Flying dogs to mainland

[PaulW]

DTisme, you’re leaving Hawaii? I hope all is well.

[Lin W]

I sent my cats ahead to the mainland last December using Island Pet Movers. They handled it all for a reasonable price. I'd recommend them. https://islandpetmovers.com

I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

[randomq]

Why are you guys using "island pet movers" instead of just checking your dogs on the flight you're taking? Is there something special they do?

On the mainland we'd just give our dog "doggy downers" from the vet, and he'd sleep through the flight and the rest of the day.

[Obie]

You didn't mention your destination but there are embargoes to certain cities in the summer.You also need a current health certificate from a Vet for Hawaiian.

http://hawaiianair.custhelp.com/app/answ...TjRzV24%3D

United has even more restrictions and does not accept certain breeds.

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/tra...tsafetable

[likehau]

Alaska Airlines has a pretty reasonable policy regarding travel with pets:

[url]https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-with-pets
[/url]

Small dogs can ride in the cabin for $100 each if the carrier can fit under the seat. "A customer may travel with a maximum of 2 pet carriers in the main cabin, only when the adjacent seat is purchased by the same customer."

[rrlovesbi]

Hopefully you can check if your dogs can stand comfortably in the carriers that can be brought on board and the carrier must fit under the sit in front of you. Read all the fine print from the airlines on this and make your reservations ASAP and make sure you let the airline know that you will be travelling with pets in cabin.

We travelled to LAX from Hilo with our two dogs, 45 and 60 lbs, in June 2015 on United, checked in cargo. We chose the United flight because it was nonstop and the flight was supposed to depart at 8 PM so the dogs would not be subjected to extra heat from the sun. I'v read that problems occur when you have a connecting flight. We had to give the dogs rabies vaccinations and also obtain a health certificate from our vet within 10 days of the flight. We had 4 pieces of large luggage since we were moving and the two large dog carriers. Friends came with us to the Hilo airport to help. Pets must be checked in two hours before the flight and the check in process takes at least 30 minutes. Each kennel also needs to have a water and food bowl attached to the door. We had to remove the dogs from their kennels so the agricultural inspectors could inspect the kennels, (our luggage also had to be placed on the conveyor belt and inspected). We then had to move the kennels and luggage to the last counter where we would check in for the United flight. The United counter staff were very patient and the paperwork to sign seemed endless. The kennels had to weighed with the dogs in them and the total cargo charge was over $800. We then had to remove the dogs again and I believe a TSA inspector inspected the kennels. We placed the dogs back and I think the doors were sealed with zip ties. We were allowed to stay with the dogs for a while before they were taken to a room before they were placed on the airplane. When we boarded the airplane we had to ask one of the baggage staff, who were on the jetway if our dogs had been loaded. The baggage agent assured us that she had actually done this and that they were doing fine. She then came onto the airplane after we were seated to assure us that they were okay. When we landed at LAX you pick up your pets at the Petsafe terminal. You have to take a cab/uber to the Petsafe terminal at LAX. There is no shuttle. Petsafe terminal has free parking in front and an area for pets to relieve themselves.

We returned this past May to Kona from San Diego and travelled on Alaska Air, also a good customer service experience. Paid for direct airport release in Kona which was done in a small office behind the ticket counter with very little room. Paperwork, vet visits, tests, and permit was overwhelming and $$$$. Plan on starting the process at least 60 days before you return. We gave our dogs a natural herbal product called NutriCalm that really did relieve the anxiety for them. You are not supposed to sedate your pets, but our vet told us this was just a mild relaxation aid and not sedation. But don't tell the airline when you check in because they will refuse the pet.

[TomK]

DTisme,

You'll be a sad loss to the community, but a wonderful addition to wherever it is you're moving to. Please stay in touch with us.

Tom

[DTisme]

So much great info! My neighbors took their dogs in the cabin, used collapsible carriers that were taller than under the seat, but they could squish them down to seat height. This was on Alaska. My dogs are 10 and 12 lbs. There are lb limits for under the seat and the bigger dog isn't under the limit, so baggage route is probably best. We don't know when this is happening -- yes, we are leaving island, but house isn't on market yet, just getting my ducks - er, doggies - in a row -- just trying to figure out how we'll do this.

Destination is San Diego airport or LAX.

Thank you all for your kind words. I just can't stay here due to asthma issues (asthma + humidity = bad) and we want to be closer to our son and grandbaby, who are in L.A.

[terracore]

I'm assuming you tested this out already. Hawaii cured my asthma but it flares up in LAX. Even the bad vog doesn't bother me.

[DTisme]

You're lucky, terracore! The bad vog bothers me for sure. I had hints of asthma before we moved here, but once we were here, it got a lot worse. I have to be in a room with AC to be ok. It's more an issue of humidity. It wreaks havoc with me. so I guess what gets you gets you!

I go to L.A. once or twice a year - have had virtually no issues (unless I'm in my daughter-in-law's car, that leaks gas fumes like nobody's business!!) We'll be settling south of L.A., Temecula or Oceanside area, not quite sure where yet. It's a lot drier in Temecula w/very little rainfall.