Does anyone have experience flying with their pooch in cabin?

[slantyeyedgirl]

Originally Posted by mblab

Hi everyone! We're flying to Texas at the end of this month for my boyfriend's brother's high school graduation. Zoe will be flying with us (her "fee" roundtrip is the same as one of our roundtrip tickets!) and I'm trying to prepare properly. We'll be flying American Airlines and her "seat" has already been reserved. We've got an Alex Quigy Bo bag so she's all set for the flight. Now on to my question: AA does not require a health certificate. I've tried looking online through the FAA website and as far as I've found they don't say they require a health certificate. I had been planning on getting a health certificate but now I'm not sure if it's needed. Our vet will charge us a total of $75 for a vet visit and health certificate fee. While I want to be prepared I don't want to spend money that just doesn't need to be spent. (Zoe had health problems this year and she's racked over $700 in vet bills so far. I'm trying to cut back wherever I can.) Does anyone have anything that shows a health certificate is required by the FAA?

I flew from Dallas to Phoenix in Jan/Feb and they did not ask to look at health certificate. I suggest getting some puppy sedatives in case your baby flips out. We flew to Phoenix without giving Ginger anything and she was bug-eyed and panting the whole time. We gave her a small dose on the way home and she relaxed half-way through the trip. I was able to hold her outside her bag on the way to Phoenix, but the flight attendants on the way home made me keep her in her bag, so I guess it depends on the flight attendant's mood.

[mblab]

Originally Posted by 2girls

I have only been asked to present a health certificate 1 out of 20 times. It is a good thing to have incase you need to switch airlines. I'm really shocked your vet is charging $75. I would ask your vet for a updated print out of vaccines your baby had and carry that with you and make sure it includes the rabies vac.

Last week I asked how much they're charge for a health certificate and I was shocked!!! when they said "well we'd charge for an office visit and a health certificate fee, about $75." Hence my hesitation to get one if I don't need one... So now I'm wondering if I can't just have them print out a shot history showing she's UTD and if that's good enough...

[AllDogBoots]

I flew with Cooper in February on a 2 hour Southwest flight to Florida. I learned a lot on that journey. I was scared to death, but we managed and got to our destination and home with no major issues. I have tons of details regarding that trip:
Traveling With My Small Dog On An Airplane

[Britster]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I flew with Cooper in February on a 2 hour Southwest flight to Florida. I learned a lot on that journey. I was scared to death, but we managed and got to our destination and home with no major issues. I have tons of details regarding that trip:
Traveling With My Small Dog On An Airplane

Thanks for posting that!

I have yet to fly w/ Jackson but this makes me feel more comfortable if I ever were to have to.

My question - the carrier that he's in in the picture, is that the biggest you can fit on a plane under a seat? My boy is technically 16lbs but he's still the same size he was when he was 12lbs (he was at 12lbs from 6 months to a little over a year, I think the extra pounds are honestly muscle mass, I dunno, we'll see how much he weighs at next vet visit... ) but anyways... that would be a very tight squeeze for him, I think.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by mblab

Last week I asked how much they're charge for a health certificate and I was shocked!!! when they said "well we'd charge for an office visit and a health certificate fee, about $75." Hence my hesitation to get one if I don't need one... So now I'm wondering if I can't just have them print out a shot history showing she's UTD and if that's good enough...

I have flown with my own Sissy as well as many puppy deliveries into almost every single major airport along with some very small airports. I have never been asked for a health certificate. If the airline doesn't require it, I wouldn't worry about it. A copy of your vaccination record should suffice if asked for anything.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by Britster

Thanks for posting that!

I have yet to fly w/ Jackson but this makes me feel more comfortable if I ever were to have to.

My question - the carrier that he's in in the picture, is that the biggest you can fit on a plane under a seat? My boy is technically 16lbs but he's still the same size he was when he was 12lbs (he was at 12lbs from 6 months to a little over a year, I think the extra pounds are honestly muscle mass, I dunno, we'll see how much he weighs at next vet visit... ) but anyways... that would be a very tight squeeze for him, I think.

