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Is the image of pets transported on a plane misleading?
Aug 19, 2024
2 years ago
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTERThe person posting that this is an image from the animal cargo bay of a commercial airline, is trying to mislead people. As you can see from the photo this is not from one of the large passenger airlines. You can see the area is small and see the curve of the walls. Please don't be fooled by misinformation.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around a photo that allegedly misrepresents how pets are typically transported on commercial flights. Several users provide differing opinions on the photo's authenticity, with some criticizing it as misleading and others arguing it accurately depicts an evacuation situation. The conversation reveals tensions regarding animal welfare during air travel, with users debating the safety and stress levels experienced by pets in cargo holds versus in-cabin travel.
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Maxim ***********
@Lynnette ******
Stupidity is incurable. You are 100% right about everything you said. I've dealt with hundreds of dog owners who abandoned their pets in Thailand (half are foreigners btw). Shelters are overcrowded and dogs are dumped there in jail.Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Maxim **********
I have a Thai rescue. Eldest son has 3 thai rescue dogs and a rescue cat. Other son had a Thai rescue dog who traveled over the years between Phuket, Panama, Europe and to USA. We'd never abandon them.Maxim ***********
I have 12 rescue at home, one is blind and diabetic.
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Maxim ***********
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Kate *******
Thank you. And this would not be allowed on commercial airlines. My husband is a airline safety engineer/consultant and the hold is safe/climate controlled and animals are taken care of as much as possible.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kate ******
exactly. Some people would never take dogs with them when they relocate and leave the country, others will. It's personal choice.Reply to
Lynnette *******
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Craig *******
If there's some emotive issue involved I just assume the person posting is either lying or half crazy these days...agenda is everything right...animals DONT belong inside an airplane,if you can't do things like a normal person, STAY HOME
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Craig ******
the person posting? I posted this, because it's an image someone else shared that is a bit misleading, which is what I was saying. How people decide to travel long haul with pets when moving overseas, is up to them.Angelo ***********
@Craig ******
And how do you bring your pet from A to B?Reply to
Angelo ***********
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Graeme **********
Definitely a Space Shuttle
Gray ******
That many animals on one plane is not common. When I landed in Thailand with my dog. It was only me with an animal.
Ian ******
I saw a comment on this in the same group about a year back
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Jason *******
What's wrong with this photo? All the dogs look perfectly fine.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jason ******
it's not how dogs are transported long haul, as the other person tried to suggest. It was an evacuation situation.Reply to
Lynnette *******
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Jennifer ******
Most commercial airlines only allow 2-3 animals max.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTERSome really stupid comments by people who think not abandoning their pet, and taking them with them when they leave a country forever, is because they hate them. 🤦. Of course we hate our animals so much! Hate them so much, we don't abandon them on the streets and beaches when we move to another country to live. 😆
Andy **********
@Lynnette ******
some people take them on vacation to Thailand. Some in this discussion think that's fine.Reply to
Andy **********
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Jo **********
I am sad and feel awful about the all the comments of people who hate animals and would consider sticking their dog in a small cage for up to 13 hours. With turbulence and isolation.
Kim *********
@Jo *********
stupid comment regarding hating animals.Reply to
Kim *********
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Roman **********
Worked for an airline that transported pets. They are arguably treated better than the passengers and very well cared for at every stage.
Very strict procedures and if an animal gets hurt or dies it's a very big deal. The cargo hold is by far the safest and less stressful place for your animal. Baggage handlers at any reputable airport will ensure they are last on and first off as well as being securely strapped down in the hold. The hold is pressurized, heated identical to the cabin and has a dim light.
Speak to your vet beforehand about medication to relax them and if they are fit enough to travel. Some breeds like pugs can have breathing issues at high altitude. Such a trip requires careful planning.
Often the same people that call out animals being transported in the cargo hold are the same bat shit insane individuals who call for their emotion support {cat/dog/pig/miniature horse/alligator/peacock/turkey} to travel in the cabin jammed under a seat for free.
