Surveys show pet owners are taking shorter vacations, and driving to avoid flying because they don’t feel safe entrusting dogs to an airplane cargo hold. Those findings hit home. I love traveling, but I’m one of millions of dog owners who stay grounded year after year.
And yet, wanderlust has a way of catching up on you. There are so many alluring destinations far outside New York City limits, and nothing beats seeing them with an uncomplaining, tail-wagging best friend. Now, one airline promises peace of mind for fly-shy pet lovers: Midwest.
"We welcome pets, and it’s our mission to provide the same grade of service for pets as for human passengers," says Midwest executive Susan Kerwin-Hagen, a dog lover since childhood (she lives with eight English setters).
While some airlines refuse to carry animals, and others grudgingly treat them as baggage on legs, Kerwin-Hagen explains Midwest’s position on pets: "They’re family members, so we treat them as precious cargo."
"Below cabin" is what Midwest carefully calls the area where pets go. During flight, animals’ travel crates are securely strapped down, and baggage is stashed in a separate area so pets won’t be stressed or injured by wayward Samsonites.
Pets have exquisitely sensitive hearing, and owners naturally worry about the noise level down there. "We have all-new 717s with excellent sound insulation," says Kerwin-Hagen. To prove it, the intrepid dog-lover climbed in the bin during fuel burnoff and had the door closed behind her. Her assessment? "It’s no noisier than the cabin."
Known for offering complimentary chocolate chip cookies, Midwest cleverly thought of pet-safe dog treats: complimentary carob chip cookies (chocolate is toxic to pets, so carob is a smart substitute). Here’s another perk: while many airlines refuse to transport certain "dangerous" breeds, i.e. pit bulls, Midwest doesn’t discriminate. That’s good news for my sweet pit bull Angus, who can’t wait to embark. As Kerwin-Hagen says, Bone voyage!
