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Thanks to mjoybrown, I made a call to Continental (1.800.575.3335) regarding transporting animals and spoke with the most pleasant "international" transport coordinator (be sure and ask for international). Hope this info is useful for those flying pets in or out of the VI, particularly those with large dogs.
The large planes are the only ones that take big dogs (500 series crates and above) and only go into San Juan. There are no temperature restrictions other than for snub nose breeds (bulldogs, etc.) After SJU, you're on your own if you have a large dog - Cape Air was wonderful for us last year but due to a different set of circumstances this year, they probably aren't an option for us. Continental also does not fly the big planes into smaller regional airports and you may be on your own there as well; hence DFW for us even though we are going to Arkansas. Animals must be prebooked due to space constraints.
I did not find out how things are handled if you are on an extremely long flight, as ours are on (relatively speaking) shorter, 9 hours or so. No dog may be sedated. American pit bull puppies up to 6 months or 20 lbs. are allowed (whichever comes first), but not after that. Smacks of breed discrimination, but that's a story for another day. If you are connecting via Houston, however, they do have a new state-of-the-art kenneling service for overnights and long layovers.
http://cargo.cocargo.com/cargo/news/?type=news&id=88
The costs are for U.S. to SJU or SJU to the mainland. We are using DFW, but could have chosen Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tulsa, Newark. etc. Seems the fee doesn't change much no matter where you are going. Only if your dog is about 7 lbs. or smaller will it be allowed in the cabin, no dogs as checked baggage. All are considered cargo now, although their holds are heated, cooled and pressurized. If you have a layover, your dog is either kept in a cooled van until the next flight or taken to an area of the terminal which is also temp controlled.
Dogs to 50 lbs - $239
Dogs to 75 lbs - $299
Dogs over 75 lbs - $359
Add 0.23 per pound of dog for a special tax of some sort. Only 3 spots are available per flight. However, once your dog is booked and confirmed, it won't be bumped due to extra baggage, etc.
The ticket for the dog is more than that for the person, which I found amusing!
Continental policies are available at
http://www.continental.com under Travel Information>Traveling with Pets
A recent guest to the forum also mentioned Lauren @ 340-626-1703, who is starting a pet transport service, primarily private charters pretty much anywhere. She has been a wealth of information and talked with Dept. of Ag yesterday - apparently from what she was told, a new rabies shot is NOT required to return a dog to the mainland, only the health certificate within 10 days of departure from a licensed vet. The vet I spoke with on STX has told me if I want rabies prior to departure to let him know about 2 weeks ahead of travel so they can have it shipped in. As far as chartering to the mainland, she lost me when we started talking the equivalent of college educations, but for those who are so inclined she certainly has the connections to put it together.
Now to get that private charter to SJU.....
Posted : August 18, 2006 9:25 am
Oh, Becky. Wouldn't it be easier for you and the "children" to just stay put?! I know you'd miss Russell, but he could visit. See you tomorrow.
Posted : August 18, 2006 10:05 am
First of all, I want visitation rights to Miss Girl. Secondly, Bravo! on updating what is continually a problem for movers. You are going out with glory! Helping right to the end.
Do you know if the ferry will take crated dogs, or the plane that lands on water? (yes, there is a name for that, but it escapes me right now). I'm just thinking of how to get to PR.
I just got the biggest laugh picturing you in a cab with six Rotts. I still think the easiest way is to find a bungalow for you and the dogs here, but that is just one person's opinion and a selfish one at that.
Truly the warmest of regards,
Dan
Posted : August 18, 2006 1:03 pm
Topic starter
Yes, I believe the ferry will take dogs if they are accompanied by a passenger...but with my ratio, I'm not sure they would be too impressed. I do not know if the ferry is running STX to SJU...am thinking STX to STT to SJU, but don't know. Once I get there, then what? The cabs won't exactly line up for me, I don't think! Pet friendly hotels are just that - "pet", as in singular...not zoo.
The seaplane can possibly take one at a time based on the availability of space. You may get to wait through several flights if they are packed. Cape Air can also take one at a time based on space. The last one that came in Cape Air last year was too big to go in the baggage area and had to fly in the cabin, and the passenger accompanying her had to wait through 3 flights to get her on...at any rate, she arrived, and I can't say enough good things about our experience with them. All that being said, somehow I think Homeland Security would probably frown on a doggy passenger with the recent events. That means 6 round trips, boarding, etc. Logistical nightmare.
Thank you both for the invite to stay - however, Russ doesn't/can't/won't cook and I can't be responsible for him passing on from a nutritional deficit because I chose to lay in the sand....although burying my head there at this time appears to be an excellent option.
Posted : August 18, 2006 1:21 pm
Hi and greetings all;
I have been a resident of STX since just after Hugo, in that time I have travel to from the island with pets (golden retrievers and cats) more time than I wish to count! As you all know retrievers are large dogs and require the max crate. With over 300,000 air miles in the past year between STX and various airports in the USA, I have always used American Airlines since they have direct large container shipping on all thier MIA bound flights, from there you can go anywhere in the world. Eagle also can fly pets, but as you all can guess...reservations are necessary.
My tree retrievers have flown many thousands of miles in their crates, no problems, but always check the temperatures and make the reservations.
I have noticed that planes that go via Puerto Rico do leave pets on the tar-mack while waiting to transfer between airlines or airplanes, while in Miami, if there is a delay, the pets are in the airconditioned transfer building of AA. Not that I'm partial to AA, it just seems as though they treat the dogs better, and if it cost a few dollars more, then they deserve it.
Besides, AA will meet or match any ticket if purchased via the AA.com web site. Price for price, which does make them better.
This was my two cents for moving pets to and from the island...I should have gotten the dogs their own frequent flier numbers!!! They have almost enough miles in the past couple of years for a free ticket!
Posted : August 18, 2006 1:53 pm
Capt. Pete,
Were you able to fly with all the dogs and cats at the same time? We have two labs so they are obviously too big to be in the cabin and we have three cats. Would we be allowed two animals per person, that is, one dog in his crate and one cat in the cabin? That would only leave us with having to bring one of the cats down separately. Thanks for the info.
Posted : August 19, 2006 12:56 pm
Another option for flying pets is a private air charter. It's a small plane, it may not fly fast, it may not have a very long range, there may be no bathroom on board, and it may be expensive, but it flies on your schedule, and may be the only option for people with lots of pets or other issues which the big airlines won't handle. They are frequently asked to fly pets, so they will know the ins and outs. Check the yellow pages under Aircraft Charter.
Posted : August 21, 2006 6:13 pm
Topic starter
Thanks, Bob - I'm looking for a charter now, will let you know what I come up with. Apparently if we can get our dogs to SJU it's good from there. Anyone with any recommendations, please feel free to speak up!
Posted : August 21, 2006 6:17 pm
I have a large golden retreiver and I use American which will fly us right into STT. I think Delta does too. Contentential is more difficult - good luck - let us know how it goes!
Posted : August 22, 2006 2:00 pm
