Originally Posted by
Gauges and Dials
The airline's published policy clearly states that pets in approved carriers go under the seat in front of the passenger.
Correct. The flight attendant should have told the dog owner "you cannot keep the dog in the aisle. If it won't fit under the seat, you have to get off this airplane".
And I believe the FA would have done exactly that if the owner was traveling alone, BUT she had two kids with her.
The FA didn't want to kick a mother with two kids off the plane, so he/she came up with what he/she thought was a reasonable compromise to allow them to fly.
As it turned out, that was a bad decision, but I can understand why it was made. The FA was in a tough position and made a judgement call.