[chuckinca]

You can take cats in the airplane cabin with you if they are in a soft walled carrier that will fit under the seat in front of you (we recently bought one at a local cat show). When we were flying out of Orlando in February, a lady on our flight had her cat. The airlines charge about $80 for the cat but you might take a chance and sneak it on (as told to us by the cat carrying lady on our flight - she paid but said many people don't) and if you get caught you are still out the $80 as it could be too late to toss you overboard. We have been training our 10 yo cat by putting her in the carrier and driving her around in the car when we go to the mall etc. She didn't like it at first but now it is no big deal to her and she is usually quiet.

If your mom flys, make sure it is a direct flight with no stops (eliminates Southwest) and that she walks around the cabin for a few minutes each hour to keep her blood circulating.