Very strict procedures and if an animal gets hurt or dies it's a very big deal. The cargo hold is by far the safest and less stressful place for your animal. Baggage handlers at any reputable airport will ensure they are last on and first off as well as being securely strapped down in the hold. The hold is pressurized, heated identical to the cabin and has a dim light.
Speak to your vet beforehand about medication to relax them and if they are fit enough to travel. Some breeds like pugs can have breathing issues at high altitude. Such a trip requires careful planning.
Often the same people that call out animals being transported in the cargo hold are the same bat shit insane individuals who call for their emotion support {cat/dog/pig/miniature horse/alligator/peacock/turkey} to travel in the cabin jammed under a seat for free.
Carlos *********
@Roman *********
cargo hold!?! Is that heated and pressurized?????Roman **********
@Carlos ********
Yes, the entire tube of the aircraft is pressurised and circulating airflow. Otherwise everything would be frozen solid from the -60c outside temperature at cruise.Reply to
Roman **********
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Andy **********
Since this thread was about an unattributed photo with only half the story, and whether that was an accurate representation of the special quiet area reserved for animals, this link shows the reality: they go in the hold with the rest of the luggage and a tarp thrown up.
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36Andy **********
@Roman *********
The complication pertaining to Thailand is that most trips include more than one carrier, and transiting includes very hot countries were there are not the same standards.Sam ************
@Roman *********
emotional support animals don't travel free that's service animalsRoman **********
@Sam ***********
Some do depending on airline and size, however you are right that its not mandated they do anymore.Many try to fly them in the cabin as its cheaper than the hundreds/thousands of dollars more to do it properly
Sam ************
@Roman *********
I looked and can't find a single airline that lets them fly free, and many only allow dogs as esa. No cats.I have an ESA cat and service dog. I'd rather cargo the dog because she's bomb proof but I actually need her lol 🤷♀️
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roman *********
my dog cost about £1300 to fly to UK because Heathrow charged about £350 to take him off the plane and do his health check and import paperwork. He arrived happy but tired.Reply to
Lynnette *******
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Jo **********
@Roman *********
I am sad and feel awful about the all the comments of people who hate animals and would consider sticking their dog in a small cage for up to 13 hours. With turbulence and isolation. Please stay away from animals.Roman **********
@Jo *********
Apologies if you were not referring to keeping them uncaged in the cabin next to the owner. The next alternatives for people not wanting to travel is abandoning the pet or putting them down before moving away, which is unthinkable and disgusts me, but does sadly happen.
Please don’t get me wrong, I love animals and have grown up with pets.
I certainly don’t think transporting animals around the world is good for the animal and it absolutely is stressful on them, but as a once of relocation its often required
Carlos *********
@Jo *********
cargo hold are not heated and not pressurizedRoman **********
@Carlos ********
This is false. All airliners including regional turboprops have pressurised cargo holds and are carefully monitored. If it wasn’t, 100% of animals transported would die.
Carlos *********
@Roman *********
prop planes fly at lower altitudes and would be better for the animal. And heat and pressurazation on a jet is overflow from the cabin. Max temp would be ~ 23⁰c 🥶Roman **********
@Carlos ********
Our A320’s had cargo hold heaters. ~23c sounds about right for a cabin temp. The 787 was even more advanced and had multiple zones including a specific hold that could even be turned into a fridge for perishables. Certainly not a design afterthought!
More likely a small turboprop would be noiser, bumpier and have a less sophisticated heating system such as the cabin air vents you mention.
The level of pressurisation you experience would be about the same between turbo props and airliners (8000ft) regardless of how high the plane actually flys. The latest long haul 787/a350’s are pressurised to an even lower altitude (6000ft) which might be a consideration to what airline you choose compared to an older a
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.Carlos *********
@Roman *********
That's encouraging to know. Thanks for the enlightenment,( I always thought it was torture. Sensitive ears not clearing, pressure and surroundings of chaos)So do they sedate the animals or don't they? 🤔Roman **********
@Carlos ********
No problem. Just trying to clear up some misconceptions.The pressures and discomfort on the ears is a good point I dont have any answers on.
