Hello,
We will be driving our truck down in the fall and flying back with the dog. Our dog has not flown before. I can get a direct flight into san francisco
but that is a 3.5 hr drive home and we will have to get a cars there. Or.... we get on into Reno but it has a 3 hr layover at LAX. Anyone have
experience flying with the dog (not in the cabin) when you have a layover??? We will be leaving the airport in San jose around Nov 18 and I would like
to book early as to guarantee space. We usally fly Alaskan. Thanks for any input.
Gretamtgoat666 - 7-15-2010 at 04:32 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by greta-inbaja
Hello,
We will be driving our truck down in the fall and flying back with the dog. Our dog has not flown before. I can get a direct flight into san francisco
but that is a 3.5 hr drive home and we will have to get a cars there. Or.... we get on into Reno but it has a 3 hr layover at LAX. Anyone have
experience flying with the dog (not in the cabin) when you have a layover??? We will be leaving the airport in San jose around Nov 18 and I would like
to book early as to guarantee space. We usally fly Alaskan. Thanks for any input.
Greta
if you care about your dog, don't take him on plane as checked luggage. if you care only a little about your dog, then fly nonstop. if you don't
care if your dog dies, then fly with a stop and plane change.
any flight with dog in luggage has probaility of dog death much, much higher than probabilitty of you winning lottery.fishabductor - 7-15-2010 at 04:36 PM
I have flown with my dogs many times, and I have never ever had an issue. I have friends that fly there dogs back and forth to baja every year, and I
have never heard of a dog dying.mtgoat666 - 7-15-2010 at 04:52 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by fishabductor
I have flown with my dogs many times, and I have never ever had an issue. I have friends that fly there dogs back and forth to baja every year, and I
have never heard of a dog dying.
my checked bags have been lost or delayed about 1 out of every 10 to 20 flights. if that happens to your dog, your precious puppy will likely be
dead.
just because you have not heard about it, doesn't mean it hasn't happened. the airlines do not advertise their mortality statistics.
if you insist on it,...
don't fly on hot days (or very cold days)
fly only nonstop flights
hope that luggage goes to correct city on the correct plane
get a pet sitter and leave fido homeBajatripper - 7-15-2010 at 06:22 PM
While I was still in the Navy, I had a dog that made the flight from Asia to the US and back three times with no problem. But boy, was she glad to get
the heck out of that cage each time. Some people suggest that you get your vet to give them a sleeping pill to make it less stressful, you might try
that.pacificobob - 7-15-2010 at 06:55 PM
anchorage/los cabos 2x@yr for years, dogs and cat...zero problemsgreta-inbaja - 7-15-2010 at 07:00 PM
thanks for your opinions. My friend had 2 dogs flown from hawaii, 1 died. ( middle aged lab)
But.... I have met many people at the airports with their dogs. Still.... I think I will probably try and figure out how to get a car to the san fran.
area. So.... I value those opinions with experience. Anyone one else... I welcome your 2 cents worth.Mexicorn - 7-15-2010 at 07:34 PM
I fly my dog all the time. I pull on his right ear he turns right. I pull on his left ear he turns left. Pull back on both ears he goes up.......
You get the ideagreta-inbaja - 7-15-2010 at 08:27 PM
of course I get it... I have a big eared german shepherd. She also uses her tail to stabilize things in rough conditionsshari - 7-15-2010 at 08:36 PM
I flew with my dog once and they lost him!!! turns out he flew to Detroit but the next day, they flew him back to toronto and then delivered him to my
door. They took excellent care of him...someone took him out of his crate and walked him and they fed him too...but I sure was stressed when they lost
him.bajaguy - 7-15-2010 at 08:42 PM
Greta
I'm in Carson City......if you need any help on the Reno end, let me knowgreta-inbaja - 7-15-2010 at 08:51 PM
Thanks Bajaguy.RnR - 7-15-2010 at 09:09 PM
I have flown out of Reno with my dogs five or six times. On layovers in LAX and in Denver, I have gone down to baggage claim and retrieved the dog
and his carrier. I have then taken the dog for a walk, watered him, loved him, etc. I have then returned him to baggage at the pre-arranged return
time and on with the second flight. The airlines have been more than accomodating as it relieves them of responsibilty and liability for the layover
period and it is the passenger's responsibility to get the dog back on time.
Coming in from Mexico, the dog will have to be cleared through customs. I would assume that the passenger will have to retrieve the dog just like any
luggage and then clear customs. Just don't re-check the dog until just before the next flight leaves.
