Flying pets from Mainland to Honolulu?? (2009, hotels, price)

[KonaKat]

Once they approve the rabies titre in the blood sample, then the 120 days starts counting. However there is more time after that where the animal's info is still valid. I can't remember what that is, seems like a few more months. Ck the Dept's info, or just call them, probably quicker!!

[mermaidmichelle]

I'm in the process of getting my dog cleared so have been keeping up with the regulations. The passing rabies titre test is good for 3 years.

[Konagal]

I flew my 75 lb Golden Retriever to Kona from Los Angeles last summer. She was met by the vet and I had her in the truck within 10 minutes. I flew her on United and they were absolutely wonderful! I spent a little extra to have her in an extra large kennel ($100 compared to $200 for a larger kennel). I hope this helps. If you are not on the flight your dog is on, your dog can be shippied through Continental airlines which is how I shipped my parrot.

[JollyDogs]

Hi USCGWIFEY!

When are you moving? Not sure you saw the thread I started, but I am trying to put together a group of people and their dogs to go on a charter. My husband is in the Navy and we are moving in the October timeframe. We will be coming from the east coast (not sure if driving or flying yet). I have been talking with the Dog Travel Company about a charter possibly from Long Beach. If we can find enough people/pets to travel on the charter then we can get the price down to a manageable number. Dogs can sit on the seat next to you in the cabin. Please email me if you are interested.

[konabound]

Hi Jollydogs,
Are you still considering a charter with The Dog Travel Co out of Long Beach? We may be able to go along depending on the departure dates.

[hotzcatz]

Dogs like small enclosed spaces, they would probably be happier in their crate if they have been using their crate as a "den". Get their crate early, take the door off of it and let them use it as their sleeping space. They will get comfortable in it and it will be a safe spot, somewhere they want to be. To practice for flying, put the crate in the car, put the dog in it and take them a few places. Once they are used to traveling in their crate it won't matter much if it is a car or a plane. IMHO, most of the desire for animals in the airplane cabin is for the benefit of the human, not the animals.

There are also a lot of people who are allergic to cats and dogs, so it is best for the general public if the animals not fly in the cabin. There is also the possibility of the animal getting loose and out of control if it was sitting on a seat. Our dogs are happier on the floor, not in seats. If we go to a park and ask the dogs to sit up on a picnic bench or a park bench, they are there for a few moments, then they want to get down and lay at our feet instead of sitting on the seat next to us. I don't see how they would be comfortable sitting on a plane seat for any length of time. Not to mention the percentage of pets who aren't entirely housebroken. If I owned one of those very large and very expensive airplanes, I wouldn't want animals on the seats or out of their kennels. If you owned a new car, would you want someone to bring their animals and let them sit on the seats? Airplanes are much more expensive.

We have lots of pets, including two dogs. However, they are still animals and we expect them to act like dogs, not funny furry people. Our dogs have flown a lot and they fly in crates in cargo and they don't get anxious or upset about it at all. We go to the airport, get one of those luggage carts, put the dog crates on the cart and open the doors. The dogs hop out of the van and into their crates and get their chew toys and that's their main concern for the rest of the trip.

[JollyDogs]

Hi konabound!
Yes - we are still in the process. I may not use Dog Travel, not sure yet. I have found some other charters that might be less. We are a little unsure of our dates. Thought October was a sure thing, but it might end up being a little later. A lot will depend on when the most people are able to go. The more we have the better the price. Please tell me what your dates and where you would be traveling from. Would be great if you are interested in joining us.


Just as a side note - the dogs don't have to stay in the seat the whole flight. Just for take off and landing. After that they should be able to lay on the floor by you feet, much more comfortable for the big dogs.

[konabound]

Hi Jollydogs,
Thanks for your reply. I checked with Dogtravel Co last year sometime and did not make much progress as our moving plans got delayed. Now they are more definite and I am seriously looking for a safe way to get our 2 poms and 2 cats to Hawaii(kona). Found a cargo co. out of lax called Pacific Air Cargo and went to see them last week. They fly to Hi and take
all kinds of cargo including animals. They put them upstairs in first class section, not with cargo. They leave 2am and arrive around 7am and you can pick up your pet by 8am. To me its certainly a better alternative than a commercial airline cargo ride for my angels! They priced all 4 pets to be <1000 depending on size of kennels.
Let me know what you think or if you know more info. My first choice is to go together

[JollyDogs]

Hi Konabound,
That is great that you live there and were able to check out Pacific Air Cargo. I have thought of using them. I agree it certainly has to be better than cargo! Honestly, I think I would be sick to my stomach the entire time until I could pick him up. My dog is 17 and doing very well. But he is old and gets very nervous. He has real security issues in his old age - major velcro dog. It is bad enough that he has to endure the stress of a big move like this. Add to that the fact that we will not have place to live when we get there, so we will be living out of a hotel for a while. He has moved a dozen times before and done great. But things change as he gets older. This last move was hard on him. So for the move to Hawaii, if I can prevent him from being scared and confused and alone - then I would really like to do that. I know people go on and on about how they like to be in their kennels and feel safe there. Well, that is true and he was this way when he was young. Now he just gets all upset. He wants to be right next to me. Sorry for babbling on ... bottomline - if I can get enough people together to do a charter then I really want to do that. Dog Travel Company said that the lowest they have done out of Long Beach was $2500 per passenger (dogs count as passengers). I have been working with a few others to try to get a better price. What do you think?

[PacificFlights]

Considering the distance that must be flown over water without any option for refueling, your limited in aircarft. That means with all cost considered, the most economical medium size aircraft at $2,500 each seat, is a smoking deal. I would grab it at that price.

The only other option is to up the seat capacity thus reducing the per seat cost. But that means going to a commercial passenger size aircraft like what the airlines use for CA-HI travel. That can lower per seat cost but requires a full plane since you can't generate income from belly cargo since it's a charter. I don't think there are enough people shipping dogs and cats in any 120 day period to fill the plane. So all the passengers will have to cover the full cost of the charter. Also, you'll be paying for the repositioning back to its base unless you can get passengers on the return trip.

So for $2,500, grab it and enjoy the flight.