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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.
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Not sure but for the size of your dog, and his safety you may want to check out the folding metal dog crates on Amazon.
Community begins with Aloha
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I usually dislike when this advice is given, but please do a search on this topic as it has been discussed ad nauseam.
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Traveling in or out of Hawaii with animals comes with a lot of prep due to restrictions. I hope you have an alternate plan for your dog.
islandgirl
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If you want to be absolutely certain, Alaska Airlines cargo sells pet carriers that they authorize for shipment, at only a 25% markup!
The link posted above by Obie has good explanations, here's an expansion on one of the requirements:
"Most" airline kennels with metal doors are allowed, however be absolutely certain that the two halves of the kennel aren't of the held together with the snap-together-with-plastic hinge variety sold at many chains. They MUST bolt together. When we came here with 7 parrots they allowed us to use the plastic hinge variety after I drilled a bunch of holes and added a lot of nuts and bolts.
Of course all this being said, I'm assuming your dog has already passed through the rabies titre / quarantine requirements. If not, get prepared for one really long and expensive boarding bill.
The last time I flew back from the mainland a guy had a huge "therapy dog", an unkept shedding golden retriever that laid down at his feet (and also the feet of everybody around him). I felt bad for the people in that part of the cabin with dog allergies, or an aversion to the smells of an unkept animal. The agent at the gate almost didn't let him board because of a problem with the dog's paperwork, but eventually the guy found everything he needed in his bag.
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Thanks for the input. Our dogs are all approved for direct release. Their fees have all been paid and their plane fair has been paid. Just waiting now for the flight. Just don't want some glitch over the LATEST CHANGE in description of what is an approved carrier to prevent our departure.