Some animals were lightly sedated with a xanax like medication for anxiety. Most were not was my understanding and that it required extra steps.
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Roman **********
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Tracey ********
@Jo *********
there is sometimes we don't have a choice but put our animals on a plane. I love our dogs and they get the best life. But sometimes things change in life and you have to get them other parts of the country.Mike ******
@Tracey *******
agree... I am planning to move and it's been extremely difficult for me to make sense of how to proceedReply to
Mike ******
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Roman **********
@Jo *********
Cool: Torment them to hours of stress in the cabin surrounded by hundreds of people, possible danger to themselves and others if they escape your control in flight, almost certain death in an evacuation, aggravation with other passengers, damage to the cabin if the animal drops its bowls. Most animals will simply go to sleep through the whole flight once airborne in the hold. Dogs that get anxious can get semi sedated.
If you want a real world example of the dangers in the cabin, im personally aware of and seen the pictures of a kitten that was carried on a US airline. It escaped out of a bag and crawled into the seat mechanisms infront without anyone knowing and got torn apart when the seat was reclined.
Plenty of cases where dogs freak out and attack passengers or animals in the US. That has a similar result of the animal being ‘dispatched’ to end the scene or it dieing from its injuries.
Pets in the cabin is animal cruelty and pure selfishness to keep the owner entertained. The exception are proper real service animals that are trained to an incredible standard.
Jo **********
@Roman *********
Others mentioned the fact that the cargo area gets loud and cold during flights, which can be traumatizing for animals. Some commercial airlines have even reported deaths from animals suffering from heart failure, erratic breathing and attempting to escape their crates.Roman **********
@Jo *********
I agree and don’t deny deaths and injuries occur. Even people die on a very regular basis flying due to these same factors!This is a valid issue and why the suitability of transporting a particular animal needs to be done on a case by case basis and avoided where possible.
At least where I worked the animal was assessed by a Vet before and after every sector. Time spent on the ramp (noisy/fumes) was also planned and minimised.
Temperature in the cargo hold (at least on the Airbus A320) is selectable and able to be set/monitored by the flightcrew. No doubt the case for other modern airliners.
Flight crew are explicitly made aware if animals are being transported and have procedures to follow when that is the case. Ive even seen live fish, birds and even bees loaded!
Never been in a cargo hold during flight but wouldn’t be surprised if it was quieter than the cabin due to the amount of bags. It still is insulated the same as the cabin.
Not trying to dispute you, just worked in the industry and know some of the dedicated teams who look after the animals at airports. They take their jobs very seriously.
Jo **********
@Roman *********
is never said that or suggested that. Maybe you should consider a new hobby called honestyAndy **********
@Roman *********
Hear hear. Dogs and cats don't have the same awareness of time as we do. When they are stuffed into a dark box, they have no idea if they will see their and get fed again. If at the other end they greet their owner with a wagging tail, it's not because they enjoyed the trip, it's relief that they are not going to starve to death. Transporting a pet is not to be taken lightly, and the welfare of the animal has to be the number one consideration, not the comfort of the owner.Reply to
Andy **********
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Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jo *********
you're a fool.Jo **********
@Lynnette ******
sure because I care about the welfare of animals. that’s brilliantReply to
Jo **********
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Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roman *********
well said. There's a lot of hysteria being displayed about it by some people.Andy **********
@Lynnette ******
Yes, hysterical reactions and false accusationsReply to
Andy **********
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Andy **********
I recall seeing something in a post about a lady wanting her dog to travel with her in the cabin, because she believed her dog would fret terribly traveling in the plane luggage hold in a box, and was asking for some sort of guidance from the group, she probably just searched google for a photo of dogs in a cargo plane, just for illustration purposes, why are making such a big deal about it?? What makes you think she was purposely misleading people?? I honestly don't recall every detail. 🤔
Adolar **********
This photo is made in the rear section of a B747. I am 99% sure.
