Airline travel and carriers for our babies

[lilybellesmom]

I am planning to go to North Carolina for one of my best friends wedding. Well, I've decided to take LB with me:plane: .

I've been researching dog carriers for me to take in the cabin. I can't imagine checking in my baby to be in cargo.:(

I know that certain airlines have bag restrictions. I'll be flying American Airlines and for them the maximum size for cabin pet carriers is 23" long x 13" wide x 9" high.

Well my dilemma is I have a hard time finding the right bag. I have 3 choices in mind but the measurements seem off. Can you take a look at these and tell me what you think?

The Jazzy SoHo Backpack (http://www.smalldogcarriers.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=42)

Snoozer Wheel Around (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.petsnap.com/images/pet-pilot-tmb.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.petsnap.com/menu-nav/dog-crates-carrierSBC1.htm&h=100&w=100&sz=4&hl=en&start=186&um=1&tbnid=UtmUbH1qHJ-kQM:&tbnh=82&tbnw=82&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dairline%2Bapproved%2Bdog%2Bcarrier%26 start%3D180%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl %3Den%26sa%3DN)

Pettote (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.snootypets.com/SnootyPets/Assets/micro/10739-3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.snootypets.com/SnootyPets/dogs/Details.asp%3FCategoryID%3D10008%26ProductID%3D107 39&h=455&w=328&sz=140&hl=en&start=286&um=1&tbnid=FqxQx0Y1SApLVM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dairline%2Bapproved%2Bdog%2Bcarrier%26 start%3D280%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl %3Den%26sa%3DN)

How strict are these airlines? Will they personally measure the bags? This is the first time I'll be traveling with a pet. What do you think about very light sedation for LB? This will be her first time and I'm afraid she'll be anxious.

Any advice will be helpful, thanks!!!:D

[I Found Nemo]

:( Sorry Laurie I dont have any advice! I like the third carrier, is LB anxious or high strung if not I don't think sedation is needed. But you know LB so I trust you!:D
Andrea

[lilybellesmom]

:( Sorry Laurie I dont have any advice! I like the third carrier, is LB anxious or high strung if not I don't think sedation is needed. But you know LB so I trust you!:D
Andrea

Thanks Andrea, I really like the first and third one. I'm kind of leaning more for the rolling bag but I'm just worried about it fitting under the seat.

I'm hesistant about sedation but I just feel bad if she starts whining and bothering other passengers, well, not really, but I just want her to feel comfortable. I may not be lucky and have flight attendants that won't let me take her out of her carrier:( to have her on my lap.

[Malteseluv]

Some airlines specifically state that you're not supposed to sedate your doggies before travel...I'm not sure why that is, but you might call and find out what they say about it. I know what you mean though, I would hate for my furbabies to be whining and not be able to take them out of their carriers...

[lilybellesmom]

Some airlines specifically state that you're not supposed to sedate your doggies before travel...I'm not sure why that is, but you might call and find out what they say about it. I know what you mean though, I would hate for my furbabies to be whining and not be able to take them out of their carriers...

I checked the American Airlines website, this is what they say:

Sedation
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in most cases cats and dogs should not be given sedatives or tranquilizers prior to flying. An animal's natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium is altered under sedation, which can be dangerous when the kennel is moved.

Whether flying as a cabin or checked pet, animals are exposed to increased altitude pressures, which can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems for dogs and cats which are sedated or tranquilized. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs and snub-nosed cats are especially affected.

Maybe it's me but it doesn't necessarily say not to. I can certainly understand why not to. If there are some airlines that say it's okay then why not American? I just want her to be comfortable. I will have LB see the vet before we leave to make sure she's okay to travel and get our papers in order, so I could ask him.

I'm sorry if I sound like an idiot, I just want to do what's right for all. I do want LB to go with me on this trip. I think it'll be great experience for the both of us. I miss her so much when I'm away.

Thank you so much for your reply.:)

[I Found Nemo]

I checked the American Airlines website, this is what they say:

Sedation
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in most cases cats and dogs should not be given sedatives or tranquilizers prior to flying. An animal's natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium is altered under sedation, which can be dangerous when the kennel is moved.

Whether flying as a cabin or checked pet, animals are exposed to increased altitude pressures, which can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems for dogs and cats which are sedated or tranquilized. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs and snub-nosed cats are especially affected.

