Does this sound right? (Another airline question)
 

I spoke with Delta again today, because I have been getting different stories from different people about the acceptable carriers. Some people say they need to be hard sided, some say only 10 inches tall, some say at least 2 vents on each side, ect...
So I decide to call Delta and ask for sure. The lady I spoke with was very nice, but had a thick accent and didn't seem to understand my questions very well.

But what she told me was that for a 4 pound dog I was allowed a carrier that is:
21 L x 16 W x 15 H
Leak Prook,
Well ventilated,
and the pet should be able to move around freely (inside the carrier).

When I asked her about it being soft or hard she said "yes" and I was having a hard time comunicating so I didn't push it.

But, 15 inches H seems really tall to me, I swear the seat isn't that high above the ground. To those plane travelers out there, does this seem right?

My carrier is soft sided and claims to be Air line approved.
I would measure it for you but I am tucked in bed and it is in the car.
We we traveled to Mexico last year a couple brought two Large Terriers in
Soft Nylon bags. I would go to the Delta website and check the info on there.

Maybe this can help you.

http://www.delta.com/travel/special_...ions/index.jsp

Hey! I'm not sure what the guidelines are for Delta, however, when I worked for United Airlines, I noticed that the soft sided ones were best because, they could be collapsable (if needed to fold and pack into a suitcase, etc.), were lighter to carry (airport terminals can be long and tiresome to walk through), and can be smooshed a little (if needed) to adjust to fit under the seat in front of you.

Basically, a small duffle bag would fit under the seat in front of you, so would a small, soft sided pet carrier. I would get the smallest soft sided carrier, with enough room for your pooch to turn around and stretch a little.

Also, try calling Delta again, and hopefully you will get a better agent to talk to. If you are super worried about it, go into your local Delta Ticket office, or the airport ticket counter, BEFORE your trip and have them measure the carrier you choose.

~Debbie :)

Good advice. Call again to be sure you are gettng correct info.

I used a slft sided carrier when I went to AZ. I will get dimensions for you tomorrow if some one hasn't posted them by then. :)

I fly about every other month with Toto and I bought the Sherpa Deluxe ... lots of places sell it online for about $55 - $65! It's perfect for her and if it's a little snug under the seat, because it's the softsided, it will still fit. I believe, if I'm not mistaken, that these bags were designed by a stewardess! I bought it several weeks before her first flight, didn't make a big deal of it, just sat it in the den floor with the end unzipped. I watched her for a few days and as soon as she began sniffing it, I unzipped the top and would occasionally drop a favorite toy, treat, etc. in the very back [again, making no big deal of it]. Before long she was quickly grabbing the "bait" and running with it. And not long after that, she was getting inside and napping, etc. At that point, I tucked her favorite blankie in there, told her to "kennel up" and she would hop right in and I began taking her places in it instead of her regular bag which I usually carry! One important thing we did was never, ever take her from the bag through the top opening! It's too funny ... even though we keep the top unzipped and she stands up where she can see everything, she patiently waits for the front to be opened before she gets out!! It's just a safety thing ... we don't want her jumping out the top and even if we sit her on the floor in the airport, she never even tries to come out the top! Amazing little babies, our Yorkies!! ;)

This is what the website says--

So I will probably call back later today. I'd just hate to get there and have them tell me it isn't the correct size, ect and have to buy one of theirs.

15 inches seems so tall to me, I swear I can't ever fit anything under there.
Okay, thanks for everyones help.

Toto sounds cute! What a great way to get her used to the carrier. That is exactly why I want to get one so bad is so I can get Keeley used to it!

Normally the airline approved carriers (atleast the ones that I have seen and the ones that I carry) are 11" tall and under. It doesnt matter if they are so or hard, whatever is comfortable for you and the dog and whatever will go under the seat. 15" does sound high to me and to be honest I probably woudlnt rely on that measurement because like I said, even my largest carriers that I know wouldnt go under a seat are sometimes not 15" high. Sometimes the people at the airlines that you call are mistaken, it has happened to me before where I have been told wrong information so that is smart to want to get another opinion ;)

inzane001

inzane001,

Sorry I hit the enter by mistake. I'm insane, lol.
What I was going to ask is Why does Delta charge $50 for taking a pet when it counts as a piece of luggage? Or am I mistaken?

~Bella, General Patton, & Maria~

fee
 

I don't understand myself why they charge anything inside the cabin. The dog is in a carrier under the front of your seat..it takes up no passenager room..storing your bags in the overhead takes up space, but not a dog.???
I guess the old saying.."Nobody rides for free" is true.

They do it because the airlines are scuzzy and get away with all kinds of illegal things like price fixing. Any other industry would never get away with the stuff they do. I think, though, that if you have a service dog you don't pay!

I just don't get it. If I use this carrier as my only carry on, it really doesn't make sense. But since when does sense prevail, right? I wonder if other airlines also charge if you use the pet carrier as your one carry item? Does anyone know? They all probably do because it means more money for them.

~Maria~