Everyone with 2 dogs!!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!
 

Hi all,
I posted this kind of thing before.... I have 2 boys (8lbs & 5lbs) and im trying to go home for the holidays. I called all the airlines and NOT ONE will let me travel with them either in cabin or in baggage. In cabin cuz there are 2... in baggage bc of temp restrictions. I asked them HOW I can get my dogs from here to there. Noone has any answers... I just cant.

I was telling my friend, I TOTALLY understand rules & regulations and that there are restrictions and if they can limit chaos by listing them on their site then thats great. BUT... they allow 2 dogs if they are under 6 months old in 1 crate, they allow them if they are mom & pup (and pup is over 3 months). They have a 15lb weight restrictions for in cabin pets also. Ok, well my boys fit comfortably in 1 crate like they require for 1 pet, and they weight LESS than the limit. I dont get why an exception cannot be made in circumstances like this. :mad:

Airlines have the power to do what they want to do. They can say YES to my 2 dogs and tell the guy next to me NO to his one dog if they want to. It says it on their website they reserve the right to say no to any dog at any time. So why is it so difficult to just let me take my 2?? They said I need a 2nd person. Im so frustrated. :mad:

So Im left with 2 choices here...
a) Very kindly ask someone to help me get one dog through security and giving them the money for it. Thats IF I can find someone who feels they can trust me enough to do that. Then once through, jsut putting them both in the same crate for travel.
OR
b) just put the 2 of them in crate and pray the security people know nothing and really dont care that there are 2 dogs in the 1 crate.

Once I get past security I'll be fine Im sure... its just getting through that might be the tough part.

What do everyone else think? Has anyone ever run into this? How did you get around it?

I appreciate all advice!!! I just want to go home to my family for the holidays and not leave the most important members (my boys) in a kennel for the holidays... thats all I want! :cry:

I just flew w/ Milo last month.

You have to remove them from the carrier and carry them through security with you as the carrier goes through the machine with your shoes, bag, etc.

Sorry.

This is the very reason I decided to keep it at one yorkie.

I can pick up and go----- I would never be able to decide who to leave behind.:(

I know, I agree that it should be more of a weight limit thing, rather than a numbers thing. I don't really have any advice though! When I went through security, I had to take my dog out of her bag though, cause the bag had to go down the conveyor! And if they ask to see your ticket(s) for the dogs and you can only show them one, you may be screwed? I was NEVER asked to show my ticket for Vixxen though...not by security or the airlines :confused: So I think you may get away with it, but you may not! then what?

I'd hate to see you land up at the airport just to be turned away. Can your boyfriend babysit for you, as it seems you can't get them on.

At this point, it will be a matter of lost $$ if I cant get away with it. I can either book it and take the chance or not book it and not go home. You know what i mean? so Id lose out on $400. Not that I want to lose that much $$ but it won't make or break my life. I just wonder if I cant get through if I can say to them that I need to get to New Mexico, can we please figure out how to accomodate my dogs to get them there.

Im flying from a fairly small airport into a fairly small airport. manchester NH to albequerque NM. My mom did it in June and they didnt make her take her dog out of the carrier at all. I just need someone to walk my dog through for me then. I wonder if people are WAY too skeptical to help me out with that. I only have to go through security once, so Im sure the layover wont be a problem, just getting through security might be :( :(

I dont know what to do!!! :(

I don't have a boyfriend anymore sadly!

Also I really want my dogs with me for the holidays... Im such a baby. Id be so miserable with out them for 2 weeks Id rather not go. Isnt that awful?? hahaha :D

I flew with two pups back in February with American Airlines. While booking the tickets I asked the lady about the whole issue of them being related or under a certain age and she said that was the rule. Others had told me that they had flown with their two grown Yorkies together and never had a problem, so I took a chance. They did ask at the desk if they were small and I showed them that they were both comfortably in the carrier together. When I went through security I had to carry them both through while the carrier went through the x-ray machine. Didn't have any problems at all. Of course there is always that chance that you will have problems, but so far I haven't heard of anyone being stopped as long as they fit in there together.

Thank you! Did you book one dog or two? I guess Im just going to do that and take the chance. Its Northwest airlines Im flying. I dont see another way to get around this. I dont want to 'get away' with sneaking them, id rather the airline know that I have them, but if they make it so cut & dry and difficult in this kind of circumstance I dont see any other way! :)

I can tell you that Northwest requires you to go to the counter at the departure airport to pay the fare to carry on your pup. You will need to make that reservation ahead of time as they do have a limit on the # of dogs on the plane, so you'll want to reserve that space. I don't know if they will require you to take them out of the carrier if you were to show up with them in it when you come to the counter.

They will require you to take the pup(s) out of the carrier when going through security, carrying the pups through the metal detector and putting the carrier through the conveyor scanner. Security will check to make sure you have the appropriate ticket for the pup(s).

My feeling is the NW counter will be your biggest obstacle. Also, the size limit is 15 lbs including the carrier, so you will be bordering on that, NW isn't very sympathetic about anything these days and even their employees must pay the $90 EACH way fare to carry an animal on board.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Consider this...What if they pass going over but not comimg home? How would you get them home then?

