Air Travel and Dogs

[tara]

I just got back from BC, we flew of course, and when we were waiting for the plane to come in so we could board I watched another plane being unloaded. I saw 3 dog crates with dogs in them, and that made me wonder, wouldn't the pressure freak them out? wouldn't they get really cold in the cargo hold? When they were going down the conveyor belt all three were moving around frantically and I couldn't help but feel bad for them. How safe is air travel for dogs? I know that you can put some breeds under anesthesia for a long plane ride. Anybody have any experience with flights and their dogs?

(I know there are some pet friendly airlines with shelf-like things in the back where your dog over 35lbs can stay ((like nantucket airlines and such)), and under 35 pounds can stay with you at your seat, but I'm wondering about when your dog has to be in the cargo hold)

 

[colliewog]

Sometimes air travel is necessary, and unfortunately large dogs don't get the luxury of flying in the cabin. However, certain airlines (like Delta) have pressurized cargo holds, so they are not as bad off as you'd think. Granted it is stressful, but several airlines have come around and made it a safer experience.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I'm not a fan of air travel for large dogs...I can't imagine my dogs being trapped in with a bunch of heavy suitcases.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I'm not a fan of air travel for large dogs...I can't imagine my dogs being trapped in with a bunch of heavy suitcases.

I have to agree.... a couple years ago an airline killed the national chamption Sammoyed.... I would never trust them with my lovie Buddy.

 

[PoodleMommy]

My last dog was very small and had the luxury of flying in the cabin with us and I always thought putting a dog in the cargo hold was horrible... however the dog I have now was flown to us from the breeder... She was flown Delta and they have pressurized and temp controlled cargo holds and someone does go in to check on them and make sure they are okay throughout the flight.

It is not as bad as it seems to some people and it is the only way some dogs can travel with their families.

That being said, i dont think I would let me dog go in one because I would be worried sick the whole time.

I know it sounds hypocritical, lol

Elissa

 

[Roxy's CD]

I don't think I could ever put my dogs through that... I feel horrible leaving them at *home* if I have to go out! LOL, let alone leaving them alone on a plane in a strange place! LOL

Im just a worry-mom-wart though! LOL

 

[Martine]

I couldn't do it, although it is an option for us to get back to the UK. I'd rather go by ferry where at least I can go and visit her during the trip. But for some people that is not an option and at least it means dogs don't have to be seperated for a long time from their owners by being left behind, which can be stressful too. But if I had to put her in the hold I would feel so guilty about it as I know she would be stressed out. I have seen dogs come off a plane and they looked just fine though, so maybe it depends on the dogs temperament too.

 

[mrose_s]

I just got back from BC, we flew of course, and when we were waiting for the plane to come in so we could board I watched another plane being unloaded. I saw 3 dog crates with dogs in them, and that made me wonder, wouldn't the pressure freak them out? wouldn't they get really cold in the cargo hold? When they were going down the conveyor belt all three were moving around frantically and I couldn't help but feel bad for them. How safe is air travel for dogs? I know that you can put some breeds under anesthesia for a long plane ride. Anybody have any experience with flights and their dogs?

(I know there are some pet friendly airlines with shelf-like things in the back where your dog over 35lbs can stay ((like nantucket airlines and such)), and under 35 pounds can stay with you at your seat, but I'm wondering about when your dog has to be in the cargo hold)

we had to fly the two dogs we had at the time up north when we moved. we watched them being "unloaded" off one plane to another. and there was sophie, calm as ever. going down the conveyor and talking to all the cargo hold-people as they stuck theyre hands through and she seemed nervous but relaxed. But Sophie is quite calm about most things (bar fireworks)

i wouldn't fly them unless it was necasary but if it is. then off you go

 

[stevinski]

My harley flew to us because we live on an island and this was the only way,
he went in a heated hold where the captain keeps his luggage, they only ship 1 dog/cat at a time, he was fine!

 

[colliewog]

Years ago, before shipping frozen semen was the norm, people would ship bitches to us for breeding. We had one from as far away as Alaska (we're in Florida). We always used Delta and never had a problem. Maybe it does depend on the temperament of the dog, but the girls we picked up (who had never met us) were happy to see us. Often, there were Delta people filling their water cup, giving them little treats and petting them through the cage when we got there. Dogs are adaptive and forgiving - it may scare them, but most adjust, just assuming it is supposed to happen this way. (The same way they handle pain better than we do == we hurt more because we CAN!)

 

[travelpet]

Years ago, before shipping frozen semen was the norm, people would ship bitches to us for breeding. We had one from as far away as Alaska (we're in Florida). We always used Delta and never had a problem. Maybe it does depend on the temperament of the dog, but the girls we picked up (who had never met us) were happy to see us. Often, there were Delta people filling their water cup, giving them little treats and petting them through the cage when we got there. Dogs are adaptive and forgiving - it may scare them, but most adjust, just assuming it is supposed to happen this way. (The same way they handle pain better than we do == we hurt more because we CAN!)

That must have been some time ago. Delta has a terrible rep for shipping live animals. There is no such thing as a pet-friendly airline...some just aren't as bad as others. Air travel for dogs should never be a choice, but sometimes it is a necessity. In those rare instances, the pet owner needs to arm themselves with a lot of information. And don't believe the bunk about pressurized, temperature controlled cargo holes...it's just that BUNK. There is minimum pressure to keep the some things allowed in cargo from exploding and temperature is roughly just above freezing in winter and around 80 degrees in summer. Some airlines offer the a separate class where animals are allowed to travel as luggage. That's slightly better, but still barely humane.

 

[colliewog]

I think the last bitch we shipped in was in the early 90s. I got two puppies from Alaska (to Florida) using Delta in the late 90s and at that time, Delta Dash was what most breeders used. Maybe things have changed?

Honestly, I'd never ship one of my own dogs - I'd find another way to get them to their destination.

 

[tara]

so it IS bad then. I just wondered if there was something I was missing. I am moving to BC to go to school in about a year or two, and I really didn't want to put Foster in the cargo hold. Hopefully I can take a train (even though it takes 3 DAYS!!!) at least then I can visit him in the baggage car to make sure he's okay! Anybody ever have a long trip on a train with their dog? I'm just trying to get all the information I can to make the trip as safe and comfortable as possible for my little boy!

 

[cowgurl6254]

I am a flight attendant for a major airline, and I see dogs being transported daily. At least with my planes, the dogs are kept in a pressurized area that is temperature controlled. We actually have more problems with dogs being kept in the cabin because all the people and noise makes them nervous. Down below in the cargo hold they tend to settle right in

 

[frenchboxer]

When we relocated from Switzerland to South Africa, the only way to bring our Frenchie with us was to fly her in cargo - and I wasn't about to leave her behind. I have to say I was terrified throughout the flight (we were on the same flights), as I had to leave her at the cargo section of Zurich airport at 2 on a Wednesday, and only saw her again at the airport in SA at 12 the following day. We flew from Zurich to Frankfurt, then directly to Cape Town. The airline handled things perfectly and we had a wonderful reunion at the airport in Cape Town, but I have to say that I was a total wreck, and I would only fly a dog in cargo if there was no other way - and in this case there wasn't. When we left SA for Switzerland, we took our Boxer and 2 cats with us (also in cargo) and they were totally fine .