Tranquilizers.  My first Lab was a rescue and, for our first road trip, I was nervous.  The vet suggested and encouraged tranquilizers.  One of the worst mistakes I've ever made was taking that advice.  Only time that dog ever bit anyone was after being startled by a mechanic while doped up!  Fortunately, he was a true dog person; asked for verification of shots and vet contact info and we were all good.

Between the "no smoking" and hassles over pets, I bought a travel trailer and prefer to do the majority of my travel via internet these days.  No fleas or bed bugs in hotels, no long lines, no strip searches...  Travel for fun just isn't fun any more.

As for allergens in cramped spaces, it'd be nice if those who pour chemicals on themselves at home would consider that they will be getting on planes, in elevators, offices, stores, etc. where many others may have need of an Epi-pen after passing them.

Thanks Mary, I have found their website and bookmarked it!

I am moving from Michigan to Seattle, WA in July for graduate school. My pet rat Peaches is getting older and I want so much to take her with me, but I've had to accept that it's impossible. No airline will let a rat fly as a carry-on, and an old rat flying cargo in July--a death sentence.

Luckily my mom adores her so Peaches will have a happy place to live, but I'm still so sad to leave her behind. I wish there were more options available for me with this. I would totally pay the Pet Airways fee if they would take her safely, but their destinations aren't anywhere near where'll I'll be.

I've flown awhile back with my brittney, and he was none the worse from traveling in the cargo area.. I on the other hand was a nervous wreck. We were flying on a prop jet from Islip, changing in Philly, and landing in FTL..  Socks hasn't had the opportunity, as the costs  are astronomical, and I have a reciprical babysitting arrangement with a couple of people.. I'm thinking of heading out to Missouri to visit a friend, and wondering if I can get away with him under a seat.. I think he would rebel, and make everybody around us, miserable..

Jean

The resort is White Gate Court at mile marker 76 on the bay side. Two paws up!

It has been a couple of years since she died (liver shunt found at 6 years of age), but my Hanna dog and I used to love

Jet Blue.  Up to 20lbs so Sophie would fit.  Hanna had her small carry on bag but we always to the red eye and she crept onto my lap under the blanket and slept the entire time.  She would sleep in her carry on, but of course she preferred my lap.

I have no idea what their policies are now, but we flew back east at least 6 times. 

We're picking up a puppy in 3 weeks and we chose Continental because they no longer have a weight limit on in- cabin pets and they had very large crate space as well.

They said the reason they dropped the weight limit is because you'd have someone with a chub doxie who would be overweight but still fit in the crate easily.

As an avid dog show person, most of my dogs have more frequent flyer miles than I do !  There are a few airlines that handle dogs very well I like to use Continental, Alaska and AirItalia for international when I can.  I flew from Rome to New York with a dog and was allowed to go down to cargo and see my dog and offer water, after seeing him in his 700 series crate (a 500 would of worked fine but I wanted him to have more room) spawled out snoring away I returned to my cramped 22 inch wide seat for another 7 hours of flight I was so jealous of him the remaining flight I was miserable! 

PetAirways will be great for dogshow people when they start flying more destinations, until then Continental and Alaska will work for me.  I have been very fortunate but I take extra steps such as: after the pet is checked in I request that the door be zipped tied so no one is tempted to let my dog out, I label the crate with perm marker with my cell number, dogs name and destination, and make sure I have direct flight during NON peak travel times or days - also tell the flight attendant the minute you board that you are waiting for  a dog to be boarded and tell her your seat number and request that she tell you when the dog is boarded and then I tell every flight attendant that passes me until I hear the dog is aboard. My dogs are also very well crate trained and used to traveling, last dog I flew with from Seattle to Boston was snoring in her crate while we waited to be checked in!  And again, as I squeezed into my coach seat I imagined her sprawled out snoring below me!

I have found and met many dog lovers who work for airlines whether it be baggage claim, flight attendants etc...  If you are flying direct from Miami to SFO you shouldn't have a problem - just pick a less popular day and time.  I also will sometimes freeze my watercrocks and attach them to the crate just prior to leaving but in your climate they would melt too fast probably.

Hope your trip goes well.

oh and to the poster above looking at international travel - if you can get direct flights or only one change with at least 6 hours layover I have found international pet travel to be better than domestic in that the dogs are really watched over and treated very well!   If returning, try La Guardia instead of JFK - JFK is difficult with a pet cause it is sooooo freakin busy.

