Conference misery::feline

    I've heard a lot of horror stories about airplane travel with cats,
    when the cat has to go in the baggage compartment.  Things like
    unpressurized compartments, unheated ones, animals left exposed on
    runways in freezing/very hot weather during plane changes, etc.
    suffocation if adjacent baggage cuts off the air.  And, at least in the
    past, airlines were reassuring about conditions when they shouldn't
    have been.  I'll never forget the local news pictures of two little
    boys crying their eyes out because their perfectly healthy dog had
    arrived dead.
                              
    The best thing to do is to make arrangements to take the cat in the
    passenger compartment with the owner.  Reservations to do this have to
    be made in advance, because some airlines only allow one animal per
    trip in the passenger section, etc.  Make sure the carrying case will
    fit under the plane seat, and that the case is securely fastened
    together so there's no possibility of bolts rattling loose, etc.
    

call ahead to the airlines - they will usually only allow 1 pet onboard per
flight and first-come-first-served....you must reserve space for the pet.
YOu must use an airline-approved carrier, and you must fit it under the
seat.  I would recommend traveling on a red-eye...if the plane is not full,
the stewards/stewardesses will sometimes allow you to put the cat on the
seat next to you...I flew Northwestern (I'm pretty sure) and had not problem
carrying a kitten to Mass. for Jo Cordes-Brown...however, I had a terrible
time actually giving UP the kitten when I got to Mass.   8^}

If the choice is kenneling the cat or putting it in baggage, I would seriously
consider kenneling.  If you are moving, there is no choice, but the flight
will be a very traumatic experience for the animal...while pets can be flown
in baggage now - they are heated and pressurized in airlines that will carry
pets since the trauma of people losing their pets has forced the issue...it
is terrifying for cats and dogs.  I wouldn't ship an animal that way unless
it was unavoidable.  Also, airlines that carry animals in baggage will not
carry in the coldest or the hotest months of the year - waiting on the 
runway for pickup can be health-threatening in these months.

    
    I fly United and on my last trip back I had one cat in the cabin
    and one cat in the hold (they have limitations as to how many animals
    can be in there also).  The people were great.  I watched them as they
    checked the screws on Callie's carrier and they replaced one that was 
    missing.  They gave us a new water dish and off she went to be loaded
    onto the plane.  Bailey's carrier did not fit under the seat on the
    trip back (different plane) so the flight attendents took him on take
    off and landing and tucked him away in a safe place.  In San Francisco 
    I found Callie sitting atop a counter under the watchful eye of the baggage
    person.  He then offered to watch both of them while I got my luggage.
    
    FLIP SIDE
    
    On her trip from Florida to Massachusetts via US Air the breeder saw
    her carrier, as he put it, "thrown into the plane".  At Logan she was
    the last "baggage" out and the top of her carrier was crushed in.  We
    brought this to their attention and we told that "something must have
    fallen on it."  grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
    
    
    

    I need some help.  I know this topic has been discussed elsewhere
    in here, but I am at home and searching the files at this baud rate
    is painful!!!
    
    I just got off the phone with my daughter.  She is living in Colorado
    and is in a housing pickle.  She feels that her 2 cats are making
    the situation even more difficult.  So she is wanting to send them
    home.  I don't have a problem with that but I really don't even
    know where to begin.  I hate the thought of them going on a plane
    if there is any chance of their not making it here safely.  Also,
    will the airlines ship them without someone flying with them?
    Would we be better off finding them housing in Colorado?
    
    I just don't know what to do.  I love these 2 little kitties.  For
    those of you who follow, and remember, I am speaking of Esmarelda and
    the infamous Madison (who just showed up after 4 days away from
    home!!!)
    
    What do we do?????
    

ship by plane - call airlines and get the right data, ship on a no-stop, or
at the very least, one-stop, no change planes flight.  Northwestern airline
was good for me.  It is the safest and best way to do it.

    Someone in here knows about a courier service that does this that they
    recommended highly -- speak up, whoever you are....
    

    re: .0
    
    Is the trip for a short vacation or a relocation.  If the trip is a
    vacation, getting a pet sitter would be a better option.  Also, most
    trains will not allow pets.  We tried this option for traveling to
    Portland, OR and were told that Amtrak just doesn't "do" pets.
    
    Jo

    My mother is a postmaster in Arizona and she mailed (via overnight)
    a duck to Oklahoma.  The duck came through in fine shape.
    
    Dondi

    Ooooh!  I can just see one of those "Priority Mail" type envelopes with
    a duck's beak sticking out the end and the look of surprise on the
    postmaster's face when the package makes a large quacking sound.  :^)
    
    I know, your mother most likely sent him in the appropriate type of
    shipping container, etc, etc.... but my first vision after reading your
    reply was of a duck in an envelope.  Coffee please!  {is it still
    early?}  :^)

    Re.: .8
    
    I have shipped cariers via UPS but I never thought about putting a cat
    in one!!! :'D :'D
    
    Your note gave me a chuckle that was much needed this morning.
    
    Jo