Interesting Article About Flying with Our Babies - YorkieTalk.com Forums

simonandhallie · 11-13-2007, 11:26 AM

Companion animals are such a big part of our lives that it’s always tempting to take them along with us when we go on vacation. But if your trip involves air travel, it’s best not to include Fluffy or Fido in your flight plan. Animals and planes don’t mix, so always think of what’s in the best interests of your “best friend.” If your buddy is up for an adventure with you, take a road trip. If your furry friend is better off being left behind, find someone responsible to take care of him or her while you’re away.

Although flying might be the fastest and least stressful way for you to go, it’s often dangerous and terrifying for companion animals. Flying animals is never a good idea, especially if an airline doesn’t allow them in the cabin or they are too large to fit under your seat. Companion animals and cargo compartments are a dangerous and potentially deadly combination. Most cargo compartments are kept unventilated in order to help prevent fires. Cargo holds generally have no heat or air conditioning, and they can reach extreme temperatures quickly. Sometimes cats and dogs are roughly handled and even escape from carriers that have been damaged in transit—animals can easily become lost inside airplanes or airplane hangars. Of the hundreds of thousands of animals who are put on airplanes every year, many are hurt, lost, or killed because of an airline’s neglect.

The Boris Bill
When Sarah Stano had to relocate to Greensboro, North Carolina, from Portland, Oregon, she chose an airline that would let her carry her three cats in the cabin. But when it was discovered that one of the carriers was too large to fit under the seat, she was forced to check her fluffy black-and-white cat, Hereford, into the cargo compartment instead. When her family arrived in Greensboro, they were told that Hereford had either frozen to death or died from a lack of cabin pressure en route. Heartbroken that her beloved cat had been treated like baggage, she is still haunted by the last time she saw Hereford. Says Stano, “I'll never forget the look he gave me when they took him away.”

When Delta airlines treated her dog like “lost luggage,” Barbara Listenik decided to do something to make all airlines accountable for their negligence toward animals. Several years ago, Barbara flew to New York City with her dog, Boris, who rode in the cargo hold. When the plane landed at LaGuardia Airport, Boris bolted from his crate, which had been broken during the flight, and ran along the tarmac. Breaking free from the terminal, he disappeared into a busy Queens neighborhood. “I walked up to a broken, bloody crate, and they told me to fill out a baggage claim form,” Listenik recalls.

It wasn’t until six agonizing weeks later that Boris was found behind an abandoned tire shop 2 miles away from the airport. Filthy and 15 pounds lighter, he was bruised and suffering from a blunt trauma that took four surgeries to repair. Outraged by her experience, Listenik lobbied Congress to pass a law requiring airlines to report animal casualties. Thanks to the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act, or “Boris Bill,” which went into effect in the summer of 2005, airlines must now report how many companion animals are killed, lost, or injured on their flights.

Airline Incidents Involving Animals
Boris and Hereford are just two of the many animals who die, become lost, or get injured during flights every year. The following is a list of the animal-related incidents that were reported for each airline between May 2005 and May 2006.
Alaska Airlines: 2 deaths, 3 injuries, 1 loss
American Airlines: 6 deaths
Comair: 1 injury
Continental Airlines: 8 deaths, 8 injuries
Delta: 2 deaths, 2 losses
Frontier: 1 injury
Hawaiian: 3 injuries
Horizon: 2 deaths, 1 injury
Midwest: 1 death
Northwest: 2 injuries, 2 losses
Pinnacle: 2 injuries
Shuttle America (United Express): 1 death
SkyWest: 1 death
United Airlines: 4 deaths
US Airways: 1 death, 1 injury, 1 loss

Total: 28 deaths, 22 injuries, 6 losses = 56 incidents
Continental Airlines accounted for more than one-quarter of the deaths (eight out of 24) and a little more than one-third of the injuries (eight out of 22).
American Airlines had six deaths, the next-greatest number of deaths after Continental.
About 70 percent of the incidents involved dogs, who are commonly forced to travel in cargo rather than in the cabin.
Note: These statistics include only those animals who have guardians. Animals exploited by the pet trade and/or who have been purchased and are being flown to an individual or a pet store or are destined to be used in entertainment, in research, or for other commercial purposes have not been accounted for. It is also important to remember that for every reported incident, there are many that go unreported.

