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My good friend is in the air as we speak with her two kitties. She was almost hysterical at the thought that when she went through security (she has a friend with her carrying the second one as their carrry-ons) she would have to take the cats out in order to have the carriers inspected. This is what the airline told her! The thought of hysterical cats getting loose in a huge airport was almost more than she could bear. I suggested that she ask that they go to a private room (where thorough searches are conducted) and the security people were happy to oblige. Once in the room she had to take the cats out while the carriers were inspected, they went back in after the search, and she was on her way. She called me from an airport bar about 30 minutes ago to tell me how grateful she was for my suggestion. So, if you have to fly with an animal as a carry-on, this is something to remember. (She was in the bar to calm down after all her anxiety had built up and finally released!)
A heads up on this....I just did this myself a few weeks ago....I actually had some dingbat security person tell me no they couldn't do this and I hollered over to one of the other guards who looked astounded anyone would tell me this and happily obliged. Also...I had both cats with harness and leashes on.....just in case.
What a relief it is to read these posts re going through security, I will be flying with two small cats and was terrified about taking them out of the carrier, I will ask to be in a private room while they screen the carrier and to return them to it before i leave!
I didn't know my cats were going to be taken out of their carriers, but they were handled very carefully and professionally. The female cat was terrified but the inspector kept a good firm, humane, grip on her. In fact, they let my husband remove them from the carriers for them.
Of course we were at the airport at 4:30 a.m., so things were very quiet at that time.
Years ago, I took my then 2 year old calico w/me on a trip. The woman at the security station told me the same thing. Back then, security wasn't like it is now, but I was still pretty upset that she'd have to be taken out. There happened to be a cat breeder behind me (serendipitiously) who told me she'd help hold the cat with me. Good advise above as far as going to a private room. They can't really refuse to accomodate someone in this way since it's a special condition/situation.
Whenever I fly with one of the cats.....they are leashed or harnessed in their carrier. When I approach security, I take the cat out and go thru the security gate....I am the only one who ever handles the cat...therefore if the cat should get loose, it is my fault, not anyone elses. The carrier is put on the belt to be scanned....when they are done, the cat goes back into the carrier and does not come out again until I reach my destination.
My good friend is in the air as we speak with her two kitties. She was almost hysterical at the thought that when she went through security (she has a friend with her carrying the second one as their carrry-ons) she would have to take the cats out in order to have the carriers inspected. This is what the airline told her! The thought of hysterical cats getting loose in a huge airport was almost more than she could bear. I suggested that she ask that they go to a private room (where thorough searches are conducted) and the security people were happy to oblige. Once in the room she had to take the cats out while the carriers were inspected, they went back in after the search, and she was on her way. She called me from an airport bar about 30 minutes ago to tell me how grateful she was for my suggestion. So, if you have to fly with an animal as a carry-on, this is something to remember. (She was in the bar to calm down after all her anxiety had built up and finally released!)
I usually pull my cat out of the carrier and walk through with him in my arms. I keep on had with a firm grip on his neck (like a momma cat) and this sort of keeps him extra calm. Glad your friend made it through okay.
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