Carnie, you're a lot wealthier than many people to be able to afford DogTravelCompany prices!

http://www.dogtravelcompany.net/Sample_Flight_Pricing.html

I think most of us are looking for something more reasonable.

Barb - do you have any tips for travelling with Danes?  I'm looking into adopting one, and while I don't plan to travel frequently with the dog, it would be good to know what works/ what doesn't should something arise.

Thanks for this article, but you forgot our friends at the DogTravel Company. They've been flying dogs in the cabin WITH us owners sitting right next to them since 2007!  You never have to check your dog into cargo or put them on a cargo plane and leave them in someone else's care. This was the attraction we had to DogTravel.  They also don't have limits to the size of dog that you can travel with. We have a 98 lb lab horse mix(I'm kidding about the horse mix, I think) and we didn't want to have to crate him or put him in a cargo hold. He gets to fly sitting in his own seat and loves it!

Mary, that resort sounds great; could you say which one it is?

I've got a cat sanctuary, and I have a cat I need to relocate from Las Vegas to Seattle.  I was planning to fly him up to Seattle myself, but seeing as this topic has arisen:  if anyone here is from the Seattle area (or Vegas), and is planning a trip to either city in the next month or so, would you be willing to take a cat to his new adoptive home?  I'll drop him off at the Vegas airport.  His adopters will meet him at the Seattle airport, and would be willing to pay not only his cabin fee but an extra honorarium (for lack of a better word) to anyone willing to escort him.  Dr. Patty has known me since she started blogging, so I think she knows I'm legit, and my rescue is on Petfinder and a registered nonprofit.  Please contact me if you'd be willing to help move this guy... he's a good cat, a little vocal, but a nice disposition.   Thank you for letting me interrupt... Leigh-Ann@WeePaws.org

The trouble with a "pet section" is that all the animals get crammed in together.

Dogs and cats, parrots, monitor lizards, etc. cheek by jowl. And since there is a "section," there will be a certain proportion of owners who have entitlement issues -- believing they have an absolute RIGHT to fly with an unhousebroken, shrieking, smelly, biting beastie

Our SAR dogs, once operational, fly in-cabin as a privilege with some domestic carriers.  And yes, a 70 # German shepherd CAN fit under the seat or on the floor at the bulkhead, mostly, if her handler is willing to hold her feet up for the duration of the flight.  We are careful to never impinge on the personal space of our seatmates.  Which is more than I can say for some human passengers

A flight attendant once had to move another passenger who had a little dog in a carrier, as the little dog wouldn't shut up about the SAR dog across the aisle, who was doing her level best to pretend said little dog did not exist.  Very disruptive and annoying.  If the object of her ire had been a snarky pet instead of a trained animal with great forebearance, I'm sure the other passengers would have been just thrilled at the prospect of in-flight entertainment as orchestrated by Michael Vick.

I suspect that's the reason that airlines often have a "two pets in the whole cabin" rule.

That said, why not have a small section for crates in larger planes? Lord knows they charge enough to ship in cargo, and since the crates could be stacked on shelves, they could make as much as they do selling seats for the same floor space.

It is deranged that you can't bring an animal on a train in this country.

Matter of fact, car ownership and dog ownership were simultaneous events for us, just because of the impossibility of getting anywhere with a dog if you don't have your own car.  We'd been contentedly car-free for a couple years until that point.  Anti-pet policies are bad for the carbon footprint.

I don't know cats do not like their predictable routines and familier surroundings upset at all. Isn't going to the vet stressful enough for them? The only way I would fly a cat is an absolutely last resort. Imagine how incredibly stressful flying sensations such as engine roar, gear rumbles, turbulance, cabin pressure changes, sharp banks and pitches on takeoff and landing, bells going off and strange people yapping in cabin are to a cat. 

"Pet friendly" is one of the biggest frauds perpetrated by the travel industry.  Many of the so called pet friendly hotels charge riddicuious, and often non-refundable, fees.  

As for Pet Airways.. well, it's going to be much too expensive for the average person once they actually get going.  Point of information:  they do NOT discriminate by breed.  Their initial contract DID discriminate but after an interesting Internet kerfuffle in which I took part, they dropped the policy (to their credit) and now only ban dogs "with history of past aggressive behavior".  They do have a 125 pound weight limit though

It baffles me that US trains don't allow pets.  I understand Canadian trains DO.