And yes, they should not run around during the flight, therefore they travel in boxes…
And yes, they should not run around during the flight, therefore they travel in boxes…
Dave ********
And the irony is: there are carrier size requirements for pets, but they stuff humans together like sardines in a can. Having travelled internationally with my pets for 27 years - I can tell you that the airlines typically regulate it well. It’s the self-entitled humans that screw it up for the rest of us.
Andy **********
I'm not sure this is terribly misleading. Obviously there is a context to this photo with so many dogs on a plane. But this is basically how they would travel. I had to dope mine up when flown from the middle east to the UK, on vet orders. It's pretty cruel for people to take their pets like this on holiday. Extremely stressful for the animal.
Brian *********
@Andy *********
I’ve transported dogs internationally a couple of times including photos while in route. Nothing like this BS image, nothing!Andy **********
Dog enjoys the trip.so much it bites through metals and walks around the hold during the flight.
Brian *********
@Andy *********
some animals in the best of situations are going to freak out under the best care because they are afraid and don’t understand.You are sensationalizing and painting a picture that is not entirely true to the context.
Bad things happen yes, but you’re overly generalizing.
Andy **********
@Brian ********
No but others are getting their knickers in a twist over a photo of dogs being evacuated. Guess you didn't watch the Canadian video of the dog in the hold behind a tarp. I am not sensationalizing anything.Reply to
Andy **********
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Brian *********
@Andy *********
this is clearly a short range transport because of aircraft size. Do you experience the animals in the photo under duress? They are clearly labeled, comfortable and on average okay.Reply to
Brian *********
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Vin *********
@Andy *********
Never stressed any of my pets. From Great Danes to Shelties. Just because yours lived in a stressful environment, does not mean others do.
Andy **********
@Vin ********
one was a feral dog, the other was a European dog imported by expatriates in the desert. Dogs do die in transit due to physiological stress. To deny that is being deliberately ignorant. There have been people posting on this group about taking dogs to Thailand for a two week holiday. Are you one of those?Vin *********
@Andy *********
It is naieto speak for all rather than your own. It IS NOT, WAS NOT stressful for my pets. I, unlike you, stated nothing more.
And now you want to add feral animals into it... 🙄
We are done with this conversation. Your ignorance cannot be competed wirh.
Andy **********
@Vin ********
If you are done, then click on my profile and block me. The feral dog you dismissed was a 6 month old pup that the local American oil company wanted shot within 12 hours. I had seen how the local police took out a dog with mange with a Webley revolver: 4 shots at point blank because they couldn't shoot straight. I rescued the dog and it went onto live another 18 happy years in the UK with its mate. The head vet felt the dog needed to be sedated for the trip.Reply to
Andy **********
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Jared **********
@Andy *********
if its storm related evacuation i would absolutely say it’s grossly misleading to poise this as standard procedureLynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jared *********
she was probably angry some of us said it was safe to use the quiet, temperature controlled hold, set aside for pets to travel.Andy **********
@Lynnette ******
Pets die every year following air transport. Airlines even lose pets. Unless the pet is a support animal,they should not be flown on long haul holiday flights merely for the gratification of the owner. Book into kennels like other people. The animals will be happier there than 20 hours of terror. And jet airlines are not quiet when you have walloping RR or PW engines 6 foot from your head.Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
pets die from being abandoned. Pets die from abuse. People who don't abandon their animals when relocating are doing the right thing. Obviously you are opposed to anyone taking their pet with them when they leave a country. ( We aren't talking about shipping them for 20 hours for a holiday ). Fortunately most people are not like you, and their animals are safely and carefully relocated with, or to, their owners. When I leave a country permanently and relocate, my animal will be going with me.Andy **********
@Lynnette ******
No, you just made up a false argument, what is called a strawman. You ignored whst i stated about support animals. You didn't read what I stated. You are based I see in the UK. Minimum transit from UK to Thailand is 12 hours. If traveling from North America, travel times easily exceed 20 hours. You are unaware of US government statistics of pet deaths and injuries during and just after a US domestic flight. Between 2010 and 2020, 250 pets died on US domestic flights, another 170 were injured. 20 were lost by the airlines. I've no reason to suppose US airlines are worse than European, Middle Eastern and Asian carriers. I suspect they are towards the top of the safety spectrum. Extrapolating to global flights by all carriers and that's hundreds of animals per year. You are not aware of this. This group is not for your ranty posts attacking others for non thailand related postings. In the words of Michael Caine, calm down.Reply to
