Pets to Hawaii

[onrway]

Does anyone know the latest on the proper carrier to transport a medium dog via Alaska air luggage? We purchased a nice carrier. Then I learned that it had to have a metal door. The existing plastic door worked very well so I attached a metal grid over it. The cargo dept at Alaska said that should be ok. I have now learned that supposedly all of the vents have to be covered by metal bars or similar sturdy material. The cargo guy said he did not know anything about that.
Does anyone actually know the requirements? I sure don't want to get to the airport at 5am and find out poor Guido can't make the trip.
Mahalo for any information.