08-27-2006, 07:48 AM
JinShing,
Yes, getting all of your procedures and papers in order and on time is nerve wracking, as is flying over. But I have to say that when all was said and done, we made it, our cats and bird were in good shape, and everyone along the way was very helpful and considerate.
We flew from San Francisco to Honolulu (you have to enter via HNL for the quarantine check in), to Hilo with Hawaiian Airlines in early March. This was early enough in the year when high temperatures were not an issue. We were more concerned about the possibly delicate mental state of our bird (a Rose-breasted Cockatoo) than our cats, but we didn't have a larger animal like a 50 lb. dog.
Regarding the paperwork and procedures, we read and re-read the quarantine procedures carefully, making sure that we and the vets did our parts correctly. Not all vets are familar with the procedures for Hawaii quarantine, so you have to double check what they do, like providing all of the bits of info that the Hawaii Ag dept. wants. Even if they say they've done it before, be pro-active and check everything yourself. Some people may have done the trip without all of this rechecking, but it sure made us feel better, especially after catching some overlooked things.
We kept our travel plans, the rabies testing, and paperwork timelines charted out on a calendar to make sure that the sequences were correct. We kept each of our animal's paperwork in their own mini-binder (plastic cover with more rigid plastic slip-on spine) to carry with us, with duplicates or originals (depending on what the HI Ag dept. wants) in plastic sleeves taped to the carriers. This is in addition to the paperwork that you have to send ahead. Try to send all of your paperwork at the same time; someone noted that an ag dept. worker suggested this so their dept. doesn't have to be counted on to put the different forms from different mailings together.
As you may have already heard from your vet, don't give your dog tranquilizers for the flight.
Some people have suggested writing your pet's name in large letters on the carrier, so that any staff will likely talk to your friend using its name. It sounds like a good idea.
It may be more important to provide water for your animal than food because I don't know if they get hungry during the anxiousness of travel. Other people may have good suggestions for what to do. You don't want to put food or water in the carrier that will easily spill or become a projectile in case of turbulence. And you shouldn't count on the crew or luggage people having the time or interest in providing food or water.
When flying, if you partake of alcohol, have a drink, get relaxed, but don't overdo it. You want to be able to follow through with the rest of the check through procedure.
After getting to HNL, you will have an opportunity to give your animal sustenance and to change out their carrier liner if soiled.
You should think about giving yourself enough time between your arrival and your connecting flight to pick up your animal at the quarantine station and to bring it to baggage check-in. Some people have breezed through in minutes. It took us around a half hour. It has taken others longer. I think it's better to be prepared for a longer clearance time than to put yourself in the position of possibly missing your connecting flight.
We were so pleasantly surprised at how great and considerate all staff were, from ticketing, to luggage, to TSO, to quarantine dept. I hope your travel goes as smoothly as ours did.
My apologies if this response got a bit far afield from the thread.
Les
Edited by - Les C on 08/27/2006 11:52:30
Edited by - Les C on 08/27/2006 12:06:58
Yes, getting all of your procedures and papers in order and on time is nerve wracking, as is flying over. But I have to say that when all was said and done, we made it, our cats and bird were in good shape, and everyone along the way was very helpful and considerate.
We flew from San Francisco to Honolulu (you have to enter via HNL for the quarantine check in), to Hilo with Hawaiian Airlines in early March. This was early enough in the year when high temperatures were not an issue. We were more concerned about the possibly delicate mental state of our bird (a Rose-breasted Cockatoo) than our cats, but we didn't have a larger animal like a 50 lb. dog.
Regarding the paperwork and procedures, we read and re-read the quarantine procedures carefully, making sure that we and the vets did our parts correctly. Not all vets are familar with the procedures for Hawaii quarantine, so you have to double check what they do, like providing all of the bits of info that the Hawaii Ag dept. wants. Even if they say they've done it before, be pro-active and check everything yourself. Some people may have done the trip without all of this rechecking, but it sure made us feel better, especially after catching some overlooked things.
We kept our travel plans, the rabies testing, and paperwork timelines charted out on a calendar to make sure that the sequences were correct. We kept each of our animal's paperwork in their own mini-binder (plastic cover with more rigid plastic slip-on spine) to carry with us, with duplicates or originals (depending on what the HI Ag dept. wants) in plastic sleeves taped to the carriers. This is in addition to the paperwork that you have to send ahead. Try to send all of your paperwork at the same time; someone noted that an ag dept. worker suggested this so their dept. doesn't have to be counted on to put the different forms from different mailings together.
As you may have already heard from your vet, don't give your dog tranquilizers for the flight.
Some people have suggested writing your pet's name in large letters on the carrier, so that any staff will likely talk to your friend using its name. It sounds like a good idea.
It may be more important to provide water for your animal than food because I don't know if they get hungry during the anxiousness of travel. Other people may have good suggestions for what to do. You don't want to put food or water in the carrier that will easily spill or become a projectile in case of turbulence. And you shouldn't count on the crew or luggage people having the time or interest in providing food or water.
When flying, if you partake of alcohol, have a drink, get relaxed, but don't overdo it. You want to be able to follow through with the rest of the check through procedure.
After getting to HNL, you will have an opportunity to give your animal sustenance and to change out their carrier liner if soiled.
You should think about giving yourself enough time between your arrival and your connecting flight to pick up your animal at the quarantine station and to bring it to baggage check-in. Some people have breezed through in minutes. It took us around a half hour. It has taken others longer. I think it's better to be prepared for a longer clearance time than to put yourself in the position of possibly missing your connecting flight.
We were so pleasantly surprised at how great and considerate all staff were, from ticketing, to luggage, to TSO, to quarantine dept. I hope your travel goes as smoothly as ours did.
My apologies if this response got a bit far afield from the thread.
Les
Edited by - Les C on 08/27/2006 11:52:30
Edited by - Les C on 08/27/2006 12:06:58