Need help in picking a carrier for airline travel

[jennmac415]

Just booked our flights to go home to Oregon for Christmas..we are leaving on the 16th....of course we are taking our new baby, Beckham home to meet his Schnauzer brother Kobe and his other Yorkie sister Chelsea, should be great..I am really nervous to travel with him though...never taken an animal on a plane before.. I have been on DogJaunt already, it is great site...

My question at the moment is ( I am sure I will have more to come)... which carriers have you all used and which carriers do you like the best... and the worst??? Beckham is, I guess, what is called a "teapot" ..he weighs 12 lbs at 5 months...I really want him to be ok during the flights and am worried about his comfort.... thank goodness we are on nonstop flights going to Oregon AND coming back to Kansas...I am reading about all different carriers and getting all confused, there are so many...

I would apreciate any advice you have... thanks!

[Gweebarr]

Hi
Ido fly quiet often to Germany ... I used to take my toy poodle with my... I have one of the soft carrier.. Which goes with me onto the cabin.i will fly in feb to Germany and take my baby with me. I will take a pic and posted it in my album

[dbeach]

I just flew all three of mine from NY to CO...and the airline had strict policies on the size of carrier you could put under your seat. I checked with the airline I was flying first, got the dimensions I was allowed, and then picked out the carriers.

The airline we flew was AirTran because they charged the least, $75 per dog under the seat, and the carrier size was really pretty darn small

Maybe the other airlines allow bigger carriers, I don't know. But each airline lists the carrier dimensions on their websites.

Debbie
Tea', Katie and Paige

[jennmac415]

thanks to both of you.. I am flying from Kansas city to Portland on Southwest...they are only $75 each way also... will check their dimension policies again... can't remember them at the moment

[yorkiemini]

I think we have flown them all. Size is not a problem for us, but I think it is more about the temperment and calmness of the dog than the carrier. Taking a dog on a long nonstop flight might be more difficult for an inexperienced dogs than one with a few stops where they can stretch their legs after some shorter hops. Rally depends on the dog. It is cool and often noisy down on the floor in the plane.

Be sure they have lots of introductory time with their carrier before the actual trip.

[Yorkiemom1]

I just sold TWO "teapot" sisters, weighed in a 9# each, they went in the SAME large Sherpa carrier, traveled on Southwest, both the pups fit into the carrier comfortably. No room for running and playing, but they were calm and polite and could stand up and turn around...no problem, and my owner sat in the middle seat because she said that seat has the largest space under the seat. Those soft sided carriers work better I think...they "give" a little when placing the carrier under the seat in front of you....unlike the rigid carriers.

[BellarousasMom]

Well Bella and I are new to flying. We did our first flight the week of Thanksgiving this year. I ended up getting a Sherpa Delta, I think is what it's called. I had never flown before and neither had Bella. But she did great going to Texas, which was a 2 hour flight. But coming home she wouldn't potty before we entered the terminal. Pack pee pads to take with you. Lesson learned. Bella didn't pee in the carrier, but she was uncomfortable. Congrats.

[DvlshAngel985]

We use the Kwigy Bo Alex for flights and day to day activity. My suggestion is tire your pup out right before the flight and take piddle pads in case you want to give him a potty break after you already passed security.

[jennmac415]

Thanks everyone...I think I am going to get the large Sherpa....sounds like most people have been happy with it and I just cant look at them anymore. Lol...I will for sure take some pee pee pads although Beckham wont really peepee on them...he did a few times when I first got him but not anymore....this makes me worry if he has to go but wont use a pad....oh sooo many things to think about.....

[Big Doodle]

Kylie loves her Coach bag. If I take it out of the closet she practically leaps in it. Plenty of room as well as she is 9 lbs and I put a blanket and a toy in there as well.

http://i.imgur.com/kDxYy.jpg?1

[dryoasis88]

Hi! My Hepburn flys twice a year from Germany to the US and back (so 4 long flights a year) plus some years he flies about in Europe with me. I use a Celltei Pouch-o-pet because it is really great through security and customs and border control since my hands are free, but I can also see him (i.e. he is not on my back where other people can touch him and annoy him after he has been immobile for 8 hours on a flight). I like the bag, but it is already just fitting in the regulations, well at least for Lufthansa, and Hepburn is only about 5 pounds (after eating ) I have also seen people flying with larger dogs in Sherpa bags and they all say they are great. Just get your little one used to the bag before hand. Use it in the car or when you are at home. Give treats while they are in it. This will help a lot! Hepburn knows when we are going somewhere and he jumps in his bag, ready to go (even when he is actually not coming with). Good luck, stay calm and have fun. The calmer you are, the calmer your dog will be.