Flying United Airlines...
 

Hey there... I am flying United with my baby, Ranger, next month. I have made reservations for him, but the woman on the phone working for United was REALLY hard to understand... all I understood was that it would be $85 EACH WAY and she had a spot reserved for him.

Has anyone here flown United with their pups? I need to know what to expect, what to bring, and anything else to make our trip go smoothly. The trip is from Boise, to Phoenix, with a layover in Denver.

I have a Kwigy Bo Charlie bag, that is suppossed to be FFA airline approved, but I am SO SCARED of getting to the airport and them saying what I have isn't good enough!!

Please help! I would really appreciate it! Amanda

ONLY My Opinion - And I'm sure you will get many more but although I have the Charlie carrier I don't use it for Lucy when we travel by air. The reason being is that it doesn't have the side/window vent, only the smaller vents at the front and back. For some reason I thought I had read that an airline carrier should have three vents but I cannot find that information anywhere so I can't quote it. I do know that wherever/whenever I read it or dreamed it:) I used it when looking for a travel carrier. I'm sure some have flown with the Charlie carrier and are just fine...Happy travels :)

We fly frequently with Toto on United. I use an airline approved Sherpa bag for Toto ... plenty of vents, etc. If this is Ranger's first flight, I would suggest that when you decide on the bag, set it somewhere handy for him and let him get used to it. I didn't make a big deal out of it, didn't put her in or anything, just let her smell and explore. I opened the top opening and just left it open ... put her favorite toy in the very back to make her have to go in there if she really wanted it! She did not want it that badly. :rolleyes: The next day, I replaced the toy with her all time favorite treat .... bingo!!! She stretched waayyyy in there and tried to reach it and finally, quick as a wink, zipped in there and grabbed it really fast! After that she crept in there and before I knew it she was napping in there ... piece of cake! We then took small trips out with her in the bag ... now, it's her favorite place! [sorry that was so long] I also learned [the hard way] that it's a very wise thing to have some emergency supplies ... small water bowl, a meal or two extra food and anything else she would require for a day or so. You never know, especially this time of year, when your flight may be delayed, re-routed or outright cancelled and you can be stranded for a day or two. We humans can pretty much manage for ourselves, but I can assure you, I have never found Yorkie food, etc. at any airport! Good luck flying with little Ranger ... hope some of this will help.

Thanks so much! Ranger loves his little Charlie bag, he knows that when he goes in, he gets to go somewhere cool. I even take him to work with me, and set the bag under my desk where he happily hangs out for hours. I would rather him fly in something he is comfortable in. And good idea about the food, since the flight is scheduled from 9:30AM to 3:30PM, I don't think I would have thought about possibly needing a meal or two for him.

Thanks guys- keep the advice coming! Oh, and how has everyone who's flown United w/ their pet been treated?

I just flew with Jesse for the first time. We flew Delta. I used a Sherpa bag, but not only did no one look at or inspect my bag, aside from the woman that I paid for the dog, no one noticed I had him. As long as it fits under the seat, I think they could care less.

We have flown other airlines .... just usually United. We find that most of the airlines pretty much treat you the same as far a check-in, etc. It's the attendants on the flight who are different. We have had them that let me actually cuddle her in my arms except for landing & takeoff. We have had them that almost took her in their arms and showed her off up and down the isle! :p Some of them will say "dog?? I don't see a dog!" and wink while we take her out of her bag for a treat & some water! :) Almost every flight, without exception, will at least let us bring her bag on our lap, unzip the top and let her have some fresh air and water and keep her out until we are ready to land. She never tries to jump out or anything anyway. For those attendants, I would swear, if a problem ever came up because we had her out, that the attendant knew absolutely nothing and saw nothing!! I appreciate them so much! :) For those hateful ones who won't let us take her bag out and at least give her a sip of water ... I feel like reporting them for animal cruelty!! :( You really can't predict how they will treat you ... seems like the more subdued you are, the nicer they are. Good luck!

Thank you so much! I really appreciate hearing that about United. I know all attendants are different, but it just makes me feel better knowing there are SOME at United that are nice!!!! I hope I will at least be able to put my bag on my lap, I think it would make it much easier for him and me! Guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed! Thanks again! Amanda