I flew on AirTran from Sarasota, FL to Ft Worth-Dallas and back in May 2005. I checked on the internet and learned that the airlines did not ask for health or shot papers so I only had shot papers with me in case they asked. They did not. However, I read in one recent post that the airline did check her dog's health papers when she travelled lately. I did not have my yorkie checked by the vet before I flew because it cost too much.
I had a bag which complied with the airline regulation with her inside and a tag with her name and my name and address and phone number attached to the bag. I had a small plastic container, which I put some water in and gave it to her one time on the plane. She did not eat before or during the trip but I had Nutrical with me and gave some to her at the time she was suspposed to have her meal.
I had the bag underneath the seat in front of me almost the whole time except when the plane took off and landed I lifted the bag up in the air a little bit so she would not be too scared because of the shaking and noise. At one leg on the trip back the cabin stewardess was nice to let me put the bag on my lap when the plane took off and landed. I was not so lucky with the other ones.
I did not give Leili any medicine for the trip but I was lucky that she was good and did not get sick at all. Leili also did not need to go to the bathroom during the trip.
I changed plane twice each way and thought at first I could let my dog out walking around a little bit but could not as the time between planes was very short and they did not let dogs walk in the waiting areas. However, I did let my dog out of the bag and sat on my lap for a little while. Cathy |