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~

Yeah, I am a little annoyed because I would really like to bring a carry on that I could put my books and magazines in that is seperate from the carrier. You think since I am paying $50 for him, that would cover being able to bring my backpack too. :(

Yeah I think they all do, and I think that some of them are even more! Up to $80ish each way.

Just call back and ask for a someone in charge

I found that it is easiest to manage the carrier and the dog if you reserve an aisle seat. I didn't the first few flights, fearing the dog might get kicked if he were on the aisle, but I found it easier to fit the carrier underneath, and be able to reach in and give little treats, water, or little pats if needed.
3puppies4me

When I have flown with Memphis I have found (JMO) that the window seat or middle seat worked better for me because I could pay more attention to him without drawing the attention of everyone on the plane within sight of me.

I haven't gotten the dimensions of my carrier because a friend of mine just borrowed it but if it helps at all I have a large LV carrier. I also have a small now but the large worked great for Memphis.

Best of luck on your trip. Let us know how everything goes. :)

I believe the carrier they are talking about is the one that places them in cargo, you can use any carrier that will fit under the seat (soft or hard) when traveling with them on the plane. It is only when they are flying alone (unescorted) is when you must have the hard carrier.

I just met a couple yesterday at the airport (picking up two babies) they brought soft carriers.

my experience
 

Last year I l flew with my Mr. Big and used the Bali2 carrier. This year I purchased a new carrier for my Abby from Celletei. I don't know if you have ever flown with a dog, but may I suggest that when you take off & land, you put the dog (still in the bag) in your lap. Taking off & landing can be stressful and bumpy and when the dog is in your lap, it softens the blow and you can comfort them easier.

And I am a sucker for paying 160 ROUNDTRIP on Continental. Just recently I flew and asked the stewardess about 'sneaking' a dog on in the carrier with my other dog. When I expained that I didn't want to pay ANOTHER 160 her jaw dropped. She couldn't believe that I had already paid it the first time. She said that most of the time she doesn't even know there are dogs onboard unless she hears them or a passenger makes her aware. With Continental, they only 'allow' 3 dogs per flight; 2 on coach and 1 first class. But she said that she has had up to 7 dogs at a time because of dog shows. She said being an employee she couldn't recommend that I sneak, but off the record, she doubted anyone would know.

I am still contimplating sneaking another dog on board. I would hate to get caught and then left behind/stranded/or buy another ticket. But I know that my pups would have a better time if they were together.

Anyone sneak a dog on before???

Sara

I can't imagine anyone being able to sneak a dog onboard these days with all of the new security and bag searches in the airports. And they could very well deny you boarding if they found out.
3puppies4me

Sherpa makes a bag especially for Delta . . . here's a link:

http://www.sherpapet.net/products/de...ddetail_post=Y

This bag is only 10.5" tall. I think the woman gave you the dimensions for a hard-sided carrier in the event you "check your pup as cargo" unfortunately.

My daughter's gym bag has a difficult time fitting under some airline seats. I would go with 10" or less, but that is my persional opinion based on experience.

US Airways attaches a stub onto your boarding pass if you're bringing a dog onboard with you.

On Tuesday afternoon, I'll find out what Delta does when I bring my daughter and Cooper to fly to North Carolina. I'll be happy to report back on their practices at that time.

I can't wait to hear how it goes! How old is your daugher btw?

United charges $80 each way and I always get a "ticket" included that says "excess baggage" or "special service ticket" and they also include "pet in cabin". They won't let me pay in advance, I always have to pay for her at check-in .... even they can't explain the reason for this! It's easier for me to pay in advance just like I do for my ticket. They also won't let me have her carrier out at take-off or landing ... she has to be "stowed" under the seat like any other carry-on. Since I am allowed two carry-ons, I have her as one and I take a tote bag large enough for my purse, Toto's water, snacks, magazine/book, etc. That tote gets pretty darned stuffed ... but it's still just one bag!! ;)

I would keep calling until someone could answer my questions. Hopefully, you won't get the same person next time.

I have found it easy to hold the carrier after the captain announces to 'be seated for take off/arrival' Once they are seated they can't see a thing. :)

Continental doesn't give me any kind of ticket saying pet on board, etc. The only time I had to take Mr. Big out was thru the security check in and even then, not one person asked for proof. And this was just a year ago mind you; not before 9/11. I have already purchased Abby's ticket and I don't even print out anything for that. Just my boarding pass.

OK I have flown with Mia about 15 times, and this is my experience...

Mia hates to be under the seat, her personality is that she likes to see and be seen, she hates to be "hidden". The first time I flew with her I followed all the rules, called ahead, checked in and paid the pet fee, etc. The second I put her under the seat she started barking and I could tell it was annoying people around us. So I took her out and put her on my lap. They never said anything to me. It might be because I always sit next to the window and she kind of laid in between my leg and the window so they couldn't even see her, especially when I had a magazine or something. Then the next time I flew they were very strict and wouldn't let me have her out of the carrier, wouldn't even let me hold the carrier in my lap. So I waited until they were seated for take off, and then picked up the carrier and held it on my lap. Mia's fine as long as she can see out, she just hates being stuffed under the seat. It really just depends on the flight attendants on the flight...sometimes they stop and ooh and aah over the girls so long the people in the back dont even get their drinks! And sometimes they are mean and just say put them under the seat. Most of the time they dont even notice though!

The only time they pass by you on the flight is right before takeoff, right before landing, and when they come to you for beverage service. So I just make sure the carrier is under the seat at those times and hold it the rest of the time and she and Emmy are quiet as mice.

I use my Bali bag for every flight, I think its 10" tall. I wouldn't do anything bigger than a foot tall or it won't fit comfortable under the seat.

I did talk to a manager at Delta when I got Emmy and found out if you have two dogs of the same breed and they can both fit into a carrier small enough to fit under the seat, they count as one dog.