NCL statement on ‘inexcusable’ United Flight 1284 pet death
March 13, 2018
Contact: NCL Communications, Carol McKay carolm@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2831
Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL) today condemned the poor training and lack of oversight that contributed to the reported death of yet another beloved family pet on Monday’s United Airlines Flight 1284 from Houston to New York. The following statement is attributable to NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg:
“Incidents like this one are inexcusable, and every member of the flying public should be outraged at United’s callous disregard for the safety of this family’s beloved pet. Consumers whose pockets are already being pinched by billions of dollars worth of add-on fees should not also have to worry about whether their pets will survive a flight. United was right to quickly apologize and take responsibility for this shocking event, but more needs to be done to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. United should invest in better training for its flight attendants so that they follow proper procedures regarding the safe transportation of pets and other animals. For the past two years, United has had the worst record on pet safety in the airline industry. The Department of Transportation needs to take seriously the issue of pet safety on United and other carriers and conduct a full investigation of this and other incidents of pet injuries and deaths on board the nation’s airlines.”
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About the National Consumers League
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit https://nclnet.org.
