Complaining is what got ferrets removed from the list of animals Northwest allowed in the cabin between when I bought my ferret ticket last year and when I flew. Complaining is NOT the way to go. What happened with NW, was that someone's ferret got out of a carrier and the owner blamed the airline. Airlines operate on the 'Golden Rule' - he who has the gold rules. It's their airline. Now there's a big difference between communicating to an airline that you would like to see ferrets included in the list of cabin pets, and whining that you will take your flying dollar elsewhere if they don't accomodate you. When I was confronted with the fact that Northwest was not going to honor my ferret's ticket, I had to go to the Delta counter and purchase a Dash ticket, at 3 times the cost. There were no options, and arguing would have accomplished nothing and wasted what little time I had left. As for carrier size, purchase the small wire topped one. I have always used a front opening carrier, and always had to completely remove the ferrets so the carrier could be inspected. It's a nerve jangling experience, and strange people rush up to you with questions. A security check-point is not the ideal 'ferret show and tell' time. The smaller carrier also assures it fitting under all seats. Isle seats have less room than center seats, and I also have had to trade seats in order to fit my larger carrier (yet still within the quoted size limits) under neath. We, as ferret owners, should strive to be thought of as genteel, refined persons, not loud ruffians who would argue at a ticket counter. Georgia - the left coast one... [Posted in FML issue 2920]