Hope!
 

I found in Northwest pet travel rules that 2 dogs under 6 months of age are allowed to travel in the same crate in the cabin... Guess my boys are taking a drink from the fountain of youth! :) Since the state of NM and the airline do not require health certs, the airliine cannot prove my boys are over 6 months old. :) That should work just fine then right? I'll say they were born Sept 1! (technically they were! just not 2007 HAHA)

That is so horrible of them. I would call them again..and hit them where it hurts. Tell them that your boys together weigh less than the limit, and if they aren't fair to you then you won't use their airlines anymore and you'll tell everyone you know not to use them either.

I'm so sorry. I hope it all works out for you!

When I travelled with Annika to MI via NWA, I made the reservations way ahead of the trip as I wanted to ensure she is allowed on board. NWA does allow a total of 2 dogs on a flight, not necessarily both yours so call them . . .am sure there is NO problem for you taking both of them provided the quota has NOT been met. And since you made the arrangements ahead of time, they cannot turn you down on the day of departure as your e-ticket will indicate you do have a pet travelling with you.

My experience though is that I could have easily snuck Annika inside the plane without anyone noticing her LOL. But you do have to take them out when going through security. Security does NOT care how many dogs you have, as long as your paperwork says that you are travelling with dogs, not that they checked mine I think. If NWA accepts your payment for 2 dogs when you do book through them. then the crew CANNOT deny you that right. I suggest you call and make the reservations as supposed to just showing up with them on the day of departure . . you will have peace of mind come travel day.

There is no one else in your family traveling with you? Maybe you can find someone on the plane that could register them. Is it too far for you to drive?

I have traveled several times with 2. Tell the airlines they are under 6 months of age and pay for their reservation--I haven't had to take the pups out of the carrier except at security. Last time, I got a "hall Pass" for the husband to help me with the pups through security. Once I had the pups back in the carry-on he was allowed/escorted to the non-security section. The airlines were very nice about allowing husband to help me.

I have traveled 2 times with 2 dogs. I used United. There rules allow 2. It says under 6 months old, but they did not check and the dogs were small. I have also traveled with just one dog. Sometimes the airline does not even check my health certificate. I found that express jet is really lax. Book the dog (you only pay for the one carry on not for 2 dogs.) when you book your flight. You usually have to pay at the airport, but again with express jet I paid for the dogs when I made my reservation over the phone. You will have to take the dogs out at security and carry them through the metal detector while the carrier goes through the x-ray. The dogs also count as one of your carry-on items, so make your other one count! I use a large backpack for the other item, as I can get a lot of stuff in there for me and for the dogs. I have only used United ($85) and Express Jet ($50) so far.

As a UAL Employee~
 

I can tell you that unfortunately after 911 airline travel will never be the same, and with security measures like they are to lie is probably not a good idea...Every airport/airline is different as is each person who works for them...You have to understand the cabin limits on pets and rules...Otherwise it would be a flying circus!!!!!! Read the thread about the Kids Driving Someone Crazy, some people tolerate kids, others pets, and from my experience with people on board a flight, they VERY SELDOM follow the rules and leave them in the carrier, and to the passengers who are not animal lovers (maybe next to you) it becomes let's say "Not Very Pretty"!!!!!! When you call each airline, ask them what is the number of pets allowed per aircraft, and then have them clarify if that is per cabin or the entire aircraft...Maybe you were told no as the flight already showed another pet booked already...I hope this helps you w/ some insight from someone who has been in the not so friendly skies! Yvonne;)

Sorry if you think I have lied to the airlines, but I have NOT!!! I only book two dogs onto flights that allow a person to take two on in one carrier. They were over the stated age on the web pages for the airlines, but I never tried to hide how old they were. It is clearly stated on the health certificates that I take with me. I book my dogs before I go and tell them how many (one or two). My dogs are very well behaved and most of times people do not know that I even have a dog under the seat in front of me, until we get to talking and I tell them I am traveling with my dog. If I do take the dog out of the carrier, I have any seat partner's permission as well as the flight attendents. The last flight I was on, Judy sat on my lap shortly after take off when the people around me found out I was flying a dog out to California. They asked to see her. She stayed on my lap until they called for all carry on items to be put away for landing. The flight attendent did come by and check to make sure that Judy had been put away. I have never had any nasty comments as I always think of the other passengers before myself. I know my dog is happy and safe in the carrier because they have been trained to be in crates, (Easier for shows and travel) even though they usually don't see the inside of a crate here. When I know I am traveling I practice crating again, so they are completely at ease with the confined feeling. I do leave a couple of crates out and open in my kitchen and one in my bedroom. I have seen the dogs go into a crate by themself to take a nap or get away from the other dogs.
Bottom line is there are airlines that allow 2 dogs without anyone having to lie. The airline does not seem to care about the age limit as long as the dogs are small (I traveled with 2 adult girls that were 5 pounds and 6 pounds in one carry on and the airline check-in even looked at them. Totally fine with them) Just do your homework before you book your flight.

