FYI, I am been working with Amy Flemming to arrange to get two ferrets from
her home near Detroit to Rochester, NY (where I live).  Northwest airlines
has direct counter-to-counter service, and for dogs and cats it isn't very
expensive, so I thought I would call them first.  Their response was that,
if it's not a "dog, cat, or bird" they won't take it counter-to-counter.
They quoted some rule, but I wasn't sure if it was an FAA regulation or a
NWA policy.
 
They did offer me their air cargo service, but the carpetsharks' trip would
have to detour through Pittsburgh, something I don't particularly like.
[Posted in FML issue 2309]