Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

So... this is going to be a tale. Sit down if you want to be entertained, while also learning about one of the worst product fails I have ever seen. Background: My wife and I are moving from California to Texas, and (of course) we're taking our two cats (Jessy, age 12, and Frankie, 11 months, both boys) with us. Neither one of them are experienced travelers, so driving is out of the question. Thus, we plan to fly. We do ALL the research, and, for the sake of this review, focus on finding the perfect pet carrier to carry them on the plane. We buy two of these carriers, based on their near-universal acclaim. We measure them, and they fit under the seats on Southwest (which, as an aside, was a great partner for flying our kitties). We test the carriers in the car a few times, and the cats are reticent but accepting of their temporary home. Day of Travel: We elected to give our cats a mild sedative prescribed by their vet, which we tested (with no ill effects) a few weeks prior to travel. In the car on the way to the airport, Jessy (the older one) was peaceful and calm, while Frankie (the younger one) was a little restless, but seemed to be coping. We made it successfully through airport screening, asking for a private screening room (HIGHLY recommended if you're flying with cats). Despite one of the TSA agents being deathly afraid of black cats (a story for another time), we made it to our gate with plenty of time to spare. We found a quiet, secluded area, expanded the extra zippers on these carriers, and let them play and rest before the flight. We board the plane, get perfect seats, and get ready for a (hopefully) uneventful flight. In the Air: Wow, were we wrong. While Frankie was mostly calm during takeoff, he did not adjust well to the change in altitude. Within 30 minutes, he was meowing constantly, pawing at the cage with his claws, and trying to force his way out of the carrier. Every once and a while, we'd try to put a finger or a hand into the carrier to calm him, but it did nothing. Them - BAM! Frankie manages to put his claws and teeth THOUGH THE SIDE OF THE CARRIER! As my wife was trying to calm him at the time, her hand was on the cage, and he was able to get his teeth to break her skin WHILE HE WAS STILL IN THE CARRIER. Even worse, as my realizes she's starting to bleed all over the carrier (and the airplane seats), and goes to get up and clean herself off on the bathroom, Frankie manages to stick his whole head OUT OF THE SMALL HOLE HE JUST MADE IN THE CARRIER - a la Jack Nicolson in "The Shining" (AKA "Here's JOHNNY!"). While he tries to push his whole body out of the carrier, my wife and I manage to restrain him and literally force him back inside. Given that Frankie was ready to escape his now decimated carrier, we quickly improvised, taking both cats and both carriers into a tiny airplane bathroom, holding both of the cats in my hands, and switching them into opposite carriers. For the rest of the plan, both cats were (mercifully) quiet and calm. Walking out of the arrival gate, and into the baggage claim area, we had to tip the carrier onto one of its ends, so that the broken end was facing up to minimize the risk of Jessy escaping. We made it to our rental car and apartment without incident; however, this remains one of the worst product experiences I have EVER had. Moral of the Story: As you can see from the photos, the seams on this carrier failed catastrophically. For all of its bells-and-whistles, it has one primary function - keep the cat inside the carrier at all times, no matter what. This carrier failed in its mission; as a result, I must urge people not to buy this carrier.