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Boxers => Boxer Discussions & Pictures => : Boxerbuddies September 10, 2005, 07:55:48 PM

: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: Boxerbuddies September 10, 2005, 07:55:48 PM
I might have my new puppy shiped to my by plane and want to make sure that it is save.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: shangrila September 10, 2005, 08:09:15 PM
I do not believe that it is safe to fly animals. The only condition I would ever consider flying a dog in would be if they were small enough to ride in a carrier under my seat and the airline allowed them to travel with me under the seat (some airlines do allow this).

I would never let my dog on an airline that flew them as cargo. Cargo holds are not temperature controlled, recieve no oxygen during the flight, and are not monitored by crew. A frightening number of pets are injured or killed during flights.

If you want to read a proffesional article about pets on flights, go to http://www.sfspca.org/advocacy/pdf/pdf_airplanes/final_report.pdf It is a long read, but even skimming the beggining will shock you.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: Boxerbuddies September 10, 2005, 08:16:43 PM
the airline they are useing has them in with the people but in the back and in carriers.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: newflvr September 10, 2005, 08:55:05 PM
Maybe you could just double check....I brought Chester home to L.A. from San Antonio on American Airlines.   The weight limit is 20 pounds and Chester was a bit over 18 pounds.  He was in my lap almost the entire way.  I would just worry if he was out of my sight. 
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: Boxerbuddies September 10, 2005, 09:01:35 PM
well the big thing is he will be flying to me. And they will only use one airline that they trust. but if i ca go get him i would. but sence i can't i wanted to make sure that he will be save be himself.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: newflvr September 10, 2005, 09:07:30 PM
Okay!!  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, 'k?  Let us all know that he's here, safe and sound and send pics!!!!  I miss puppy breath!
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: DixieSugarBear September 10, 2005, 09:15:34 PM
How long in the flight.  If you can get a direct flight it is much better, it may have to be a red-eye flight due to the heat.  Both Sugar Bear and Dixie were flown in on Delta.  I had the breeder put a sign on the top of the crate with their name, my name, and a note saying they were babies making there first flight to their new home.  I even has some of the flight crew tell me how cute Sugar Bear was. 

Lisa

well the big thing is he will be flying to me. And they will only use one airline that they trust. but if i ca go get him i would. but sence i can't i wanted to make sure that he will be save be himself.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: ZooCrew September 10, 2005, 09:50:19 PM
Gunther flew in to me via flight.  He also was flown regular flight with people.  He had a bunch of info sent with him, including emergency numbers in case there was a problem.  He was lucky enough that there was a weim puppy on the same flight so he wasn't so lonely.

I would also try to get a direct flight if possible.  I found out after he was on his way out that he had multiple connecting flights.  I wasn't too happy about it, but it was a last minute decision to fly him out that day, so I didn't have alot of notice.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: RedyreRottweilers September 11, 2005, 08:02:48 AM
I do not believe that it is safe to fly animals. The only condition I would ever consider flying a dog in would be if they were small enough to ride in a carrier under my seat and the airline allowed them to travel with me under the seat (some airlines do allow this).

I would never let my dog on an airline that flew them as cargo. Cargo holds are not temperature controlled, recieve no oxygen during the flight, and are not monitored by crew. A frightening number of pets are injured or killed during flights.

If you want to read a proffesional article about pets on flights, go to http://www.sfspca.org/advocacy/pdf/pdf_airplanes/final_report.pdf It is a long read, but even skimming the beggining will shock you.

As a former Flight Attendant, and having flown NUMEROUS dogs by air over the years, I have to disagree with you on several important points.

1) the Cargo area is ABSOLUTELY climate controlled. It gets the same air you do in the passenger compartment. The ENTIRE aircraft is pressurized for comfort and safety at altitutude. The cabin floor will not maintiain pressurization . ALL cargo bins are DEFINITELY climate controlled. The ONLY exception is in a pressurization emergency in certain aircraft. The rear cargo bin on certain aircraft is called the "dead dog bin" because IF there is an emergency loss of pressure, that bin will NOT be climate controlled. Animals are not placed for shipment in these cargo bins.

