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[quote=redrockglass;194345]Thanks for the reply. The cargo is not even an option. I have a family member who works for a major carrier (management) and even he says don't do it.
There are so many problems and deaths that the government actually makes them now tell how many die. They aren't made to hold any higher standards, they just have to report how many expire per flight.
The cargo's are not pressurized as much as the cabin which is why sometime you get your luggage and your shampoo explodes, etc. It's not condusive for animals.
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your family member is WAY over-exaggerating.....the government reports are for ALL animals, everything from exotics to goldfish to lab mice, so any death and injury reports need to be looked at in the context they represent. We've flown with and shipped lots of dogs over the years, and have dozens of friends and colleagues who do the same, as hundreds of valuable show dogs fly to shows all year long...some airlines are better than others (Northwest has a very good pet program), just do some research. A five hour flight is preferable to a week in a crate on a ship, IMO....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redrockglass
The cargo's are not pressurized as much as the cabin which is why sometime you get your luggage and your shampoo explodes, etc. It's not condusive for animals.
That is not a true statement. The passenger compartment and the cargo bay are both within the same pressure vessel. They are separated by a 1/2" thick honeycomb flooring. There are vents behind the side walls to allow air circulation between the two. So, the pressurization is the same.
There can be a temperature difference. There is a fire supression system that will suffocate you if the bottles are discharged. There is also a tremendous amount of high pitched noise caused by recirculation fans.
I would never allow one of my animals to fly because of those reasons.
The company policy at the airline I work for is to no longer ship live animals in the cargo bins. There is a policy to ship caged animals in the passenger compartment, but there is a size requirement. If you go to any airline website, you should be able to read what their policy is.
If you are moving across the world, you have no choice. If you are just going on vacation, leave the dogs at home.
I think the main problem is that you have two dogs at 55lbs each to transport. That's tough considering they are both too big for the passenger area and one too many to claim as a therapy dog. I understand your concerns I would worry about my pups too. I personally would pick a week on a ship in a calm boring kennel over a deafeningly loud and either really hot or really cold cargo area of a plane any day. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!
Hawaii has huge quarantine laws. They want six months worth of documented blood tests before the dog even gets on a plane. If you dont do this then the dog spends three months in Oahu in a kennel. BIG DOLLARS. Read thousands of dollars before you get your dog back.
looking for pet owners willing to split the fare on a private jet to hawaii. john
My DH and I would be interested in that! We have 3 cats and 3 dogs. The cats would not be a problem since I work for an airline and can fly them in the cabin for cheap. My dogs are all about 50 pounds and I do not want to put them in the cargo hold. Do you have any charters in mind?
I've done it both directions, canine and feline and it's really no big deal. Hawaiian is the easiest to deal with, United the worst when shipping pets (IMHO). Try to ship them at night on a direct flight.
Thank you for some positive stories. I came East with my cat on my lap but returning with him in cargo. There is no other option and your notes about your experiences helped. It isn't all horror stories or nobody would do it.
Also - to the others in this thread about pressurized cargo: it is different than where your luggage goes. I understand it is not the same pressure [which is why medications are not allowed] but it is pressurized and if there is a plane change the animals are taken to some indoor place until the transfer.
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Shipping dogs / Quurantine
