Dog's Pre-Move Vet Checkup and Docum

Yes, that's it. Actually, I've flown in and out several times over the past 23 years with pets to STX. Some have flown cargo, some on board with me (no, I don't do "service pet" crap)!
On board was $200/one way in cabine under seat in front of you. If doesn't fit, then must go either checked (which Delta no longer allows) or under seat. Delta only allows pets on board or cargo now. And no pet can fly commercial in cargo or checked during summer months.
As many times I've flown with my pets, I've yet to have anyone, to my knowledge or in front of me, check my pet's traveling papers.

I work at the airport and have flown with my pets and I have never seen anyone checking papers. But........I say get all the paperwork in order you don't not want to be "that one time" they do check.

Rosesisland, why did you pay $200? As long as the dog is able to fit in its approved airplane kennel under the seat in front of you, it’s treated just like a bookbag or any other item you would fit under there, plus you’re still allowed one additional item in the overhead bin. Am I missing something?

Yes, every airline here now charges a pet fee, even if you are carrying the animal on board. You also have to make a pet reservation with the airline ahead of time.

Are you certain Maggie will fit under the seat? They usually restrict flying with snub-nosed breeds in cargo during the summer because the heat makes it dangerous for them. So if she doesn't fit, you may have to wait to travel with her.

Wolverine, that's what it cost in January flying back to STX. Yea, things have changed over the years I've flown with pets. Delta used to allow pets in cargo...they do NOT any longer.

Your veterinarian will know the proper paperwork to provide.
The paperwork I have for Hershey is called:
United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination For Small Animals doc.

It will list recent her vaccinations especially the rabies and dates they expire.

Fly business class if you can.
Bigger seats, more space for you both.

Check with vet and then check her out with Benadryl prior to flying with her on it. You don't want a in flight bad reaction.

Happy Trails!

i also had to pay for my pet to travel under the seat

Rosesisland, why did you pay $200? As long as the dog is able to fit in its approved airplane kennel under the seat in front of you, it’s treated just like a bookbag or any other item you would fit under there, plus you’re still allowed one additional item in the overhead bin. Am I missing something?

On American in-cabin is $125 each way. And it reduces the carry on bag allowed, can only take one along with the animals bag.
So sometimes the dog costs more than the passenger.

We have always had to pay to carry on our pets each way. I think it is $125 each way on American. They are also considered your carry on so you are restricted to one personal item. We have had our pets papers checked several times so make sure you have them. Sometimes they don't check and sometimes they do.

Tammy

But at what point did you pay? When purchasing my ticket months ago, I wasn’t asked if I was bringing a pet on board, again the pet is treated like carry on as long as she fits in the approved carrier under the seat in front of the paid passenger.

You should probably get on the phone with your airline right away and see what you need to do to make the reservation for Maggie and how to pay for her 'ticket'. Some of the airlines have restrictions on how many pets they will allow in cabin. Looks like American is $125 each way. Jet Blue $100 each way. Delta $200 each way (they allow 2 in first class, 2 in business, and 4 in the main cabin) There are also weight restrictions which are for pet plus carrier total weight. I think American is 20lb limit for pet plus carrier. Not sure about the others. Good thing you asked Wolverine!!

Wolverine, just what airline are talking about?

Delta and AA now charge to bring pets on board and the pet in it's carrier count as ONE carry on, but, you pay at the airport their fee for that pet in the carrier.

Or are you talking about a "service pet"?

You pay at the airport and you must check in at the counter even if you already have a boarding pass. You can get a confirmation number for your pet if you call the airlines but you still need to get to the airport early because they only allow a limited number of pets. Your pet can be bumped off the plane if they reach their limit before you get there.

Tammy

quote=Wolverine888]
But at what point did you pay? When purchasing my ticket months ago, I wasn’t asked if I was bringing a pet on board, again the pet is treated like carry on as long as she fits in the approved carrier under the seat in front of the paid passenger.

When you purchase the ticket you need to let them know you need one for your pet

You advise airline that you will be traveling with a pet when you make your reservation. They do not accept reservations for the pet so it can get bounced, last minute, if their quota of pets on board is full. Very nerve wracking but luckily, I haven't had this happen.

You pay at the ticket counter after you fill out the paperwork and show the health certificate doc. Information on the health document is necessary to fill out paperwork for airlines.
You retain the health certificate.

When you go to TSA, they require you to remove animal from carrier to check it and the dog for contraband. Keep leash on dog until you put back in kennel when they're finished with their inspection.
Have 4 zip ties for securing the 4 corners of the carrier.

Check the airline website to be sure you have the correct sized carrier.

Hershey has to fly cargo and the cost is $200 each way. You can call airline to check on cost of in cabin transport for you pet. $125 sounds about right.

I have always flown on American Airlines when traveling with Hershey.
This was her 3rd trip.

If anyone has to transport a larger dog in cargo I recommend calling the airline, directly, to make your reservation. Let them know you'll be traveling with a pet in cargo to make sure that all of your flights are on a BOEING aircraft as they do not accept any pets in cargo on AIRBUS aircraft.

There are weight, breed and temperature restrictions that you should be aware of so look those up on airline website. Also kennel and carrier dimensions are listed.

You may very well not be able to fly your pet on commercial airlines during certain times of the year depending on temps on the tarmac the day of your departure.
Plan accordingly.

But at what point did you pay? When purchasing my ticket months ago, I wasn’t asked if I was bringing a pet on board, again the pet is treated like carry on as long as she fits in the approved carrier under the seat in front of the paid passenger.

Everyone else has covered this, but to be absolutely clear: No one is ever going to ask when you book your ticket whether you are bringing a pet. It is your responsibility to let them know. Some airlines let you reserve in advance for a pet and others no longer do; if not, you just have to show up really early to make sure you get on. Then you pay at check-in.

Pets are definitely not interchangeable with carry-on bags, it’s just that they count as one carry-on, so you can carry on only one other bag in addition to Maggie. There is always a fee, and you need to make certain she will fit under the seat and can stand up comfortably in her carrier. If she can’t, you would have to put her in cargo, and they don’t allow that during the summer for snub-nose breeds because it can be fatal to them.

Thanks everyone, and I stand corrected, I have since talked to American Airlines over the phone and secured a pet confirmation number, also purchased a seat near the front of the main cabin with extra leg room, although her Sherpa air kennel is within the max allowable size restrictions. There is no way to zip tie it’s door, like there would be with one of those larger metal crates, it simply has a zipper on the door that goes all the way around when it’s closed.

You won't need zip-ties for a soft-sided carrier; that's just for hard-sided carriers. Required only for animals in cargo.

Oh, and for anyone that ever has to put their animal on board as cargo: bring nail clippers. It is the only thing you're allowed to carry on a plane that will cut the zip ties so your animal can get out of their crate when they arrive. The cargo folks may or may not have a tool they can lend you to cut the ties; don't count on it.

Thx fdr for clarifying

"Oh, and for anyone that ever has to put their animal on board as cargo: bring nail clippers. It is the only thing you're allowed to carry on a plane that will cut the zip ties so your animal can get out of their crate when they arrive."

Good suggestion.
I've always had them snip the zip ties on destination arrival.

I've always had them snip the zip ties on destination arrival.

The last time I had to deal with this, no one working at the cargo place had so much as a pocket knife available!

Hershey has been deposited by the airline office upon arrival stateside thus far. They've snipped the zip ties for me but your idea of carrying small nail clippers is an excellent one. I wasn't aware they allowed you to do so. Thanks.