Air Travel

Question:

>At SF, they seemed to be treated pretty carefully by the ground staff >and eventually they appeared near the baggage claim being carefully >carried.  The cats were just fine from their long, stressful journey >just a tired and a little withdrawn but that it is entirely expected.

I had a not-so-good experience with my cat at SFO, however… My mother sent my cat out in cargo from DFW to SFO on American Airlines. We thought American would be best because they have the most non-stops from DFW to SFO. All the arrangements were made, and my mother called to tell me that the AA employees at DFW had taken Snowball and said he was being put on flight such-and-such, and that we should go to the AA baggage office in the SFO baggage claim 30 minutes after the scheduled arrival of the flight to reclaim him. No problem. Well, we arrive 15 minutes after flight such-and-such was supposed to arrive, and they tell us to wait over by some door because some person would bring him out to us. Well, we wait. And wait. And wait. I ask again. They say the cargo is still being unloaded. We wait more. About an hour and a half total of waiting… and soon it is about time for the next flight from DFW to arrive. I ask again.. they start checking… and get confused like I’ve never seen. They ask if my mom sent him out COD (she hadn’t). They asked if we were supposed to go to the cargo center as opposed to baggage (we weren’t). They said all the cargo had been unloaded from the first plane, no cat. So, they tell me to wait, since chances are he is on this next flight. We go back to wait by the door.. and wait, and wait, and wait.. and no cat. We go back, and I ask (somewhat more aggravated than I was before). All the cargo had been unloaded, no cat. They had NO IDEA if the he was ever on any flight at all, or where he could possibly be, if he had been. Frantic calls to Dallas, they say that while he was supposed to be on the orginal flight, such-and-such, they have NOTHING to confirm that he was actually on the flight. They search both planes, no cat. 30 minutes of more panic, and eventually the AA baggage folks get a call that they’ve found got a large white cat out at some cargo bay at SFO no one had ever heard of before. DING! So they say they will bring him to us. Apparently, the idiots unloading the original flight FAILED TO READ the cargo manifesto and didn’t know that there was a cat as the only piece of baggage in the climate controlled part of the cargo hold. They thought it was empty. Thank goodness they eventually did find him. When he was returned to us he definitely seemed far less freaked out than we were, good thing he is a very mellow animal (he was not tranquilized). Perhaps it was good that he was on American so chances are if the plane had gone on from there it would be going back to Dallas. Chances are lower that he would end up some place exotic, anyways. Since then I have heard horror stories about animals in cargo holds being forgotten about and never unloaded… and thus dying, and while I am generally a skeptic, this is much more believable after this "experience". Sorry to rant (AA has already heard the non-abridged version, via registered mail), but I think it is somewhat noteworthy that the airline simply had no idea if the cat was on the flight, or what. They just had no clue what had happened to him since the moment my mom handed him over in Dallas. It seems to me that they should at least have better tracking of LIVE CARGO than they do of regular baggage… In a positive note, the airport staff were all very polite, and as helpful as they could be in such a situation (especially with a raving madwoman in front of them – actually, I tried to be as calm as possible… it was interesting to note people far angrier at lost golf clubs. I admire any- one who can work in those positions for more than a day). I just know that I will definitely think twice before sending an animal in cargo again… -Amy Baron — Information Gladly Given but Safety Requires Avoiding Unnecessary Conversation                                         -San Francisco MUNI

Response:

> I brought my cat to and from Japan in one of those "small" carriers > (he is 15 lbs.).  He rode in the cabin with me and was sedated.  It > was a cramped space, but I took him to the bathroom occasionally and > let him stretch.  He was fine.  I saw a report on tv about how > airlines treat animals in cargo holds, and that made me feel that it > is definately worth the cost of having him in the cabin with me.  I > think that if you comfort you cat he should be alright.

[SNIP] When I moved from the UK to San Francisco last year I bought my two cats with me. I flew with BA and believe I had no choice other than to fly them in Cargo. I bought one of the larger double carrying cases where they were seperated but could see each other through the partition which I like to think offered a little comfort to them. I certainly wasn’t happy about having to put them in the cargo hold but then I couldn’t imagine trying to fit them comfortably in carriers under the seats for 11 hours.  As I said, I didn’t have a choice anyway. I was surprised at the treatment that the BA staff offered my cats.  They were continuously stopping to pet them through their cage and talk to them which I’m sure helped them.  Also, the gentleman who eventually took them to the baggage advised that it would be better to keep them with us until we really need to go through security/customs as they will then be put in the baggage hall where it nosiy.  He said not to worry though, that even there staff would stop to check on them.  So we kept hold of them as loong as we could and then handed them over to the BA gentleman and off they disappeared. At SF, they seemed to be treated pretty carefully by the ground staff and eventually they appeared near the baggage claim being carefully carried.  The cats were just fine from their long, stressful journey just a tired and a little withdrawn but that it is entirely expected. We were advised by both the quarantine kennels from whom we bought the transporter, our vet and also BA staff *not* to tranq. the cats unless we really thought it necessary as usually they suffer less stress not tranq.’d than waking up from their haze to finding themselves bruised and achey from where they’ve been flopping from side to side in the carry cage during the trip.  Also, I was advised to buy the older-fashioned looking wooden cage as if it should fall of the forklift (and again, this was confirmed that it does happen!) then it would withstand impact a lot better than the plastic variety. Sorry this got so long! ,~~_                                         _( )_( )~~            & Babette   ,  _| ~~~          & Bo      `                & Jazzy & Tinka (Feline Friends)                                                  `    `                                     ** Any opinions expressed are personal and not those of my    employer. **