You may have to rethink flying with him incabin if he is now over 15 lbs. Most the airline requirements say the dog and carrier cannot be more than 15 lbs to be carried in cabin.

Not every airline has the same height under the seat. And within each airline the space can be smaller if you are on a smaller plane as well.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Britster

Thanks for posting that!

I have yet to fly w/ Jackson but this makes me feel more comfortable if I ever were to have to.

My question - the carrier that he's in in the picture, is that the biggest you can fit on a plane under a seat? My boy is technically 16lbs but he's still the same size he was when he was 12lbs (he was at 12lbs from 6 months to a little over a year, I think the extra pounds are honestly muscle mass, I dunno, we'll see how much he weighs at next vet visit... ) but anyways... that would be a very tight squeeze for him, I think.

I would never have flown with Cooper if i hadn't talked to the owner of Dog Jaunt : Traveling with a small dog Take a look at that website and please contact her for help. She has helped me enormously!

Take a look at this page for carrier information Dog Jaunt : Airplane carriers for in-cabin pet travel : Traveling with a small dog

Oh, and just one more link about sizes of dogs http://www.dogjaunt.com/2009/07/what...airplane-seat/

This is one of my all time favorite blogs. The writer is an expert on air travel with small dogs.

[LuvMySissy]

As I stated above, I have flown MANY flights with a dog/puppy in the cabine. Varying lengths of flights - from as little as 45 minutes to as long at 6 hours. Many with connecting flights as well.

Here is what I have found.....

1. Make sure your carrier is not taller than the airline specified space. If you are on a small plane within that airline (on one of their regional "connection" flights) the space may be even smaller.

2. The under seat space with a window seat will be the coldest floor space there is. Make sure you have a blanket for extra warmth if needed.

3. Especially on smaller regional plans, the back of the plane will be hot, the front will be freezing.

4. Always have disposable pee pads with you. Putting one in the carrier on top of any cushion or blanket will enable an easy clean up for any sickness or potty accidents. Carry baby wipes to assist with any clean ups.

5. Disposable pee pads are also the perfect size to place on the floor of an airplane bathroom if you have a long flight and you feel your pup needs to relieve themselves or just stand up for a few minutes. Make sure you transport the pup to the bathroom inside the carrier.

6. Never sedate a puppy/dog unless you have vet advice/approval and have practiced this BEFORE the flight to make sure there are no adverse reactions.

7. A little nutrical given before a long flight can help ensure your pup will be okay. A little regular ginger ale will almost always get a dog to drink that needs hydration/sugar or to help ease a queasy tummy (just a little though).

8. Always make sure you have identification on your pet. If this means them wearing a harness while in the carrier, than do it. Also always have a leash available.

9. Many flight attendants will allow you to bring the carrier onto your lap after takeoff up until landing as long as you keep it as closed as possible and don't try to take the pup out. It is a TSA rule that the carrier stay under the seat, so if asked to do so, please abide.

10. Almost every airport mandates that pups be kept inside the carrier while inside the airport as well.

Hope this helps...............

[KashasMom]

The BF and I will be taking Kasha on her first flight on Friday to visit her Grandparents in NY. It's a 3 hour flight and luckily both LI & our airport in FLA are super small but I'm getting a little nervous as we get closer. A few questions ...

- We are flying Southwest and she is flying as an emotional health dog for me, they know she is going to be on board & said she doesn't need a health certificate. Anyone recommend me getting one?

-Also, she is microchipped so I don't have an ID tag for her. Should I get one?

- Anyone have a bad experience bringing a emotional support dog on board?

[gemy]

Originally Posted by KashasMom

The BF and I will be taking Kasha on her first flight on Friday to visit her Grandparents in NY. It's a 3 hour flight and luckily both LI & our airport in FLA are super small but I'm getting a little nervous as we get closer. A few questions ...

- We are flying Southwest and she is flying as an emotional health dog for me, they know she is going to be on board & said she doesn't need a health certificate. Anyone recommend me getting one?

-Also, she is microchipped so I don't have an ID tag for her. Should I get one?

- Anyone have a bad experience bringing a emotional support dog on board?

I would bring my rabies certificate and vet info just incase they ask for it. I didn't fly with any ID tag only microchip.

