Kind of urgent question about flying with a dog.
 

Can someone who's done this before tell me exactly what happened, especially if you've flown US Air. I've been nervous about this for two weeks but now I just read something on a dog site that a member here linked to, and it said they take your dog away to examine it and make it walk around and stuff to make sure it acts normal, whatever that means. My dog is going to be sedated during the flight because the vet recommended it. She's not going to be completely knocked out, but I seriously doubt that she's going to be feeling like walking around and acting "normal." Are they still going to let us on the plane?

I have traveled a bunch with a dog including US air. I have not had to do anything more than take the dog out of the carrier so they can xray the carrier. The dog is carried through the check point. Don't stress. The security folks are always interested in meeting our little ones--but no one has inspected one that I have heard of.

I am interested to know, if you guys paid to be able to have your dog in the flight, and how much. Thanks

I have flown Delta with Rory a few times but not U.S. Air.

My experience was simply telling the ticket agent at the counter I was traveling with my dog. He asked me what was in there and then asked if he could see her. Her little head popped out and he said good to go - I think he was just making sure it was a dog and not a snake or something else illegal to carry on. Anyways, I paid the astronomical pet fee ($150 each way) and signed a little ticket that I hooked on my carrier. You run the carrier through the x-ray machines at security with all your other carry on bags and then carry your baby through in your arms when you walk through. I hope that eases your mind a bit. At no point in time did Rory have to get out and walk around - in fact, I think they'd actually prefer it if your dog stayed in the carrier the whole time!

Rory was not sedated as I'd actually read it can be detrimental to sedate them while flying. Something to the effect of a new situation and then not being in a typical fully aware state causing them more stress. Anyways, she did fine with no sedation - minus when the little booger tried to pop her head out during take off. The guy next to me just laughed. Your vet will know what is best for your pup though. Good luck and have a fun and safe trip!

I think what you read might have been referring to large dogs that are crated and sent as baggage. There is a no-sedation rule because the airlines are afraid that the dogs could be jostled in flight and be unable to steady themselves because of the sedation. I don't think that's a concern for a small dog in a tiny crate at your feet.

I've flown with my Yorkies under the seat in front of me a half dozen times and never been asked to have them walk around.

fyi, after sedating the first couple times on vet's advise, I stopped sedating them and found they traveled just fine. Next time, I might try some natural Rescue Remedy on one of them to calm him without a heavier sedation. I'm not saying don't sedate the first time, just giving you something to think about and discuss with your vet.

I've flown a few times on US Air with Kalina and they never did any such thing. It is exactly as Scrapindee says! I never had to sedate her; she is very happy about going into the crate and sleeping for a few hours.

alishasmom: I have been paying $50 each way, but I know it has been increased quite a bit recently. I'm not sure how much.

I fly about once a month or so with my guy. I have flown on U.S. Air, Air Tran, Delta, some I can't even think of right now. The only thing I have had to do is take him out while going through security. You hold them and walk through.

You want to make sure you have a reservation. With U.S Air I think the price is still at $100.00 each way. The rates keep going up faster then I can check.

Sometimes they will look at the dog in the bag just to make sure he/she has enough room but during check in I haven't had to take them out.

I have no experience flying with pups but isn't this for ls surgery?
Are you sure you want to use those kinds of drugs on a liver compromised dog without a vet being there?

Mine was 100 USD each way.
 

I don't even know what that fee is for. They count as a carry-on and have to go under your seat in front of you like a purse or laptop. I could understand the exorbitant fee if they were using a seat, but what's this about? My dog weighs less than my laptop, and I don't pay extra for that. It must just be some sort of "inconvenience" fee, because it doesn't gain you anything that I've been able to find.

They also make you buy a special carrier, which I had a really hard time finding. Everything was one or two inches too long, wide, or high. People in the stores were looking at me like I was a nut case when I took a measuring tape out of my purse to examine carriers. (I did explain to several people who looked particularly curious about what I was doing that I had to have specific dimensions for a flight, and that US Air had already told me they would reject any carrier that exceeded their standards.)

The other delightful thing about airlines and dogs is that it isn't necessarily standard on the airline itself. It varies with the jet model. So you look up the jet model to see what you're allowed. In my case, the jet we're going on wasn't listed on the web site, so I had to call US Air and be transferred to three different people to find out how big my carrier could be, and I got two different answers. I decided to go with the answer that I got from two people.

The dog also has to be able to stand upright in the carrier, even if it's going to be lying down the entire time. This means that, if you have a dog taller than ten inches fully upright, good luck trying to get it on their plane.

Okay, I have vented. I don't think it should be this difficult to travel with a miniature dog. Thanks to all of you for listening. I guess it's obvious that I'm pretty nervous and annoyed right now.

We flew to Tampa in May and Maybelline was just 6 months old.

