Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
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I fly frequently from Vermont to Florida, and would like to take my dog with me. My concerns are: I change planes at JFK and am concerned that there might be a chance that there would be a mix-up and my dog wouldn't change flights with me; and I've heard that the biggest allowable crate-size is an extra-large Vari Kennel or equivalent, and it would be a pretty tight squeeze for my dog. The airline assured me that all would be well (of course) but I'm wondering if anyone else has experience in this area and what that experience has been?
alice oliver Webboard User Reg: 09-14-2005
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i personally have only had good experiences flying my dogs. however, LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES!
JFK is a very busy airport and i too would be concerned about changnig planes through there. personally, i don't think it's a great idea. the airlines say the cargo area the animals are in is temperature controlled and pressurized, but dogs have died of asphyxiation and hypothermia in those cargo holds.
the more you do it, the more the odds are against you.
my suggestion: drive to JFK and then take a non-stop flight with your dog.
alice oliver Webboard User Reg: 09-14-2005
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even better, drive to boston and take a non-stop. i'm assuming that once you are at a major airport, the plane will be larger and you can use a crate that fits the dog comfortably. if the crate is too small for the dog, they will not let him fly.
I travel in my business and, over time, have learned how to minimize the pain of it. What I've learned...never check any baggage I care much about. If I don't want to lose it and it can't be carried on, it doesn't go with me. Period.
So unless it is a life or death situation, I would NEVER put my dog aboard a plane that is NOT a direct flight from Departure Point A (home) to Final Destination.
Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
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Thanks ladies, all good to know. Sounds like my big guy will be staying home. I think the idea of the direct flights makes a lot of sense. I've had great luck with luggage thus far but my dog is a living beastie and it's just not worth taking the chance. Still too much that concerns me I think (asphyxiation? Hypothermia? Yikes!) . Maybe I'll wait until I drive down sometime to take him with me. I've seen a lot of small dogs riding right in the cabin and thought it would be fun to bring my guy too, but he's just not that portable and I know for sure that a large Doberman will not be allowed in the cabin; I think they need to be able to fit under your seat. Does anyone know if some airlines are better than others? I usually fly JetBlue.
Amber Morgan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006
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Quote: kristel smart
Does anyone know if some airlines are better than others? I usually fly JetBlue.
I've used Continental and Delta. They were both *okay.* The truth of the matter is that the people handling your dogs are baggage handlers, not animal handlers (at least in my experience), and they may or may not like animals and they may or may not take the proper care of your dog, no matter what the airline's advertisement says.
Delta decided to let my dog out of the crate because "he was just so cuuuute." Grr. I wasn't happy about that. While I'm glad they liked my dog so much, I didn't like them deciding it was okay to let him loose in a cargo area.
Unless it's absolutely necessary, when I travel with my dog I'll do it in a car!
Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
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Sounds like a plan . We've flown puppies to various parts of the country without incident, but I think in general the baggage-handlers might be a little more careful with cute little puppies. Sounds like for the most part it's not worth the risk to fly my big guy.
Sounds like a plan Sounds like for the most part it's not worth the risk to fly my big guy.
I don't think so either but that's just my personal opinion (paranoia). Call me jaded but I'm sure there are people who would handle your dog who, like Amber said, may not like dogs and may even be prone to teasing a Doberman, Rottie, GSD, that is "locked up" and can't get at them . Who knows what really goes on while they are down there being "looked after" by a string of people who, in the end, probably don't care a hoot about your dog .
Too many very scary unknowns for me to comfortably tolerate.
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Flying with a large dog
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. Maybe I'll wait until I drive down sometime to take him with me. I've seen a lot of small dogs riding right in the cabin and thought it would be fun to bring my guy too, but he's just not that portable and I know for sure that a large Doberman will not be allowed in the cabin; I think they need to be able to fit under your seat.
Does anyone know if some airlines are better than others? I usually fly JetBlue.
. We've flown puppies to various parts of the country without incident, but I think in general the baggage-handlers might be a little more careful with cute little puppies. Sounds like for the most part it's not worth the risk to fly my big guy.
. Who knows what really goes on while they are down there being "looked after" by a string of people who, in the end, probably don't care a hoot about your dog 
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