Never brought an emotional support dog with me. Razz had to stay in his crate under the seat I brought a little water bottle with me when I flew to Eugene Oregon. Also lined the crate with a pee pad.

[TheJazzMan]

We flew from Boston to Hilton Head last year with our 2 year old 4 1/2 lb Yorkie, Bitsy. It was a nightmare. She was not accustomed to being zipped up in a carrier and stuffed under a seat on a roaring jet for 2+ hours, so she panted and cried the entire time. The only thing that would calm her at all was me putting my hand in the carrier. Even that I had to do when the flight attendants were not around. They told me several times to remove my hand and zip it up. I was furious and told them how rediculous this was. One flight attendant pulled out the FAA rule book to show me the section where it says that pets must remain under the seat in a secure carrier for the entire flight. If the flight had been another 15 minutes longer, security would have met me at the gate with handcuffs. I told my wife that I'll never do that again. We now have a 45' motorhome that we travel in. Bitsy loves it and sleeps the entire trip - no crates, no flight attendants, no hassles.

[Mom2TwoYorkies]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

I flew with Cooper in February on a 2 hour Southwest flight to Florida. I learned a lot on that journey. I was scared to death, but we managed and got to our destination and home with no major issues. I have tons of details regarding that trip:
Traveling With My Small Dog On An Airplane

Thanks! Even though my babies haven't traveled yet, maybe next Summer they will be . . .

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Mom2TwoYorkies

Thanks! Even though my babies haven't traveled yet, maybe next Summer they will be . . .

It wasn't fun but we did it. I think my nerves were the worst part of the trip. And you might want to think about a mild sedative if you do travel. Do research on pros/cons and speak with your vet.

[keokis mom]

Keoki is great flying and he is a bigger boy- 8 pounds but he has a Sherpa and just sleeps no potty breaks and has never been sedated- rescue remedy is an herbal relaxant for dogs if needed but he is always fine- almost every airport has a designated doggy area for potty breaks. The last time I flew with him I got very upset when we were landing because he was shaking which led me to believe his ears might have been bothering him but i have never seen that happen before or since. On Continental in coach I feel like the Sherpa bag is a bit shmooshed but he is fine I pet him alot and he just sleeps. When I get a second dog I will move up to first class so there is more room for two Good luck!!!! Keep us posted!

[keokis mom]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

As I stated above, I have flown MANY flights with a dog/puppy in the cabine. Varying lengths of flights - from as little as 45 minutes to as long at 6 hours. Many with connecting flights as well.

Here is what I have found.....

1. Make sure your carrier is not taller than the airline specified space. If you are on a small plane within that airline (on one of their regional "connection" flights) the space may be even smaller.

2. The under seat space with a window seat will be the coldest floor space there is. Make sure you have a blanket for extra warmth if needed.

3. Especially on smaller regional plans, the back of the plane will be hot, the front will be freezing.

4. Always have disposable pee pads with you. Putting one in the carrier on top of any cushion or blanket will enable an easy clean up for any sickness or potty accidents. Carry baby wipes to assist with any clean ups.

5. Disposable pee pads are also the perfect size to place on the floor of an airplane bathroom if you have a long flight and you feel your pup needs to relieve themselves or just stand up for a few minutes. Make sure you transport the pup to the bathroom inside the carrier.

6. Never sedate a puppy/dog unless you have vet advice/approval and have practiced this BEFORE the flight to make sure there are no adverse reactions.

7. A little nutrical given before a long flight can help ensure your pup will be okay. A little regular ginger ale will almost always get a dog to drink that needs hydration/sugar or to help ease a queasy tummy (just a little though).

8. Always make sure you have identification on your pet. If this means them wearing a harness while in the carrier, than do it. Also always have a leash available.

9. Many flight attendants will allow you to bring the carrier onto your lap after takeoff up until landing as long as you keep it as closed as possible and don't try to take the pup out. It is a TSA rule that the carrier stay under the seat, so if asked to do so, please abide.

10. Almost every airport mandates that pups be kept inside the carrier while inside the airport as well.

Hope this helps...............

Thank you!!! Loved this advice!!!!