Planes, trains, buses and pets

Make sure you check ahead before traveling with Fido or Fluffy

CapeCodPets.com inquiry leads to clarification of CCRTA pet policy

Story and illustration by Judy Keenan

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) website stated that only service animals could ride their buses.  This policy, when posted on the CapeCodPets.com Facebook page, caused some readers to react with outrage.  Thomas Cahir, the Administrative Manger of the CCRTA was asked about their pet policy and reacted with puzzlement. 

Bus policy clarified

It seems the policy, as he understands it, does allow pets, providing they are in secure cages and that this policy was not conveyed by the CCRTA webmaster.  And so, he notified the webmaster and the policy for CCRTA now reads:  "Pets: service animals are welcome, but pets are not allowed unless in a secure carrier."

Mr. Cahir says this does not include snakes.  Bring your birds, gerbils, ants, iguanas, cats, dogs, and ferrets but leave your snake at home with the horse and elephant.

Pets not allowed on buses traveling over the bridge

Another bus line, the Plymouth and Brockton (P&B) states:

"Dogs, birds or any other pets cannot be transported.  ADA service animals - accompanying a legally deaf, blind or disabled person - are the only animals allowed on P & B buses.

Service animals may not travel in the aisle or occupy a seat and are the responsibility of its owner and must be under the control of its owner at all times.

Plymouth & Brockton reserves the right to refuse passage to any animal that poses a direct threat to the health and safety of other customers and or company personnel." 

Peter Pan and Greyhound bus lines and Amtrak trains have similar policies.  An interesting caveat to the Amtrak policy regulates the behavior of service animals and suggests dire consequences for poor behavior:

"Please note that if at any time you lose control of your animal, or your animal causes a significant disturbance, the train crew may in its discretion remove the animal from the train and turn it over to local animal control officials."

You can take your dog on the T

The Boston MBTA (subway) includes provisions for larger dogs to be transported:

"The Boston T allows both small and large dogs. Small dogs must travel in a carrier, while larger dogs must be leashed, controlled, and transported during off-peak hours." 

No mention of cats, not even ones on leashes. 

The flight of the feline (and canine)

Small dogs and cats can ride under passenger seats on airplanes,  Jet Blue's pet policy is typical.

"Your pet can comfortably remain in its kennel, under the seat for the entire flight. Only domesticated dogs and cats are allowed. Fee for animal in the passenger cabin: $100 each way."

Adding more regulations is Southwest Airlines:

"The animals must be harmless, not disruptive, odorless, and require no attention during flight.
Cats and dogs must remain in the carrier (including head and tail) and the carrier must be stowed under the seat in front of the Customer (Owner) during the entire duration of the flight.

Southwest Airlines will not be responsible if a Customer misses a flight due to the need to take the cat or dog to an outside relief area. Flight departures will not be delayed or held in order for connecting Customers to take a pet to an animal relief area."

Just where is the animal relief area in an airport?

Southwest continues on:

"If the pet becomes ill during the flight, oxygen or other first aid procedures will not be administered.

In the event of an emergency, an oxygen mask may not be available for the cat or dog .

Southwest Airlines will not accept pet remains in the cabin of the aircraft."

How many pet cremains are flying on planes on a daily basis to warrant this policy?

Play it safe, check ahead

Based on this limited survey of pets and travel policies on public transportation, it seems our friend, Saul T. O'Shen and his pet lobster, Lottie will be able to ride on the Cape Cod Regional Transit bus but Lottie will have to go in to the cargo hold for any plane travel.  She will not be able to travel on any interstate busline, the T or any passenger train.

Before Saul travels with his pet, Lottie, he should research and confirm pet policies for all the public transportation he anticipates using.  And so should everyone else traveling with a pet.