Maybe it's me but it doesn't necessarily say not to. I can certainly understand why not to. If there are some airlines that say it's okay then why not American? I just want her to be comfortable. I will have LB see the vet before we leave to make sure she's okay to travel and get our papers in order, so I could ask him.

I'm sorry if I sound like an idiot, I just want to do what's right for all. I do want LB to go with me on this trip. I think it'll be great experience for the both of us. I miss her so much when I'm away.

Thank you so much for your reply.:)

:( You don't sound like an idiot:( Your asking for some input, now if it was me that was taking Nemo in the air, I would sound like an idiot with my questions:D and a proud idiot at that!!!:p
XO Andrea

[lilybellesmom]

:( You don't sound like an idiot:( Your asking for some input, now if it was me that was taking Nemo in the air, I would sound like an idiot with my questions:D and a proud idiot at that!!!:p
XO Andrea


LOL Andrea :sidesplit: You are funny! You never sound like an idiot to me!!!

[PreciousPerri]

Well if she's used to being in bags I'd think she would be fine--is she? If you're really worried try Rescue Remedy--it's an all natural calming spray that can be used on pets too. Health food stores carry it. Here's the site: Rescue Remedy (http://www.bachflower.com/Rescue_Remedy.htm)

[lilybellesmom]

Well if she's used to being in bags I'd think she would be fine--is she? If you're really worried try Rescue Remedy--it's an all natural calming spray that can be used on pets too. Health food stores carry it. Here's the site: Rescue Remedy (http://www.bachflower.com/Rescue_Remedy.htm)


Thanks Ashley:) I don't think she's too crazy about being in a bag. I have 2 that I've tried when she was little and she tried to jump out, she's now out grown them. I should just give those away:) Once I decide which bag to get, I will put her in to get used to it. Thanks for the website. I will research more on that.

[Morkie4]

I like the first bag and it would probably be more practical for flying. I have used the Rescue Remedy mentioned by Ashley on Kallie when she was having separation anxiety (just takes the edge off and is all natural). But I would certainly speak to the vet about air travel and any suggestions he could give you as to the dos and don'ts as well as the use of the Rescue Remedy. The only experience that I can share is that of my son who flew from Tampa to Dallas, TX with his Jack Russell. His Abbey is smaller than LB but he said he would never take his dog on a plane again as she is TOO hyper of a breed! She was well behaved but a bit nervous. BUT my son was a nervous wreck. Yet other dogs travel just fine. You never know just how YOUR dog is going to react by the way another person's dog reacts as they are all different in temperment and personality. Kallie I think would do fine on a plane in a carrier as long as she could see us. Toby, on the other hand, would be shaking from the time we got into the airport terminal until we landed at our destination!!! Different breed, temperment & personality! Have I totally confused you now????

[lilybellesmom]

I like the first bag and it would probably be more practical for flying. I have used the Rescue Remedy mentioned by Ashley on Kallie when she was having separation anxiety (just takes the edge off and is all natural). But I would certainly speak to the vet about air travel and any suggestions he could give you as to the dos and don'ts as well as the use of the Rescue Remedy. The only experience that I can share is that of my son who flew from Tampa to Dallas, TX with his Jack Russell. His Abbey is smaller than LB but he said he would never take his dog on a plane again as she is TOO hyper of a breed! She was well behaved but a bit nervous. BUT my son was a nervous wreck. Yet other dogs travel just fine. You never know just how YOUR dog is going to react by the way another person's dog reacts as they are all different in temperment and personality. Kallie I think would do fine on a plane in a carrier as long as she could see us. Toby, on the other hand, would be shaking from the time we got into the airport terminal until we landed at our destination!!! Different breed, temperment & personality! Have I totally confused you now????

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :fainted:

I hope that LB will be okay on the plane. I won't know until I try. I'm really wondering about the measurement requirements. Every bag I look at that would fit LB seems a few inches bigger than what is written. I wonder how strict they are. Will they kick LB and me out of the plane if the bag is too big?

Am I putting too much thought into this?:fainted:

[Morkie4]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :fainted:

I hope that LB will be okay on the plane. I won't know until I try. I'm really wondering about the measurement requirements. Every bag I look at that would fit LB seems a few inches bigger than what is written. I wonder how strict they are. Will they kick LB and me out of the plane if the bag is too big?

Am I putting too much thought into this?:fainted:

Call the airlines and tell them the exact size of the bag you want to use for your pet and see what they say.........they may make exceptions and just charge you a wee bit more for a bigger bag. I would not take the chance of just showing up at the airport hoping that they will let you take her on. Get the name, date, time and conversation documented. Maybe even email the airlines with the question and then have it in writing.

