Q&A WITH YASSER OGANDO, PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
In our February issue, production and advertising coordinator Yasser Ogando discussed solo female travel and her own bucket-list destinations, including Cuba. This inspired the question: What are some exciting destinations and pro-tips for first-timers?

A few readers wrote in with suggestions:

I travel alone more than with a group, and for beginners I would suggest Chicago. It’s a walkable city, easy to get around and has a lot to offer. Also, another plus with a big city, you don’t necessarily feel alone while you’re there.
JENNIFER NEWMAN, via email

The first time I traveled alone, I visited San Francisco. It was a little odd because it wasn’t necessarily the trend then to travel as a single female, but I had a great time and would highly recommend [it].
CINDY VISCS, via email

Solo travel is all about your mindset. Do your research, plan well and you can go just about anywhere — within reason.
RACHEL DRESCHER, via email

MORE BARK TALK: SERVICE ANIMAL RESTRICTIONS CHANGE
In our Jan. 28 issue of eFlyer USA and March “Mail Call,” we discussed the U.S. Department of Transportation rules changing the definition of service animals. Specific rules include allowing airlines to limit the size and number of service animals, requiring passengers with service animals to check in earlier and requiring stricter documentation and training. The topic inspired more readers to write in with their thoughts:

So pleased and hope new rules [allow] fly[ing] with true service animals only. So tired of “pets” stinking up the air and causing allergic people to suffer (me).
TERRI CALABRESE, via email

Very unfortunate the guidelines have been so permissive until now. I fully support carefully tightening up the rules so the disabled are the ones who benefit.
EDITH PEREZ, via email

As I’m sure you’re aware, the variety and size of animals seen on airplanes is quite ridiculous: dogs, cats, parrots, snakes, etc.

Generally, the airlines allow for a pet to travel on board if it can fit underneath the seat in front of you in a pet carrier. You must pay a fee for this as well as if your animal is checked in the cargo area. I believe people are abusing the service animal variance and claiming “emotional support” to avoid paying this fee. Animals are uncaged and too large to fit underneath the seat in front of you. The size of the animal is also important because larger animals encroach on other passengers’ space in an area where space is already limited. There have also been documented cases of other passengers being bit and animals relieving themselves on the plane.

I hope the new rules will require that all owners must provide to the airline certified documentation the animal is in fact a service animal that provides an actual medical function to the owner, the dog wears an identifying marker that it is a service animal and that there is a size limitation. Prior to boarding, the animal must be caged and able to fit underneath the seat in front of you as well as restricting the animal from being allowed out of the cage when on board the plane.
VITTORIO MANGIONE, via email

I absolutely agree animals should be limited on planes. I am allergic to dogs and can barely sit at an airport in the gate area because of all the dogs. People let them out of the cages while in the gate area to roam free. Airports and planes are beginning to smell like urine pots. It is disgusting. They don’t serve peanuts anymore because of peanut allergies; how about dog allergies? Even if I was not allergic, the smell gets overwhelming, both at gate areas and on airplanes.
JUDY MURPHY, via email

Thank God; finally, common sense! As a weekly business traveler trying to support my family with a job requiring 80 percent travel, and experiencing severe allergies to pet dander, I have struggled to stay healthy traveling weekly with pets masquerading as service animals. I have been moved to the back of the plane from economy plus (which I paid for) because the flight attendant had to give preferential treatment to the disabled so an “emotional support” dog could lie on the floor in the bulkhead. I moved to another available seat at the back of the plane.

Animals eating off of the food tray of their owner, animals on nearly every flight with it only getting worse as time went on. I have nearly left my job more than once. Please, the stricter the better … the sooner the better!
DIANE SACCO, via email

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Our first-ever Women’s Issue published in February inspired an avid reader and Advisory Board member to write in with some kind words:

The February issue is refreshing and impressive. Good for you for executing a great idea. Restores faith in print media.
MARK LANE, via email