Response:

>I have recently moved from Tennessee to California, and >left my cat behind until I get situated.  Now I want to >get him to California.  I called one of the airlines that >allows pets in the cabin (Northwest), and they gave me the >maximum dimensions for a pet carrier to fit underneath the >seat, 12.3" wide, 8" high, 17" long, which is not very large >at all.  I don’t think my fullgrown cat would comfortable   >fit inside a carrier that small (the one I have now is >17×12x23).  Would a carrier of the dimensions the airline >supplied be suitable for a full grown cat?  I would think >it would be too small.

I’ve traveled all over the world with my two cats.  Most recently from Southern Eastern Africa to the USA.  They always have ridden with the baggage.  I use large cages made by Vari Kennel.  Tag them carefully and make sure the door is locked   somehow.  My cats have gone 15 hours without soiling their bedding.  Cats are Troopers…Don’t worry.

Response:

I travel frequently with my cat.  I had a case made to fit airline specifications.  However, it is constructed so that the handle is on what would be the "side" position.  Thus, when the carrier is not actually under the airline seat, the width becomes the heigth — giving more room for the cat to stand.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Yup, and I think the rules actually are that the animal must be able to >stand >and turn around (comfortably?!).  I have a hard side carrier and have made >a dozen or >so trips with my burgeoning 10+ lb’er.  On one of the later trips the gate >attendant >(in broken english) acused me of "you be cruel to cat" and that my carrier >didn’t meet >their specifications (my pet was too big) >While I agree with their rules, I had also followed them.  While admittedly >tight, >my pet IS able to turn around and reposition herself adquately in her cage. >I also have my vet certify that my pet is healthy and safe for travel >(documention >required/provided) in the cage I use. (True enough a full grown main coon >isn’t goin’ make it in one of these ) >While it is no fun spending 3-5hrs in the travel cage , I am convinced >it is INFINITELY better (less stressful)  than shipping in cargo.  I will >say >the only problems I’ve had in the 14+ flights is one where the leash >on the cat got tangled in her feet and she indeed couldn’t get untangeld >in the cage. While I can normally poke fingers through the bars in the cage >to pet/monitor >this sort of thing, on this flight I was in first and had a (let’s say >"strong willed" >as opposed to other expletives) FA who wouldn’t even let me touch the cage >while it was the oh so comfortable 4′ in from to my reach (under the seat >in front >of me of course! >Take home:  The soft side carriers sound great I would get one definitely! >watch for leash or toys gettin tangled with the cat in cage, and believe it >or >not some Gate agents and FAs are paying close attention to the rules >and even trying to make some up rules up themselves.   >I’d be ready to knowwhat the rules REALLY are and be ready to follow them. >K. Hauch > I have recently moved from Tennessee to California, and > left my cat behind until I get situated.  Now I want to > get him to California.  I called one of the airlines that > allows pets in the cabin (Northwest), and they gave me the > maximum dimensions for a pet carrier to fit underneath the > seat, 12.3" wide, 8" high, 17" long, which is not very large > at all.  I don’t think my fullgrown cat would comfortable > fit inside a carrier that small (the one I have now is > 17×12x23).  Would a carrier of the dimensions the airline > supplied be suitable for a full grown cat?  I would think > it would be too small. > I don’t feel comfortable putting him with the baggage, so > I was wondering if anyone  knew of any other resources that > might be available to get my cat from Tennessee to > California?  Are there any air taxis th tspecialize in > animal transportation that I could use? >       Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Response:

>I have recently moved from Tennessee to California, and >left my cat behind until I get situated.  Now I want to >get him to California.  I called one of the airlines that >allows pets in the cabin (Northwest), and they gave me the >maximum dimensions for a pet carrier to fit underneath the >seat, 12.3" wide, 8" high, 17" long, which is not very large >at all.  I don’t think my fullgrown cat would comfortable >fit inside a carrier that small (the one I have now is >17×12x23).  Would a carrier of the dimensions the airline >supplied be suitable for a full grown cat?  I would think >it would be too small.

