Why is it that medium and large size dogs are not permitted in the cabin of a commercial aircraft? It's a pretty rough ride for a dog who weighs more than 15 pounds. There is the occasional story about some poor dog who died when the cargo hold got too hot or cold, or escapes on a tarmac never to be heard from again. Here in DC there has been the story of a dog named Jedda, who escaped from a flight at Dulles airport. Since June 2008, the family has been coordinating search's for the dog. Amazingly, there are still sightings. 

Dogs seem to be permitted everywhere these days. Local businesses allow well behaved dogs into stores, enticing owners with bowls of water or coming outside to give the dog a treat. Service dogs are permitted everywhere as well. Besides the fact that they are trained to provide needed help to a disabled person, there really is no difference between a service dog and a well behaved personal dog. So if a service dog can be permitted on a flight, why not my well behaved dogs? 

Roxy and Missy are pretty laid back. They both are gentle, keep to themselves, have pretty hardy bladders and would probably fall asleep during the flight, if they were in the cabin. The problem is the outdated rules of the airlines. So here is a Nextnik idea for the airlines to begin accepting dogs in the cabin of planes.  

Why couldn't the airlines provide say 3-5 cages inside the cabin, or an area outside of the airport where an animal can be put in a cage that can be wheeled onto the aircraft like carry on luggage.  A soundproofed cage area can be at the back of the plane, possibly with seats for the owners. People with dogs are the first ones on and the last ones off the aircraft so as not to get in the way of other passengers. The cages are first come first served. Simple huh? Imagine all those dog lovers who would cough up some serious scratch to keep their animals out of the cargo hold. Your welcome. Now, I just have to figure out what to do with the bird.