Has anyone ever flown their dog not in cabin?
 

So, I might catch a bunch of crap for this, but I thought I would ask. Has anyone ever flown a pet anywhere whether it be "shipping" or as "checked baggage"? :confused: I found out after I bought our plane tickets to go home for Chistmas that Southwest is the only airline that doesn't allow pets (just my luck!). We'll be gone for almost 9 days and the hours that we're flying, Ferdinand would have to be in a kennel for 10 days. I've visited several kennels in the area, and I refuse to leave him there. I visited Petsmart's Petshotel and thought it would be good? NO! :mad: They don't get any access to outside, you have to pay $5 extra per day to get them a crappy little cot, they get to walk around the outside of all the kennels twice a day, and there are all these other things that you can pay extra for... plus it costs a fotune.

Anyway, now that I'm done ranting... I called Delta, Continental, and Pet Air. They're all around $170 each way. But knowing that he'll be happy for the whole 10 days instead of in a 3'x3' cage, I'd rather spend the money. So if you have flown your pet before, what was the experience like? Have any suggestions on an airline?

Thanks!!

Depending on where you are flying to, you might need to find a flight that offers heated cargo. I would also be concerned if the flight wasn't direct.

Could you cancel your Southwest tickets and have a credit?? I know JetBlue was great for flying with the dog in-cabin. No personal experience with the cargo though.

Have you tried Jetblue I think its like 50 each way:cool:

I suppose we could, but then we'd be out $1200 and we never fly southwest. We usually fly Delta or Alaska. Plus, it will be at least $1500 to purchase a new set of tickets, plus the pet cost. I don't really have the extra money right now to do that. Continental and Delta have temperature controlled cargo areas. He will for sure be on a direct flight.

JetBlue doesn't fly from west coast to west coast :( We're flying from Phoenix to Portland, Oregon.

:( oh sorry thats the only one I knew of

I have been using Continental for a long time and they are great with pets. Bo is flying to Houston with me in the cabin in Dec. and that is now 195.00 R/T. I had Megan before Bo flying with me and she had to fly in cargo several times. At 3.5 LBs I never had a problem.

Have you possibly looked into any YorkieTalkers in the area that may be able to take care of Ferdinand during that time? Or people in a local Yorkie meetup group? Just a thought... :)

On our trip from Japan to Florida the first flight we were on (a military charter) they would not allow Sadie my Maltese in cabin so she HAD to go underneath. I was none too happy about it but she did make out fine and it was a long flight. Once we got into LA and changed flights to a real carrier she was then allowed in the cabin.

Are you talking about putting her on a different flight than yourself? Do they not even allow them under? I don't know if I would be comfortable with a different flight but people do ship puppies all the time and I guess they are flying in cargo alone???

Kim

I think federal regulations say that the area the pet flies in has to be temperature controlled and pressurized. I just called Alaska Airlines (who we usually fly) and they said it will only be $112.86 each way through them.. and I can use the same health certificate for the flight there and back (many airlines the certificate expires after 8-10 days). $225.72 is only a few dollars more than what I'd pay to board him or have someone puppysit him. Then he'll get to open his presents from Santa with us on Christmas too! :D :thumbup:

Thanks! That's very reassuring. Ferdinand is 3.2 pounds right now, so he should be 3.5-4 pounds by the time we fly.

PLEASE DON"T DO IT. it's really not worth the risk. it's an issue of safety. in the cold weather it's very dangerous. i work in the travel industry and "dogsicle" is a common term. they can freeze to death. it happens. and they make you sign a waiver.:(

airline incident report
 

check this out. one animal death is too many. these poor babies die because of bad conditions.
http://www.thirdamendment.com/animals.html

If you have the funds, I would change airlines and find one that allows little dogs in the cabin. Most airlines do, just make sure you check with them before you book your ticket. I flew NWA/KLM and paid $200 each way for an overseas flight. I think domestically it's like $60 each way. I think it's worth the money!

Hi,

I'm not sure when you will be traveling, but I live in phoenix and would love to help you out! I'd love to take care of him for you!

I actually had Wookie shipped over here from Texas to Arizona, and it was terrible. I wouldn't do it again! There was an unexpected layover, and wookie was in the crate the entire time, and when I got him he was pee covered.. and so sad. it should have been a few hour direct flight, but it wasn't.

I also have a FANTASTIC reference of a trainer that boards dogs. He's awesome, and would spoil your dog. I've taken Wookie there too, and highly recommend him! Let me know if you are interested!