Plane Travel this Xmas

[LDandPasquale]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

Neither does Delta. (But I'm going to bring it anyway.)

I didnt think Delta did either...but back in January i flew with them and they asked for his vaccine (rabies) record. First time any airline asked me for papers. I carry them anyways..but I'm never asked for them.

As a good rule of thumb, i always print out their pet rules from their webpage and carry it with me...."just in case" I get an employee who asks me for more than what they say on their website.

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by LDandPasquale

As a good rule of thumb, i always print out their pet rules from their webpage and carry it with me...."just in case" I get an employee who asks me for more than what they say on their website.

This is what I do too- although I have never had to use it with jetBlue they always seem to know what is going on, or just don't care

[salazark]

Actually it is a law and not an airline rule that you have to have a health certificate to cross state lines with an animal. My vet told me that by the letter of the law this is true even if you are driving - obviously nobody does that. I'm pretty sure that all airlines require this certificate even though most never ask to see it. We've flown quite a bit with ours and every now and then one of the airline officials will ask to see it. I'd rather have it than risk being at the airport and not able to fly. By the way, the last one that asked to see it was Delta.

[Buster Brown]

When I travelled with Buster in July I had to have a health certificate to fly on Delta and they did look at it when I paid for his travel at the counter. Also remember to bring a blanket. The floors of the plane where the carrier will be are very cold this time of year. One the flight out one attendant let me keep Buster on my lap. I opened up the case enough to get my arm in so he could lie against my skin and Buster was nice a cozy. On the flight back there was a stricter attendant and Buster had to stay completely zipped up. Have a wonder flight and trip.

[ArmaniMan]

Each airline sets their own rules and not all require a health certificate- you need to check with your own carrier: as per jetBlue's OFFICIAL policy

Pet Vaccination and Documentation Requirements

Traveling on domestic flights within the United States
Currently there are no vaccination or health/veterinarian document requirements for pets on domestic flights.

Interstate travel of pets appears to be governed by state law and not federal law >
Per the USDA on interstate travel:

18. What do I need to take my pet to another state within the United States?

USDA APHIS VS, our agency, does not set requirements for the movement of pets across state lines. The requirements are actually set by each individual state. Therefore, you should contact the State Veterinarian of the state you are traveling to. They will provide you with the requirements. Below are two helpful websites for interstate movement of pets.

[salazark]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Each airline sets their own rules and not all require a health certificate- you need to check with your own carrier: as per jetBlue's OFFICIAL policy




Interstate travel of pets appears to be governed by state law and not federal law >
Per the USDA on interstate travel:

I stand corrected!

[Carol607]

Originally Posted by LDandPasquale

I didnt think Delta did either...but back in January i flew with them and they asked for his vaccine (rabies) record. First time any airline asked me for papers. I carry them anyways..but I'm never asked for them.

As a good rule of thumb, i always print out their pet rules from their webpage and carry it with me...."just in case" I get an employee who asks me for more than what they say on their website.

Good idea-Delta has nothing on their website about health certs in the cabin. I have travelled with Delta very often and was never asked for a health cert, but it has been two years now. I just called Delta and spoke to a rep in their Skymiles department where my husband is an elite member and she said that Delta definitely does not require a health cert for a carry on pet. So if an employee does ask and anyone does not have a cert, I would ask for a supervisor.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by Carol607

Good idea-Delta has nothing on their website about health certs in the cabin. I have travelled with Delta very often and was never asked for a health cert, but it has been two years now. I just called Delta and spoke to a rep in their Skymiles department where my husband is an elite member and she said that Delta definitely does not require a health cert for a carry on pet. So if an employee does ask and anyone does not have a cert, I would ask for a supervisor.

For domestic (US) flights, Delta does not require a health certificate. International flights are a different story and most do require a health certificate (and possibly much more depending on the country you are entering). Bringing proof of vaccinations is always a good idea regardless.

