Airlines and Pets

WildChildRose

Wondering what you all think of this....

I moved to Seattle about 3 years ago from the east coast and I haven't been able to get back to visit my grandmas. They're 93 and 87. So I decided I better get my butt back there ASAP and see them (especially when they say things like, The only way I can see you is to look at a picture). That just makes me soo sad. Anyways... I managed to save up some cash to buy a reasonable ticket - roughly $210! The last time I went home I took my dog, Gizmo with me. He's 10 lbs of furry delight. I just adore him. He's like my best little bud so I hate leaving him behind, plus I wanted the grandmas to meet him too.

So to the point, I go to add him to my ticket and the airline tells me that he counts as carry-on. Woo-hoo! So i think, great, I can tuck him under my seat in his little carrier and he'll sleep the whole way. But then they tell me, his ticket will cost $150 EACH way! WTF??? But he's my carry-on under my seat? How the heck is that fair? So I had to decline this offer as that would make my fare $510! UHHH! I haven't saved THAT much.

Grrr... so what do you think? I think it's ridiculous to charge more than a person's seat especially when they're not taking up any extra room and even counting as one of my carry-ons. I asked the airline to be logical and perhaps lower their fee to something more reasonable... say $50. They said no. :(
:x

decides2dream

i am honestly surprised they even allow a dog inside the passenger compartment of a plane. i realize his carrier may be small enough, but some people have SERIOU allergies to dogs/cats. would seem unwise. and just as crying babies are no picnic, no way to know if a dog will freak out and bark or whine the whole trip. this in no way assists your query, sorry, just thinking outloud. however, this might also be part of the insane fees, to discourage people flying with pets.


good luck.


personally, i think it's a lot to put an naimal through and i think boarding the pet, or having a friend stay at your home and care from him(the best, if doable) would be far less traumatic, and cheaper too. i understand you wanting your grandmas to meet him, but i don't think he would really care one way or another...and skipping flying he might prefer.

shell bell

A co-worker of mine is moving to DC. Her and her bf are going to fly out of San Fran on Virgin America and fly with BOTH of there cats, and Virgin isn't charing them at all. They checked into other airlines and they all charge for pets on board.

Hinn

Like D2D said, it's the allergy factor. I'm surprised too that they'll even let pets go in the cabin instead of the luggage hold, but it's really obvious that your dog definitely will take up space- that of a travel kennel.

Read this blurb here http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/objectI ... 4/294/FAQ/

qtegirl

I took my cat on the plane when I moved from PA to TX as my carry-on, but I still had to pay a fee. I believe it was also $75 each way... thankfully i was only going one-way. Also, they only allow 2 or 3 animals in the cabin at any given time.

mca47

Yeah, most airlines will charge $150 each way for a dog in the cabin. With that you also have to show documentation from your vet that you acquired a sedative for the pet. No sedation, no pet on the plane. And at no point (this comes down to how strict the flight crew is) can the pet "expose" themselves outside of the carry-on pet-bag.

Really, unless you are moving or will be in one place for a long time, it's almost always cheaper and easier on the pet to board them or have a friend look after them.

dcfaithful

That is pretty bogus. What breed is Gizmo? Regardless he sounds like a little tyke...Oh well, it's an airline...what can you do right?

You could board him with the luggage under the cabin...but my personal opinion is that stresses the animal out way too much. When I moved back from GA to UT and my girlriend stayed for a bit, we talked about her flying Zeke (our yellow lab/sharpei mix) to me and the choice was doing said boarding under the cab...long story short I was too much of a worry wart to go through with it...I didn't want him stressing out, not havnig enough water, etc. You never know what kind of heartless piece of shit will be working that day and not care if your dog has any kind of life-threatening problem down there...I just didn't want to take the risk.

You may have to leave poor Gizmo behind...however, I'm sure your the grannies will be happy to see you anyways

mca47

dcfaithful wrote:

You never know what kind of heartless piece of shit will be working that day and not care if your dog has any kind of life-threatening problem down there...I just didn't want to take the risk.