What You Can Do
Do not fly with your animal companion—unless it is an emergency and there is absolutely no other alternative.
Find out the rules regarding animal passengers for different airlines and patronize only those that do not fly animals in cargo sections; encourage your friends and family members to do the same.
Contact airlines that fly animals in cargo sections, express your opposition, and encourage them to adopt non-animal cargo policies.
Thank airlines that have adopted a compassionate policy and do not allow animals in the cargo section.
One of the best tools that we have for educating the public is the letter to the editor. Please submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, bringing this issue to the attention of people who might not have given it much thought. Politely ask people to consider the dangers of transporting animals in cargo areas, etc.
Want to help animals abused by the airlines right now? Check out these urgent action alerts.

http://www.helpinganimals.com/Travel...c=weekly_enews

susanna16 · 03-24-2008, 12:54 PM

i need some advice ..before i realized that our airline didn't allow dogs under the seat...i've paid and booked 2 tickets that are unrefundable..air canada..
This was to be the trip of a lifetime for us...NYC for a month..After reading this article ..I'm so upset now..And my husband thinks i'm being foolish..We are on the verge of cancelling our trip..are there any ''GOOD'' travelling in a well-vented, baggage area...if so please let us know...
thanks so much..
Howies mom
susan

Stella's mom · 03-24-2008, 01:54 PM

Thank you for making this thread. My husband is a airline mechanic and I asked him about cargo hold flying conditions awhile back. Cargo holds do not have a heat vent and yes you are correct about it being sealed due to chance of fire. Personally I cannot imagine how cold the area could get because I know how cold I've gotten before flying a window seat.

This is good info for anyone thinking about flying their pets.

KathyinCali · 03-24-2008, 02:04 PM

I would do anything possible to avoid flying a pet in cargo. As much as I love Lucy traveling with me if she were not able to fly in cabin she would stay home with a sitter, but that's just me.

Stella's mom · 03-24-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella's mom

Thank you for making this thread. My husband is a airline mechanic and I asked him about cargo hold flying conditions awhile back. Cargo holds do not have a heat vent and yes you are correct about it being sealed due to chance of fire. Personally I cannot imagine how cold the area could get because I know how cold I've gotten before flying a window seat.

This is good info for anyone thinking about flying their pets.

We talked about this topic again over dinner and he also said there were extreme temperature changes in cargo. He has opened the cargo door before and the heat would hit you like a furnace, quite a change from the cold at 35,000 ft to the heat generated on the ground.

susanna16 · 03-24-2008, 10:00 PM

Thank you so much for your replies...especially the one whose hubby is with the airlines..good news is, after telling a very caring air canada flight reservation agent ,..Who also has a Yorkie..And after her talking to her supervisor, who also has a yorkie...She got permission to give us a total refund...This wonderful person saved our vacation of a lifetime..It was a hard day, worrying and trying tofigure out what to try to do..There are angels out there..And i met one today..now i have re-booked with an airline that allows in-cabin pets..
thanks again.
howies mom, susan

mypreciouspups · 03-24-2008, 10:33 PM

This is a great informative post. Thanks for posting... anne

Yano · 03-27-2008, 08:52 PM

Thanks for the post, we will do everything possible to allow Chibi to fly in the cabin. The information was very helpful. Northwest allows international flights! Hopefully from Japan is fine.

mojo · 03-27-2008, 09:00 PM

I have had all 3 of my pups flown to me; this is very haunting.
You would think with this being such a big business for the airlines, they would take such better care.

susanna16 · 03-27-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yano

Thanks for the post, we will do everything possible to allow Chibi to fly in the cabin. The information was very helpful. Northwest allows international flights! Hopefully from Japan is fine.

I forgot the mention the airline that we re-booked with..
It is Northwest .........good luck with your trip from Japan.
Howies mom
Susan
p.s.
This site and all the people on it are so very very special...Thanks everyone'
Thanks a lot'''

susanna16 · 03-27-2008, 10:09 PM

Hi,
Folks i don't mean to take all of your time up..But now that I have the airplane fiasco straightened out..I am looking for any tips you can give me to prepare my Howie for the trip and to make him as comfortable and secure as I can as his mom.. There will be a 6 hour flight with 2 stops, which is good, as i can take him out for an hour or so and then another 3 hour flight..some suggest a mild sedative ie..liquid gravol..then others say 'no way' my vet seems to think it's alright...Has anyone ever had any good or bad experiences with a mild sedative?? or any other ideas..thanks again
Howies mom
Susan

KathyinCali · 03-28-2008, 06:53 AM

I fly with Lucy all the time and I have never used a sedative. From the first time she flew she just goes to sleep, I actually wake her up and take her into the lavatory mid flight with a pee pad so she can go if she needs to. I know there are others who have used sedatives and been fine but unless I absolutely couldn't avoid it I personally wouldn't use a sedative. JMO

susanna16 · 03-28-2008, 08:44 AM

Thanks very much, i don't think i will give howie ny either..From what i've been reading, it is not recommended..I didn't know the airline would allow you to take our puppies out..that's a great idea. Thanks
Howies mom
Susan

KathyinCali · 03-28-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susanna16

Thanks very much, i don't think i will give howie ny either..From what i've been reading, it is not recommended..I didn't know the airline would allow you to take our puppies out..that's a great idea. Thanks
Howies mom
Susan

