Having a panick attack regarding airline approved carriers! - Page 2

It's your cats and your decision, but let me assure you that your cats are going to be more just *slightly* cramped, they are going to in pain and unbearably unconfortable. I can't stress that enough.

Second you will have to have one seat for each cat.

Third, you will not be allowed to sit where ever you want. A specific seating area will be designated for you and your cats.

Fourth, you will not be allowed to take them out of the carriers!!! It is NOT an option! Not only that, how will anyone NOT notice you are taking the cats out from under the seat? You could be kicked off the plane! And if the plane is already airborne, you could face disciplinary charges when you land. This is serious! Remember all the bruhaha with Southwest over the girl with the mini skirt???? Airlines don't mess around, there's not getting around their rules!

If you don't want to have them in cargo, and again, normally I would never consider this option, but it is after all only a 3 hour flight, much different than 9 or 10 hours. Your next option for your cats safety and least amount of pain and discomfort is to have them completely sedated for the duration of the trip.

Sedation is the option I like the least because it is never healthy or good to do that to them.

What I suggest, go to your pet store, buy the carrier you plan to put them in, (you will need one for each cat, but just buy one) keep the receipt, so you can get a refund on your carrier later. When you get home put one of your cats in it and see how well he fits in there. When you see with your own eyes how cramped he will be you will change your mind ... I hope! That's how I made my decision to drive and not fly on my last trip. But that trip would have been a 9 hour flight so for my babies that was not an option!

But it's your choice. Please give this some serious thought.

Shanynne
Extreme Kitty Lover

YES I assure you it has BEEN WELL THOUGHT OUT... See one of them has a MEDICAL issue that the VET will not give a HEALTH certificate for him to be flown in CARGO ... I have the carrier s... NOTE THIS has BEEN MONTHS in planning... My 7 month old and my 15 lb dog both fit in the carriers I am mailing...

The airlines ARE NOT specifing where she is sitting only a limit to cabin type ie coach or first class... MANY MANY animals of there size regularly fly.. I just made a trip and saw at least 5 animals in the cabin and 3 of the 5 were bigger than these typical house cats ...

actually, the suggestion that was given was that the carriers be taken out from under the seats... not that the cats be removed from the carriers.

When I investigated the possibility of flying with my cats, and I researched thoroughly, I was informed the carriers would have to remain under the seat the whole time.

Also every airline I checked with clearly stated "the animal has to be able to move comfortably within the carrier".

I'm just trying to express my concerns, but it seems the original poster has already decided.

The only other option left is driving or hiring a company that will drive them. There are such companies out there.

Shanynne
Extreme Kitty Lover

I don't dislike you one bit I was simply trying to help based on the information you shared, particularly concerning the size of your cats and my personal experience (my cats were 10 & 12 lbs at the time & barely could fit in the airplane approved carrier). However, whatever decision you make in the end is in your hands. You gotta do what you gotta do

And yes I guess I can come across strongly sometimes, but that's only because of my love and passion for cats.

Shanynne
Extreme Kitty Lover

I didn't respond earlier because I thought the cats were going by cargo - now that I have re-read, I believe the cats will be travelling in cabin? If so....

http://www.sturdiproducts.com/4111/xcart/home.php?cat=1

Very very pricey but the choice product for Cat show peeps who travel!

NO I am sending these...http://www.jbpet.com/Travel-Gear-Back-Pack,714.html in blue.. if those do not work then I will fork out the $$ for the others

I wanted my new boy to be flown as carry on, but Northwest Airlines stressed to me that he would remain under the seat at all times. I was hoping to have the carrier on my lap, because of the space issue under the seat. I don't see a problem with it, but they wouldn't budge on it.

I personally own the Sturdi show shelters and I can tell you they are amazing! I'm thinking I'll have to pick up at least a couple of those carriers when I get to the US for the Internationals....