Exactly!
I travel a lot for work (usually at least once a week) and I have seen those guys do some appalling things. If you are ever in the back of the plane when people are getting off the plane and have a window seat, just sit there and watch them unload the luggage. Seeing what I have, there is no way in hell I'm putting anything worth any value under the plane.
I'd never put a dog or cat under the plane under any circumstance!

Heatherj43

The only time I traveled by air with a pet was many years ago, 1973, but they would not let my small dog in the passenger compartment. She had to go in a pet carrier in the luggage area. They said the carrier had to be strong enough for luggage to fall on it without hurting her. (Scary!!) I was going non-stop from San Fran. to Detroit, 5 hours. It was actually longer for her by the time you add sitting on the runway, etc. They sold me the carrier, but I didn't pay for her because she was considered "luggage".
I was so afraid for her. It must had been cold and loud and with luggage falling on her and all, I just can't imagine.
I had no other choice, so I did it. When I went to pick up my luggage, I didn't even take the carrier off the thingy, I just opened the door so she could get out. She immediately pissed on the floor and I didn't care.
I was already mad at the airlines for not letting me put her with me and the carrier they sold me was for a larger dog, 'cuz they didn't have any smaller ones left. They did sell it to me for the smaller one's price.
I don't think I'd ever fly with a pet again, even though they do let pets in the passenegr compartment.
Its a lose-lose situation.
Rent a car, take your time and drive.
By the way, I was moving back to Detroit, so boarding her was out of the question. In hind-sight, I wish I had driven.

Indian Summer

I don't think they should allow it at all. If I were to be stuck on a plane with a cat for a few hours, I would be miserable for the next week due to allergies.

vedderfan10

I think Air Canada has banned animals all together....not even in the cargo hold... Anyway, I don't think dogs or cats should be flying...but that's just my opinion...

iluvcats

when are you coming this way?

are your grandmas in DC? I hope I get to see you!

adropinthepark

I'm taking my cat with me across the country mid-May and it's the same thing. She costs $150; my ticket was $130. I'm moving, so it's worth it.

I think the fee is kind of high, considering my cat will be under the seat and require nothing extra from the airline. $75-$100/way would seem more reasonable.

Does anybody know the fee for babies or if they even charge?

mca47

adropinthepark wrote:

I'm taking my cat with me across the country mid-May and it's the same thing. She costs $150; my ticket was $130. I'm moving, so it's worth it.

I think the fee is kind of high, considering my cat will be under the seat and require nothing extra from the airline. $75-$100/way would seem more reasonable.

Does anybody know the fee for babies or if they even charge?

I'd rather have a flight packed full of dogs and cats over babies any day!

Holy crap! Like I mentioned before I fly a LOT of work and the more I do the less I ever want to have children.

I would pay extra to for a flight that was free of 1) Children 2) Babies 3) Fat people 4) Old people

patrickredeyes

WildChildRose wrote:

Wondering what you all think of this....

I moved to Seattle about 3 years ago from the east coast and I haven't been able to get back to visit my grandmas. They're 93 and 87. So I decided I better get my butt back there ASAP and see them (especially when they say things like, The only way I can see you is to look at a picture). That just makes me soo sad. Anyways... I managed to save up some cash to buy a reasonable ticket - roughly $210! The last time I went home I took my dog, Gizmo with me. He's 10 lbs of furry delight. I just adore him. He's like my best little bud so I hate leaving him behind, plus I wanted the grandmas to meet him too.

So to the point, I go to add him to my ticket and the airline tells me that he counts as carry-on. Woo-hoo! So i think, great, I can tuck him under my seat in his little carrier and he'll sleep the whole way. But then they tell me, his ticket will cost $150 EACH way! WTF??? But he's my carry-on under my seat? How the heck is that fair? So I had to decline this offer as that would make my fare $510! UHHH! I haven't saved THAT much.

Grrr... so what do you think? I think it's ridiculous to charge more than a person's seat especially when they're not taking up any extra room and even counting as one of my carry-ons. I asked the airline to be logical and perhaps lower their fee to something more reasonable... say $50. They said no. :(
:x

First off awesome name for a dog, why cause my dog is a Gizmo.

