Traveling with Pets on UA (In-Cabin or Cargo -- not ESA) {Archive}
#241
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Tit, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,120
Just experienced traveling with our dog for the first time and it was surprisingly a breeze. We just adopted a pet 2 weeks ago and had a pre-planned weekend trip to LA from Florida. Couldn't cancel the trip and didn't want to leave our dog (Shih Tau, 11 pounds) with friends and or a doggie hotel (he was just abandoned) so we decided to take him with us.
Bought a dog carrier (I won't get into the service animal lie game), practiced with him for a few days before the flight so he wouldn't feel scared or anxious, paid the $125 fee and took him with us in F on the 5 hour flight. He didn't make a noise, he sat and slept in his carrier the entire flight, no barking and no whining. He had a blast in LA and spent the entire flight home sleeping in his carrier.
Bought a dog carrier (I won't get into the service animal lie game), practiced with him for a few days before the flight so he wouldn't feel scared or anxious, paid the $125 fee and took him with us in F on the 5 hour flight. He didn't make a noise, he sat and slept in his carrier the entire flight, no barking and no whining. He had a blast in LA and spent the entire flight home sleeping in his carrier.
#242
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,576
#243
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
Most of the stories in here are about dogs in the cabin, what about in the hold? I have a ~20lb corgi who will have to fly with me in a year or two when I eventually move back to the states - poor girl will have to endure a 10 hour flight - and in the hold because at 20lbs she's too big for the cabin.
Anybody have any experience with this?
Anybody have any experience with this?
#244
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,213
And this is the risk of "emotional support" animals on planes:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news...cid=spartanntp
http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news...cid=spartanntp
#245
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 24 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,745
One bad apple doesn't represent all.
But this will make for great negativity from people who have a preconceived point of view on the subject.
But this will make for great negativity from people who have a preconceived point of view on the subject.
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 19,392
True. But try taking a box cutter in your carry-on bag next flight.
If something similar happens to me on a plane, I can guarantee that the dog owner will not have to worry about the dog being "put down" later. I promise to put any dog that deigns to bite me out of his/her misery on the spot.
Originally Posted by The Article
Another passenger told Fox 5 that the crew saw the dog's owner crying after the incident fearing that the dog would be put down as a result.
#248
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,208
True. But try taking a box cutter in your carry-on bag next flight.
If something similar happens to me on a plane, I can guarantee that the dog owner will not have to worry about the dog being "put down" later. I promise to put any dog that deigns to bite me out of his/her misery on the spot.
If something similar happens to me on a plane, I can guarantee that the dog owner will not have to worry about the dog being "put down" later. I promise to put any dog that deigns to bite me out of his/her misery on the spot.
#249
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,773
Most of the stories in here are about dogs in the cabin, what about in the hold? I have a ~20lb corgi who will have to fly with me in a year or two when I eventually move back to the states - poor girl will have to endure a 10 hour flight - and in the hold because at 20lbs she's too big for the cabin.
Anybody have any experience with this?
Anybody have any experience with this?
#250
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
And this is the risk of "emotional support" animals on planes:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news...cid=spartanntp
http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news...cid=spartanntp
I would hope that whoever certified this animal as an "emotional support animal" gets the pants sued off them. Maybe this will put out of business the outfits that will "certify any animal for $49.95! But wait...there's more!"
#251
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental OnePass Platinum
Posts: 416
Most of the stories in here are about dogs in the cabin, what about in the hold? I have a ~20lb corgi who will have to fly with me in a year or two when I eventually move back to the states - poor girl will have to endure a 10 hour flight - and in the hold because at 20lbs she's too big for the cabin.
Anybody have any experience with this?
Anybody have any experience with this?
There are all sorts of stories and opinions regarding United's PetSafe (and Continental's PetSafe before that). Some people will insist that even the shortest flight is cruel and dangerous for the animal and should be avoided at all costs. Few are open to changing their opinions regarding the cruelty, as most people already have strongly-held beliefs on this (I don't feel it is more stressful than being taken to a vet and left overnight for observation, which is plenty stressful, but not IMO cruel). As far as PetSafe, I have flown two different cats this way half a dozen times and have always been very impressed with the program. I think United does a great job. There have been some worrying incidents reported, but I have always been happy.
(Caveat: sounds like you will be flying internationally. This may be very different.)
#252
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 389
In-cabin pet carrier as additional item?
At the end of this week, Mrs Lancelot and I are flying to Europe with two in-cabin pets. Every discussion I've seen online suggests that a pet carrier counts as one of your two pieces (i.e., a bag plus personal item). But United's website says:
It would help enormously to be able to have one additional carry-on, but I don't want to get stuck at TSA or someplace.
I'd note, if it matters, that we've paid for the seat between us as an "extra seat," though the United's website claims we don't get extra carry-on.
(Sorry if this is dealt with elsewhere. I find lots of discussion of how it's one of our items but I couldn't find anything addressing the language on United's website.)
You're also allowed to bring the following items on board, in addition to your one bag and one personal item limit:
Is this a policy change? A website mistake? Has anyone successfully brought a bag plus a personal item plus a pet carrier through TSA and on board?- Jacket or umbrella
- Reading material
- Food or merchandise purchased in the airport
- Assistive devices (collapsible wheelchair, cane, one set of crutches, medical devices needed to administer prescription medications, portable oxygen concentrator, etc.)
- FAA-approved child restraint system or safety seat
- Diaper bag
- Breast pump
- Pet carrier (service charges apply for in-cabin pets)
It would help enormously to be able to have one additional carry-on, but I don't want to get stuck at TSA or someplace.
I'd note, if it matters, that we've paid for the seat between us as an "extra seat," though the United's website claims we don't get extra carry-on.
(Sorry if this is dealt with elsewhere. I find lots of discussion of how it's one of our items but I couldn't find anything addressing the language on United's website.)
#253
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Hertz PC
Posts: 657
TSA won't care. Not sure how airline handles a pet taxi (depending on size) If you can stack two in your extra seat or they will make you buy a second extra seat.
#254
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#255
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
There are all sorts of stories and opinions regarding United's PetSafe (and Continental's PetSafe before that). Some people will insist that even the shortest flight is cruel and dangerous for the animal and should be avoided at all costs. Few are open to changing their opinions regarding the cruelty, as most people already have strongly-held beliefs on this (I don't feel it is more stressful than being taken to a vet and left overnight for observation, which is plenty stressful, but not IMO cruel). As far as PetSafe, I have flown two different cats this way half a dozen times and have always been very impressed with the program. I think United does a great job. There have been some worrying incidents reported, but I have always been happy.
(Caveat: sounds like you will be flying internationally. This may be very different.)
I recently found that UA won't allow pets on a flight where the total time in transit is over 12 hours. This includes the 2ish hours they have to be in the crate before the flight takes off. That disqualifies me from flying UA from ICN-SFO. I'll probably be flying Asiana instead, eventually.