Oh My (cost of traveling with pet)!
I was all excited yesterday because I was calling Alaska Airlines to plan my travel arrangements for my big boy, Jasper. I give the woman on the phone the dimensions of the kennel and the weight of the kennel + Jasper. She plugged in all the information and quickly dashed my excitement. To fly Jasper from Chicago to Alaska it would cost me $750!!!! I could buy Nearly three one way tickets for that price. The woman on the phone was really nice though and gave me an alternative to think about. She said that if someone was going to be visiting, they could fly with Jasper and it would cost :::drum roll please::: $100! That's a huge difference! Luckily for me, my parents will be visiting us for Thanksgiving. I'm a little disappointed that I have to wait until November, but I know Jasper is a happy boy where he's at right now (Sammy - the cat - not so happy). So now I just have to be patient. |
|
|
I'm surprised it would only cost 100 dollars!! It cost that to travel with my maltese under my seat, so you would think it would cost a lot more in cargo?? Heck, now that we have to pay for luggage ...I'm even more shocked but happy for you.  I've never heard of it costing so little for such a big dog.
I flew from there almost a year ago all the way to TX, and this was what I got. http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=20864 |
| I was a bit surprised too and asked the woman if she forgot to type something in. She said if the kennel does not weigh more than 150lbs, its catorgized as oversized luggage, so you pay the $100 fee.
When I flew Luna up here as a puppy, her flight arrangements costed $350 (traveling Alone). So I'm quite happy with the $100. |
| Most airlines have specific temperature restrictions for flying pets in cargo, but it seems that Alaska Air's is a little ambiguous.
http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/help/f ... h-Pets.asp Quote: Extreme hot and cold temperatures can pose a health risk to pets. In summer, choose early morning or late evening flights. In winter, choose mid-day flights. Whenever possible, book nonstop or direct flights. If temperatures at the origin, destination, or connecting airports exceed certain limits, Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air may decline acceptance for the animal's welfare.
Just so you don't get caught off-guard. Excellent that you can do it for $100! |
Alaska Airlines is on top of the pet thing a lot more than several airlines. They stopped all pet flying for a few weeks, because it was so hot in Seattle. But there is always a consern when ever you put a pet in a big box and give it someone. I too am surprised by the cost. Although I do know that Alaska charges a gret deal more for a pet to travel in the cabin with you, and it can go to the belly if a passenger complains before take off. Now if that could happen to people with ill behaved children. I am not talking babies, although a crying baby can be deafing, I am taking about the kid that is kicking you seat. When you ask it to stop the parent tell you that the kid is bored.  |
| ^^
I agree. I had a good experience with Alaska airlines too. Actually when I called the airlines, several also went by the travel any time policy. From my own quote in the link I posted about my airline experiene Quote: If you can get Alaska Airlines, they don't have a limit on the number of pets that can travel in baggage unlike most airlines. It's temp controlled and they fly year round. It's 100 dollars per kennel no matter if it's small or XL which is a huge price difference than continental. They give you a ticket once your dog boards the plane to let you know your dog is on the plane with you. They are never left on the plane for more than 5 minutes once it lands. Don't board until 5 min before take off.
Delta flat out sucks. They don't fly past 75-85 degrees but make exceptions if you get the vets approval. What the hell does that mean? I'd hate for my vet to make my exception for extreme temps when it's "normally" not allowed. I believe they quoted me 100 a kennel as well with very rude customer service. Still upset. We just traveled with Continental, and it was the WORST experience ever. People who also flew under any temp, and left my dog in the rain for over an hour, AND left him in an airplane not turned on for over an hour. Something MOST pet owners would have never known they did b/c they weren't able to see the plane during the delay. We were so pissed we demanded them to take our dog out completely and give the dog to us, and we had to rent a car to drive the rest of the way despite ALREADY having a ticket for the rest of the way. We didn't want our dog in the rain or in an airplane not turned on when it was AUGUST in TEXAS. ...and fwiw, we ran into a few other passengers pissed off their tiny puppies were soak and wet for hours in the rain. |
| whrn my 2 new be;s were flown here... west coast to east I think it was $700 per dog.!!!!! I could check but it was up there. |
| I would definitely call back and make sure you get those same numbers again. That sounds crazy cheap. |
Quote: We just traveled with Continental, and it was the WORST experience ever. People who also flew under any temp, and left my dog in the rain for over an hour, AND left him in an airplane not turned on for over an hour. Something MOST pet owners would have never known they did b/c they weren't able to see the plane during the delay. We were so pissed we demanded them to take our dog out completely and give the dog to us, and we had to rent a car to drive the rest of the way despite ALREADY having a ticket for the rest of the way. We didn't want our dog in the rain or in an airplane not turned on when it was AUGUST in TEXAS. ...and fwiw, we ran into a few other passengers pissed off their tiny puppies were soak and wet for hours in the rain.
My family has been in the airline biz for decades. I have to tell you, there is just NO WAY I would ever put my pet in cargo - no matter what. Good for you that you took action. You may have saved your dog's life. |
| I typically do not ship a dog BUT, my little Finner came in
on Continental and I know they handled it wonderfully! I was there when the little bubbers got off the plane and they brought him straight to the cargo building! Of course they may have just been in a hurry to get the barky boy gone! 
There was also a Border Collie on the same plane and I said Hello as they took him inside! I think we paid 300 for his flight! Totally worth it! Raleigh is a pretty small airport considering so, it was pretty hands on! I need the sappy emoticon...I melted seeing my lil Punkin! |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|