Flying or driving?

[dinib]

I am undecided. We recently bought a 2nd home in northwest Arkansas and hope to spend ~6 weeks thoughout the year down there. Our hopes would be to fly and take our pups with us since Newark offers a direct flight on Continental. However, since these are regional jets, Continental said we cannot take the dogs with us because they do not pressurize the cargo area on the smaller planes. So now I am faced with using a pet air service to move my dogs while I fly seperately. However, since I am looking at prices for me and the dogs, I am beginning to wonder if I should just bite the bullet and make the 2-day drive (~21 hours). Since AR can be really hot at the end of June, I am worried the airlines will not accept them as cargo because of the heat.

Does anyone have experiences they want to share travelling with pets? I've used transportation services (GSD's from Boston to LA) and checking pets as baggage (Cairns from SF to NJ) for transcontinental moves, but not for going on two week vacation.

[kintra]

I've flown Cairns under my seat several times without an issue. This also eliminates the worry of the heat issue.

[dinib]

Hi Kintra - what is the largest Cairn you have flown? I am afraid Buckley might be too big.

[jodi0553]

dinib -

How big is Buckley? Currey and I moved cross country on Delta. The airlines vary significantly on what size dog they allow, and at 17 lbs, we chose Delta because their max is 20 lbs while a number of other airlines top out at 15 - 17 lbs. The highest I remember seeing was 22 lbs, but I cannot recall who that was. Delta even sells their own airline approved bag but it is just a medium sherpa bag. I took Currey on in a large sherpa bag, which is technically above their specified height, but they allowed it - the most important thing is that it can be squished down for take-off and landing. The crate:dog ratio size requirement is that the animal must be able to turn around standing in the crate - something nearly any cairn under 20 lbs could easily do even in the medium sherpa. Just FYI, I actually bought the delta approved medium sherpa and had it in my luggage just in case they called me on having the large one and then returned it when I got to my destination! Nobody cared at all.

It has been a while since I researched this all, but the airlines are pretty transparent about their carry-on limits, and nobody stopped me to weigh currey or see that he could turn around in his bag.

Here are a couple posts from back in the day regarding this...

Lots of advice from folks on the forum about air travel and a cute pic of dog in a carry-on: http://www.cairnterrier.org/forum/topic/6881-air-travel-revisited/

An amusing tale of how the air travel actually went: http://www.cairnterrier.org/forum/topic/7034-survived-a-flight

[janis]

I was looking at the Southwest flight rules. They do allow pets as long as they are in a carrier and fit under the seat. I assume would be the size listed for "personal item." I don't think Kirby would fit at 22 # and he is a little long for a Cairn. Southwest will not fly a dog as cargo.

[Tuesday]

Having lived in Central AR for close to 20 years, let me tell you, when people say AR is hot, it's HOT! Like you can't describe hot. I'm talking 100 degrees at midnight with a heat index of about 110. I would worry about flying my dogs into that kind of environment. Some may be able to take it, but I just wouldn't risk it - the heat is just too dangerous in a closed environment. This past weekend already had some intense heat, and it just gets hotter from now until the first of October.

NW AR though is very beautiful, and I hope you enjoy what it has to offer. The mountains are beautiful! Our Murphy came from the Ozark's. Really, really great trout fishing!!

[Idaho Cairns]

Given the absolute horror that flying has become, the expense involved, I would drive it. It's a what, a day and a half drive? Considering how much easier driving is on dogs, that's the way I would and will go.

[kintra]

I've flown a variety of Cairns under my seat ranging from 13-20+ pounds. I bought a sherpa from Petsmart and worked for a few weeks before hand to make sure the dogs were comfortable with it. I've personally never had the airline weigh my dog or make sure they could stand up in the bag (mine typically could not stand in the bags) but I have heard of people having problems with that.

[dinib]

Thanks all for the comments. I chickened out and shortened my trip and decided to kennel them instead. I could get the DH to drive with me on the way back. Buckley is 18 lbs. I will have to get a medium sherpa to see if he will fit into it.

Jodi, thanks for reposting your experience. I enjoyed reading it.

Tuesday, I remember those hot days. I lived 4 years in Little Rock - can we say, hot-hot-hot? Fayetteville is a little cooler, but not by much.

[cairnrescueleague]

Cairn Rescue League doesn't ship unless we absolutely have to. I've heard too many horror stories, including some from people who work for airlines.