We just got back from a trip in which we took our two ferrets in an
underseat carrier on Continental with no problems at all.  There was an
additional charge of $50 per direction, the same as for any other pet.  We
had a great time showing Pixxel and Rusty off to other people in the waiitng
areas, and they slept the entire trip, even in the noisiest of planes.
 
Last year, the reservations line wouldn't accept ferrets, but I called
Continental's customer service and after a bit of discussion got a "sepcial
exception".  (I spoke to a Mr. Lane, who in turn spoke to a superviser.) Our
1995 trip was cancelled due to bad weather, so we used the tickets this year
instead.  We had to go to the airport to make the changes, but the agent at
the counter didn't bat an eye when we said we'd be taking a pair of ferrets
on board with us, and throughout the trip no one gave us any trouble.  (In
fact, they didn't even check our health certificates or extra-fee receipt,
perhaps because holiday travelers were packing the airports.)
 
In summary, if you can't get an airline's 800-number people to accept a
ferret, try the airport agent.  Once you have a reservation, it's less
likely that the airport people will make a fuss, especially in areas where
ferrets are relatively common pets.
 
--
- Pam Greene
Ferret Central <http://www.optics.rochester.edu:8080/users/pgreene/>
            or send INDEX FERRET in email to <[log in to unmask]>
[Posted in FML issue 1800]