I read the guidelines, and they specifically say that snakes, reptiles
(redundant, I know), rodents, *and ferrets* need not be accepted on
airplanes even if they're therapy animals.  The rationale in the
guidelines was that there could be a public health/safety hazard if the
animals got loose in the cabin.  While this initially sounds like ferret
discrimination, I really don't think it is in light of the purpose of the
guidelines.
 
First, it's important to note that these are guidelines, not regulations.
This means that the airlines can still do as they please (so Delta can
still accept ferrets in the cabin if it wants to).  But if they don't
want to accept the animals, the guidelines provide support for the
airlines' decision so that they have more protection in the event of a
lawsuit brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA").  If
you don't know, the ADA has some provisions that require accomodation for
people with disabilities/handicaps -- in this instance, the people would
probably say that the airlines had to accept the animals b/c the person
was disabled and needed the animal to assist with the disability.  And
the handicapped person could concievably sue the airline for refusing to
accomodate their handicap by allowing the animal in the cabin.  So to
help the airlines, the DOT issued these guidelines setting out their
support, among other things, for the idea that airlines shouldn't be
forced to accept some types of animals on the basis of accomodating
handicaps under the ADA.
 
Now, I think it's incredibly annoying that most airlines won't accept
ferrets in cabins, but I honestly can see the public safety issue with
a lose ferret in an airplane.  I am sure that it would be disconcerting
to the other passengers to say the least, and if nobody could catch the
ferret (if there were turbulence or something when it got loose) then it
is conceivable that the ferret could get into the insides of the plane
and cause all sorts of havoc.
 
Anyway, I totally agree that it's not likely to happen, and that it's a
pain, but remember that they included ferrets with lots of other small
animals that would be hard to catch if they got loose - like rodents.  I
think this is more based on the size of the animal, its ability to get
into the guts of the airplane, and the potential to cause panic among
the passengers, than anything else.
 
So, it's maybe not something worth getting tooo upset about.
 
Melissa I.
[Posted in FML issue 4147]