Travel with Pets - Flying with a large Sherpa bag on UA?

I came out to California to pick up my baby boy..he is 8" long and 8.9 pounds but a little tall. ( Pom-Chi mix ) He is comfortable in it when it squishes down, too.

I am flying on United Airlines. I know the large sherpa bag is a tad larger than their requirements by about 1"-2" all around but will this be a problem? Of course, it's soft-sided and squishes quite a bit. The only hard part is the bottom, but I'm considering getting a simular hard material of a smaller size put in?

And yes, his reservations are made, health certificate is cleared and in hand and he's ready to go.

I'm also flying out of a very, very small airport. Will this make the process easier? Would I be more likely to push by with the larger size or should I bit ehte bullet and squeeze my poor guy in something a little tight?

I've been trying to get him back for 8 months and I'm so ready to go home. Please help me out, it would be much appreciated!

He should be able to fit in a medium bag without a problem. My Pom was about 13 lbs and much longer than 8"... and he fit in a medium-sized (no-name) bag without any problems; we flew with him every year. I'd say you should try to put him in a medium and see if he's OK. I don't really know if the large will fit or not.

I second the motion for the medium sized bag. My Cavalier is 12 pounds and doesn't have an issue fitting comfortably into it. Don't forget that most of the time the dog is lying down inside of it. @:-)

The local pets stores only had smalls and larges :/ I leave in 11 days and don't know if that's enough time to order one in. I'm so afraid he'll be rejected that morning of the flight.

Oh never mind, they just got one in tonight!! Going to go exchange the bags. Thanks so much guys, little Todd is coming with me (:

Sherpa bags are great! I used one to bring my pom rescue sweetie home back in 2000. She has sadly since passed on.

But the bag is very easy to handle and quite sturdy. My long, "big-boned" tuxedo cat fits in it quite well.

Best of luck!

We've flown with a large Sherpa Deluxe bag on several UA aircraft and there can be a problem with the rigid bottom board not fitting in the floor area under the seat, especially at the window. We replace the bottom board with one from a Medium bag and the bag fits better (yes, we have lots of Sherpa bags in all sizes, many with chewed side panels and zippers.)

It's easier carrying a Medium bag but the Large can fit.