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Frustrated in CA over CO Pet Policy

Frustrated in CA over CO Pet Policy

Old Aug 14, 2008, 7:20 am
  #16  
 
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Originally Posted by RSSrsvp
For domestic flights I have always been able to make do with just a simple letter from my vet saying that all of my dog's vaccinations are up to date.
Really? Well, shoot. I've been getting Health Certificates every year for the last 6 years. That's a lot of wasted money...

I was always told by the airline (United in particular) that they required a health certificate, not just a letter of current vaccinations. If a letter would have been sufficient... well, I'm crying inside.
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 11:54 am
  #17  
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Originally Posted by cepheid
Really? Well, shoot. I've been getting Health Certificates every year for the last 6 years. That's a lot of wasted money...

I was always told by the airline (United in particular) that they required a health certificate, not just a letter of current vaccinations. If a letter would have been sufficient... well, I'm crying inside.
Why don't you bring both letters next time you travel and hand over the vaccinations letter first and see what happens? I never travel on UA and don't have any experience on them.
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 3:47 pm
  #18  
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Hmm

So I did a little more last-minute hunting and found a Delta non-stop SAN/JFK for $179 this weekend. Called them up and two reps confirmed that 2 kittens under 6 months and 20 lbs total could travel IN-cabin together in ONE kennel...


Only one catch...They have to be of the SAME gender. Sheesh...

Although one rep did say she personally thought I'd be OK (with mine being a sister and brother duo)...Then again, I'm sure the vet certificate would show their genders.

<sigh>

Do they scan the certificate word-for-word? (LOL) I mean they're only 12 weeks old.

Again, it does surprise me that the three major carriers, Delta, AA, and UA all allow under 6 months and 20 lbs in-cabin, while 4 out of 5 CO reps maintain they can only go in-cargo with those same specifications.

Last edited by ramona525; Aug 14, 2008 at 3:55 pm
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 3:58 pm
  #19  
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I have been flying on DL for years and this is the first time I have heard of them permitting two in a bag. Can you get an email from them stating this?
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 4:09 pm
  #20  
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Originally Posted by RSSrsvp
I have been flying on DL for years and this is the first time I have heard of them permitting two in a bag. Can you get an email from them stating this?

I would definitely have them note it on both the locator and send an email. actually as of now 3 reps have confirmed it over the phone and I made sure they understood we were talking about CABIN rules.

Like UA, they did mention it' not noted online but it is listed in their rules as an "exception."

Now if only I could get past the gender hurdle. Instinct tells me I should be OK, but it is a risk.

Oh and they would be charging me $150.
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 4:50 pm
  #21  
 
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Originally Posted by RSSrsvp
Why don't you bring both letters next time you travel and hand over the vaccinations letter first and see what happens? I never travel on UA and don't have any experience on them.
The really stupid thing is that 75% of the time, they never ask to see the damn certificate anyway. I have to have it "just in case," and rarely end up ever needing it. I suppose I'll try the letter next time... if I can convince my vet, and if they'll do it for free.

Originally Posted by ramona525
Only one catch...They have to be of the SAME gender. Sheesh...
Der... WHAT? I guess this is what happens when you have a hub in SLC, huh? (No offense to Utahnians.) Seriously, I don't see why it would be a problem at all; if they're under 6 months, their gender is essentially irrelevant. I doubt the GA would try to enforce that requirement, if they are even aware of it (and assuming it's not just made up).
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 5:04 pm
  #22  
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Originally Posted by cepheid
The really stupid thing is that 75% of the time, they never ask to see the damn certificate anyway. I have to have it "just in case," and rarely end up ever needing it. I suppose I'll try the letter next time... if I can convince my vet, and if they'll do it for free.

