I don't know of any Airline that dumps them on the runway????? For the $285 or more extra for the regular shipping charges instead of the excess baggage rate......the van ride seems small compensation when they all start out at the same place.... in CARGO.....and end up in the same place on the aircraft.......CARGO. Other airlines let them go through the air conditioned Terminal WITH YOU, directly to the plane.......and upon unloading are taken directly to the air conditioned Terminal to wait for you to collect them with your baggage. No waiting that extra hour for you to get them booked in......then yourself up to the Terminal to book yourself in....and upon arrival....waiting in Cargo for you to get your luggage, rent a car....and find Cargo at a strange ariport to pick them up............ Taking them to Cargo when flying with you adds an extra hour before the flight and after the flight. I don't mind Continental at all shipping a dog by itself....but with us it is a nightmare and very very expensive. Carolyn marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.Marhaven.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Scharo777@xxxxxxx To: Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx ; marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; kleinkauf2@xxxxxxx ; showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; CHGermanShepherdDoglist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:41 AM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Continental Airlines?? In San Antonio, Continental takes the dogs to the planes in airconditioned vans - no open baggage trucks, no dumping them on the runways. They go straight into the plane or they wait in the air conditioning. Same leaving the plane. Carol ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================