        An alternative to the hard plastic carriers is something called a Sherpa bag.  It’s a soft fabric cat carrier that allows the cat to move around a bit more, and has flaps covering netted sides that allow the cat to look out.  It may also have an opening for the cat to stick its head out.  I don’t have one myself, but I have a friend who swears by it, and I think that most airlines will allow it.  They are a bit on the pricey side, though – I think they run about $60-$80.                                                         Tara

Response:

: I have recently moved from Tennessee to California, and : left my cat behind until I get situated.  Now I want to : get him to California.  I called one of the airlines that : allows pets in the cabin (Northwest), and they gave me the : maximum dimensions for a pet carrier to fit underneath the : seat, 12.3" wide, 8" high, 17" long, which is not very large : at all.  I don’t think my fullgrown cat would comfortable : fit inside a carrier that small (the one I have now is : 17×12x23).  Would a carrier of the dimensions the airline : supplied be suitable for a full grown cat?  I would think : it would be too small. : I don’t feel comfortable putting him with the baggage, so : I was wondering if anyone  knew of any other resources that : might be available to get my cat from Tennessee to : California?  Are there any air taxis th tspecialize in : animal transportation that I could use? :   :       Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I would not put him in baggage, and I am glad you don’t want to either.   You might want to talk to a vet and see if you can get a tranquillizer or strong sedative so that he can at least be asleep for the flight.  The only other alternative is to drive out and get him, and then drive back.   I have never driven all the way to california, but my ex-girlfriend and i use to drive 14 hours from CT to the Western edge of MI with our two girls (female cats) in the back seat.  They did not eat during the trip, and their food was taken away 12 hours before the trip so that they had empty stomachs.  We kept an open litter box for them in the back seat, but our real concern was that they would get car sick (it happened once, that how we learned not to feed them before the trip).  I hear it is beautiful in NV this time of year, and not too hot. — John-William DeClaris "An Old Fashioned User of The Internet" http://pantheon.cis.yale.edu/~declaris My remarks are my own and not reflective of Yale University.

Response:

>I have recently moved from Tennessee to California, and >left my cat behind until I get situated.  Now I want to >get him to California.  I called one of the airlines that >allows pets in the cabin (Northwest), and they gave me the >maximum dimensions for a pet carrier to fit underneath the >seat, 12.3" wide, 8" high, 17" long, which is not very large >at all.  I don’t think my fullgrown cat would comfortable >fit inside a carrier that small (the one I have now is >17×12x23).  Would a carrier of the dimensions the airline >supplied be suitable for a full grown cat?  I would think >it would be too small.

I’ve seen adult cats traveling in that size carrier a number of times.  It’s not spacious, and not sure I’d want to put a LARGE cat in it, but OK for medium to small cat.  I’d have a leash and harness on it, and let it out for a stretch during any layover.

Response:

Hi,         I’m in the same predicament except I have three to move!  Have you thought about getting one of those soft-sided nylon carriers for small pets? They basically look like a gym bag with mesh inserts for circulation.  They should be within the specified dimensions, but easier for the cat to move around and stretch.  Just a thought. Delaina

<snip> >get him to California.  I called one of the airlines that >allows pets in the cabin (Northwest), and they gave me the >maximum dimensions for a pet carrier to fit underneath the >seat, 12.3" wide, 8" high, 17" long, which is not very large >at all.  I don’t think my fullgrown cat would comfortable >fit inside a carrier that small (the one I have now is >17×12x23).  Would a carrier of the dimensions the airline >supplied be suitable for a full grown cat?  I would think >it would be too small.

<snip>

Response:

I brought my cat to and from Japan in one of those "small" carriers (he is 15 lbs.).  He rode in the cabin with me and was sedated.  It was a cramped space, but I took him to the bathroom occasionally and let him stretch.  He was fine.  I saw a report on tv about how airlines treat animals in cargo holds, and that made me feel that it is definately worth the cost of having him in the cabin with me.  I think that if you comfort you cat he should be alright.  My cat is indoor only, and usually he hates to travel, but he was always reasurred to know I was right there for him.  If you have any other questions, you may email me directly. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I have recently moved from Tennessee to California, and >left my cat behind until I get situated.  Now I want to >get him to California.  I called one of the airlines that >allows pets in the cabin (Northwest), and they gave me the >maximum dimensions for a pet carrier to fit underneath the >seat, 12.3" wide, 8" high, 17" long, which is not very large >at all.  I don’t think my fullgrown cat would comfortable >fit inside a carrier that small (the one I have now is >17×12x23).  Would a carrier of the dimensions the airline >supplied be suitable for a full grown cat?  I would think >it would be too small. >I don’t feel comfortable putting him with the baggage, so >I was wondering if anyone  knew of any other resources that >might be available to get my cat from Tennessee to >California?  Are there any air taxis th tspecialize in >animal transportation that I could use? >    Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Response:

I have recently moved from Tennessee to California, and left my cat behind until I get situated.  Now I want to get him to California.  I called one of the airlines that allows pets in the cabin (Northwest), and they gave me the maximum dimensions for a pet carrier to fit underneath the seat, 12.3" wide, 8" high, 17" long, which is not very large at all.  I don’t think my fullgrown cat would comfortable fit inside a carrier that small (the one I have now is 17×12x23).  Would a carrier of the dimensions the airline supplied be suitable for a full grown cat?  I would think it would be too small. I don’t feel comfortable putting him with the baggage, so I was wondering if anyone  knew of any other resources that might be available to get my cat from Tennessee to California?  Are there any air taxis th tspecialize in animal transportation that I could use?         Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Response: