[ConnieVa]

Guess I am starting to worry a bit to early. We are planning to fly from Virginia back to Dallas next summer. We will be flying American Airlines.

There is NO WAY I would check Tucker as baggage. I have a few concerns. First the website says dogs under six months. How they gonna know he will be a year old? Most of the time Tucker is quiet but what if he starts barking before we get on the plane? It scares me to think we plan the trip, pay for tickets and at the last min. they say "Sorry, He can't get on. " My hubby would leave me before he would leave Tucker.

I know a lot of you have flown with your babies. I need all the input you can give me. Tucker usually doesn't bark but if someone see's him in his carrier and comes close to him I do fear he will bark.

All help is welcome

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by ConnieVa@Nov 3 2005, 09:08 PM
Guess I am starting to worry a bit to early.  We are planning to fly from Virginia back to Dallas next summer.  We will be flying American Airlines.

There is NO WAY I would check Tucker as baggage.  I have a few concerns.  First the website says dogs under six months.  How they gonna know he will be a year old?  Most of the time Tucker is quiet but what if he starts barking before we get on the plane?  It scares me to think we plan the trip, pay for tickets and at the last min. they say "Sorry, He can't get on. "  My hubby would leave me before he would leave Tucker.

I know a lot of you have flown with your babies.  I need all the input you can give me.  Tucker usually doesn't bark but if someone see's him in his carrier and comes close to him I do fear he will bark.

All help is welcome
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=116426

[/QUOTE]

Do they say "no barking" on the site? Unless they specifically mention it, I don't think they would have a problem if he barked a little. You could try to keep people away from him... tell them to not get close, etc. And perhaps zip up most of the "windows" on the carrier so he can't see too much activity that might stimulate him.

 

[miko's mommy]

I have flown with Miko at least 15 times by now and everything has gone smoothly each time. Just be sure to book a seat for him way in advance. I like to do it when I reserve a seat for myself because some airlines have a limit on how many pets they allow per flight. I never sedate Miko since he gets to be in a bag every weekend (we always take him everywhere on weekends). It is okay if your pup barks!! Since you are paying for his seat (which is really where you store your purse), he is allowed to bark. Miko hasn't barked though but does cry a bit on airplane takeoffs. I give him a greenie to occupy him and sometimes he will chew it but other times doesn't want it. Its also great to walk him around the airport before the flight to tire him out. I have taken Miko out of the carrier during flight before -- it just depends on the stewardess. Some actually demand that I take him out cause he is sooo cute and others ask me to put him in a bag. I have flown with American with Miko before and never had any problems. I used to get the health certificates all the time for flying but recently I stopped because if the airline doesn't require it -- why bother?? Nobody has ever asked me for it. I have used my juicy bag for flying but I prefer the sherpa bag. Its airline approved and has a bit more room for him.

Have fun!! Miko's first trip was from Calif to Nashville when he was only 12 weeks old with me. He didn't pee in a bag and behaved like an angel that he is not!!

PS. I was just looking at my sig pictures and noticed that it looks as though Miko has no neck -- he actually has a long thin neck in case anyone cares

.

 

[msmagnolia]

I haven't flown with Sadie and Sassy yet, but I probably will one day. I've been on flights where a dog barked the whole time. Don't want to tick anyone off, but I don't find it any more irritating than a crying baby and there are lots of those! I'll bet the noise and motion will put Tucker to sleep in no time. Don't worry about it! And I would miss my flight before I put my dogs in baggage.

PS. Go with OKW's advice....she really is the expert. I'll bet not many people have flown their babies more than she's flown Miko.

 

[charmypoo]

OKW gave excellent advice. I just wanted to add one point. Start using the bag you will be travelling with to get him used to it. He will feel more safe and at home

 

[ConnieVa]

Thanks a lot for all the advice. We talked last night about finding the "right" bag to use. He has a bag now that zips up but not sure it is Airline approved.

My understanding is you don't have to buy a seat but just a ticket. He will fly at my feet if I understand right.

We were reading the info last night on the website and it looked like so much. Maybe I am just nervous about it.

How do they know his age? Do you think that will be a problem?

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by ConnieVa@Nov 4 2005, 04:43 AM
Thanks a lot for all the advice.  We talked last night about finding the "right" bag to use.  He has a bag now that zips up but not sure it is Airline approved.

My understanding is you don't have to buy a seat but just a ticket.  He will fly at my feet if I understand right.

We were reading the info last night on the website and it looked like so much.  Maybe I am just nervous about it.

