I'd be so scared to fly with Jackson, just because I think he would NOT be good on a flight. He hates being in his crate, hence why I gave up with the crate training. He will just bark if there are people around that he can hear and see and if he knows I'm right near him. I don't have to fly with him anytime soon but ahh! I'll be scared if I ever have to. And he's heavy... 13 pounds so he'd be hard to lug around, lol. I almost feel like he would be better off with the cabin of the aircraft, even though I'd feel awful.

I (like smiles) flew Roxie from Virginia to Florida in an extra-small sherpa. She was very, very good; as soon as she gets in her sherpa she falls right to sleep. I had a 2 hour layover in Atlanta which I was worried about because she was only 3 months old at the time. I took a puppy pad with me and put it down in a bathroom stall. Roxie peed fine and went right back in her bag (don't let anyone see you do it! I don't think you're allowed to have them out in the airport besides going through security...) The cool thing about the sherpa is that it has the front opening so if your baby needs touch you can open it a little and slide your foot in so it feels your warmth. Roxie was just fine under the seat, when I pulled the bag out everyone was shocked that there was even a dog on the flight! Roxie absolutely loves her sherpa, and occasionally when I leave it out I find her sleeping in it... The only trouble she has is if it's being carried and she can't feel me, like if I put it in a shopping cart she'll cry. But as long as I carry it and she can feel me against her she's fine. She won't play with toys or anything while she's in it though.
Also, I made sure to keep her shot records in a side pocket, just in case.

In the airports you can go into the "family" bathrooms. It is large and private and you can put down the pee pad in private.

We also travel with our stroller when we fly, in addition to a soft sided carrier. We gate check the stroller, so that we don't have to carry Rowdy in the airport. It is hard for us because my husband is disabled and can only carry rolling bag. So we put the soft carrier and Rowdy in the stroller and have an easier time through the airport.

Some airports have designiated potty areas for pets - but you will probalby have to go back through security again, so you need plenty of time

I flew with sammy in january, and no health certificate was needed (we flew sun country). sammy was SUPPOSED to stay in his bag, but they never knew he was sitting on my lap under a blanket. on the return, one of the flight attendants told me they were all dog lovers, except one, so she would warn me when the "mean" one would come so i could cover sammy up. I somehow managed a pee pad in the tiny airplane bathroom, and despite not being fully housebroken at the time, sammy used it! He was totally fine, and loved the attention he got from the security and gate people! (the rates have almost doubled for flying a pet on a couple major airlines here-up to $150.00 one way, now!!!)

I was just about to start a new thread because Joey and I are flying to Florida on Air Tran in July and then most of my questions have been answered. But I still need to buy the carrier. Where do you get the Sherpa? Who is it made by. On Air Tran, the carrier can be no more than 8 1/2 inches high. I don't think Joey will be able to turn around in it. I hope that's ok.

The Sherpa is made by... Sherpa! lol Here's a link. They have several different sizes to choose from, but only the X-small or small will fit under the seat, I think. Make sure you go with a soft-sided bag so there is some flex in fitting the bag under the seat.

I have the Bergan Comfort Carrier - size small and love it. Meg is 4 lbs and fits in it nicely.

Good luck with your travels! Make sure you confirm your dog's reservation on the plane ahead of time!

I only traveled once when i went to pick up Sophia. I traveled with her on the way back here but the flight was very short, i think an hr or so. She was panting a lot, i think she was nervous. Also she didnt want water or food from being so nervous so like someone else said i reccommend feeding them before and tire them out so they sleep on the way. Also put the peepee pads underneath, put 2 just in case. I bought a reg. carrier from petco for like 30 bucks but i really am looking for one with little pockets on the side that i can open and stick my hand in to pet them, without having to open the carrier completely so the dog won't get out. Anyone know of any?

Mine has a "hand pocket" like that so you can slide your hand in and pet/comfort your dog. It zips open/closed, too. I have the Bergan Comfort Carrier in Small. I have been very, very happy with it overall. :thumbup:

My puppy did the panting thing too. Does anyone know how to get the puppy to do this, or why they do it? I try to tire my little girl out, e.g. waking her up early, playing, etc. until we leave for the airport, but she doesn't sleep on the plane. She tries but I think the engine noises wake her up.

I know this is an older post...but the snoozer backpack/carrier/carseat meets regulations AND has multiple zippers for contact without comprising containment :thumbup: