dmj64
03-16-2007, 09:10 PM
It was an ordeal, but I got my lovies and me from Hawaii to Texas. The first blow was that American Airlines won't allow birds in cabin to or from hawaii and they must be sent as cargo. I had an in-cabin carrier and it was unacceptable for cargo because it had a mesh gate on top, so I had to buy a new kennel type carrier. I had a very small travel cage that fit inside the carrier, so they had perches and food/water dishes, both of which are required. Also required is putting covering of some sort over the windows & openings of the carrier. I used sticky gauze. (I also put some velcro on the underside of the little cage so it wouldn't slide around). Then, because of the timing, they had to go on a later flight. That was the hardest thing, to get on a plane and leave my lovies behind :( . Fortunately my boss was kind enough to take care of them for me. This was better because it was a direct flight (my flight was not) and I was able to be waiting for them when they got there. They were fine and happy when I picked them up the next morning :)
Lessons Learned: If you must fly with your lovies, look for an airline that will allow them in cabin. ATA was the only one that I could find that would allow them, but of course Hawaii is a unique travel situation.
Next, if you must transport your buddies as cargo, visit the airline's cargo terminal beforehand and the personnel there will brief you on how to prepare their carrier. I did this, and then went back again to show them the carrier to make sure I prepared it properly.
Another thing is the temperature restrictions: If the forecast temp at any stopping point along their route is not between 45 and 85 degrees, they are not flying and they will have to be rescheduled. For places like Chicago in the winter, the airlines will "embargo" animal cargo altogether.
One good thing I discovered was that the guys at the cargo terminal really did care for the well being of the animals that they handle.
It was stressful, but my lovies are safe in their new home.
Lessons Learned: If you must fly with your lovies, look for an airline that will allow them in cabin. ATA was the only one that I could find that would allow them, but of course Hawaii is a unique travel situation.
Next, if you must transport your buddies as cargo, visit the airline's cargo terminal beforehand and the personnel there will brief you on how to prepare their carrier. I did this, and then went back again to show them the carrier to make sure I prepared it properly.
Another thing is the temperature restrictions: If the forecast temp at any stopping point along their route is not between 45 and 85 degrees, they are not flying and they will have to be rescheduled. For places like Chicago in the winter, the airlines will "embargo" animal cargo altogether.
One good thing I discovered was that the guys at the cargo terminal really did care for the well being of the animals that they handle.
It was stressful, but my lovies are safe in their new home.