It was a 2 hour flight and we did not sedate. I had read the site and many recommended not sedating because they are more disoriented then end up in a strange place with out all the smells of home.

She did just fine except we had a little tee-tee accident in the bag but I had put a pee pee pad down inside the bag. So no harm and we just rinsed off quickly and deposited the pad in the restroom when we landed. I just held her off water for a few hours before the flight home and she flew all the way home without an accident.

We took her out of her bag to go through TSA but no one took her from us and inspected her. Just have her papers handy; however, no one asked to look at Maybelline's.

I think you will be more relaxed if you are not worried about sedation and if she will wake up in a good mood. The plane is so loud that the other passengers can not hear them if they whine a bit; most do not even know when they are on a flight.

Good Luck!

Ellie, and all of you who have been so kind to respond...
 

I should have better explained what I meant by sedated. The vet just wants me to give her some pediatric Benadryl before we leave.

You have a good memory, Ellie. Yes, it's for surgery. That's on Friday. She is very, very energetic since she's been on her diet and medication. This carrier is really small, not at all what she's used to. She also hates being away from mom and/or dad. The vet thought it would be better to make her drowsy during the flight so she didn't cause a disturbance. Do you think it would be better if I don't do that? I just don't know. I'm so freaked out about this. Really, if she wasn't sedated and we were on the plane and barked, what would they do? It's not like they could throw her out.

Hi!! I have traveled with my dogs on planes for 17 years and I am a flight attendant for United, maybe I can help!!
If you are really nervous, then maybe a little benedryl will be helpful. Your dog can also sense your nervousness which makes them uneasy, so try and relax when you are on the plane. I suggest that you bring a blanket so that when you put him under your seat on the plane you wrap the kennel in the blankie. The floor of the plane is pretty cold and that is one of the reason's that the dogs bark or cry. Also if you wrap the kennel so that the pup can't see you I think it is better. It is dark and then when the plane engines come on, it is like a calming droning noise and in my experience most pups or kitties will settle down and sleep until you get there. I had to fly 6 hours with Brooke to go see her neurologist in Boston, from San Francisco. That time, I did take her out about 4 hours into the flight in the restroom. I went into the one with the diaper changing table and put down a weewee pad and let her go potty and gave her a treat and some water. I held her for a bit and then put her back in the kennel and she settled back down and went to sleep again!! We were sitting in first class that time, next to a bunch of business passengers so I was nervous about her crying too!! They also have a product called Rescue Remedy for Pets that doesn't have any alcohol but has flower essence that is supposed to calm pets. They also have a version for kids that is the same, if you can't find the pet one. Just don't get the regular version because it has 27% alcohol and if your little guy has liver issues, it wouldn't be good for him! If you have more questions, don't hesitate to PM me!! Have a wonderful trip and I wish you well with the surgery!

Same thing with my experience!!! Hugs-Kay & Jaxon

I am really nervous, and thank you so much!
 

I called US Air to try to get some clarification. As usual, I got transferred to someone who didn't speak English well. She started reading me the stuff that is on the web site and coudn't answer my question about screening. She told me to call the TSA and gave me the number.

I sat on hold with the TSA for almost an hour then got a very nice rep who had no idea why the airline told me to call them. He said they have nothing to do with taking pets on flights other than some very basic things that I've already covered. He said all the other parts are based on the regulations of the specific airline. I'm lost.

I've flown with puppies quite a few times and it has never been a problem. It seems that when the puppy is in his or her soft sided crate under the seat, they will tend to sleep the whole time. Normally the people around me didn't even know I had the puppy. I have never sedated my puppy or dog. My vet feels that this isn't necessary. But with an older dog, I can understand how just a very slight sedation that just "relaxes" the dog might be good. No one has EVER ask me to walk my dog so that they see how he or she is doing. When going through security, I would just carry the puppy through the "gate" with me, while the carry-on dog bag goes through the x-ray machine. Then I put the puppy back in the carry on after getting through security. You should find it is not any problem. I always bring a leash and collar with me, as I will usually just let the puppy out of the carry-on, right by me, when we are just waiting to get on the plane. Keeping the puppy or dog awake at that time might be why they will sleep better on the plane. Enjoy your Travels!

We were thinking about traveling with Summer also. I am afraid she would cry and bother the people around her.:( What kind of carry do you use to put them in???? She gets so excited around people......but maybe this would be different. Thanks for your info. We have been debating this for a while. I am glad someone else thought to post......:)

I LOVE the Sherpa bags - especially the "Delta" carry on. It is a very sturdy bag. Here is Sherpa's web site - but you can also find Sherpa bags at most large pet Stores:

Sherpa's Pet Trading Company - The Original Soft Side Pet Carrier

I have the Delta bag also and just love it. With the soft sided carriers you don't have to worry about the size as much since they are flexible. The measurements they give are more for the hard sided carriers.

