Flying Teapots???
 

I've been researching size restrictions for in-cabin pet carriers. It appears that, as I suspected, teapots can't fly!:(

Anyone with a big yorkie ever have any luck flying with their furkid? The height restriction for the carrier (8.5 - 9") is really low. If you figured out a way to do it, I'd love details. How big is your furkid? What carrier/airline did you use? etc.

That's a really great question...I hope you get some answers, as I'd like to know too.

Cooper and Carley are about 12 lbs each and have both flown alot between Wa State and Texas. I got a cheapie bag from the pet store ($25) because I never use it unless I fly with them, so didn't spend tons. They both can turn around and kind of stand up, but not totally stand, but they usually lay in them anyway. I have flown Alaska and Continental and Carley's bag starts out under the seat (per regs) but always ends up on my lap and the top unzipped and she is looking around. The Flight attendants are always nice about it, I kind of put a blanket over her and try not to draw attention to us.
Cooper stays under the seat and I unzip the front part so he is looking out, but he always stays put in there. I do spend the whole flight talking to them, my full attention on them, which is kind of stressful, but I could never put them in cargo and I can't leave them behind, so we make it work.
My bag is soft sided, and like I said they mostly lay down in it, because we are carrying them and it is more comfortable for them to lay, and they are only in the bag when they have to be, boarding the plane, flying and getting off, the rest of the time we carry them or they walk in their harnesses through the airport and while we wait to board. No one has ever said anything about this, and no one has every commented on the bag or them. (Except for the cuteness remarks)

Wow! You give me hope.:) My two are a little bigger...I'm thinking I could get Ginger into a bag that is small enough (she's 13#) Bernie still may be a little tough. He's too big for the carrier I have for her (I bought it when I thought she'd stay around 10 #...she still rides in it to the vets)

Knowing that you walk them through the airport on leads is helpful. I'm trying to picture me carrying either of them for long. :eek:

Could you answer a couple more questions? Do you know the approximate dimensions of your bags? Have you flown with both of them by yourself?

Thanks!!!

I will get back to you on the dimensions of the bag, I've got to dig it out.
You can't fly with both by yourself, as they have to start out the flight under the seat in front of you, they are considered carry-on luggage (expensive carry on luggage:cool:) This is FAA regulations, not airline regulations...they are supposed to stay under the seat the entire time, but both airlines I've flown on Alaska/Continental have been very good about letting me hold a carrier in my lap after take off and it must go back for landing.
I will get back with you on those dimensions :)

flying with a dog
 

I have a Bichon, Lacy, who weighs 13 pounds. She has flown with me many times, but only on Delta. You will need to check with the airline to be sure you meet all of their regulations, which seem to be changing some right now, so be sure about them. Lacy travels in a Sherpa bag with wheels. It fits under the seat in front of me with no problem. Even though she is not that big, I can't carry her for more than a couple of minutes. I think it's a medium bag. You need to measure your dog and be sure the carrier is big enough for the dog to move around a little, but is within the airline requirements. Lacy can turn around in her Sherpa bag, but she can't stand up completely. She is very good in her carrier and is a great traveler. She has been allowed to lay on my lap under a blanket a few times. The flight attendants are always charmed by her and she gets a lot of attention. I always advise anyone traveling with a Bichon, or any dog, to dress nicely because you will be getting a lot of attention. I will add that I always get a health certificate before flying with Lacy. It doesn't take much to get one, 10 minutes at the vet's and they sign the form. You can get thrown off the plane and it just isn't worth the risk of that happening.

Pet flys has really nice airline approved carriers in various sizes. I am looking into the same things as you because I am pretty sure we are going to the meet up no matter where it is. I have a teapot also. Everyone said it was good to have a stroller at the last meet up so I am looking into those too

Thanks. I'm glad you are thinking of going. I'd love to meet you!

I'll google pet flys.

Be careful, some of the "airline approved" carriers that I've found are approved for the cargo area, not the cabin. I've checked multiple airlines and have found the maximum dimensions to be: 23" long x 13" wide x 9" high It's that 9" high that I'm worried about. Ginger's 13 lbs and I already have a carrier she can fit in...squish Bernie, squish. :p

lol when I read the title of this thread I got a mental picture of a giant yorkie soaring through the sky.
Anyways, I don't have any advice but I'd just like to say thanks for asking because I also have a teapot and I was wondering about flying with her!

Thanks for the info on the health certificate and for sharing your experiences. Do you think there is a little wiggle room with the 9" part of the dimensions? I have found a couple of carriers that I think Bernie could be in, but they are 10". There aren't many out there for 17# yorkies.:)

Ha, ha! Actually I tried to find a flying teapot pic to include, but had no luck. We should all keep each other posted if we find great bags or additional info on flying with these bigger ones.

Thanks! I appreciate your willingness to dig it out, but if it's too much work, let it go. I'm just wondering if they are truly sticklers to the 9" rule.

travel bag
 

I measured Lacy's Sherpa bag on wheels. These are outside measurements and I'm not sure what the Sherpa folks would say the dimensions are. It measures 18" long, 12" wide, and 11" high. It is soft with mesh along the sides and one end. I would not ask Lacy, who weighs 13-15 pounds, to travel in anything smaller. The last time we traveled, which was six years ago, the bag was within Delta's requirements and could travel in the cabin, under the seat in front of me. It was a tight fit, but it worked. Please be sure about the airline's requirements about what is allowed in the cabin. Getting to the airport and finding out you can't take your dog in the cabin would not be good! Also be sure that ALL of the planes you will be flying on can accommodate the bag. Sometimes they put you on a little hop in a very small plane and the bag wouldn't be allowed. They want to put the dog in the nose of the plane, which isn't pressurized or climate controlled. Delta only flies jets that are big enough to accommodate the Sherpa bag, so I only fly Delta. You need to be careful and be sure your information is current and correct.

Thanks!!!! This is great info. I guess if I stick with a soft sided bag that I can squish a little if needed, we'll be okay.

hmmmm....

They don't weight or measure the bags. At least not in my experience. Just get a bag thats no bigger than a normal carryon that fits under the seat and he can lay down comfortably.