Well, this was inevitable, now that United and Continental have merged. United is adopting Continental's alleged "Petsafe" system. Although conceptually a good thing, claiming animals will be treated better in climate controlled cargo areas etc. the cost is astronomical and the actual treatment of the animals is not good.
We tried it once for Avril on an international flight and it was not a good experience, Newark to Cologne Germany, and Paris back to Newark. The animal had to be taken to the freight area in Paris CDG which was not easy to find. In Cologne, trying to claim her was a nightmare, finding the freight area, going to extensive security, heavy paperwork etc. If she had not been a dog with a European passport and tattoo it would have been impossible. IN Newark on the return she was placed in an unair-conditioned freight area and the crate was dragged across the floor to the front to return her to us. She was, as you can imagine, rather traumatized. The costs involved were as described in this article- about the value of a plane ticket for the same plane.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/united-airlines-policy-change-could-cost-pet-owners-164309658--abc-news.html
This one is definitely travel at your own risk, or at least your pet's.
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