Also, Alaska Airlines has one of the most liberal pet policies of all the major airlines. Check it out on their website.capt. mike - 7-16-2010 at 06:23 AM
just buy your dog a seat on the plane if you like it so much.
can't be worse than a kid.
i don't fly much comm'l cause it SUCKS so bad... but if i did i'd rather sit by a dog than a kid.DENNIS - 7-16-2010 at 06:48 AM
Quote:
flying your dog
I considered flying my dog, but I can't seem to get her to flap her arms fast enough.
Sorry. Couldn't help it.Mexicorn - 7-16-2010 at 07:21 AM
To dive or drop in altitude I simply pull the ears forward in a downward direction while repeating the words dive.. dive... dive......
Once my flying dog and I land I always provide the dog with a treat.
I've really had to curb the solo flights around the living room in the afternoons. Damm dog always does it after I've had a couple. I think it just
does it to spite me. karenintx - 7-16-2010 at 08:59 AM
Here is a website with helpful tips for flying with your legged love ones.
One of the suggestions is: "After boarding, ask your flight attendant to notify the pilot that you are flying with your pet." For your own peace of
mind you can do this, however as the wife of a retired airline Captain I know for a fact that he was required to sign-off there is a live animal
aboard. Reason for this...so the switch to keep warm air circulating into the cargo area remains on. This keeps the animal warm.
Each airline has different procedures so check with the one you will be flying with. Not mentioned on the above website is: Try not to fly in the
heat of the day.
I knew the "fly my dog" would get some great responses. The question was serious and to be honest I got some great responses and really appreciated
the humor. Love the photo. Mike, I would buy her a seat but she has about 75 lbs worth of too much dog. My brother offered to fly us done in his plane
but I think he isn't as confident about flying in Mexico since he hasn't mentioned it in a while. He also lives at Lake Tahoe so I think its the
thought of flying to mexico as he already flies in some pretty bumpy air here.
Thanks all, for the dependable laughs and good natured sarcasm.CaboMagic - 7-17-2010 at 09:05 AM
Hola Greta
Beginning in 1993 we flew AlaskaAir in/out of LAX or San Diego (SAN) with our furbabies - they're now all-together in heaven. KareninTex's suggestion
to let the flight attendant know is an excellent one! They'd always let us know that Captain confirmed our pets were on board.
When you arrive at LAX you will go thru immigration/entry and have to show your passport before heading to baggage claim. Your pets crate will be at
baggage claim - there is a separate drop for oversize luggage such as pet crates/kennels, ice chests, golf bags. Then you, your bags, and your pets
will go thru 'inspection' to be allowed entry. Be sure and have a veterinanian in Baja (not sure where you will be) do a Health Certificate. Was
usually, but not always, asked for to enter the USA ... You then to exit the international arrival terminal to go to whichever terminal your next
flight is at - and go thru the check in process again. You will have time, as RnR says, to take care of your pets needs.
Pet meds made them anxious and hyper so we did not use them. Try to limit the amount of food and water you give him/her prior to your flight our of
Baja .. the first few times, our Golden Lab/Chow mix would get ill until she grew accustomed to that form of travel vs car which she loved! .. We put
blankets/towels in the crate for comfort.
Enjoy and hope this helps!
Wish I could figure out how to post photos .. I am shaemfully tech-challenged!
Alaska Air
Loretana - 7-17-2010 at 09:24 AM
My chocolate lab Chazz has flown in and out of Loreto from Portland at least seven times in the last two years.
When you check your dog in, Alaska's counter agents fill out a sticker which has several parts, and when the baggage handlers load the animal's crate,
they give the gate agent a tear off receipt which is then brought to the passenger in the cabin. It says "Relax, I'm on board, too"!
The Captain of the aircraft is also aware that your pet is on board as part of his checklist.
When you return to the US, the dog is unloaded at Customs. You both go through the inspection process, and as you leave the Customs Terminal and exit
there is a "doggy relief" area just a short walk to your left that has a little grassy knoll and a "poop" bag dispenser. You can sit there while the
pup relieves themself.
We have never had a problem. The only thing the Customs/Agricultural inspector was interested in was a bit of dry dog food I had in my hand carry.greta-inbaja - 7-17-2010 at 09:18 PM
thanks for your help, I also read both the article and checked the website link. I guess I should be happy I have a long nosed, relatively mellow dog.
I am happy to hear other people's experiences. If I go for a wk or 2 the dog will stay home. If it is a month or more, she will Probably come with me.
I am happy Alaska seems to have a good reputation regardeng pets.
