Flight Attendents Prepare for Takeoff

[Cicero's Mummy]

Hey everyone! I am super fretting over what carrier to buy for airplane travel with my little one!!

Do you have any suggestions?

I don't want to get a small carrier now (she'll be less than 10 lbs on her first trip) and then have to buy a new carrier (i'm a penny picher-sorta) when she becomes full grown. Because well, my hubby just wouldn't stand for it either... the airline carriers we remotely have any intrest in are all $100-$150 dollars.

We don't really care for the Sherpa's (just personal preference, they can collapse!).

I have a few sites I have looked at:

www.petflys.com
www.celltei.com

and there was another one I couldn't think of...

We are headed towards a Petflys (and I know for a fact they are airline approved, and the large can be put on it's side under the seat... but we are having trouble deciding....

Any thoughts, suggestions, or such!?!

Raven

[arasara]

Never seen those before!!

I love the petaflys

How come I can't see where to choose large? I only see it going up to medium.. what am I doing wrong?

[Cicero's Mummy]

The medium is actually the large... it goes from Mini, Small and Medium

I know wierd... right? But the Medium can take up to a 20lb dog.

If you email petflys, Tammy is really great and if she is in town usually gets back to you in about a day or two... Tell her you were refered by me! Bowser was our Chihuahua and we had a pet flys for him, but sadly the lil guy is no longer with us (see page 8 on happy customers).


We loved the petflys we had for Bowsie!

[Cicero's Mummy]

Right now it is between a petflys or a celltei...


We have this Celltei in mind

http://www.celltei.com/celipe.html

Opinions??

[arasara]

Ohh I really really like the second one. Do you know how much your little one will weigh when she's full grown?

Oddly enough I'll be going through this same situation soon. I'm going to be flying from Toronto to Washington State *gasp* and I hope to take Kosmo on the plane with me as long as he can fit in one of those things. My worry is that his legs are too long and he's too tall to stand up comfortably though.

Have you thought about that for your little one?? He's 14lbs now and he's not growing anymore..

[Cicero's Mummy]

My little one should be about 14-16lbs full grown. Given that I maintain a proper diet and such...

They say that the carriers are quite comfy even on the little long leggers... and my experience with most airlines, try to ask or book your seat at the very back of the plane or the very front of coach (right after first class, if you are not sitting in first class) and try to get a window seat. (especially if you are traveling with someone). This gives you a greater chance of appealing to the dog lover of a flight attendant (hopefully) and you can get your little one out after takeoff (but dont forget to put him back (for convience safety and peace of mind) before you land.) Remember to always ask for permission before you get your pup out.

I have always had great flying experiences in the past, and have always been allowed to take Bowsie out provided that he sit quitely in my lap and that the other passenger next to me didn't mind (hope not it was my hubby).

So, good luck in your travels... I think I am going to go with the second bag, it seems more flexable, but not as easily collapsable as a Sherpa (again, sorry if you like sherpa, dont mean to offend, just personal preference).

The petflys are less "bendable" and actually have really no give.

Oh, and if you bring your carrier and for some reason it is not approved, DO NOT PANIC! Delta and a few other airlines sell carriers for dogs up to 20lbs. Don't worry! Your little one will ride in cabin with you! (I read a horror story about a woman having to put her dog in cargo because she didn't open her mouth and ask for an alternative when she was told that her snuggle sac didnt count as a carrier ((duh)) !! oh my!!) You can even rent on some, but I don't recommend that!! And you still have a cute one for everyday/car travel!

[arasara]

hehe since my vacation is not until June then you can be my guinea pig!! How does that sound?

I would love to let Kosmo travel up with me.. Do you know if the second carrier is airline approved?

I got a sherpa in the mail and I had one he!! of a time getting it to stay together so that it didn't collapse on me, so I am with you there. I tried to put Kosmo in it but it completely squished him. I can't use that for a 5 hour flight plus customs or whatever.

I think the laws are now that you can't let your little one out during the flight due to allergies of some people, etc but I would sure love it if I were able to. God knows Kosmo would be one happy little clam snoring on my lap the whole time.

In your experience, how have the pets been on the airplane itself?

[Cicero's Mummy]

Oh, I know you aren't allowed, but flight attendents are on a case-by-case basis... and they will sometimes let you. (i've had a 100% success rate, Bowsie was a cute dog).

I myself have some mild allergies (nothing that frequent baths for pooch and some allerpet-d doesnt take care of) and this woman infront of me on a flight this past Thanksgiving (like 2 weeks ago) asked to take out here Havanese (s?p) and the flight attendent let her... now this dog was a mESS! I so wanted to lecture her on the proper grooming of a long haired dog (it was sooo nasty with mats and such when I petted him!)... I was itchy eyed the whole drive home from the slc airport to my in-laws in Vernal (3 hours).

But, I digress... ask everyone around you and the flight attendant... there are always special cases...

I would be happy to be your guinea pig... I am going to be traveling around March, I will let you know what kind I get and if there is ample room...

There was a bag on LouisDog that I was looking at, but again, was questioning the flight standards (even though it says approved).

http://louisdog.com/detail.php?c_cod...de=16_10000055


Let me know what you think?!

[GusWilson]

http://www.sturdiproducts.com

There are some good bags on this site...

[arasara]

The cavalier in the sutrdy bag looks like it's STUFFED in that bag! They are nice though..

I personally still like the second one - the camo is so stylish!! Any word on whether or not that's airline approved? I have to "follow the guidelines" especially because I'll be travelling internationally.