2) the real enemy when shipping dogs are hidden health issues (heart or breathing issues), and heat. Dogs who are crate trained and comfortable in their crates, who are not shipped in hot weather, generally ship just fine. I do not ship dogs when the outside air temp is going to be above 75 degrees on either end of the flight. Heat kills dogs during shipping before or after takeoff and landing, when the cargo area is NOT cooled adequately.

I also take special care in making sure crates do not open during shipping. I am generally shipping large dogs, so I put cargo straps around the crate, so it looks like a package with ribbon on it. These keep the crate from accidentally ( or purposefully ) opening.

I put a BIG SIGN on the top of the crate that says something like:

My name is ********. This is my first flight, and I might be scared. (I put this even if the dog has flown before). Please speak kindly to me, and handle my crate gently. I am heat sensitive, and I appreciate being in the shade. Please do not put my crate on any conveyer belts.

I have shipped at least 10 times and never had any issue, but I'm careful.

If your breeder is also careful, and if the pup is used to a crate, you should have no issues.

I would caution that it is ALWAYS dangerous to ship short faced breeds such as bulldogs, pugs, bostons etc, and these dogs should fly inside the cabin with their owners.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: GYPSY JAZMINE September 11, 2005, 09:36:29 AM
I have seen too many cases of animals getting out of their crates & getting lost at the airport...I have even seen where the pet owners were not allowed to look for their pet...Unless my pet was right with me at all times my personal feeling is no way!
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: RedyreRottweilers September 11, 2005, 09:42:00 AM

That is one reason why I strap my crates really securely.

I do not rely on the bolts to keep a sky kennel together.

You have a whole other set of issues if you have a Rottweiler escape during shipping.

They do not take apart cargo bands to get inside a crate. ;)

The sign on the top really helps too. I have observed ramp personell smiling and talking to every dog I've ever shipped, because they know the dog's name.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: GYPSY JAZMINE September 11, 2005, 09:46:58 AM

That is one reason why I strap my crates really securely.

I do not rely on the bolts to keep a sky kennel together.

You have a whole other set of issues if you have a Rottweiler escape during shipping.

They do not take apart cargo bands to get inside a crate. ;)

The sign on the top really helps too. I have observed ramp personell smiling and talking to every dog I've ever shipped, because they know the dog's name.
Excellent advise Red!...The cargo straps serve double duty then really! ;D
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: Boxerbuddies September 11, 2005, 01:40:20 PM
Thank you all. For the info. I will take everyone reply in consideration. Thank you so much.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: Hedda Garland September 11, 2005, 04:55:30 PM
 :)
Hi,
just wanted to say that I traveled with my dog in cabin when I picked him up at the breeder's house and recently had him travel in cargo. The advice you got from people so far was really good and if you want to do more research you can check on a government website where airlines now have to publish accidents with pets.
www.airconsume r.ost.dot.gov/reports/
I would like  to know at this time which airline is recommendable. My dog is crate trained and not sensitive to noise and did well with his recent flight. It's just me, I was deeply disappointed by Northwest Airlines about the prices they gave me on the phone and the difference in charge later. Beside me I learned that some other people of my dog club had the same false pricing experience. Just for this reason I would not recommend NWA.
The lady who worked as flight attendent, which airline did you work for?
Hedda
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: RedyreRottweilers September 11, 2005, 05:00:19 PM

I worked for Piedmont Airlines, a southeast regional carrier that became Nationwide and International before it was bought by UseLess I mean U @ss, I mean sorry, oops, USAirways.

I quit shortly after the merger. I just could not stand to stay around and watch them ruin my company.

They are almost done running it into the ground (no pun intended) now, 15 years later.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: Hedda Garland September 11, 2005, 05:05:34 PM
thanks,
I guess the one deserves useless like the other one worthless. Is there one that you tend to use in particular that you would recommend?
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: RedyreRottweilers September 11, 2005, 05:09:58 PM

I have to admit, I've not flown a dog since before 9/11, so I would have no way to recommend. I know several airlines have eliminated cargo shipping of dogs altogether.

I wish I had more help for you....
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: Boxerbuddies September 11, 2005, 05:18:21 PM
Will the breeder has shiped over 50 pups and they will not use anyone but cotinital airline. Sorry for the spelling I cannot spell to save my life. And I guess this was a good question to ask.
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: gerry September 11, 2005, 05:35:11 PM
My two older mastiffs were both shipped in from South Africa and they arrived safe and healthy.  I personally would not do it again because of the 2 day flight they were on.  KLM was the carrier.  First day they went to Amsterdam.  They are taken off the plane and they following day from Amsterdam to the US. 

