After millions of miles on other airlines I decided to fly Southwest to Seattle last month. I needed to take the Yorkie with us so we bought an airline bag, Samsonite, approved by all the Airlines.
I purchased my tickets on the internet and looked for the policies on animals, none to be found. After they had my taken my non refundable money the policy came up; "We do not transport animals!!!" Well alot of airline will not transport animals in the hold anymore but will allow small dog in the cabin, so no worries.
I check in with the dog bag on my shoulder no problem. On the end of the forth flight (normal SWA delay etc.) the dog squeaks and the cabin stewards notice the dog; "Sorry we do not allow dogs on the plane" What do I do? I am now in Seattle. No answer. See what happens at check in.
Return to flight after 3 weeks, I am running late and take dog directly to plane, land in Nashville. Plane delayed again. Take dog out of airport for walk. Bring him back and the SWA lady gestopo spots the dog and decides that we have been hiding him. I explain what happened and how their web site is as clear as mud about their policies. She decides it is a federal case and threatens to leave us a 35 mins flight from home.
I head down to the other airline counters to see if there is another option. Guess what SWA tickets are toilet paper on the other airlines. They have no reciprical agreements with the other carriers.
Sweet not only are they habitually late but your non refundable tickets are non transferable, one small step above a cheap holiday charter (Arrow Air or Air Florida?).
Well they eventually allowed us on the late flight after I kissed the dragon ladie's ring. "Caveat emptor" on the internet SWA ticketing.
After 5 or 6 clicks and knowing where to look I did find the policy on animals. You have to use SWA search engine. If this is up front, I'll go back and kiss the other end of the dragon lady? I refrained to on the first go round although it was indicated that it would go easier on me if I did.

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