People who are nutz or have money to waste will buy a $600 carrier. Probably to put their $10,000 Ashar cat in
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Having a panick attack regarding airline approved carriers!
- Thread starter white cat lover
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note I bought a bergan at walmart for Sylvie he ate it ... I willl weigh my two that ARE Approved supposedly ... I will send them if they will work... PINK IS Fine with me
Was gonna mention that when in WalMart on Saturday I did check out the carriers and they are $15-30 depending on type.
I know my vet would let me bring the furries in to be weighed in their crates for something like this. And he would probably write their weight on letterhead if there was any chance it would help.
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Not going with NWA to fly, will take flights that have layovers instead because those airlines don't have weight restrictions.
When I first adopted Matilda, I used this soft sided carrier:
http://www.petmate.com/Products/Soft...el__21314.aspx
It was plenty big enough for her. She only weighed about 8 lbs at the time but is the same size she is now (just less dense
). I can't imagine a 12lb cat not fitting in it. I bought it at PetSmart for $30-40 IIRC.
Even if the dimensions are too large, remember that it smooshes down.
http://www.petmate.com/Products/Soft...el__21314.aspx
It was plenty big enough for her. She only weighed about 8 lbs at the time but is the same size she is now (just less dense
Even if the dimensions are too large, remember that it smooshes down.
I hope you don't mind, but I have to speak up here. First of all, at 12lbs ea. your cats are going to be extremely cramped in any carrier that has to fit under an airplane seat and they won't be able to move around in the carrier at all which is not good and not safe. They have to be able to move around, even if it is just to change positions.Originally Posted by white cat lover
Wow, not at all freaking out here!
Gotta find 2 carriers to transport PJ & Punky in. NWA says carriers must:
http://www.nwa.com/travel/animals/carryonpets.html
- be 17"L x 12"W x 8"H or smaller
- Leakproof
- Ventilated on at least 2 sides
- carrier + pet must not weigh over 15 lbs
I don't dare go much smaller the boys are 12 lbs 2 oz & 12 lbs 6 oz. Ideally trying to find soft sided carrier as they weigh less considering the boys are a bit on the hefty side. Checked out Petco, Amazon, looking on eBay right now. The sherpa ones they reccomend cost like $100 each!
Ideas on where else to look? Suggestions? Anything is appreciated!(I'm easily freaking out about this whole thing, me on an airplane, my boys leaving me....)
Even if you put them in a soft carrier, they will be seriously squashed under the airplane seat. I travel quite a bit and please believe me, there is not a lot of space under those seats.
I am loathe to suggest flying your babies in cargo, but in this case, since it will be only a 3 hour flight, it might be better. In cargo they will have to be in a hard case carrier, but at least you can put them in a much bigger one that they can move around in.
Check with the airline you are flying with to make certain that their cargo flights are safe for pets. I.E. the cargo area has to be pressurized and temperature controlled.
Your other option would be to drive.
Shanynne
Extreme Kitty Lover
Since there are two of you flying, and sitting together I hope, as soon as the stewardess had done the seatbelt check, someone could be pulling the cats out from the seat and on the floor next to my feet. Not that I would ever do that of suggest it.
Get the seats with more leg room - the first row behind the bulkhead or the one with escape door. Or, if the flight isn't full, the stewardess may let you move to an empty row and put the cat up on the seat - if you ask nicely.
Be sure that when you book you let them know there are two cats - for some reason I was thinking a limit of one on a plane, but that may be old info.
And see if you coud first to get them settled before all of the people come in.
Get the seats with more leg room - the first row behind the bulkhead or the one with escape door. Or, if the flight isn't full, the stewardess may let you move to an empty row and put the cat up on the seat - if you ask nicely.
Be sure that when you book you let them know there are two cats - for some reason I was thinking a limit of one on a plane, but that may be old info.
And see if you coud first to get them settled before all of the people come in.
Originally Posted by Mom of 4
Since there are two of you flying, and sitting together I hope, as soon as the stewardess had done the seatbelt check, someone could be pulling the cats out from the seat and on the floor next to my feet. Not that I would ever do that of suggest it.
only problem w/that idea - no 'under the seat' - the idea is that they're under the seat in front of you!
there was a limit 15 years ago - not sure if there still is. i'm assuming Nat's checked on that.
definitely request 'pre-boarding'!
btw - dollar general down here had soft-sided carriers the other day for about $12-$15 each.
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Not a chance are they going in cargo. I will fly them as carry-on only or not at all. Yes, it will be slightly cramped, but I plan to pull them out from under the seat as soon as no one is looking.
We're flying nonstop 3 hours flight with NWA. Sharky found some carriers that will work perfectly. As for number of pets per flight restriction, looked into that already.
We're flying nonstop 3 hours flight with NWA. Sharky found some carriers that will work perfectly. As for number of pets per flight restriction, looked into that already.
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.Originally Posted by white cat lover
Not a chance are they going in cargo. I will fly them as carry-on only or not at all. Yes, it will be slightly cramped, but I plan to pull them out from under the seat as soon as no one is looking.
We're flying nonstop 3 hours flight with NWA. Sharky found some carriers that will work perfectly. As for number of pets per flight restriction, looked into that already.
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
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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 ...
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
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I am not arguing this point. You can continue if you'd like Shanynne, but it will not get anywhere. You probably dislike me greatly for making this decision, but honestly I don't care. I looked at my options & made the best choice knowing "my" cats.
I don't dislike you one bit
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!
http://www.sturdiproducts.com/4111/xcart/home.php?cat=1
Very very pricey but the choice product for Cat show peeps who travel!
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Adilah - We looked at those carriers soooo many times! They're quite $$ IMO, but looked well worth it. Not sure that those are the ones sharky is sending me, though.
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NO I am sending these...http://www.jbpet.com/Travel-Gear-Back-Pack,714.html in blue.. if those do not work then I will fork out the $$ for the others
