We all know about the extra charges the airlines have come up with lately. For one Fox 5 viewer, the charges go too far. She learned many airlines have figured out a new way to make a profit on pets.
Arnold Diaz looked at the issue in this edition of Shame SOS.
The viewer who emailed was outraged to learn that to take her pooch on the plane. She would have to pay not just one, but two separate charges.
How much is that doggie on the airplane? Too much, says Gloria Arce. She wanted to bring her loveable dog Oreo with her to California, until she found out about the airlines pricey policy on pooches.
It costs $250 just to bring Oreo on board in a pet carrier and shove him under her seat. That's bad enough. But to add insult to injury the airline's written policy reads: "A pet kennel counts as either a passenger's one carry-on bag or personal item." That means she could take her purse on the plane, but she'd to check her small rolling bag; that costs another $50.
Outraged, she emailed Fox 5: "Where does 'free' come in? I just paid [$250] to travel with my pet but don't turn around and count him as my free carry on! He doesn't go in the overhead bin and I'm sacrificing my leg room... And paying for it!! Airlines are ripping people off!"
It got to be so expensive Gloria ended up leaving home without Oreo.
We checked with 5 major airlines, and each one both charges you to bring your precious pet on the plane and counts it as one of your carry-on bags.
So before you promise your pet a day at the beach in California, call the airlines first to see how much that will set you back.
Arnold Diaz, the winner of 36 Emmy awards for his consumer investigative reporting, joined Fox's WNYW-TV in March 2006. He continues his longstanding investigative career with his infamous "Shame, Shame,
Arnold Diaz, the winner of 36 Emmy awards for his consumer investigative reporting, joined Fox's WNYW-TV in March 2006. He continues his longstanding investigative career with his infamous "Shame, Shame, Shame" pieces His reports regularly expose wrongdoing and incompetence by private industry and government agencies, and often lead to actions by law enforcement officials, as well as the enactment of legislation.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:32:13 GMT
A cardiologist with a thriving practice is in the Fox 5 Hall of Shame. We don't know how his patients feel, but we're certain he is making his employees sick of waiting for their paychecks.
A cardiologist with a thriving practice is in the Fox 5 Hall of Shame. We don't know how his patients feel, but we're certain he is making his employees sick of waiting for their paychecks.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 10:13 PM EDT2013-05-09 02:13:19 GMT
A young woman with no health insurance is battling a major New York City hospital. Arnold Diaz reports that for a year and a half she was getting nowhere until Fox 5 became her ammunition.
A young woman with no health insurance is battling a major New York City hospital. Arnold Diaz reports that for a year and a half she was getting nowhere until Fox 5 became her ammunition.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 8:30 AM EDT2013-05-07 12:30:49 GMT
A lot of New York restaurants cater to the rich and famous. But some say one chic eatery is going too far by reserving public parking spaces for its private use.
A lot of New York restaurants cater to the rich and famous. But some say one chic eatery is going too far by reserving public parking spaces for its private use.
Wednesday, May 1 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-02 03:01:21 GMT
A home improvement contractor has a reputation with customers and workers as a notorious liar. When Arnold Diaz went to question him, things got heated.
A home improvement contractor has a reputation with customers and workers as a notorious liar. When Arnold Diaz went to question him, things got heated.
Wednesday, April 17 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-04-18 02:20:14 GMT
An Astoria, Queens, landlord who put his tenants' lives in danger and took their money is behind bars, thanks in part to a recent Shame, Shame, Shame report.
An Astoria, Queens, landlord who put his tenants' lives in danger and took their money is behind bars, thanks in part to a recent Shame, Shame, Shame report.
Wednesday, April 3 2013 10:23 PM EDT2013-04-04 02:23:45 GMT
A crooked attorney who we put in our Hall of Shame almost a year ago is headed for prison. Arnold Diaz reports that it is a win-win: the bad guy gets punished and his victims get their money.
A crooked attorney who we put in our Hall of Shame almost a year ago is headed for prison. Arnold Diaz reports that it is a win-win: the bad guy gets punished and his victims get their money.
Thursday, March 28 2013 2:28 PM EDT2013-03-28 18:28:53 GMT
A New York City landlord goes into our hall of shame. Arnold Diaz reports that the landlord renting out apartments in a building in Astoria that has been declared unsafe to live in.
A New York City landlord goes into our hall of shame. Arnold Diaz reports that the landlord renting out apartments in a building in Astoria that has been declared unsafe to live in.