What airline was this?

vedderfan10

mca47 wrote:

I'd rather have a flight packed full of dogs and cats over babies any day!

Holy crap! Like I mentioned before I fly a LOT of work and the more I do the less I ever want to have children.

I would pay extra to for a flight that was free of 1) Children 2) Babies 3) Fat people 4) Old people

LOL...you sound like me! The old people or overweight people don't bug me...but babies!!!? I used to ask for baby-free flights before....and I think one of our short-term Prime Minister's wife did, too - and it caused an uproar. Whatever....

JaneNY

Honestly I think it would be better for your dog if you boarded him or had a friend take care of him. I know you want your grandmothers to see him, but they really want to see YOU. They will not be devastated if they don't see your dog, and your dog will be happier not dealing with the stress of traveling.

Indian Summer

mca47 wrote:

adropinthepark wrote:

I would pay extra to for a flight that was free of 1) Children 2) Babies 3) Fat people 4) Old people

Once you have a child in your life you'll change your tune. I used to be the same way until my nephew came along, now I'm very tolerant and sympathetic for people with small children. Also, made me want to become a parent a lot sooner than I thought I would.

Hinn

Vedderfan10 wrote:

mca47 wrote:

I'd rather have a flight packed full of dogs and cats over babies any day!

Holy crap! Like I mentioned before I fly a LOT of work and the more I do the less I ever want to have children.

I would pay extra to for a flight that was free of 1) Children 2) Babies 3) Fat people 4) Old people

LOL...you sound like me! The old people or overweight people don't bug me...but babies!!!? I used to ask for baby-free flights before....and I think one of our short-term Prime Minister's wife did, too - and it caused an uproar. Whatever....

The overweight people will bug you if you have to sit right next to one, and their excess size takes over half your seat.

Not fun.

Also not fun to have a 7 foot guy sitting behind you. Good luck getting any comfort from your seat.

WildChildRose

My dog is hypoallergenic, so no one will be bothered by him or allergic to him. He also sleeps the entire way. I've flown with him, he's very calm and it doesn't bother him in the slightest....

WildChildRose

Hinn wrote:

Like D2D said, it's the allergy factor. I'm surprised too that they'll even let pets go in the cabin instead of the luggage hold, but it's really obvious that your dog definitely will take up space- that of a travel kennel.

Read this blurb here http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/objectI ... 4/294/FAQ/

He would only be taking up MY own space that I paid for! Last time I checked, I'm allowed to have a bag under my own seat. He's 10 lbs....

WildChildRose

This was Delta airlines by the way.

WildChildRose

I think babies are free under the age of 2 but you have to hold them.. this could have changed. I paid $500 for my step-son who was 2, 2 years ago, but he had his own seat.

WildChildRose

one more... a pic of my chunkers.... hopefully you can see this:

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 4_1424.jpg

E.K

WildChildRose wrote:

one more... a pic of my chunkers.... hopefully you can see this:

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak- ... 4_1424.jpg

Awww.. what breed of dog is he? I have two poodles.

WildChildRose

1/2 poodle, 1/2 shi-tzu. :-D

decides2dream

WildChildRose wrote:

My dog is hypoallergenic, so no one will be bothered by him or allergic to him. He also sleeps the entire way. I've flown with him, he's very calm and it doesn't bother him in the slightest....

i think the main point you have to consider is this: the airline cannot know all of this, for a fact. thus, airlines do what they can to limit the amount of pets they fly, for the courtesy and comfort of the bulk of their passengers. it's a choice to fly with your pet, and thus they charge for the convenience for you. yes, he may not be taking up any more *space*...but there is no 100% guarantee that even if he is hypoallergenic that some passenger won't complain/claim he is bothering their allergies....that he absolutely will not bark/whimper....and/or some people are deathly afriad of dogs, period. for all these reasons, thus why i think airlines charge the feess they do for flying pets. good luck with whatever choice you make....i am sured your grandmas will be thrilled to see you, solor or with doggie in tow.