Did you check this section for information too?
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=55
As for me if i was gonna pick up a dog, You can really find cheap rates I would say 300-400$ for a round trip and save on hotel fare by flying out the same day. If you have planned ahead and not trying to book at the last minute. 1000$ is crazy but also consider the time they take from their schedule. Hotel costs and tack on an extra 80-100$ to bring the dog with in that thousand. Also if its a last minute arrangement I am sure 1000$ is not too much.
I will fly this November i think with my son and two dogs through AA one way from Puerto Rico. I plan on getting my tickets next week and it looks like the tickets will be about 450$ x2 plus 80x2 for the dogs. I am sooo in love with petflys carriers, but Am really a functional gal. I looked and looked for another carrier that was cheaper and gave me satisfaction as for as the style. My style goes from tomboy to very simple and functional, thus after thinking about it for a whole year, I think i have settled on a sherpa deluxe original carrier. Its three times less the price of a petflys uncle monkey carrier that i wanted but somehow i think that this will work better for my dogs.