I'm excited! Although their official policy does not allow ferrets (only cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and potbellied pigs!), at least one person at Continental Airlines was willing to grant a "special exception" and approve my taking two ferrets in an underseat carrier, in the cabin of the plane. It's been noted on my reservation record, and I just got back from purcahsing the tickets, complete with onboard pet surcharge ($50 each way). At the suggestion of the reservation agent, I called Continental's customer service number, 1-800-WE CARE 2, and spoke with Mr. Lane (5:45 pm Eastern time, Monday, 20 Nov.). He quoted their policy at me and suggested that I write them and ask that it be changed. When I asked if there were some faster way to get approval, he put me on hold for about 15 minutes, then returned to say that a special exception had been granted, and I was all set. (Mr. Lane didn't even know what a ferret was, but I reassured him that they were commonplace, healthy, quiet, and small, "about the size of a 3-month-old kitten".) If you're trying to make holiday travel arrangements with your ferrets, you might want to call Continental's customer service and ask to speak with Mr. Lane. If he gets 5, 25, or 100 calls in the next few days, perhaps he -- and whichever supervisor he keeps asking for exceptions -- will be convinced that there's enough reason to change the policy. Even if you're not planning to fly soon, you can write them and suggest that their policy be changed. Apparently they added potbellied pigs recently, in response to customer requests, so there is hope. Continental Customer Service 3663 North Sam Houston Pkwy. Suite 500 Houston, TX 77032 -- - Pam Greene Ferret Central <http://www.optics.rochester.edu:8080/users/pgreene/> or ftp to ftp.optics.rochester.edu and look in pgreene/ or send INDEX FERRET in email to <[log in to unmask]> [Posted in FML issue 1386]