I honestly don't see the problem with allowing dogs on flights.  Children are allowed.  People with body odor are allowed. People with too much perfume are allowed. A barking dog can't be any more annoying than a baby crying.

Seriously, I think the airlines could offer a few pet friendly flights, maybe once a day, with a few crates on board somewhere in the cabin. If you don't want animals on board your flight, choose another flight.

I just spent the weekend at a pet friendly resort in the Keys. Dogs were even allowed on the beach off leash. Every guest brought at least one dog and all the dogs swam and played together. There were no complaints. Of course, people without animals probably don't stay at that resort, which is fine with me. The more dogs, the merrier.

Businesses are learning that pet friendly sells so hopefully it won't be long before I'm stuck in the middle seat between two big dogs.

One thing I learned talking my sis through taking her two cats home for Christmas (one was too young to be alone at the time and they wouldn't have done well separated) is to remember that in security you can usually request a separate room if the crate itself needs to be examined.  Just be polite but firm, assure them that if your pet must be examined outside of his/her carrier bad things will happen and fleeing under equipment is likely, and specify that you're happy to wait another few minutes.  YMMV but most large and mid-sized airports are set up with a room for all TSA screening beyond asking to see your 3-1-1 baggie. 

One you're through don't forget about companion bathrooms (ask an info desk if they aren't immediately obvious).  These are little, fully enclosed bathrooms where you can let your pet out briefly in a calm environment without strangers.  It can be good to do a sponge bath to help with any fear-induced bladder emptying after you get through security.

Oooooh... LOVE the idea of a "pet section" on the plane.  Hey, I guarantee my pups will be better behaved than the vast majority of babies I've flown beside.

I'm one of those in the "forgone travel" category.  My furkids are too large to travel in-flight, and I can't imagine they would deal with flying in cargo.  So, I travel, occasionally, and my husband stays at home with the crew.

Yup - we vacation separately, or together at home.

I wish we could work out another way, a way to get us all to our vacation destination in a safe, stress free and cost effective manner... but I'm more than willing to give up family vacations away for them.  :O)

I flew with my large breed pup when he was about 3.5months old.  He was still small enough to be stowed under the seat.  It was a great experience.  I even had one passenger ask me if he was a baby lamb.  (in all seriousness)  My only stress came with our connection when I raced out of the airport for a potty break and worried about getting back through security in time for the flight.  No problems though.  [American Airlines]

There is also DogTravel Company, which arranges flights where dogs of all sizes ride in their own seats next to their owners, but those are charter flights and quite expensive. You can cut the price a bit by sharing a flight with strangers, but I still don't think I've seen one under $1000.

Even Amtrak has an all-pets ban! It just seems like a no-brainer to me that they could easily have one pet-friendly car per train. (Er, maybe a cat car and a dog car?)

Dr. K: I wouldn't be overly worried, Sophie S. has endured a lot of stressful events in your presence, I doubt you would consider it without a good grasp on her personality & being with you. Don't worry about the weight, she is the right size for the carry bag!

Vacation, what's that?? Well yes, I have driven distances, with up the 5 in the car and parcel out a couple to relatives. Fortunately the last couple of years, my dog-friendly hostess has invited me along with a dog or two, leaving the rest behind with boyfriend at home.

I have yet to kennel my dogs, probably never will. And as far as in the hold flying, some dogs could care less and some become stressed. I'm not so sure how to know in advance either.

Pocket's Story from NH   & blog

Since we have Danes, we always drive when we go anywhere with one or more dogs.  I would be a wreck if I had to ship a dog in cargo - even if I was on the same plane.  I don't know if Pet Airways would make me feel any better or not.  I know that the vast majority of animals who are shipped do just fine - but I know from experience that some aren't so lucky.

Years ago I was a licensed vet tech at a big practice near D/FW Airport, and we had an arrangement with American Airlines to treat any animals that were injured or became ill in transit or during a layover- unless the owner had another preference of course.

The worst one I remember very well - a rather ordinary but nice black cat whose owner was moving from California to Florida, and for some reason she wasn't traveling with the cat - I don't remember that detail.  The cat had a layover or plane change at D/FW, and somehow got out of his carrier!!  They found him pretty quickly,  but the story was that he had become badly injured by a conveyor belt.  I will hand it to the airline, they got him in to us fast and paid for EVERYTHING with no quibbles (as of course they should have).  The poor kitty was in shock and dreadful pain from a serious back injury and at first it looked really grim - but after we got him stabilized and sent him to the neurologist it turned out that he was fixable - they did the surgery then sent him back to us for care until he was stable enough to travel again.  