NO, your are not putting too much thought into this...........these are things you need to know. It will either give you relief or direction! I'd want to be absolutely certain that what you are going to use for LB is acceptable with the airlines..............the final decision is theirs and you have to abide by it! You are just being thorough which is a good thing!

[PreciousPerri]

No, they don't actually measure the bag, but it does need to be able to fit under the seat. The height is very important, because there is only so much room for it to fit, I think there might be a tiny bit more leeway in the length deparment. A soft carrier can squish down a little bit, but not 3 inches like that first bag would have to. The roll ones look nice, I guess you would turn those over on the side to stow like in the pictures, so the measurements kind of reverse. Like look at the Snoozer Wheel around and their little diagram there. When flipped over like that to be put under the seat, the height becomes the length, and the width the length. So, it would fit fine height wise when laid like that, but with the height thus becomin the width, it would not fit. You'd then have a 17.5 inch width, as opposed to the 13 you're allowed. I know this sounds confusing, but just look at the pic and you'll see what I mean.

[PreciousPerri]

Okay, I just flew about a month ago with Perri on USAir and even though he's a therapy dog and sat in my lap, I brought a carrier just in case. I thought that height seemed a bit low, and so I measured the bag I used and it's 11.5 inches high. I just went on to the USAir site and it says the pet carriers have to be 10 inches high. His bag fit fine under the seat, so obviously they went a bit low there on their requirements. So, maybe you'd be able to go up an inch on yours too? Anyway, you basically need a long bag that's not too high. Have you looked in Petsmart at those Sherpa bags? They're ugly and look like gymbags, but they're long and low.

[lilybellesmom]

No, they don't actually measure the bag, but it does need to be able to fit under the seat. The height is very important, because there is only so much room for it to fit, I think there might be a tiny bit more leeway in the length deparment. A soft carrier can squish down a little bit, but not 3 inches like that first bag would have to. The roll ones look nice, I guess you would turn those over on the side to stow like in the pictures, so the measurements kind of reverse. Like look at the Snoozer Wheel around and their little diagram there. When flipped over like that to be put under the seat, the height becomes the length, and the width the length. So, it would fit fine height wise when laid like that, but with the height thus becomin the width, it would not fit. You'd then have a 17.5 inch width, as opposed to the 13 you're allowed. I know this sounds confusing, but just look at the pic and you'll see what I mean.


LOL, I had to read your post several times over:D. It does sound confusing but I can understand what you mean. The measurements would have be how the bag, when turned over to go underneath the seat, fits. So I would have to imagine that first bag when laid down would fit underneath the seat with the measurements given. I will continue my quest to finding that perfect bag:D I have several months still...

[lilybellesmom]

Have you looked in Petsmart at those Sherpa bags? They're ugly and look like gymbags, but they're long and low.

LOL:sidesplit: I would like to look fashionable. :sidesplit: I would love a bag that's functional but still look stylish. But sheesh, if I can't find one I probably will end up going there. LOL:D

[samuelnaani]

:) If you ever had to fly with your cat or dog, you know that airlines have many strict rules about pet carriers. I think you need to go and look at http://www.dogbedsandmore.com to protect you pet.

[plumie]

This is a great post.. I need to know too since I am planning to fly next year with Pani.

[Grandma J]

I've flown with my poodle that is 3.5 lbs. I've used a soft sided kennel that was within an inch of the measurement and since the sides weren't rigid it fit under the seat. It also has a shoulder strap so he is held close to me when we are walking. I've been naughty and have taken him out of the kennel and placed him on my lap under my jacket during the flight. He loves it under there and he sleeps the whole time and never bothers anyone. I don't announce to the flight attendants that I'm the one with the dog so they don't even know. I line the kennel with a potty pad and then put a favorite blanket or pad in the kennel. Since they are picky about liquids, etc. I don't take any nutrical but I take some favorite chicken treats just in case. Then I get a small water from the airline or after the security check. After we land I take him into the women's restroom and lay a potty pad down on the floor and let him go potty before the next leg of our journey. The chicken treats give him protein and he has been fine. All of the airlines that I have checked with do not allow sedation. Some airlines only allow one pet inside the plane on each flight so make your plans early and they usually charge you about $50.00 or so each way. I love traveling with my fur kids I think you will too.:)