I have flown with 6 different dogs now (5 of them puppies) and they all settled right down on the plane. A couple whined for a min. but I just leaned over and put my finger in the bag and this seems to calm them down.

I would just relax that is the main thing. You are paying a small fortune and just remember that. Your dog has paid more then some to be on that flight. If anyone complains just remind them that at least they get a seat for their $200!

Also even if they bark through the airport doesn't mean they will bark once on the plane. I know of one dog that barks and barks until they are on the plane then settles down!

The more relaxed you are the more relaxed the dog will be.

Yes, oddly enough, I'm paying almost as much for the dog
 

as I am for myself, even though she has to go under the seat and takes up no room. What's up with that?

Now she's acting weird. In the past few hours, she snaps at my other dogs when they come near me. She bit one of them and made them cry. Is that normal? She never does that. She's always pleasant and playful. Is it because she knows I'm nervous? If so, why aren't all the dogs doing it? It's like she knows something is wrong and it has to do specifically with her :confused:

On top of not getting a seat - they charge you $100 then make you use the carry on as one of your 2 carry on bags. You would think that since you are paying for the dog to be under the seat, you would still be able to bring your two carry on pieces that everyone else is allowed. :rolleyes:

Well, Benadryl isn't too bad but it still isn't great for the liver.
It really depends on what each dog can handle.
Anyway, I wouldn't count on it making her tired because I don't think the stuff phases Ellie.:rolleyes:

You need to call US Airways BEFORE you fly for their requriements.

I brought Bella from California on Delta in a soft sided carrier. Delta would only allow 2 animals in the cabin (plus 1 in 1st class). A trip to the vet was required within 10 days of travel. It was $150 (one way) to carry-on your yorkie. You walk through security carrying your baby in your arms; the carrier goes through x-ray. I had to sign a waiver stating the animal is NOT allowed out of the carrier in the terminal, loading areas, on-board the aircraft, or in the baggage claim area.

My girl went 13+ hours without peeing/pooping because she was too scared to go at the airport(s). Not sure if I could ever put her through that again.

I bailed out on it.
 

Didn't go. I'll figure out something about having it done around here. I'm going to have it done somewhere within driving distance, wherever that turns out to be.

I don't know how others feel about this, but I'd much rather be on a flight with a dog crying than a baby crying. It's been years since I've been on a flight that didn't have a screaming baby on it as well. My guess about that is that the altitude bothers their ears as it does mine, and of course crying is their only way of communicating when they don't like something.

Cornell?

Flying with yorkies
 

Hello!
I have flown with my yorkie quite often. He gets a little medication and he's happy to be in his soft crate. He may dig at the side for a minute or whine, but hes a great, much better then the one year old (who doesn't have to pay) behind us.

I have purchased tickets many times, but I realized no one cares about dog tickets. In security they ask you to remove the dog from the kennel, take off his harness and you are free to put your dog back in his kennel.

My friend was chosen to be searched, and ironically they had to search her dog too, they called over a special dog handler and just picked him up and looked and felt his coat to make sure nothing was hiding in his fur.

Never have I had his kennel measured, or my dog walked to insure he was healthy. I don't think I have ever been asked for health certificates, though I have them every time.

Its funny how often the people sitting next to me only notice the dog only after the flight attendant starts baby talking the puppy on the way out the door.

Jen- and her boy Burke

Ok,my Walter flies with me several times a year to & from Honolulu/mainland. To Honolulu he has to get checked thru quarentine so he has to travel in cargo the other direction he travels with me. Never have sedadted him,vet didnt recomend it, & he's totaly great with the whole thing. I have never flown that airlines but that's a bunch of hooey. You get a health certificate from your vet within 10days of flying & your good to go. The airlines is not qualified to make any judgement on a dogs heallth. After security, I would put TSA a lock on it's crate. All info is on his crate to contact you if needed during the flight & they will. Last week Walter was in cargo & they had overbooked dogs on that flight so just before take off they found me on the plane & brought him to me.

Does your Delta bag fit under airline seat?

Yes, I have traveled with puppies at least a dozen times, and have always used the Sherpa bags for under the seat use. You can tell if it is airline approved on the Sherpa site as it will have a little circle with an airplane on it if it is approved as a carry on for under the seat. If it doesn't have the little airplane emblem, then it is either not strong enough or not the right size. The Delta bag is just my favorite as it also has some nice pockets for carrying your other "doggy" items:) besides just seeming to be a very sturdy bag.
I am actually taking a puppy to his new family in Seattle in around 10 days then visiting my parents in the area and the Sherpa bag will be what I use for the little guy going with me.:thumbup:

Thank you so much for the Sherpa Delta info. I have an older carrier that I want to replace but didnt know what's the best, and now I do thanks to you.