 1 as it sauntered past the coffee table, got it in a two arm hug and clapped it’s little paws together - it was clapping with delight - o.k. I was helping it.

“Why is that good?” demanded hubby

“Well…now when we travel back to Alberta for a visit, we can bring the “boys” (that’s what I call them - my maternal hormones still going strong).

“Why the hell would we do that?” he asked . (cat no. 2 now has paw over mouth in shock!) “One spends all day in the tub, and the other one never leaves the closet - why would we take them anywhere?”

Good question.

The airline announced Wednesday that travelers can bring their cats or small dogs on the plane with them starting July 1 for a fee of $100 for domestic return flights and $200 for an overseas trip. A small price to pay I THINK….for my peace of mind. God only knows what shenanigans they would get up to while we were gone!!

I think what is really happening is that Air Canada has just found a new marketing and pricing technique. Don’t raise airfare but play on the heartstrings of crazy pet people by dangling the “Fido can Fly with me” carrot. Most people hate to travel on an airline with a pet - because giving them human qualities and sensibilities, most people are horrified at the thought of putting fluffy in a crate in the cargo hold.

Heck if I got a discount I’d put hubby there - he just sleeps through the flight anyways.

Air Canada has been struggling because of increasingly cut-throat competition from other airlines like WestJet, known as a pet-friendly airline, as well as the recession..It's part of their strategy to gain market share back that they lost to WestJet when they implemented all those policies, not necessarily only with the pets, but also other things, like call-centre fees and charging for pillows and blankets.

Does anyone remember the days when they actually served you on real china, and gave a choice of red or white wine?

The company has changed its policies on pets several times. In September 2006, the airline said it would no longer allow pets in the cabin due to allergy concerns. Nine months later, the company said it wouldn't accept pets in the cargo hold either due to the need for more space for luggage. "Like all businesses we constantly review and update our policies, and that's what's happened here," an Air Canada spokeperson said. "It's all part of a general strategy that we have here to improve our relationships with our customers." (I'll say - try feeding them)

While the concept of cats and dogs in such close proximity to travelers may raise concerns among allergy sufferers, the company says it rarely hears complaints from customers.

"We don't get a lot of feedback on that, surprisingly," they say. "If we do, what we try to do is we try to separate the two, the person with the animal and the person with the allergy. We put them as far apart as we possibly can." (I suppose non-pet owners could ride in cargo area?) "It's something that we get a lot of positive feedback on. People really appreciate the fact that they can bring their pets on board."

People with SEVERE allergies shouldn't be traveling anyways I say - they are too sick!

Well, out of earshot of hubby, I discussed this with the boys. (I think they talk back - but then maybe I just spend too much time alone on this blog) Anyways they love the idea! They are perusing over the travel mags as I am writing this. Both are big on the Caribbean - what with all the sand and everything.


Til later