They were both happy little puppies coming out of that crate.  Can't balme them. 
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: nickerbokker September 11, 2005, 05:44:50 PM
my airline story......

i bought angus on december 11th, 2004.  he was 5 weeks.  cody was 3 years.  my family hadn't seeen cody in over a year and a half, since i moved here....and my mom didn't even know i bought angus (cuz i didn't want to hear her yell lmao).

4 weeks before christmas, i decided i was taking off two weeks of work (only having to take off a total of 4 days), and go home and see my momma and family.  i book a flight for myself and cody on american.  then, i go and buy a puppy one night cuz i wanted one, yes, bad and good choice.  i called them, and they said i could bring angus upfront with me for an additional 80 bucks.  we book it.  all in all, the flight for myself and the two dogs, was 500 each way.  i show up at the airport christmas morning at 4 am to catch my 7 oclock flight to fly to st louis and surprise my whole family.....i take 30 minutes to check in, fill out papers, make sure they know everything about cody and know hes nice and to talk to him and love him.....then we walk around the airport a little to stretch his legs and show off his pretty christmas bow....then i take it off, he gets in the crate....and i said ARE YOU SURE HE WILL GET ON THE PLANE?  yes.  ARE YOU SURE.  yes.  the temp was questionable, but they said he would make it. 

me and 3 pound angus take a trip through the airport, walking and getting lotsa attention...th en we find our little B24, and we get a seat and play in it for like 2 hours.  we board, i ask the flight attendants if my dog is on, they say yes....me and angus find our cramped little seat, i take him out of the carrier, we play and he falls asleep for the rest of the flight.  lol. 

i get to the st louis airport, get off and go to get my bags.  my aunt, uncle, and two cousins pick me up and see me for the first time in over a year, were SOOO happy.  they see the puppy and are SOOOO happy.  the kids take him out and are playing with him while we wait for cody to come out.  he doesn't come, he doesn't come...we ask and they say he's on the way.  FINALLY someone listened to me and went to check it.....

ma'am, he didn't make the flight.  WHAT! i'm sorry, he didn't make the flight!  I WAS TOLD HE WAS ON IT!  sorry ma'am, he isn't here.  WELL WHERE IS HE!  we do not know.  WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU DONT KNOW.....YOU HAVE THOSE SCANNER THINGS ON HIS CRATE, FIND HIM.  im sorry ma'am, we can't track those.....ther e is nothing we can do.  WHAT THE F ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!  FIND MY DOG!  the only thing you can do is go home and when we find him, we will put him on the first plane here, and then have him driven to your home tonight. 

lot more was said, but finally a crying, swollen nicki left the airport with only a puppy in tow. 

we spend christmas day (what was supposed to be a great surprise), crying because they lost my dog, and i can only imagine the fear he feels, IF he is OK. 

finally, 11 oclock at night, they call and say he is there.  and that the shuttle cant drive him to our house, so we drive there which takes an hour, and in the parking lot i see him, jump out of the moving vehicle, and run to him.  the kid let me take him out and hug him without a word, which kinda threw me. 

we fought, and after the girl told us we should be happy our planes landed on the ground, they sent us on their way without a promise they would be more careful next time. 

needless to say, two weeks later, the last thing i wanted to do was get on a plane...but we had to. 

i would never fly a dog again, unless he was in first class with me.  i fly coach by the way.

sorry lol.  and p.s.  i know this didn't help....im just sharing my nightmare
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: newflvr September 11, 2005, 05:52:29 PM
WHAT a HORROR story >:(!  It's lucky anybody lived after you got through with them.  "Lost my dog?"  "Wanna lose your life?"  Sheesh!  AWFUL! 

Nikkers, you do have some stories!!!

fmil
: Re: to fly or not to fly that is the question
: shangrila September 11, 2005, 06:46:30 PM
What a horrible story Nicki! This is what I am talking about - airlines can not be trusted with pets. I would have screamed my way all the way up the corporate ladder if that had happened to me.  >:(