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Major Airline Cargo Hold |
Years ago, people who
wanted to fly with their pets had to put them in a travel safe crate and then
stick them in the cargo hold of the plane.
Would you want to travel that way?
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Cargo Hold For Pets In Crates |
If you think flying is stressful,
just imagine how the experience must impact an innocent, unknowing dog or cat
when packed away in the cargo hold of a commercial jet. Air travel, in fact, is
not just stressful for animals. It can be dangerous, no matter how smooth the
landing, timely the departure or friendly the flight attendants. Conditions in
the cargo hold of commercial jets are not always friendly; temperatures can
fluctuate wildly, noise can be tremendous and air pressure can drop
significantly, and pets that are checked into this dark space beneath the
passenger cabin sometimes die. In 2011, thirty-five pets died while (or shortly
before or after) traveling on commercial flights with U.S. airline companies. Nine animals were injured and two lost entirely. And in 2012, 29 pets died, 26
were injured and one was lost. These numbers should be considered in context;
the U.S. Department of Transportation says that two million animals travel
on commercial flights each year.
In other words, just that an airline accepts your animal as checked baggage
does not mean that conditions will be comfortable or safe for an animal checked
as baggage. Unforeseen hazards can arise once a plane is loaded and prepped for
takeoff. On airplanes that have been delayed after leaving the terminal and
parked on the blazing tarmac, temperatures can escalate dangerously. Pets have
also died due to low temperatures.
The Department of
Transportation (DOT) has rules (14 CFR part 382) that require
airlines to allow passengers to fly with their service animals in the cabin on
all U.S. airlines. Service animals are not pets. They are working animals that
assist persons with disabilities. There is no limit to the number of service
animals that can be on any flight. Service animals do not need any health
certificates to travel and they do not need to be confined in a container or
cage.
What are the FAA rules regarding
traveling with pets in the passenger cabin?
The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) allows each airline to decide if they will allow
you to travel with your pet in the passenger cabin. If an airline does allow
you to bring your pet into the cabin, we consider your pet container to be
carry-on baggage and you must follow all carry-on baggage rules (14 CFR
part 121, section 121.589):
- Your pet container must be small enough to fit underneath
the seat without blocking any person's path to the main aisle of the airplane.
- Your pet container must be stowed properly before the last
passenger entry door to the airplane is closed in order for the airplane to
leave the gate.
- Your pet container must remain properly stowed the entire
time the airplane is moving on the airport surface, and for take-off and
landing.
- You must follow flight attendant instructions regarding the
proper stowage of your pet container.
What kind of general procedures do most airlines have in place?
If an airline allows you to
travel with your pet in the cabin, you must follow all FAA regulations. Usually, most airlines have additional policies and procedures for you to
follow to make sure that the flight is comfortable for all passengers on the
airplane. These additional procedures may include:
- A limited list of the types of pets that you can bring into
the cabin
- A limit on the number of pets in the cabin
- A limit on the number of pets that may accompany you on the
airplane
- A requirement that your pet be harmless, inoffensive and
odorless
- A requirement that your pet remain in the container for the
entire flight
- A requirement that you be able to produce a recently issued
health certificate for your pet
- Where can I go to get more information about traveling with
pets in the passenger cabin?
You can get more information about traveling with your pet from the following:
- Department of Transportation
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- National Center for Infectious Diseases
- AC 121-36: Management of Passengers who may be Sensitive to
Allergens
At a preferred expert travel
agent, knowing my clients who have pets and being a pet owner myself, it is not
only important to keep a list of all the airline’s pet travel policies to make
sure that clients are fully aware of these issues when traveling with their
pets but to keep clients informed. That’s
the difference between your travel agent and online agencies!
Remember, there are
many other ways of traveling besides airlines.
There is the auto train, car, buses, and boat/cruise, amongst many
others. Make sure you contact us or your
travel agent for more details on pet travel so that your pet stays safe!
Do you
have pictures of your pets traveling with you?
Please share your pictures and experiences with us! We would love to hear all about it!