How do they know his age?  Do you think that will be a problem?
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=116457

[/QUOTE]

Connie, regarding carriers, you might want to consider the Sturdibag. It is extremely light weight and it really is a fabulous bag. It is not a fashion bag at all but extremely practical. I just now went to the site and it has been changed and doesn't seem 100% complete yet but most everything seems to be there. Let me know if you have any questions or need me to take pics of my bag, etc. It's definitely what I would use on a plane if I took K or C. Sturdiproducts

 

[miko's mommy]

As I mentioned, I have used different bags including a cheap little traveling bag from Petco, my juicy bag and Sherpa bags. Sherpa bags are the ONLY ones that are airline approved (they have a tag that say that on the bag) and yes, start using the bag now so he is familiar with it. If you are going to buyt a bag, I would buy the one that the airlines allow for sure -- the Sherpa Bag (sold at all Petsmarts and maybe Petcos). No, there is no seat, but the bag goes under the seat in front of you. And Miko flew when he was 12 weeks old. No one has ever asked me how old he is or even looked at the bag. They do ask once in a while how much he weighs. There is nothing to be nervous about -- as long as you make the reservation ahead of time for him, they will not refuse him on the plane.

 

[Karen542]

Years ago when I had my yorkie CeCe we flew together many times. You must get a small carrier that goes under the seat in front of you. When booking your tickets you have to book a flight for the furbaby also. Years ago it was $50.00 each way. They usually only allow 2 pets on the plane. My vet would give me tranquilizers for CeCe. You are not supposed to take them out of the carrier for the flight. After the plane took of I would take CeCe out and put her on my lap with a blanket over her, nobody ever new

Good luck and hope all goes well when flying with the baby!!

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by okw@Nov 4 2005, 08:16 AM
As I mentioned, I have used different bags including a cheap little traveling bag from Petco, my juicy bag and Sherpa bags.  Sherpa bags are the ONLY ones that are airline approved (they have a tag that say that on the bag)

<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=116478

[/QUOTE]

Sherpa bags aren't the only ones airline approved. There are lots that are including Sturdibag and Celltei and many others. Here's a testimonial from the Sturdibag web site: http://www.petcarrier.com/home.php?cat=248

A note from a customer:
October 29, 2005

Dear Sirs ,
As a flight attendant for a major air carrier, I have the fortune to be able to fly all over the country to dog shows. I tried every type of on-board dog carrier on the market. My garage is lined with various brands of bags I’ve attempted to use on the airplane. Then, I happened upon the Sturdiproducts pet carrier. Nothing compares to my sturdibag! Because of the flexible rod construction, it molds and conforms to the under seat space on the airplane and gives my dog the maximum available space without collapsing on him.

I’ve had my sturdibag under the seat of every type of aircraft my company owns, from wide-body super jets to small turbo-prop commuter planes, and I’ve never had a problem with it fitting under the seat. The venting windows on the top, front, and back of the bag give my dog great cross-ventilation and I can close the flaps instantly with the Velcro fasteners when I need to. And you even thought to put a zipper pocket on the back where I stow the dog’s leash so I’m not rifling through my purse to find it when it’s time to let the dog out. I absolutely swear by my sturdibag. As a matter of fact I love it so much, I bought two! When I see passengers on the airplane struggling with those soft-sided carriers that collapse on top of the dog, or the hard-sided plastic crates that confine the dog, I tell them to check out the sturdibag. Thanks for making a great product!

 

[TheButtercup]

the buttercup has flown only a handful of times.
things we've observed:
*no one checks for health certificates...but it is an awesome idea to have it anyway. you never know.
*no one asks how old your dog is, unless they're ooohing and aaaahing over your dog. and even then, they dont particularly care, they generally start telling you about their own dog LOL
*buttercup's bag isn't airline approved in the sense that a sherpa bag is, but the tag says it is airline approved. it was inexpensive, and i'm not on a juicy couture budget, so it's what we had to go with. i got it at petsmart for $34? Pink & black carrier the one we have is the pink and black one, but it's larger and has a pink pawprint on one side. it zips closed, but not securely enough that buttercup can't force the zipper open if she's desperate enough LOLOLOLOLOL
*once she became used to being toted around in the bag, she "understood" that i expected certain behavior from her, i.e. no barking (she's not really a barker anyway), no jumping around, and no peeing in the bag LOL
*before you make your reservation...check with the airline that there are available "pet tickets" available. delta and continental both told me that "you can still fly, tickets are still available for PEOPLE"... withOUT buttercup when i asked what would happen if tickets were not available (for dogs) after i bought my own ticket.