It was very odd - we talked to his owner on the phone a LOT but never met her.  We kept him for a couple of months, then with a lot of prayers sent him on his way to Florida.  His owner was great - she not only let us know that he arrived OK but a few months later sent us some pictures of him jumping and playing with toys! 

I LOVE happy endings!!  But I still think that if I had to ship one of my pets,  that I would be the one to need the tranquilizer!!

Pet-friendly flights are probably the way to go, though I'm not so sure my cats would appreciate sharing the cabin with dozens of other animals. (Especially the more conversational canines or seriously agitated cats.)

This has been on my mind a lot lately, as up until summer classes foiled my travel plans, I was trying to decide what to do with the boys while I'd be stuck visiting relatives halfway across the country.

I've never flown with a pet, but one of my cats has reached the point where he probably ought to be boarded in a clinic setting while I'm away... and most of the boarding-friendly clinics here won't touch him because they're not staffed 24-7. (Our vet doesn't board.) I really don't want to have to board him at the 24-hour specialty ER. I'm unfamiliar with them, they're 45 minutes out of my way, and (for a lengthy stay) their fees are anything but friendly to members of the underemployed student populace (such as myself). I'm thinking traveling with him may be our best option... but if the airline wanted to charge me $185 to transport him in-cabin, honestly, I'd probably just drive. (Hacking a few days off the impending family reunion might not necessarily be such a bad thing! ;)

Anyone know if Pet Airways would have veterinary staff on board in case of emergencies? I'm guessing no, but that might be a selling point for me. That's probably the only reason I'd consider using them for a small, cabin-friendly pet. (Well, that or a fractious/loud small, cabin-friendly pet.)

I had been wondering about Pet Airways - I guess it beats having to fly pets in cargo, but if I still can't be right there with my pet, I don't really see the point of it.  When I first heard about Pet Airways, I thought that's what they were doing - open the flight to more than the two pets per flight most airlines allow, and let larger pets fly in the cabin.  Too bad they didn't go all the way with the concept.  I suppose they deserve kudos for starting an airline, any airline, in this economy.  I'll be watching how they do because I'm curious - I wouldn't consider it for my pets.

I don't travel much, but when I do, I have a reliable pet sitter come to my house twice a day (I have one cat right now).  I think for most pets, especially cats, that's the least stressful day of being separated from their owners.  I actually think I miss my cat far more than she misses me when I'm gone..... :-)

zandperl...That's another major issue.  Some people ARE seriously allergic to animals.  I can't imagine being trapped on a flight with a ton of flowers, especially some of my worst allergens, lilacs (which can cause my whole airway to almost close up).  Having pet friendly travel would be convenient and wonderful for those who need or wish to fly with their pets and for those who cannot be stuck on an airplane with other folk's animals.  A win-win situation for everyone!

Honestly, driving really isn't so bad. But if you and your pets are not used to long trips and overnights at hotels it can take some getting used to.

Once everyone is in the groove, it can actually be fun, especially if you have good human company. I've done coast to coast a few times and lot's of half-ways plus a ton of drives in the 8-14 hour range with pets. Kids too. It's rarely as bad as it sounds like it would be.

Unless the dog can fly with me in cabin, I prefer to drive, stay home or leave them with friends. ALL of which are stressors, but there's really no perfect solution.

As for PetAirways, I will wait and see. I am not especially comfortable handing off dogs to strangers but if they do it right, it may become a new option.

I personally like the idea of a once a day flight for pet owners or with a "pets" section. i think a savvy  carrier could make a mint and inspire a lot of customer loyalty and goodwill.

I don't travel. I can't take the stress and if I do go someplace, all I do is worry, and bringing along isn't an option. We just moved the whole kit and cabodle 1.5 hrs to a new home. I'm good now for at least 10 years...<LOL> and That trip is a story for my blog someday.

Patty, flying zonked on Xanax can be very handy for those of us who find it incredibly hard to sleep vertically. :)

PS - those are my feelings at the prospect of bringing the cats as "checked luggage." I still don't know what I would decide about taking them in the cabin with me on a truly long flight, but I know I would feel much better about it! And I don't think it's a projection of self-importance to think that they would feel somewhat safer that way too.

For a while (pre-recession), one of the most common reasons that posters on my local craigslist pet board were seeking new homes for their pets was long distance relocation. I never knew how seriously to take that, but Pet Airways could certainly make a cross country move less intimidating.

