Flying with SD, and other slightly related security question

[Stellapedia]

I will be flying later this year with my dog. I have never flown with a SD before, and I get conflicting tips everywhere I turn. Some people tell me to disclose it when I buy the ticket, some tell me to buy the ticket and then call back in a few days to add the dog, some people tell me to just spring it on them at the gate (um, no). I'm so confused at this point!

Also, slightly related on security screenings. I am assuming that we'd have to be wanded instead of going through the scanners, yes? I mean, the dog's collar and harness and leash would set it off. If so, I'm okay. If not, and I am expected to go through the scanners, I have another issue. I am externally stabilized on most of my joints. I can remove the braces, but it is very time consuming, requires me removing my pants, and then I've got stability issues. I can request just to be wanded, right? I'll set off every bell in the state if I go through a metal detector.

What kind of documentation should I have to fly with her? She's got her ID and harness, and I'll get her IHC and bring her rabies certificate. Anything else?

 

[Stag]

I don't know as far as booking a flight with a service dog, but I'm interested to hear everyone else's replies since I'll be doing that relatively soon.

Also, you can just request to be wanded at the security checkpoint, yes. Because of your braces and things, I'd say just go ahead and do that; what I plan on doing is just taking off my dog's vest and unclipping the leash, and then putting her in a sit-stay, walking through the scanner, and calling her through.

I don't think you need any special documentation to fly unless you're going out of the country OR your dog is a psychiatric service dog/ESA, which from your description, doesn't sound like the case. You should be good!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Legally you don't have to tell them ahead of time, nor do you need to bring any documentation. Frontdesk airline staff don't necessarily know that. It's probably worth familiarizing yourself with the Air Carriers Access Act. It can be found online. Also, you don't say where you're going, but if it's outside they lower 48 it's worth looking at local law. Hawaii, for example, has specific requirements.

 

[peemagg]

I don't know much about traveling with service dogs, but this past trip there was a lady ahead of me with a SD and both her and the dog had to be hand wanded. They also took the vest off and sent it through the scanner with the rest of the carry on items. She put the dog in a sit stay while she got searched and then they had her pick up the dog (Jack Russel) so that they could see the belly. It seemed quite painless, except the dog looked a bit nervous while the lady was getting searched. I don't think he liked what was happening with his handler, but he was very obedient and sat there nice and quiet like he should of, he just shook a little bit, but not a peep out of him. He even did a few tricks after his search for the TSA officers. It was really cute.

 

[Stellapedia]

I'm within the 48. Great idea to put her in a sit stay and then recall her. Didn't even think about that obvious solution. I can wear the leg braces outside my pants and if I wear short sleeves I can remove the arm braces without disrobing. I'd still rather not, though, as it takes ~25 minutes to get everything back to normal. Not something I really want to be doing with luggage and a dog in an airport with the stares of curious strangers.

Will I *need* an IHC? I'm sure it's best to have it "just in case" but I've spent enough money in my life "just in case" that I'd really prefer to save the 40 bucks and bring just her rabies certificate.

 

[peemagg]

I wouldn't worry about taking your braces off. Just go ahead and get hand wanded and be done with it. They can't make you take them off or even ask you to, so I wouldn't. It would be that much easier for you in the long run. Because of your SD you probably have to go through that way anyways. Why make it any more difficult for yourself?

A hint that worked great for us this past trip is to put everything including your shoes and jackets into your luggage before going through screening. We then just set our one quart baggie on top of the luggage and everything went real smooth. In fact we had one TSA agent say she wished more people did this. It went so much faster and was easier on my mother who had to collect everything while I was getting hand wanded.

 

[jmartinez1895]

We where told by a Southwest agent once that it is best to tell the the booking agent that you will be traveling with a dog, it does not matter if you tell them when you book or after. They will put a note on the reservation and at all of the airports the airlines notify the TSA of any special passengers that will be coming through and that way they will already be alerted ( or should be anyway) that a SD is coming. Also if it is an airline that assigns seats, then they really need to know at booking so they can put you in bulk head seating so that your dog has more room and is safer. When you get to security, don't worry about taking to much time or anything, you tell he TSA workers what is best for you. If you want to remove the braces, then do it; if it will take you to much time, or if it is hard for you, then don't. You will not need any paperwork for your dog ( but we always bring our rabies certficate in case of an emergency)and it is against the law for them to ask, unless it is a phsyciatric dog, which will require a letter from your phyciratist. Also, I don't know how long your filght is, but if your dog gets thirsty on the flight, we ask for a cup of ice ( they do not have to bring it, but we have never had them tell us no) and we let him eat the ice so that it wets his throat, but keeps him from havine to potty untill we get to where we are going.