Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

But in cargo, not actually by your seat?
We have the opportunity to stay in LA for a month & can't leave Rudy w/ anyone that long. I don't think he's small enough to put under our seat- he's 14-15 lbs. -plus the flight is 6 hours- that's a long time to stay in one of those super small crates.
But I'm scared to death to put him in cargo- especially since the Vivi the Whippet story.
I'm thinking of just staying in LA for 2 weeks & coming home for Rudy (Mom may watch him for 2 weeks hopefully) while DH stays for a month.
Don't think I'm crazy, but do you think it's possible to buy a seat & keep him in his regular size carrier in the seat next to us??

Message edited 8/24/2007 7:15:15 AM.

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

I checked about taking my cat on the plane to Fl. If there are more than two animals upstairs in the cockpit all others have to be below. Which I think dogs do anyway. I know the rapid change of pressure for animals and the air down below is bad for them. I would ONLY do it in emergency situations I would stay the 2 weeks if possible and let your DH stay the month. It is a tough situatiuon, sorry.
I found this info and site
Pets are allowed on flights in the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, Puerto Rico and USVI. Pets traveling with passengers must check in at the ticket counter - allow extra time.
For pets in the cabin - maximum size for pet carriers is 23" long x 13" wide x 9" high. A pet kennel counts as a passenger's one carry-on bag. Only one kennel per ticketed passenger in the cabin. The kennel may contain 2 dogs but they must be between 8 weeks and 6 months old and weigh under 20 lbs. Pets may not be removed from their carrier at any time while on-board.
Pets traveling as checked baggage - must be in separate kennels unless they are of the same species, weigh less than 20lbs each and are between 8 wks and 6 mos old. Maximum size for checked kennels is 40" x 27" x 30. Maximum weight of the pet and kennel (combined) - 100lbs. Feeding & watering instructions for a 24 hrs. must be provided. "No food or water" instructions are not acceptable unless directed by the attending veterinarian. AA maintains the right to refuse acceptance of any dog exhibiting aggressive behavior.

Link to GREAT SITE Is..
http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art3784.asp
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A SAFE TRIP!

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

Posted by AndreaLMT

But in cargo, not actually by your seat?
We have the opportunity to stay in LA for a month & can't leave Rudy w/ anyone that long. I don't think he's small enough to put under our seat- he's 14-15 lbs. -plus the flight is 6 hours- that's a long time to stay in one of those super small crates.
But I'm scared to death to put him in cargo- especially since the Vivi the Whippet story.
I'm thinking of just staying in LA for 2 weeks & coming home for Rudy (Mom may watch him for 2 weeks hopefully) while DH stays for a month.
Don't think I'm crazy, but do you think it's possible to buy a seat & keep him in his regular size carrier in the seat next to us??

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

I've been reading up a lot on it the past hour, it doesn't sound like something I want to do at all.
They say even mild sedation is bad b/c they may not be able to react to adjustments, movement, etc...
I just don't see why I can't buy him a ticket & put his crate on a seat! I'm willing to pay here people!!!
He's such a good boy :)
Oh well, I'd rather him be safe at home in his own enviornment anyway, DH is really the one that wants to bring him.
Thanks for the tips ladies.

Message edited 8/24/2007 8:24:45 AM.

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic.aspx?ID=143806

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

I wouldn't want to put him in cargo but I would think he could probably fit under the seat. He may not be happy, but I think he'd be ok. My friend has traveled to and from Poland with her cat (it's a pretty big cat - gotta be over 14 lbs - though probably shorter legs then Rudy) with connecting flights and she managed. (of course she didn't have a baby with her too, but you have Louis .

If we didn't have the cat I would totally offer to take him for a month - he's such a cutie!

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

I don't think I could put a dog in cargo. I don't think the temperature is well regulated there, maybe you would know b/c you have been reading about it. I don't know what I would do if I had to travel with my dog. I might just drive!!!

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

This site seems to have some good info about flying with a pet.

link

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

My cousin is a Flight Attendant and she said to NEVER put your pet in cargo.

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

sophie is 16 pounds, and we take her on the airplane all the time. she hangs out in her carrier under the seat.

first you need to buy a soft carrier that meets airline carry on standards. the company sherpa makes nice ones that meet the standards.

then, before you buy your airline ticket you need to make sure that there is room for pets on the flight you're booking because most airlines we've used have a two pet maximum for each flight. depending on the airline, the cost of a ticket for the dog is 50-75 dollars each way.

as far as getting your dog ready for the flight, if he's never been in a carrier before then you'll want to introduce him to it gradually so he doesn't freak out on the plane. you can also give him meds to keep him a little sedated. we used doggie valium once, but it didn't do much but make her really stoned then we used benadryl for a while, which worked really well, especially since she tends to get a little motion sick. now that she's used to traveling we use no meds and haven't had a problem.
good luck!!

ETA: you can take the airline's weight restrictions with a grain of salt. most of them say 15 pounds, which your dog meets anyway, but the truth is that they don't care as long as your dog fits in the carrier. they don't actually weigh the dog. altogether my dog has been on about 15 flights and we've never had a problem.

Message edited 8/24/2007 2:05:28 PM.

Re: Has Anyone Taken Their Dog on a Flight With Them?

Double check with the airlines about the weight restrictions for a dog flying with you...he may be small enough to fit under the seat. If not, I would NOT put my dog in Cargo.