HELP!! Questions on flying sheepies to Germany
what size crate?? I'm thinking the XL. It's 27w x 40L x 30h. the airline says the fee is based on the 'weight concept' or the "piece concept'. I've pretty much figured out we are the weight concept, but it goes on to say that the price is based on the current rate per kilo per regular excesss baggage charge. Can't they just say... for this size it's this price, for this size it's this other price??? Has anyone flown from the us to germany and can offer any tips or must know advice before I go?? I'm fretting about it, and I probably shouldn't. I KNOW we are not the first one to ever fly with a pet but it's such a long flight. ~I'm going nuts.  |
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| Hi Bekki, When choosing a shipping crate make sure it is approved for airline cargo shipping. Also, make sure the kennel has "Live Animal" and "This Side up" stickers on the top and on each side. On the top of the crate have a sheet of paper with indelible ink that has the dog's call name, your telephone numbers both in the USA and Germany, the flight number the dog is supposed to be on, the date of travel and your name. You should also put emergency feeding instructions and any other useful information. I then use clear packing tape and cover the whole sheet with tape so it can't come off or get damaged if it gets wet. From the USA the "piece concept" applies if they are accompanying you on the same flight , but overweight and excess baggage charges can apply and this can be expensive! On an international flight the charges will probably be north of $350.00 per dog. The other thing I strongly recommend is tie-wrapping the door on the kennel to the side of the kennel, once the dog is inside for the duration. If the airline staff needs to open the kennel they can just cut the tie-wrap. I work in the airline industry and one time had the door open by accident and the dog shoot out. Stopped all airport operations for almost an hour while we hunted for the dog. Not a happy evening for anyone! Get extra long tie-wraps so they fit on a large kennel. Leave extra, extra time to go through security with the dogs and kennels if they are going as accompanied baggage. You will have to take the dogs out of their kennels to go through security. They will then x-ray the kennels. Depending on the airport you many have to go to a special area to do this. Make sure you tell the airline you are planning to fly with pets as accompanied baggage when you make your reservations. Must carriers limit the number of live animals they will carry on a flight, even as baggage. One snag that can occur is if the aircraft is carrying human remains, no live animals can be carried on the same flight. This is one of the reasons it is important to let the airline know you will be traveling with pets as accompanied baggage. Be aware that not all airlines will carry live animals. Last, but not least, when you board the aircraft ask the cabin crew to let the pilot know you are traveling with pets below and have them confirm the dogs have been loaded on board. This will probably happen toward the end of the boarding process. If no one comes to tell you they are on board, be proactive and the cabin crew to please check on this. The end of boarding is very hectic for the boarding staff, especially on a long haul international flight, so make sure you get a confirmation they are on board. Most crews are very accommodating about this. On the other end when you arrive let the ground staff know that traveled with dogs in the belly. You will probably have to go to a special area to pick them up and then go through customs and immigration. Of course, make sure you have all of the proper health paper and other documentation the country requires. I work in the airline industry and have traveled around the world with my pets with never any problems. My favorite saying is "proper planning prevents poor performance". Please let me know if you have any other questions. Kathie P.S. Sorry for such a long post. |
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