[RachelandSadie]

i've never flown with the dogs but can you take them in the plane with you. i mean they don't ride in cargo do they?

[yorkiemini]

Cali and I fly frequently and she is used to it. The others are correct - many flight attendants follow the rule of "no heads out of the bag" rule very tightly, especially if the flight is full.

If your baby is potty-paper trained I will share our routine between flights: Go to the restroom - if your dog will not stay close to you use a leash - otherwise got into a handicapped stall and put down the potty-pad. The dog gets to walk around a little bit in the stall (be sure they don't go under the door or into another stall) and then they will settle down and use the potty-pad. I then just roll it up and dispose of it where ever they dispose of the diapers and we are on our way. Cali now "piddles" on command, but if they are used to potty-pads they will get the message fast, especially if they need to use it.

Having a sedative on hand is a good idea if it is a first trip -- save alot of heart ache if you baby does not adjust as well as you hope. If you don't need it no problem, but on a really rough weather flight it never hurts to be prepared.

[dexterandalana]

I have traveled all over with Dexter and had two long flights (once to Costa Rica and once to Peru) with him with no drugs. I always take a homeopathic spay called Rescue Remedy with me to use as a calming agent. it is completely safe to use on pets and humans...i used to take it when i was a paralegal arguing cases in court as i have public speaking anxiety. wouldn't be able to stand up in court without it!!

If you have a stop over, i also recomend NOT taking them out past security as it can be a pain to get back in. i usually find a quiet corner in one of the gates that is empty and let dex out to go pee on his pad and stretch his legs. i have yet to be told not to do this.

i bring a small dish with me to give him water and a pack of dehydrated chicken breast treats to feed him for long flights

hope this helps!

[snowbird]

Where do you get this spray. I am flying with Bella who is 6 months for the first time on the 8 of January. I have pet meds from the vet but this would be so much safer. I had a King Charles Cavalier that travelled in Cabin with us for over 13 years and the only thing I ever gave him was Children's gravol. He loved to fly and loved his travelling bag. This little one is a liitle more active than him so I will have to wait and see. The first day we are only going to Montreal which is only a 2 hour flight, but the next day we have a 3.5 hour flight with a layover in Miami and then a short flight to Key West. I am praying that she is going to love to fly. It makes it so much easier than driving. I am a liitle afraid of giving her the meds. She only weighs 4.5 pounds.

[dexterandalana]

not too sure where you are located, but you can likely get rescue remedy from any health food store. i get it from my natropath, but have seen it in health stores.

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

i've never flown with the dogs but can you take them in the plane with you. i mean they don't ride in cargo do they?

On most airlines you can travel with small dogs or cats, they ride in a carrier stowed under the seat in front of you. There is a size/ weight restriction- it is usually somewhere around 20 pounds, including the weight of the carrier- there are size restrictions on the carrier and the dog must be able to stand and turn around inside that carrier. You need to book early usually because there is usually a limit on the number of pets allowed in cabin- jetBlue for example is 3 pets per flight. They also only allow pets in the aisle or window seats and no pets in the exit row- so you have to make sure to get these seats before they are gone.

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by salazark

Actually it is a law and not an airline rule that you have to have a health certificate to cross state lines with an animal. My vet told me that by the letter of the law this is true even if you are driving - obviously nobody does that. I'm pretty sure that all airlines require this certificate even though most never ask to see it. We've flown quite a bit with ours and every now and then one of the airline officials will ask to see it. I'd rather have it than risk being at the airport and not able to fly. By the way, the last one that asked to see it was Delta.

I would always bring Prince's (RIP) medical records when we went on road trips in case he had to go to the vet away from home.
When I spoke with a Delta rep, she said documents were only required for international travel, but, as I said, I always bring mine...just in case. We just got back from Connecticut on DL, and we weren't asked for anything except for $125.00 each way.
One thing to note is that rules and procedures may vary depending on the airport, agent and stress level.