Here's a scarey thought. Do we thank all the "wuss" ASS's (quote VanCamp) for keeping the GSD from making the list? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
VanCamp, forgive me. I know not what I'm saying. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I e-mailed my thoughts on the subject.

Corporations (even insurance co.s) have an obligation to be responsible with shareholder money. If they get hit with a huge damage award that money comes from someone's 401k, retirement, pension, college fund, down payment for a house, etc. I don't absolve them completely but there's plenty of blame to go around. What about the idiot lawyers who solicit such suits? What about the morons in the press who love to sensationalize "killer" dogs? Not too many years ago the #1 breed in bites reported was the cocker spaniel. Never saw people trying to ban them. I guess a news story about killer cockers won't get anybody to watch dateline nbc or 20/20. Then how about the idiot owners who don't take the time to find out just what they're getting when they buy a large breed dog and end up throwing it in the backyard for the neighbor's kids to torment? Or better yet the real Einsteins who want a "mean" dog (usually a weak-nerved dog in reality but they'd never believe it) as some sort of phallic extension? What about the breeders who don't pay attention to bloodlines or temperment (sp.) and sell to these fools? Like I said, plenty of blame to go around.

Peace. Out.

RN

Oldearthdog,

GSD are the second most popular dog in America. That would be bad for business. Besides most GSD i have met has been pretty mellow so they don't look scary.

Robert

I should've said this in my first reply, but whatever. I wouldn't trust the airport with my dog. I'm sorry but I think I'd wrather drive to where ever I'm going then go on the plane. It might take longer and it might cost more, but at least I know where my dog is.

Can't drive overseas...

I have driven MANY miles with dogs... sometimes even taking dogs that I have never seen before I had to leave, it is not a great amount of fun.

The ONLY reason in my mind that they didn't put down GSDs is because of law enforcement and security PROBABLY. They can get away with that. The insurance company knows that's a factor maybe. They don't care, nor does American care one bit about which dog is more aggressive, they care about money. Most apartments don't allow GSDs or anything their insurance agency tells them not to allow. We just got lucky is all.

As far as big corporations being victims too, I understand where RN's coming from completely, but I have NO SYMPATHY for corporations who make hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars A YEAR and will screw people over just to make $150,000 more in profit. Sorry . . . no sympthay for them. This is basic prison psychology, and people are going to take from you whatever they think they'll get away with. It looks like they will.

I also got the same response form letter.However, I resent them another comment with regards to it, so I am waiting to see what they say next!!

I mentioned the Cocker Spaniel to them in my second correspondence too!!!As a former dog groomer myself, I can tell you that the cocker wasn't the friendliest of breeds to groom!!!( besides being walking dust mops w/hair that happens to always stick in the skin between your fingers and drive you crazy!!!)So....

I will wait and see what they have to say next, because I also asked, "If the dog is accepted at check in as being in a secure kennel, couldn't it be that AA employee mishandling could have caused the dog to get loose?" (Thereby leaving them liable for any injury to the dog!!!)And of course, I also said any dog w/ teeth can bite, etc etc.....So far , no response ....we'll see....

 Quote:

Originally posted by Jeannette:
I mentioned the Cocker Spaniel to them in my second correspondence too!!!As a former dog groomer myself, I can tell you that the cocker wasn't the friendliest of breeds to groom!!!( besides being walking dust mops w/hair that happens to always stick in the skin between your fingers and drive you crazy!!!)So....

Don't forget..they piddle when you talk to them, they piddle, when you look at them, they piddle just thinking you might look at them! Top most unfriendly breeds to groom...

1. Cocker Spanial
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. American Eskimos
4. Chows
5. Minature Poodles

We had a really unpleasent Yorkshire Terrier in today (I work in a groom shop periodically) ... if you put a brush near her, she'd flip out. Not just a little...I mean you'd have to stop, take 5 minutes to calm her down, and then try again. We had to send her home ungroomed because she just couldn't handle it.

Another time this little Rat Terrier "stuart" came in for a nail clipping. The OWNER held him and he just flipped out so bad, he was bitting groomer, owner, and anything else near him! Horrible little dog.

I've done very nice Golden Retrievers, a really super nice German Shepherd comes in, sweet Labs, St Bernards, Rottweilers, ... 3 pitbulls I just LOVE come in every few weeks for baths and their all nice, well-trained dogs. I think American Airline's "experts" need to spend a day with a groomer.

Here is the latest response from AA:

"I have received your most recent e-mail regarding our recent decision to restrict the
transportation of certain canine breeds. At the risk of disappointing you further, I
must advise that we are unwilling to change our original decision at this time.

Let me explain what happened. We had a serious incident where an aggressive breed dog
escaped its kennel and caused damage inside the aircraft cargo hold of one of our
airplanes during flight. Even the communications equipment behind the hold was
damaged, but fortunately, was not critical to the flight's safety. Therefore, to
reduce to zero the risk of something like this ever happening again, we've banned
certain dog breeds from traveling on our airplanes. I hope this explanation helps,
and I have forwarded a copy of your comments and suggestions to personnel in our Cargo
department for their perusal."

I think that this breed ban is ridiculous, as it clearly indicates that 1 dog escaped and caused damage,and not that all of the breeds in the ban are involved.If a dog got out of it's kennel, what does this have to do with all of the other dogs that fly safely in properly secured kennels??? ANY dog that may have gotten loose(turbulence???) may have been scared enough to try and escape!!!!!! To me, a blanket ban of breeds is a poor compensation for one rare instance that could pobably have been avoided if the cage was properly inspected for secure closure.!!!! AGAIN, I will not fly AA. ever until this ban is lifted!!!!

Before I go on, I need to ask this. Where do they put the pets on the plane?