Everyone with 2 dogs!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!

[kathy785]

I have traveled 2 times with 2 dogs. I used United. There rules allow 2. It says under 6 months old, but they did not check and the dogs were small. I have also traveled with just one dog. Sometimes the airline does not even check my health certificate. I found that express jet is really lax. Book the dog (you only pay for the one carry on not for 2 dogs.) when you book your flight. You usually have to pay at the airport, but again with express jet I paid for the dogs when I made my reservation over the phone. You will have to take the dogs out at security and carry them through the metal detector while the carrier goes through the x-ray. The dogs also count as one of your carry-on items, so make your other one count! I use a large backpack for the other item, as I can get a lot of stuff in there for me and for the dogs. I have only used United ($85) and Express Jet ($50) so far.

[yml]

I can tell you that unfortunately after 911 airline travel will never be the same, and with security measures like they are to lie is probably not a good idea...Every airport/airline is different as is each person who works for them...You have to understand the cabin limits on pets and rules...Otherwise it would be a flying circus!!!!!! Read the thread about the Kids Driving Someone Crazy, some people tolerate kids, others pets, and from my experience with people on board a flight, they VERY SELDOM follow the rules and leave them in the carrier, and to the passengers who are not animal lovers (maybe next to you) it becomes let's say "Not Very Pretty"!!!!!! When you call each airline, ask them what is the number of pets allowed per aircraft, and then have them clarify if that is per cabin or the entire aircraft...Maybe you were told no as the flight already showed another pet booked already...I hope this helps you w/ some insight from someone who has been in the not so friendly skies! Yvonne

[kathy785]

Sorry if you think I have lied to the airlines, but I have NOT!!! I only book two dogs onto flights that allow a person to take two on in one carrier. They were over the stated age on the web pages for the airlines, but I never tried to hide how old they were. It is clearly stated on the health certificates that I take with me. I book my dogs before I go and tell them how many (one or two). My dogs are very well behaved and most of times people do not know that I even have a dog under the seat in front of me, until we get to talking and I tell them I am traveling with my dog. If I do take the dog out of the carrier, I have any seat partner's permission as well as the flight attendents. The last flight I was on, Judy sat on my lap shortly after take off when the people around me found out I was flying a dog out to California. They asked to see her. She stayed on my lap until they called for all carry on items to be put away for landing. The flight attendent did come by and check to make sure that Judy had been put away. I have never had any nasty comments as I always think of the other passengers before myself. I know my dog is happy and safe in the carrier because they have been trained to be in crates, (Easier for shows and travel) even though they usually don't see the inside of a crate here. When I know I am traveling I practice crating again, so they are completely at ease with the confined feeling. I do leave a couple of crates out and open in my kitchen and one in my bedroom. I have seen the dogs go into a crate by themself to take a nap or get away from the other dogs.
Bottom line is there are airlines that allow 2 dogs without anyone having to lie. The airline does not seem to care about the age limit as long as the dogs are small (I traveled with 2 adult girls that were 5 pounds and 6 pounds in one carry on and the airline check-in even looked at them. Totally fine with them) Just do your homework before you book your flight.

[kathy785]

Forgot to say that I have only flown with my dogs in the last year and a half, so everytime has been after 9-11. No problems what so ever!!! Not even with dogs/puppies that have just come in from Germany recently and only had German health papers. (They did have enough English on them to tell that Rabies had been given)

[yml]

Was not meant for you, it was meant for the traveler having such a hard time deciding what to do, and I feel just be honest...You were fortunate enough to have many people that didn't mind, but trust me after 15 years there are many people who Do mind, so save yourself any hassel and loss of money...I simply stated what they should ask when calling the airline and hoped that would help...You have to remember that alot of people are allergic to animals and they paid money for their seat and deserve for everyone to obey the rules...I do not care either way, I have 2 boyz and had a Maltese and Shepherd B4 them, Now, carry on a snake and I will NOT work the flight, haha... I hope you see what I was saying, I was trying to save money and any hassels she may come across...(P.S., it shouldn't be this way, but, my youngest daughter 22yrs old, just went to Billings, Montana on my passes, and she had no trouble in O'Hare other than the usual search for shampoos, etc. being searched and in proper containers, but her friend was practically stripped searched in Billings when returning home...So small airports mean more time to search and ask ?'s and not necessarily be more laid back) Good Luck

[JHurtt]

Originally Posted by celstu1

Thank you! Did you book one dog or two? I guess Im just going to do that and take the chance. Its Northwest airlines Im flying. I dont see another way to get around this. I dont want to 'get away' with sneaking them, id rather the airline know that I have them, but if they make it so cut & dry and difficult in this kind of circumstance I dont see any other way!

