As a twenty year veteran airline employee I have firsthand knowlegde. There are many rules for the safe carriage of animals, but these are just rules. There are some caring employees, but for the most part, a kennel is treated just like any other bag. Kennels are supposed to be loaded last and in front and offloaded first. I once offloaded a jet and buried under all the luggage at the back of the pit was a kennel with a dog. Fortunately the dog was okay. I wrote a report, but no none cared. Bottom line, the airlines don't care about anything but getting an ontime departure, and if it means bending the rules, so be it. Please people, do not ever put your beloved pet in the hands of airline personnel. If you must travel with your pet, carry the pet in cabin with you.

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