Flying Large Dogs

[HADave]

Does anyone have any experience with fying large dogs, in excess of 80 lbs and up too 120lbs.

The wife seems to be having problems finding a carrier. Airline reps seem only concerned in taking people reservations and give out no more info than read their website.

Our concern is price and care for the animals.

It seems that Nothwest Airlines is the most pet friendly and has the least restrictions but they don't seem to fly into Hawaii.

We are planning to drive cross country so we can ship our vehicle and make the plane ride a short as possible for the girls. They are ready for the immediate release program. and have all the required gear. We so hope to bring them both but are prepared to leave one or both behind if necc.

I'm glad they can't read as they know something is up but can't quite put a paw on it. : )

Any help sure would be welcomed.

just so you know who we are talking about their forum alias's are

Lucy Retardo
Bertha Merst


Aloha HADave & PeggyAnn

S.China / Kurtistown

[mella l]

Ayut, well are we talking carriers as in crate for animals or are we talking carrier as in an airline?

For pet carriers/crates, the rules as I understand them, the animal must be able stand up and turn around. So the animal crate needs to be large enough to allow this movement. AS our animals are smaller, I do not know what the weight limits are in the largest crates, but will google it and see what I can find.

For airline carriers, I know that animals fly as additional freight, like extra baggage and fly $ per pound for additional fare.

Each airline has different rules for the charge of additional baggage. Also each airline has different rules, ie time of day, time of year, number of pets per flight.

So if you are flying out of San Diego, you would need to check which flights go to Honolulu as all animals, at this time must fly thru Honolulu quarantine.

You however could fly direct to Hilo, have a
Jackie and Winston Kupau, 808-488-3854 meet the Hilo flight, and transfer your animals onto the Hilo leg of the flight. This is highly recommended as just finding the Quarantine Department at the airport takes on military proportions. The Kapau's are well versed in getting to the airport, picking up the animals at quarantine for their final health check, and getting them onto their connecting flight.

Need an additional language lesson here on Mainerisms, not a quick study here Mr. Wintah.

I Love Rucy, and one day hope to meet MZ. Retardo and Madam Ethel!

All our best to you and Mz. PeggyAnn.

mella l

[Robin C]

We used United when we came over with our dog and cat. My dog is only 60 lbs so didn't have a size issue. United's web site indicates that prices go up for an XL crate (to $200). I would call their cargo phone line (1-800-UA-CARGO). You may be more likely to get a domestic phone bank rather than being patched through to Bangalor or somewhere similarly unhelpful.

Looking on Northwest's site (nwa.com) it looks like they fly to Honolulu from both LAX and SFO. Not sure if either of these are options for you.

They have a nifty chart showing crate size, animal weight and cost: http://www.nwa.com/travel/animals/aircraftpets.html
The weight may include the weight of the crate.

Best of luck.

Robin

[mella l]

http://www.petmate.com/Catalog.plx?CID=8

This site for Giant Vari Kennels, animal carriers/crates.

mella l

[hooligal]

I've been looking into this too. A new rule went into effect on August 1 (?) for 'neighboor island release'. If you have all of the required shots/paperwork/etc, you can fly into *KONA* with your pet. You don't have to diddle with Honolulu quarantine & the extra hassle of 'large pet cargo' from HNL to the Big Island. With the new rules, your pet has to go to the ONE vet in Kona authorized for quarantine. Your pet has a maximum stay of 5 days with the vet. You have to make an appt with the vet and pay for their stay. The checklist for neighboor island release is here:http://www.hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/Checklist%20for%20%20Kona,%20Kahului%20-%20Lihue%20Airports%2005%2007.pdf

I think it's pretty similar to the HNL direct release list, except you have to pre-arrange with the Kona vet & fill out a few extra forms.

I think United was the best for allowing a large kennel as luggage *and* they fly into Kona.

If that doesn't work for you, the couple I live with used a dog travel-broker in HNL to bring their dogs over 2 years ago. The broker handled all the muss with HNL quarantine & got the dogs on a cargo flight to Hilo. Let me know if you need the broker's contact info.

Good luck & keep us posted. Hopefully you won't have to leave the babies on the mainland

Erin

[Genxor]

Our German Shepard came over on American Airlines from the East Coast and we experienced no issues.

Dogs that size fly through Cargo only. They are delivered to the Cargo office. Also , depending on the circumstances, the pet only flys out of specific airports, may have a layover , but overall the airline chooses the quickest route. The owner may or may not be on the same plane as the pet.

I will second Mellas recommendation of Jackie and Winston. They are the greatest individuals you will ever come across.

[JerryCarr]

I know that Delta and some of the other major airlines have seasonal/temperature restrictions on transporting pets. Due to health risks and the resulting liability issues, they won't do it when the temp is above a certain cut-off. I am not sure exactly where the cut-off is (seems like mid-80's?,) but the rule effectively precludes transporting pets by air in the South much of the year. You might need to research this as part of your planning.

Cheers,
Jerry

[Carolann R]

I think the flying dog in Neverending Story is FALCOR. (So sorry - couldn't resist.)

Carrie

"All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it." Bob Newhart

[HADave]

Mz Mella so sorry meant the airline/carrier we have the appropriate vari kennel you speak of 2 giant plus 1 xtra large just in case we have to leave Akela aka Big Dog, Bertha Murts, due to size and weight retrictions, she tips the scales at 120lb plus crate 170. Her pyshcotic(sp) canine sister Akua aka Lucy Retardo is substantially lighter at only 80 lbs and she has the choice of crates xtra large or giant if allowed. They will be happy to meet you as well.... Thanks for your input :p

Robin Thanks for your reply and the correction with Northwest I guess I misunderstood Mumzy about there flights. We will definately be checking there more closely.

No matter which way we go it seems tricky dogs here vehicle there Us thumbing from that point I guess hahaha.

Hooligal, how sweet is that a direct to Kona we will definately be checking this out hope to find direct release works there as well.?

Genxor Kua is also a GSD and when we first started searching for airlines we were hoping for American but big sister being a Great Pyr american would only take her AAcargo which put her ticket up near 1500.00 Love her dearly but! Thanks for input and seconding Mella's referral of Winston and Jackie.

Jerry we are hoping to miss that hoop regarding temp issues we were thinking, again a really dangerous deal for us by the way being distantly related to Murphy and all..... We might hope for a red eye out of Cal. on northwest now!! really excited about that.

Carolann, luv a good funny thanks for ringing in here. I've said before and I believe everyone coming to punaweb realizes sooner than later what a really great forum it is Ayuh.
Thanks all

HADave & PeggyAnn

S. China / Kurtistown

The Girls

www.caninestepsisters.shutterfly.com





Edited by - HADave on 09/25/2007 14:52:51

[Robin C]

One other thing that comes to mind...
If you will be getting a rental car to get to your new home on this end, get a minivan. We got a Jeep SUV thinking it would be plenty big. The dog carrier wouldn't fit in the back. Since pup Bandit's paws were not allowed to touch airport property we took his crate apart with him in it and had him jump into the Jeep when the top came off. Disassembled crate had to be crammed into the backseat with the (now empty) cat crate and luggage.

Thanks for the pics of your pups, Dave.
Very cute.

Robin