Anyone taken their pet on an airplane(carry-on)?

[KaitlinsMom]

I usually post on the Cruise board, but this is an off subject -

I am going to visit my family in August for two weeks and thought about taking my dog along - My DD would love it, because she wouldn't miss her dog -

My dog is small enough that she would be a carry on (in a carrier of course) - But I have no experience with this -

Any one else do this? Any advice?

Thanks!


Karen

 

[Pooh93]

I did this years ago. I don't know what airline policies are now. I will say we used to give him a mild tranquilizer.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yup-we took 3 cats in the airplane all in their carriers. We were moving to Texas in July, and it was so hot we didn't want to put them in the cargo hold or risk having them out on the Tarmac. We even changed planes, and the total time was about 7 hours! Our veterinarian refused to tranquilize them, and at first we thought he was crazy, but then his explanation made sense. He said that if we hit any turbulence when the cats were medicated, they may not have the ability to balance themselves and may end up getting banged around. Everything went very well-many of the flight attendants we encountered had cats at home and were extremely nice and wanted to see the kitties. No howling. As long as we were around, the cats were fine. I'd do it again without hesitation-in the cabin is the only way to fly with pets as far as I'm concerned.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

simba's mom - you stated that the vet would not tranquilize them, did the vet give them a mild sedation? I think that is all I would want - Like a prozac for dogs - Hard to believe your cats did not howl - I know my cat would have - What a relief that must have been for you!

I just want to make it comfortable for my dog as well as the other passengers -

 

[Pugdog007]

Definitely check the policies of the airline you choose. Southwest doesn't allow pets to travel at all unless they are seeing eye dogs. Also, the airlines that do allow pet travelers have restrictions about the type of carrier they must be in, etc.

Personally, I'd prefer to fly with a dog/cat any day over a screaming baby!

 

[ilovepcot]

Only flew once with a dog. We chose to sit in the rear of plane thinking if she got anxious I may be able to sneek her out of the carrier without anyone noticing. She slept quietly the entire 2 hour flight. When we landed, poor dog looked as though she'd been heavily drugged. Flight attendants all seemed to think flying in the rear of plane exposed her to more fumes and caused this drugged like state and sickness. Maybe that's something to consider.

 

[vhoffman]

I flew Continential with my cat about five years ago. You need an airline approved cage that will fit under the seat. I got one at Pet Smart. It was just big enough for kitty to fit in and he had to lay down the whole way, but he did fine! Please note, you must make a reservation for the animal as well as yourself--the airlines limit the number of animals in the cabin. Also, there is an extra charge for the animal. I believe I paid about $80, but , of course, it depends on the airline. The cage would probably fit under the seat in coach, but it would be tight. I upgraded to first-class (used dh's ff miles!) and had much more room. I could reach down and pet kitty through the cage. In coach, he would be wedged in to tight for that. I did encounter a problem with security (this was pre 9/11) The lady at security wasn't helpful at all and insisted I take kitty out of his cage and walk through the metal detector with him. I explained I was hesitant to do so, because he wasn't on a leash and might bolt. She the proceeded (without my permission) to put kitty, cage and all, through the metal detector! The poor animal must have been terrified! Not to mention the radiation he was exposed to! I would make sure to have your cat on a harness and have a leash you can attach if you encounter such a problem with security. Of course, don't attach the leash while in the cage or he could get tangled up like that. My vet wouldn't prescribe a tranquilizer, either. Said it could cause a bad reaction. However, kitty did fine and didn't cry or howl the whole trip. A much better way to transport an animal rather than in the luggage hold, not so hot, and you can keep an eye on him the whole way. Good luck!

 

[aprilgail2]

I think its less traumatic for my dog fom him be boarded for the week than to take him on plame..first in the car to the airport, then the plane, then another car and then a strange place...I would be so afraid he would bark the whole flight down and bother people since he is a barker.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by KaitlinsMom
simba's mom - you stated that the vet would not tranquilize them, did the vet give them a mild sedation? I think that is all I would want - Like a prozac for dogs - Hard to believe your cats did not howl - I know my cat would have - What a relief that must have been for you!

Nope the vet didn't give them anything. And yes, it was a relief-truly unexpected and amazing that they never howled. The only thing we did was try to keep each carrier in a position so that the cat could see a family member-each person volunteered to be responsible for one cat.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I've travelled with both my dogs as carry-on passengers.

They're horrible travellers, so it wasn't a fun experience. But it wasn't the airline's fault. I haven't done it in a while, but I would use Dr. Goodpet's holistic stress drops. They will make your dog very drowsy and help with throwing up (if that's a problem and it sure was with my dogs).

 

[Stepharoonie!]

No, but we took a flight to Vegas in January and this woman had a poodle under the seat in front of me. It whined the entire flight, and the lady acted like the dog wasn't there.

 

[Feralpeg]

I recently flew my golden retriever and two cats from Kansas City to Orlando when we moved to Orlando. They went in the cargo area. We had a friend who flew their cat to Phoenix from Las Vegas in the cabin. It was in one of those soft-sided carriers. It went nuts during the flight and clawed its way out of the carrier and bit my friend several times when she tried to calm him. Most airlines will not let you fly a tranquilized pet. There is a greater chance of death for them if they are tranquilized. I'm not sure why, but that is what our vet told me and it is what you will find on the airline websites. We used a pet relocator service. They do not fly pets for vacation purposes. They only work with people relocating their animals. Non of my pets were tranquilzed and they got to Orlando just fine. I'm not saying it wasn't traumatic for them. Just being someplace unfamilair was traumatic, but we thought it easier on them to have them take a 3 hour flight than to have them cooped up in a car for 3 days. One of our cats tends to get car sick, she did not get sick on the flight.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Well, I was kind of worried about some of these stories -

I was also worried about putting my dog under stress when she really doesn't need to be - If she didn't like flying out there, I don't think I would take the flight back home!

I think I am just going to let her stay home with her Dad (DH) - He'll need someone in the house to keep him company anyways!