Andy **********
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Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
and no one should be doping a dog prior to air travel. Most pet travel companies who handle relocations know how to do it safely and with care.Andy **********
@Lynnette ******
Well mine were on the orders of the chief vet of Bahrain. In 1984, there was no such thing as pet relocation companies, and back then dogs were placed into 6 months quarantine upon arrival.Melissa *************
@Andy *********
well things have changed in 40 years. There are pet relocation specialists, research has shown sedating dogs is dangerous as it affects the animals ability to regulate their body temperature, airlines have great systems in place for transporting pet crates.Reply to
Melissa *************
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Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *********
this isn't about taking pets on holiday but claiming this small size plane and the stacking of carriers is normal. It's not.Andy **********
@Lynnette ******
Quit posting random photos then. The way Facebook groups work is not every has a posting placed in their feeds at the same time. Don't be assuming everyone has seen the posting you are whinging about. Calm down. The photo is normal if you are flying on a small team with say a performing dog team.Reply to
Andy **********
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Mike *******
While this has become a used and abused stock photo, here’s the source information in Getty Images:
Animal Victims Of Katrina Are Evacuated From Mississippi
HATTIESBURG, MS - SEPTEMBER 22: Rescued pets wait in cages aboard a plane for transport to St. Louis, Missouri, September 22, 2005 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The pets will be taken in by foster owners until they can be reunited with their owners or placed for permanent adoption. Together the United States Humane Society and the Humane Society of Missouri have rescued thousands of pets since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans. (Photo by Marianne Todd/Getty Images)
Animal Victims Of Katrina Are Evacuated From Mississippi
HATTIESBURG, MS - SEPTEMBER 22: Rescued pets wait in cages aboard a plane for transport to St. Louis, Missouri, September 22, 2005 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The pets will be taken in by foster owners until they can be reunited with their owners or placed for permanent adoption. Together the United States Humane Society and the Humane Society of Missouri have rescued thousands of pets since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans. (Photo by Marianne Todd/Getty Images)
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ******
thanks. I just said it was probably an evacuation.Mike *******
Reply to
Mike *******
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Jean **************
She turned off comments quick. And she turned rude.
Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jean *************
yes. If she wants her cat in the cabin that's up to her. But it's stupid to say their dog/cat would be inside a small area like this. It isn't even the size of a long haul commercial plane. It's probably an evacuation situation.Derek *******
@Lynnette ******
Your instincts are correct. That’s exactly what this is. These are animals that were found without people during Hurricane Katrina. This is an evacuation of the animals to save themReply to
Derek *******
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Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm not sure what her agenda is but scaring people by posting misleading photos is silly.
Jo **********
@Lynnette ******
so show us a photo of how their treated better. Turbulence and isolation. Your sickJack ****************
@Jo *********
flying sucks for people too.Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jack ***************
business class! Lol.Jack ****************
@Lynnette ******
sadly I got felted by COVID and now seldom fly upper class. Especially now that most of my flying is international. Tickets are routinely 20x. That is money my kids will need for university, sigh.Reply to
Jack ****************
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Lynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jo *********
if you prefer to leave your pets behind when you relocate permanently, that's up to you. Sadly, rescuers are overwhelmed with abandoned pets that foreigners leave behind. Meanwhile if you want more information on pet travel, contact an airline or relocation company, not me.Jo **********
@Lynnette ******
you posted this take responsibilityLynnette *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jo *********
lol. I posted it because it's not accurate. It's up to each pet owner to decide whether they take their pets when they leave the country or not. That choice should be based on accurate facts obtained from the airline or pet relocation company.Reply to
Lynnette *******
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