I booked both dogs at the time that I bought my tickets. If you already have your tickets, I would highly recommend that you call now to try to reserve space for them as many airlines only allow a couple of pets per flight. I definitely wouldn't try to sneak them as I am sure that someone will catch that. I would be honest about the number you are taking with you, just leave out the age of the pups. I have never had anyone ask how old they are, they just wanted to make sure that the two fit comfortably in there together.

[celstu1]

Thanks so much all of you! I feel sooo much better. My intentions the entire time was never to lie. I didnt want to lie. I couldnt believe the woman on the phone for NWA was not more helpful. However NWA states a 2 dog limit if they fit in 1 crate, and are under 15lbs and under 6 months. Why age matters is beyond me. But Im going to book my flight and tell them I am traveling with pets in the cabin. They also state they charge $80 a carrier not per pet. (PHEW!) Why they even charge is beyond me if it counts as one of my carryons! I don't get it!!

I have NO intentions of removing them from the carrier at all during the flight. As there are 2 of them and I am only 1 person, its a bit difficult to control them especially in tight quarters.

As my dogs CAN be a little needy/whiny (HAHA) someone mentioned their vet recommending Benedryl for the flight... how much should you give them? id like to make the flight as comfortable for them as possible.

I feel soooo much better about this, sounds like I shouldnt have a problem as long as I disclose Im traveling with pets and my fall back (if asked) is that they are under 6 months of age.

[kathy785]

Definitely tell them you have two dogs! The only place I ever even saw the age thing was on-line. When I booked mine and when I checked in they never said anything about age. Like I said before, their birthdates are on the health certificates. (couldn't lie about it if you wanted too.) Some airlines will look at the health certificates and others won't. Just make sure you have them anyway. When traveling with you a health certificate is good for 30 days.

[celstu1]

Ok well I booked the flight today! I told them I had 2 dogs traveling in the cabin with me. They asked if the dogs were under 15lbs including the carrier and if they were siblings b/t 3 - 6 months. I said YES! (they are 2 years old in a couple days) I hate lying and I hope I do not get caught though! I bought a refundable ticket for myself JUST IN CASE!

I know its 4 months away but wish I me luck, I need to find a crate that weighs 2lbs roughly haha and get my little chuba bum to lose a 1/2 lb to a lb! (believe me he could use to) haha

Im soooooo excited!!! YAY!!!!

[I Love Bailey]

Good luck with your travel. I would not medicate with over the counter meds.
If your dogs tend to get stressed talk to your vet about meds for them.
You don't need your vacation to be stressful because of a sick pup.
When I flew home with my puppy, I let all my seatmates know I had a puppy in the carrier. They were all very nice and asked if I needed help with anything. I also purposely booked my seat last row in the back by the window. Nobody had any problems with her, I even took her out and had her on my lap wrapped in a blanket. She did get airsick so be prepared just in case. I had brought her a couple of tshirts, the plane tends to be a bit drafty, especially on the floor.

[celstu1]

Oh thank you! I planned to actually bring a little blanket and stuff it in my pocketbook carryon so that I could put it in the crate once we get through security... I figured Im pushing the weight limit already so I cant put a blanket in there, but I will put one in there once we get past the counter that may or may not weigh them! Thanks for the advice! This is also Dec in New England so yeah they will be chilly I bet! I'll put little sweatshirts on them!

[tpaxton23]

Let me know how it goes. I would like to take my 2 yorkies to the get together next summer in Kansas City and would rather fly then drive. I know my husband will not want to go with me as he is not the dog lover that I am.

[kay6688]

I flew AA and didn't have any problems..A guy had 2 yorkies with him in the same carrier & he didn't have any problems either. I did have to check in at the counter & pay for the ticket there.

[celstu1]

I'll let you know... I dont think it will be a problem. After all your responses I think I should be good to go! I will update (if I remember - cuz its 4 months away) when I get back!

[tinav]

these days i would not try to sneak anything on a plane. it would be too much to confront with if they took them from you even temporarily.


tina