Just want to clarify that I take her "in her carrier" into the lavatory. Airlines are totally hit or miss on whether they will let you take your pet out of the carrier.

romeos mommy · 05-23-2009, 06:44 PM

omg

11-13-2007, 11:26 AM	#1
simonandhallie *I Love My Monkeys!* Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Falling Waters, WV Posts: 11,166	Interesting Article About Flying with Our Babies Companion animals are such a big part of our lives that it’s always tempting to take them along with us when we go on vacation. But if your trip involves air travel, it’s best not to include Fluffy or Fido in your flight plan. Animals and planes don’t mix, so always think of what’s in the best interests of your “best friend.” If your buddy is up for an adventure with you, take a road trip. If your furry friend is better off being left behind, find someone responsible to take care of him or her while you’re away. Although flying might be the fastest and least stressful way for you to go, it’s often dangerous and terrifying for companion animals. Flying animals is never a good idea, especially if an airline doesn’t allow them in the cabin or they are too large to fit under your seat. Companion animals and cargo compartments are a dangerous and potentially deadly combination. Most cargo compartments are kept unventilated in order to help prevent fires. Cargo holds generally have no heat or air conditioning, and they can reach extreme temperatures quickly. Sometimes cats and dogs are roughly handled and even escape from carriers that have been damaged in transit—animals can easily become lost inside airplanes or airplane hangars. Of the hundreds of thousands of animals who are put on airplanes every year, many are hurt, lost, or killed because of an airline’s neglect. The Boris Bill When Sarah Stano had to relocate to Greensboro, North Carolina, from Portland, Oregon, she chose an airline that would let her carry her three cats in the cabin. But when it was discovered that one of the carriers was too large to fit under the seat, she was forced to check her fluffy black-and-white cat, Hereford, into the cargo compartment instead. When her family arrived in Greensboro, they were told that Hereford had either frozen to death or died from a lack of cabin pressure en route. Heartbroken that her beloved cat had been treated like baggage, she is still haunted by the last time she saw Hereford. Says Stano, “I'll never forget the look he gave me when they took him away.” When Delta airlines treated her dog like “lost luggage,” Barbara Listenik decided to do something to make all airlines accountable for their negligence toward animals. Several years ago, Barbara flew to New York City with her dog, Boris, who rode in the cargo hold. When the plane landed at LaGuardia Airport, Boris bolted from his crate, which had been broken during the flight, and ran along the tarmac. Breaking free from the terminal, he disappeared into a busy Queens neighborhood. “I walked up to a broken, bloody crate, and they told me to fill out a baggage claim form,” Listenik recalls. It wasn’t until six agonizing weeks later that Boris was found behind an abandoned tire shop 2 miles away from the airport. Filthy and 15 pounds lighter, he was bruised and suffering from a blunt trauma that took four surgeries to repair. Outraged by her experience, Listenik lobbied Congress to pass a law requiring airlines to report animal casualties. Thanks to the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act, or “Boris Bill,” which went into effect in the summer of 2005, airlines must now report how many companion animals are killed, lost, or injured on their flights. Airline Incidents Involving Animals Boris and Hereford are just two of the many animals who die, become lost, or get injured during flights every year. The following is a list of the animal-related incidents that were reported for each airline between May 2005 and May 2006. Alaska Airlines: 2 deaths, 3 injuries, 1 loss American Airlines: 6 deaths Comair: 1 injury Continental Airlines: 8 deaths, 8 injuries Delta: 2 deaths, 2 losses Frontier: 1 injury Hawaiian: 3 injuries Horizon: 2 deaths, 1 injury Midwest: 1 death Northwest: 2 injuries, 2 losses Pinnacle: 2 injuries Shuttle America (United Express): 1 death SkyWest: 1 death United Airlines: 4 deaths US Airways: 1 death, 1 injury, 1 loss Total: 28 deaths, 22 injuries, 6 losses = 56 incidents Continental Airlines accounted for more than one-quarter of the deaths (eight out of 24) and a little more than one-third of the injuries (eight out of 22). American Airlines had six deaths, the next-greatest number of deaths after Continental. About 70 percent of the incidents involved dogs, who are commonly forced to travel in cargo rather than in the cabin. Note: These statistics include only those animals who have guardians. Animals exploited by the pet trade and/or who have been purchased and are being flown to an individual or a pet store or are destined to be used in entertainment, in research, or for other commercial purposes have not been accounted for. It is also important to remember that for every reported incident, there are many that go unreported. What You Can Do Do not fly with your animal companion—unless it is an emergency and there is absolutely no other alternative. Find out the rules regarding animal passengers for different airlines and patronize only those that do not fly animals in cargo sections; encourage your friends and family members to do the same. Contact airlines that fly animals in cargo sections, express your opposition, and encourage them to adopt non-animal cargo policies. Thank airlines that have adopted a compassionate policy and do not allow animals in the cargo section. One of the best tools that we have for educating the public is the letter to the editor. Please submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, bringing this issue to the attention of people who might not have given it much thought. Politely ask people to consider the dangers of transporting animals in cargo areas, etc. Want to help animals abused by the airlines right now? Check out these urgent action alerts. http://www.helpinganimals.com/Travel...c=weekly_enews Last edited by admin; 11-13-2007 at 04:00 PM.

