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Originally Posted by Tiggerwit That's how I got Alphy. No problems at all. They even asked for ID and information before they'd even let me see him. Oh my goodness. Poor Josh. |
I'm the shipper of Alphy. I prefer the pups be picked up, but that's not always possible. I've used Delta ever since US Airways discontinued their pet service. The pup must have a health certificate from a licensed vet along with travel restrictions, if any, before the airlines will accept the shipment. I also check the weather reports of where I ship from, any layovers, and the destination to make sure that the weather won't present a problem. I sent a pup to Alaska, it was over 9 1/2 hours and he had to change planes, and another 2 hours prior to flight time. No problems! I was a basket case until I knew the pup had arrived and was picked up, but everything was fine. Of course the pup was scared, but that's normal. I also sent one to Kansas that got stuck during a layover in Atlanta. The new owner called me and was frantic because she couldn't find out any information there. I called Delta, got in touch with Atlanta and found out the plane he was scheduled on had mechanical problems with the air in the cargo department so they wouldn't put the pup on it and held him for the next flight and he had been given water to drink and some TLC. I immediately called the new owner back and she had already received the same information. She had the confirmation number.
I try my hardest to get direct flights but that is not always possible. My next option is pick the best place for changing planes and I go with the smaller airports when ever possible. When we flew to FL last year, we took 2 pups with us. They had to go into the air cargo. Well, we missed the flight but our pups were on it and they changed planes in Charlotte. The next flight we could get would have got us there 6 hours later. When I said that wasn't good and why, they found us a direct flight to Palm Beach, we rented a car and drove to Miami. The pups got there before we did because it took us time to contact the Miami airport to let them know we were driving and even more time to get the rental car. The pups arrived before us and one of the workers gave them some water. She was still with them when we arrived. There are many horror stories about animals flying, but there are many, many more positive experiences. It's kind of like people who are afraid to fly because of accidents when in reality, it's more dangerous to drive your car.
Your story is very long and I know it was very upsetting for you, however, your first mistake, or perhaps I should say Josh's shipper's mistake was not providing you will all the important information, like confirmation number. Ask Tiggerwit what all I emailed her before Alphy was even sent to her. If you did get all that information, then it was your mistake for not having it with you. As for mechanical problems with the plane, it happens. I think your problem was more with the person behind the counter then Delta, and your attitude towards the man who also had a very long day dealing with you. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't make it right the way he treated you. However, on the other hand, you get what your give. As for your identification, I think it was pretty obvious by the time Josh arrived that YOU were the one waiting for him. You had a right to be pissed off but taking it out on someone who has no control of the situation, not good. If it had been me, I would have been on the phone with the breeder, Delta's pet air cargo, the original place where the pup was shipped from, and tried to get the information myself.
As for the experience that alpayton had, that was terrible but I can't see that leaving water in the bowl would have been enough to soak the inside of the kennel, not nearly enough that you could tip the kennel and pour water out. It sounds like it must have been raining during loading or unloading somewhere along the line. And you probably should have politely insisted on a vet seeing your pup before leaving the airport because of the condition he arrived and I would have been on the phone with the breeder right then. I'm so sorry for your loss and expenses.