Well I have made it to Europe with my ferrets.  Say that I stupidly ignored
the warnings about flying with ferrets on US Air!
 
US Air was the best price and connection.  I E-Mailed and called until I
spoke with one of the Vice Presidents from US Air.  I was promised that
their prices would be competitive to Delta and Northwest Airlines, and that
the animals would receive first class treatment.
 
Now for the rest of the story - (as Paul Harvey would say)
 
Upon arriving at the freight terminal in a rental car 3 hours before the
flight I was coldly told "Your animals cannot fly today", I asked what could
be done, coldly again "I don't know, but they are not flying today, you
didn't make reservations for them 48 hours in advance".  OK, so I didn't,
but after calling everybody and anybody from US Air who had something to do
with them flying for the last 2 months I thought that would suffice.  After
discussing the matter with cold hearted Kristin's supervisior I was given
the number to a local animal rescue who picked up and re-delilvered the Fuzz
balls so they could catch the flight the next day.
 
As far as competitive, Delta and Northwest cost around $100 and no problems.
My fun with US Air cost me lots of anguish, and the following break down:
 
US Air freight            $125
Animal Shelter            $125
Freight fee (German side) 50 DM
Vet. Import permission    50 DM
German Vet. Inspection    50 DM
For a grand total of      $337  Now if that is competitive.. hmmmmm
 
Anyways, Delta is the most Ferret friendly, $90 and slide the fuzzies under
your seat, Northwest was $100 and give them up as baggage.
 
All I can say is, if you love you fuzzies DON'T FLY US AIR!!!!!
 
I have also sent a copy of this E-Mail to the US Air consumer service...
For fun try to find their E-Mail address and you will know what they
think about the consumers comments.
 
Kevin and the Ferrets
[Posted in FML issue 2110]