03-24-2008, 12:54 PM	#2
susanna16 Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver BC, Canada Posts: 22	flying with my yorkie/cross 8.8 lbs in cargo i need some advice ..before i realized that our airline didn't allow dogs under the seat...i've paid and booked 2 tickets that are unrefundable..air canada.. This was to be the trip of a lifetime for us...NYC for a month..After reading this article ..I'm so upset now..And my husband thinks i'm being foolish..We are on the verge of cancelling our trip..are there any ''GOOD'' travelling in a well-vented, baggage area...if so please let us know... thanks so much.. Howies mom susan

03-24-2008, 02:04 PM	#4
KathyinCali Love My Li'l Lucy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,700	I would do anything possible to avoid flying a pet in cargo. As much as I love Lucy traveling with me if she were not able to fly in cabin she would stay home with a sitter, but that's just me. __________________ Kathy and Lil' Lucy and Jammies Rest in Peace my Sweet Buster

03-24-2008, 10:00 PM	#6
susanna16 Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver BC, Canada Posts: 22	flying with my yorkie in cargo Thank you so much for your replies...especially the one whose hubby is with the airlines..good news is, after telling a very caring air canada flight reservation agent ,..Who also has a Yorkie..And after her talking to her supervisor, who also has a yorkie...She got permission to give us a total refund...This wonderful person saved our vacation of a lifetime..It was a hard day, worrying and trying tofigure out what to try to do..There are angels out there..And i met one today..now i have re-booked with an airline that allows in-cabin pets.. thanks again. howies mom, susan

03-27-2008, 08:52 PM	#8
Yano YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 283	Thanks Thanks for the post, we will do everything possible to allow Chibi to fly in the cabin. The information was very helpful. Northwest allows international flights! Hopefully from Japan is fine. __________________ Jennifer & Takahiro Yano Chibi's Mommy&Daddy "Forget diamonds, Yorkies are a girl's best friend!!!"

03-24-2008, 01:54 PM	#3
Stella's mom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,090	Thank you for making this thread. My husband is a airline mechanic and I asked him about cargo hold flying conditions awhile back. Cargo holds do not have a heat vent and yes you are correct about it being sealed due to chance of fire. Personally I cannot imagine how cold the area could get because I know how cold I've gotten before flying a window seat. This is good info for anyone thinking about flying their pets.

03-24-2008, 10:33 PM	#7
mypreciouspups Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida/Canada Posts: 5,514	This is a great informative post. Thanks for posting... anne

03-27-2008, 09:00 PM	#9
mojo Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Here, there Posts: 2,693	I have had all 3 of my pups flown to me; this is very haunting. You would think with this being such a big business for the airlines, they would take such better care. __________________ Bella (I miss you) Sachi Emmy

03-27-2008, 10:09 PM	#11
susanna16 Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver BC, Canada Posts: 22	Flying to NYC..I need more info from others experiences Hi, Folks i don't mean to take all of your time up..But now that I have the airplane fiasco straightened out..I am looking for any tips you can give me to prepare my Howie for the trip and to make him as comfortable and secure as I can as his mom.. There will be a 6 hour flight with 2 stops, which is good, as i can take him out for an hour or so and then another 3 hour flight..some suggest a mild sedative ie..liquid gravol..then others say 'no way' my vet seems to think it's alright...Has anyone ever had any good or bad experiences with a mild sedative?? or any other ideas..thanks again Howies mom Susan

03-28-2008, 06:53 AM	#12
KathyinCali Love My Li'l Lucy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,700	I fly with Lucy all the time and I have never used a sedative. From the first time she flew she just goes to sleep, I actually wake her up and take her into the lavatory mid flight with a pee pad so she can go if she needs to. I know there are others who have used sedatives and been fine but unless I absolutely couldn't avoid it I personally wouldn't use a sedative. JMO __________________ Kathy and Lil' Lucy and Jammies Rest in Peace my Sweet Buster

03-28-2008, 08:44 AM	#13
susanna16 Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver BC, Canada Posts: 22	flying with our yorkies Thanks very much, i don't think i will give howie ny either..From what i've been reading, it is not recommended..I didn't know the airline would allow you to take our puppies out..that's a great idea. Thanks Howies mom Susan

05-23-2009, 06:44 PM	#15
romeos mommy YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pennsauken , NJ Posts: 4,068	omg __________________ Bernadette & Romeo