Renee Rider wrote:
>Which airline are you flying that allows you to do this?  Please correct
>me if I am wrong, but NO major airline will permit this for ferrets.
 
Delta airlines will allow ferrets in cabin.  There is a $40.00
nonrefundable reservation fee for the privilege.  They only allow 1 ferret.
(I would try and sneak 2 or 3 through....they are quiet enough....)  As of
December 26, they were the only domestic airline to permit ferrets in the
passenger cabin.
 
>It isn't about their individual rules, but I was told that the FAA (The
>Federal overseers) have ferrets classified as "dangerous" animals and
>their rules forbid any airline to permit ferrets to travel in the cabin
>with other humans.
 
Absolutely false.  The FAA could care less about ferrets, per se.  It is
strictly a policy decided by each airline.
 
There are a number of domestic carriers that will ship ferrets, counter
to counter.  United, American, Delta (The best with their DASH service),
Northwest, and Continental, to name a few.  I have used them all.
 
All airlines have their own set of rules regarding temperature parameters
at all the airports visited by the shipped animal, health certificates,
etc.  (Although, I am told now that health certs are required by the FAA
and the U.S.  Department of Agriculture.  To be on the safe side, get a
health cert for each of the ferrets traveling at your vet's..they are
good for 10 days from day of issuance.)  There are also some new rules
regarding shipping crate inspections if you are considered an 'unknown'
shipper...again, the airline you choose will tell you how that is enforced
and why.  (Well..bombs are the reason....)
 
Gang..I am constantly amazed at the number of urban legends that spring up
regarding shipping ferrets or traveling with ferrets.  I have a fair amount
of experience in shipping ferrets so I do know from first hand experience
the requirements.  Rules do change so it is important to do your research
ahead of time and always get the name and employee number of the person who
gives you information....Even airline employees in live cargo have no idea
what they are talking about most of the time....I have dealt with too many
of those bozos!
 
Sometime, I will tell you all about traveling with my Hungarian Screamer
cats.....
 
For Our Ferrets
 
MC
(With Snorkle, Tuzigoot, and Bancho.  In spirit, Bubba, Billy-Bob, and
Garret)
[Posted in FML issue 3347]