totally not the point, right?

now...to further complicate things...and to see if anyone has any awesome airline knowledge to help us out on this one...
if my R/T flight cost less than a pet ticket (R/T also), what's to stop me from buying an extra "people ticket" and still putting buttercup under the seat? thereby, giving me actually TWO people seats

i dont understand why i sometimes end up paying more for butter's ticket than my own, and she STILL goes under the seat in front of me. i dont have to pay for my purse, and it goes in the same spot, you know? hmmmm.....

ann marie and the "not as well-traveled as miko, but i'm trying!!!!!" buttercup

 

[k/c mom]

Originally posted by TheButtercup@Nov 4 2005, 12:29 PM
*now...to further complicate things...and to see if anyone has any awesome airline knowledge to help us out on this one...
if my R/T flight cost less than a pet ticket (R/T also), what's to stop me from buying an extra "people ticket" and still putting buttercup under the seat?  thereby, giving me actually TWO people seats

  i dont understand why i sometimes end up paying more for butter's ticket than my own, and she STILL goes under the seat in front of me.  i dont have to pay for my purse, and it goes in the same spot, you know?  hmmmm.....

ann marie and the "not as well-traveled as miko, but i'm trying!!!!!" buttercup

<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=116575

[/QUOTE]

I agree with you; it makes no sense whatsoever. I think it is just a way for the airline to make a little extra $$. When I took my first Maltese, Rosebud, with me on a trip, I did buy two seats and as well as paying for a pet to fly. I sat on the side with only two seats and that way I didn't have to worry about anyone sitting next to me. I put her in the seat and strapped her in (by the window) and no one noticed or even said a thing.

 

[miko's mommy]

Originally posted by TheButtercup@Nov 4 2005, 09:29 AM
the buttercup has flown only a handful of times. 
things we've observed: 
*no one checks for health certificates...but it is an awesome idea to have it anyway.  you never know. 
*no one asks how old your dog is, unless they're ooohing and aaaahing over your dog. and even then, they dont particularly care, they generally start telling you about their own dog LOL
*buttercup's bag isn't airline approved in the sense that a sherpa bag is, but the tag says it is airline approved.  it was inexpensive, and i'm not on a juicy couture budget, so it's what we had to go with.  i got it at petsmart for $34? Pink & black carrier the one we have is the pink and black one, but it's larger and has a pink pawprint on one side.  it zips closed, but not securely enough that buttercup can't force the zipper open if she's desperate enough LOLOLOLOLOL
*once she became used to being toted around in the bag, she "understood" that i expected certain behavior from her, i.e. no barking (she's not really a barker anyway), no jumping around, and no peeing in the bag LOL
*before you make your reservation...check with the airline that there are available "pet tickets" available.  delta and continental both told me that "you can still fly, tickets are still available for PEOPLE"... withOUT buttercup when i asked what would happen if tickets were not available (for dogs) after i bought my own ticket. 

 

totally not the point, right? 

now...to further complicate things...and to see if anyone has any awesome airline knowledge to help us out on this one...
if my R/T flight cost less than a pet ticket (R/T also), what's to stop me from buying an extra "people ticket" and still putting buttercup under the seat?  thereby, giving me actually TWO people seats

  i dont understand why i sometimes end up paying more for butter's ticket than my own, and she STILL goes under the seat in front of me.  i dont have to pay for my purse, and it goes in the same spot, you know?  hmmmm.....

ann marie and the "not as well-traveled as miko, but i'm trying!!!!!" buttercup

<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=116575

[/QUOTE]

Miko looooovvvveeeesss that clever little Buttercup. Okay, maybe mommy is the one who realizes how clever she is, but I am sure if Miko could read (and he is close to being able to), he would be very impressed.

Although it would be great to buy Miko a real seat, we can barely afford to have my husband, I and Miko all fly at once together!! Until we are wealthy, Miko has to put up with being under the seat in front of us (or being hidden under the blanket on my lap, which is more often the case

).

 

[NC's Mom]

Once, for a domestic flight, I DID purchase two tickets (and paid the pet fee, which here, is minimal...around $5). And I was still told to unbuckle his carrier from the seat for which I had paid and stash him under the seat in front of me. I was outraged, to say the absolute least.

The only good thing is that taking your pet in the cabin on domestic flights IS dirt cheap over here. I mean, you can't beat five bucks. (LESS actually)