Page created Apr. '03, upd: 02 April 2003 -
Toby's and Mickey's - Traveling With Dogs
4. At the airports - Checkin/Departure and Arrival
=====================================
Upon check-in and boarding:
Check-in:
When you check your dog in for the flight: Tell the airline
check-in personnel and animal handlers that as soon as possible after
the plane has landed at the destination airport and reached the
arrival gate, you want your dog to be unloaded and taken directly
inside the terminal building. You don't want your dog to have to wait
in the cargo compartment until all the baggage and cargo has been
unloaded!
If it is posssible, try to make arrangements for that when you check
your dog in for the flight.
Boarding the plane:
When you board the plane(*) , ask the flight attendant to tell the
pilot that your dog is on board and that he should not drop pressure,
or let the heat or a/c go off, in the cargo compartment at any time
during the flight. The flight attendant may say they already know
that, but be nice and ask if he/she would please just double check
with the pilot and get back to you. - tell them you're so very
concerned about your dog and can't relax until you get assurances of
your dog's safety.
(* ) It is a good idea to also hand the flight attendant a copy of
your dog's sticker/document to
be given to the pilot. - (That's a copy of the one you taped on top
of the crate. You can see a sample sticker/document at http://www.hushpuppy.org/cratetag.htm#sticker-doc
)
Remember: air (cabin)pressure *must* be maintained at all
times in cargo compartments containing live animals! A drop in air
pressure can be very dangerous for animals. & Heating or Air
Conditioning should be maintained at all times in cargo compartments
containing live animals!
The pilot needs to know that your dog is on board and he should
maintain air pressure in the caqrgo compartment, and keep the climate
control system (heating or airconditioning) in the cargo compartment
*ON* when on the takeoff or landing runways as well as during the
flight. Sometimes when the traffic is heavy the plane may have to sit
waiting on the runway. If the pilot turns off the engines then the
heating or airco will go off,. If that should happen your dog would
suffer from either the cold or the heat.
Before landing or prior to de-boarding,
ask the flight crew what they (or you) can do to ensure that your dog
is unloaded and taken directly to the terminal as soon as possible
after the plane has landed and is at the arrival gate.
Upon Arrival:
Once you get to baggage claim in the terminal: Get after the airline
to have the animal/baggage handlers unload your dog and bring him/her
directly into the terminal. Don't let them make your dog wait in the
cargo compartment until they've finished unloading baggage!
...(Hopefully,, you were able to arrange for that with the airline
check-in personnel and animal handlers at your departure airport when
you checked your dog in for the flight, and also asked the flight
crew about that prior to de-boarding.)
**Regarding arrival in a foreign country**:
Your dog will be landing at a foreign airport, a strange place, with
strange things, strange smells, and people speaking a language he may
not understand. He/she will not want to be parted from you once you
rejoin each other upon arrival - your dog will be thrilled to see you
and will want and need the security of being with you.
Leaving the airport at your final destination:
When you have picked up your dog and your baggage, your dog will need
to 'go out' to relieve himself (a.s.a.p.!) after being confined in
the crate during the trip. Have your supply of paper towels and
plastic bags handy to clean up after your dog. Be aware that your dog
might not be able to 'hold it' and might relieve himself inside the
airport before you can get him outdoors!
For goodness sake, be very careful - dogs can be lightning-fast
escape artists when their crates are opened at airports! Keep total
control of your dog at all times inside and outside of the airport.
Outdoors: only let your leashed dog out in a safe, secure grassy area
at airport.
... Next ==>> 5. Canine Travel Tips and Advice From Experienced Breeders
=====================================================
back to the Traveling with Dogs
page http://www.hushpuppy.org/travel.htm
... hushpuppy AT compuserve DOT com -that's where you can send
questions or comments about this site...
Toby's & Mickey's homepage
http://www.hushpuppy.org/