Flying with a Dog

[drgnfly30]

Yippee!! DH gave me clearance to plan another trip - only because he won free Air Tran airline tix!! We are considering bringing one of our dogs along (Mom just watched my 3 over July 4th but the Miniature Pincsher was too much for her!)

He's just a wee thing - a whopping 10 lbs but I've never flown with a dog before... I checked Air Trans' website & confirmed their policy - must be carry on - fit under the seat etc...

Any advice - pros/cons ? Thanks!

 

[budly]

Do NOT check a dog in baggage in you are flying through Atlanta. I have no first hand experience with the dog thing but those people are spacy. I have seen at least two news reports where dogs died because those jerks left dogs out on the tarmac in that heat with no water. I have also seen a woman in Atlanta threaten death to one of these idiots who finally relented and agreed to get her dog some water. It just makes my blood boil how ******** some people can be about dogs in that weather. They (thankfully) would not dream of leaving them in the car, but then act like somehow an airplane or the tarmac are different.

Budly

 

[Lewisc]

Your next problem is going to be finding a hotel that allows pets, the WDW resorts don't. Are you planning to be in the parks most of the day? Kind of suck to have to drive back to your hotel to walk and feed the dog and then drive back for Illuminations. Some of the hotels have an extra charge for pets.

 

[drgnfly30]

Do NOT check a dog in baggage in you are flying through Atlanta. I have no first hand experience with the dog thing but those people are spacy. I have seen at least two news reports where dogs died because those jerks left dogs out on the tarmac in that heat with no water. I have also seen a woman in Atlanta threaten death to one of these idiots who finally relented and agreed to get her dog some water. It just makes my blood boil how ******** some people can be about dogs in that weather. They (thankfully) would not dream of leaving them in the car, but then act like somehow an airplane or the tarmac are different.

Budly

Air Trans ONLY allows them to be carry on (and I wouldn't do it any other way!)

Your next problem is going to be finding a hotel that allows pets, the WDW resorts don't. Are you planning to be in the parks most of the day? Kind of suck to have to drive back to your hotel to walk and feed the dog and then drive back for Illuminations. Some of the hotels have an extra charge for pets.

We are renting a house & already have one preliminarily lined up that accepts pets... Also, we always leave the parks in the afternoon for a rest before heading back...

 

[lizziepooh]

I have no experience flying with a dog, but it sounds like more work and possible stress than I would want to take on during vacation. Our dog passed away several years ago, but I think he would have been very uncomfortable and stessed to fly and stay at a strange place alone during the day. Is there anyone else who could keep him for you?

 

[Lewisc]

Air Trans ONLY allows them to be carry on (and I wouldn't do it any other way!)



We are renting a house & already have one preliminarily lined up that accepts pets... Also, we always leave the parks in the afternoon for a rest before heading back...

Sounds like you have the bases covered. You mentioned you have 3 dogs. How will the dogs do being separated?

Otherwise it sounds like you're good to go.

 

[CarolA]

Sedation! If the dog has not flown go to the vet. He will give you a sedative. The dog must be calm and quite or they won't let you on with it. Also, the dog must remain in the carrier thoroughout the flight. No getting Fido out to play with or go for a walk on the plane!

 

[ducklite]

Also there is a fee, usually about $75 each way, and the dog needs to have a Health Certificate issued by the vet within ten days of commencing travel or you can be denied boarding. ANd make a reservation for the dog, they only allow two pets per pax compartment.

Anne

 

[drgnfly30]

Sounds like you have the bases covered. You mentioned you have 3 dogs. How will the dogs do being separated?
Otherwise it sounds like you're good to go.

Actually, the other 2 will probably enjoy the vacation away from him! They are older & less tolerant of his 'adventures'!

Sedation! If the dog has not flown go to the vet. He will give you a sedative. The dog must be calm and quite or they won't let you on with it. Also, the dog must remain in the carrier thoroughout the flight. No getting Fido out to play with or go for a walk on the plane!

Already considered sedation!! If he can't be in my lap he'd whine the whole time!

Also there is a fee, usually about $75 each way, and the dog needs to have a Health Certificate issued by the vet within ten days of commencing travel or you can be denied boarding. ANd make a reservation for the dog, they only allow two pets per pax compartment.

Yep they charge $65 each way.. I'll be sure to get the health certificate when I pick up the tranquilizers!

Thanks for the info!!
Christine

 

[manning]

I have a relative with a dog and they travel alot. They board it. I asked them if it was expensive. They said if you can afford to go to Disney you can afford to board the dog.

 

[ducklite]

Please think twice about teh sedative. Animals (and humans) can have trouble thermoregulating when sedated, and up in the air is no time to have this type of medical emergency. If you feel you *must* sedate your poochie, talk to your vet about possibly trying it under medical supervision in his office before tying it on teh plane.

Anne

 

[spiceycat]

I have flown once with Spicey.

he did fine in the carry under the seat. He had no problems, Of course Spicey has really great nerves. Hardly anything gets him upset.

but I HATE to fly. I had the problems.....

be sure and walk him before you get on the plane. the airlines is pretty good about telling you where you can walk him. He can't eat anything I think 12 hours before flight time. go check the rules on Air Trans - each airline is a little different.

Spicey did just fine - no medications necessary. He likes people and though everyone was there to see HIM.

I had one of those carry all so it went over my shoulder - much easier to carry than some of them.

don't put him in a tiny little cage. One lady did. I saw here in the line to get her car. this poor little thing in such a small cage. She finally took him outside and walked the poor little guy when I told her I would kept her place in line.

I mean this cage was so small the little fellow couldn't even move. He came back in on a lease - much, much happier.

bring his lease, some toys for him, any blankets that he sleeps on.

 

[armywife]

When I have to give my dog a sedative to travel, I usually give her half a pill and she does just fine. She's awake, but drowsy, and I don't worry about overdoing it!

 

[Martha7]

Do the airlines tell you what kind of cage that they have to be in, or could the OP bring their dog (a la Paris Hilton), in a huge tote bag? Does the dog have to be under the seat, and not on your lap, during take-off? We always had a large dog, who had to be crated and checked as baggage, when we moved overseas. The worst experience was when our huge German Shepard female was in her crate, and when the crate came off the plane on a stopover, the crate was upside down! My DH told the pilot, and the pilot leaned out the plane window and yelled something in Spanish to the baggage guys. (This was when we moved to Spain.) We always strapped a water bottle to the outside of the cage, made sure that there was a water dish in the cage, and tipped the guy handling the crate generously! Our dog survived the trips, but it'll be important for the OP to know the exact rules for their dog, so that there are no surprises at the airport!

 

[drgnfly30]

Do the airlines tell you what kind of cage that they have to be in, or could the OP bring their dog (a la Paris Hilton), in a huge tote bag? Does the dog have to be under the seat, and not on your lap, during take-off? ... it'll be important for the OP to know the exact rules for their dog, so that there are no surprises at the airport!

According to the website it must be in an approved carrier not to exceed specific dimensions (to fit under the seat), can't be over a certain weight & must remain under the seat the whole time.... I'm calling to make sure what they consider an approved carrier but I've checked out Petsmart.com & others & they have several soft sided 'tote bag style' carriers that they list as being airline approved...

 

[Martha7]

Sounds good! I'm sure you'll be fine. Don't forget to get the reservation in early though, some of the other posters said that only two pets per flight are allowed! Good luck!