Forgot to say that I have only flown with my dogs in the last year and a half, so everytime has been after 9-11. No problems what so ever!!! Not even with dogs/puppies that have just come in from Germany recently and only had German health papers. (They did have enough English on them to tell that Rabies had been given)

The Reply~
 

Was not meant for you, it was meant for the traveler having such a hard time deciding what to do, and I feel just be honest...You were fortunate enough to have many people that didn't mind, but trust me after 15 years there are many people who Do mind, so save yourself any hassel and loss of money...I simply stated what they should ask when calling the airline and hoped that would help...You have to remember that alot of people are allergic to animals and they paid money for their seat and deserve for everyone to obey the rules...I do not care either way, I have 2 boyz and had a Maltese and Shepherd B4 them, Now, carry on a snake and I will NOT work the flight, haha...:eek: I hope you see what I was saying, I was trying to save money and any hassels she may come across...(P.S., it shouldn't be this way, but, my youngest daughter 22yrs old, just went to Billings, Montana on my passes, and she had no trouble in O'Hare other than the usual search for shampoos, etc. being searched and in proper containers, but her friend was practically stripped searched in Billings when returning home...So small airports mean more time to search and ask ?'s and not necessarily be more laid back) Good Luck

I booked both dogs at the time that I bought my tickets. If you already have your tickets, I would highly recommend that you call now to try to reserve space for them as many airlines only allow a couple of pets per flight. I definitely wouldn't try to sneak them as I am sure that someone will catch that. I would be honest about the number you are taking with you, just leave out the age of the pups. I have never had anyone ask how old they are, they just wanted to make sure that the two fit comfortably in there together.

Thanks so much all of you! I feel sooo much better. My intentions the entire time was never to lie. I didnt want to lie. I couldnt believe the woman on the phone for NWA was not more helpful. However NWA states a 2 dog limit if they fit in 1 crate, and are under 15lbs and under 6 months. Why age matters is beyond me. But Im going to book my flight and tell them I am traveling with pets in the cabin. They also state they charge $80 a carrier not per pet. (PHEW!) Why they even charge is beyond me if it counts as one of my carryons! I don't get it!!

I have NO intentions of removing them from the carrier at all during the flight. As there are 2 of them and I am only 1 person, its a bit difficult to control them especially in tight quarters.

As my dogs CAN be a little needy/whiny (HAHA) someone mentioned their vet recommending Benedryl for the flight... how much should you give them? id like to make the flight as comfortable for them as possible.

I feel soooo much better about this, sounds like I shouldnt have a problem as long as I disclose Im traveling with pets and my fall back (if asked) is that they are under 6 months of age. :D

Definitely tell them you have two dogs! The only place I ever even saw the age thing was on-line. When I booked mine and when I checked in they never said anything about age. Like I said before, their birthdates are on the health certificates. (couldn't lie about it if you wanted too.) Some airlines will look at the health certificates and others won't. Just make sure you have them anyway. When traveling with you a health certificate is good for 30 days.

Ok well I booked the flight today! I told them I had 2 dogs traveling in the cabin with me. They asked if the dogs were under 15lbs including the carrier and if they were siblings b/t 3 - 6 months. I said YES! (they are 2 years old in a couple days) :( I hate lying and I hope I do not get caught though! I bought a refundable ticket for myself JUST IN CASE! :)

I know its 4 months away but wish I me luck, I need to find a crate that weighs 2lbs roughly haha and get my little chuba bum to lose a 1/2 lb to a lb! (believe me he could use to) haha

Im soooooo excited!!! YAY!!!! :) :) :)

Good luck with your travel. I would not medicate with over the counter meds.
If your dogs tend to get stressed talk to your vet about meds for them.
You don't need your vacation to be stressful because of a sick pup.
When I flew home with my puppy, I let all my seatmates know I had a puppy in the carrier. They were all very nice and asked if I needed help with anything. I also purposely booked my seat last row in the back by the window. Nobody had any problems with her, I even took her out and had her on my lap wrapped in a blanket. She did get airsick so be prepared just in case. I had brought her a couple of tshirts, the plane tends to be a bit drafty, especially on the floor.

Oh thank you! I planned to actually bring a little blanket and stuff it in my pocketbook carryon so that I could put it in the crate once we get through security... I figured Im pushing the weight limit already so I cant put a blanket in there, but I will put one in there once we get past the counter that may or may not weigh them! Thanks for the advice! This is also Dec in New England so yeah they will be chilly I bet! I'll put little sweatshirts on them! :)

Let me know how it goes. I would like to take my 2 yorkies to the get together next summer in Kansas City and would rather fly then drive. I know my husband will not want to go with me as he is not the dog lover that I am.

I flew AA and didn't have any problems..A guy had 2 yorkies with him in the same carrier & he didn't have any problems either. I did have to check in at the counter & pay for the ticket there.

I'll let you know... I dont think it will be a problem. After all your responses I think I should be good to go! I will update (if I remember - cuz its 4 months away) when I get back! :)

these days i would not try to sneak anything on a plane. it would be too much to confront with if they took them from you even temporarily.


tina