This is actually the part that worries me most about the prospect of temporarily relocating abroad. Past experience suggests that my cats would be pretty distraught in a long term pet sitting situation, but managed stress seems better than potential trauma, even leaving aside the possibility of danger or disaster.

Dr Khuly, don't stress on the weight limits, most in cabin flights allow the large sherpa bag which can cary up to 22 pounds. Actually it'll accomadate quite a few more pounds and I've never heard of an airline weighing the dog. 

I would tell a story about carrying on a 38 pound, 8 month old bulldog once but that might incriminate me if it were, say, true (she was actually only 37 1/2 pounds, hypothetically!)

You will have to take her out for the x-ray but security cannot care less what she weighs as long as she's not carrying a box cutter.

However she may get wanded or even patted down if you are randomly selected for increased scrutiny.

Only issue I've had in recent years was a snarky flight attendant who wanted me to put my "bag" up above and became nasty when I pointed out it was a dog. But she let it go after I pointed out I'd forked over 185.00 for the joy of shoving her under the seat, thank you very much.

What drives me nuts is the cost to fly with my cat in-cabin.  Most airlines are charging $80-$150 each way AND the pet counts as part of your carry-on baggage allowance, so it's totally free money for them.  But do they afford you any more respect for this free money?  Heck no.  Sometimes they won't even let you board early.  (My cat is talkative while boarding, which draws attention that I'd prefer she not have to get.)

Some might say "What about people with allergies?"  I've flown round-trip with my cat about 7 times, each way requiring two legs, so for a total of about 28 flights, and I've had to move once.

I prefer not to fly with her, but as a student I fly home (>1000 miles away) for 2-3 weeks at a time, and it's difficult to find friends who can take care of her for the entire time.  Kennels are often even more expensive.

I too like the idea of more pet-friendly travel - and for me it's because I have allergies to everything with fur, and I recently sneezed my way through a 6 hour flight and found out upon deplaning that the woman in front of me was carrying a chihuahua in her purse.  Having specificaly pet-friendly flights would mean fewer allergy incidents for me on the normal flights.

I'm one of those who has little desire to travel where my car cannot take me.  I have a 50 lb dog, too large to take on a plane.  I'd love to go back to Ireland, but I want my girl with me.  She'd have a blast.  But no plane will allow her in the cabin with me, and so I do not want to travel right now.  I wish planes were more accomodating.  The idea of offering some pet-friendly travel options would be brilliant and I think airlines might find they'd make some money from such an endeavor.

Glad to hear it re: the tranquilizers. Lots of people have told me that they fly with their small dogs, no problem, because their vets have prescribed tranquilizers. I guess the question is if you *need* to travel with your dog -- as you do with Sophie, because of special circumstances. For your typical vacation, you wouldn't want to worry about whether your pug is going to need oxygen...

Edie: I almost never recommend tranquilizers for fliers. If pressed, I'll flat-out refuse for most. Usually, asking people how they'd feel if they were flying all zonked on Xanax works. Most admit that it doesn't sound too pleasant--never mind the health risks.

Flying at high altitudes with brachycephalics in the cabin (where you can monitor them) isn't too bad as long as they've had their soft palates cut and other concessions. Moreover, it is possible to request oxygen for your pet. It's always on board in the event of an emergency and I can't imagine anyone refusing a canister for a dog or cat in distress. 

Sorry -- that's "case by case" basis, not business.

And I meant to bring up the issue of tranquilizers being contraindicated at high altitudes for dogs -- something I discovered recently. So you can't safely calm a dog who is flying in the hold OR in the cabin on his own. And for bracycephalic dogs like pugs, flying is a bad prospect all around, even without tranquilizers. Add the hassles of getting through security and you've got a high stress situation, under the best of circumstances.

I'm a little dubious about Pet Airways because of the hassle of coordinating your travel with your dog's itinerary. And they have restrictions against certain breeds --  another red flag for me. And some dogs are fearful of being away from their owners in such a strange, stressful situation. Flying alone/flying in an airplane hold -- neither is great.

Another option -- that's not perfect either because of costs and the need to get enough people interested in a destination on a case by case busines -- is a charter company that allows you to travel next to your dog in the cabin: the DogTravel Company (www.dogtravelcompany.net). Until there's a commercial airline that allows people to fly in the cabin next to their pets of all sizes, flying is not a great option.