Der... WHAT? I guess this is what happens when you have a hub in SLC, huh? (No offense to Utahnians.) Seriously, I don't see why it would be a problem at all; if they're under 6 months, their gender is essentially irrelevant. I doubt the GA would try to enforce that requirement, if they are even aware of it (and assuming it's not just made up).
Oh trust me, I'm on 800 number agent number five already...They ALL mentioned the same gender thing...But I think the general consensus is to wing it. Only one rep said it might be a USDA thing. Doubt it. Also, this last rep I talked to said some states don't require the certificate. I'm supposed to call the USDA 800 number to see if NY and CA require it. For the record, they are "unable" to Email me saying the kitties can travel together in-cabin but they would put it in my locator.
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 5:21 pm
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Originally Posted by ramona525
I'm supposed to call the USDA 800 number to see if NY and CA require it.
See the following link:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_exp...s_states.shtml

The internet is wonderful, huh?

It looks like California does not, but New York does (very emphatically) require a Health Certificate. The information on the website makes it seem like a regular letter will not suffice, but rather that only a "legitimate" Health Certificate will qualify.
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 5:36 pm
  #24  
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Originally Posted by cepheid
See the following link:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_exp...s_states.shtml

The internet is wonderful, huh?

It looks like California does not, but New York does (very emphatically) require a Health Certificate. The information on the website makes it seem like a regular letter will not suffice, but rather that only a "legitimate" Health Certificate will qualify.
That's kind of a surprise considering J-walking doesn't exist in NYC.
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 5:56 pm
  #25  
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Originally Posted by cepheid
See the following link:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_exp...s_states.shtml

The internet is wonderful, huh?

It looks like California does not, but New York does (very emphatically) require a Health Certificate. The information on the website makes it seem like a regular letter will not suffice, but rather that only a "legitimate" Health Certificate will qualify.
Considering that I am NYC based and have flown with my Cavalier many times out of both LGA & JFK on DL I can tell you for a fact that they have never once asked me for papers. They are only interested in collecting the carryon pet fee. The only letter from my vet I have ever used was the one saying all of the vaccinations are up to date and NW was the only one that ever asked for it.
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 6:18 pm
  #26  
 
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Originally Posted by RSSrsvp
They are only interested in collecting the carryon pet fee.
The airlines are, yes. However, it's not the airlines who require the certificate, but rather the states. The airlines may ask for it so that they don't incur the liability of transporting an "unauthorized" pet, but the USDA is the one who actually institutes the requirement of the certificate. The website I linked to is the USDA, and the New York statute linked there very emphatically claims that a certificate is required. However, if there is no USDA inspector asking for your papers when you arrive in NY, there's no real enforcement, so you can get away with whatever the airline requires.

So yes, because there is never (or very, very rarely) a USDA inspector who will ask to see your papers, you can get away with whatever the airlines will accept. That doesn't mean the state doesn't require the certificate, however; it just means it's not enforced well (or at all).
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Old Aug 14, 2008, 11:35 pm
  #27  
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One more update for those following this thread: US Airways also allows two pets under 6 months or under 20 lbs each in-cabin though it is not stated on their website.

So far those following these same guidelines are: Delta, US Airways, United, and American. Correct me if I'm wrong, but AA is the only one that lists this in their website, the rest confirm it over the phone. I think I have a great argument for the CO folks if I really wanted to push it.
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Old Aug 15, 2008, 10:14 am
  #28  
 
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Originally Posted by ramona525
... Called them up and two reps confirmed that 2 kittens under 6 months and 20 lbs total could travel IN-cabin together in ONE kennel...


Only one catch...They have to be of the SAME gender. Sheesh...

Although one rep did say she personally thought I'd be OK (with mine being a sister and brother duo)...Then again, I'm sure the vet certificate would show their genders.

<sigh>

Wha???? Same gender? What are they afraid of? A little kitty porn during a layover? I've heard of some stupid things but this might take the cake. Who the heck cares if a month from now, you get some new kittens (not that it's even possible in your case)? What if one or both are spayed or neutered? Does that matter? Does it matter that two males or two females are more likely to fight than opposite-gender pairs?

Quite simply the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a while.
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Old Aug 21, 2008, 7:01 am
  #29  
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To the OP, any update on how your trip went?
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Old Oct 12, 2008, 9:39 am
  #30  
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Originally Posted by RSSrsvp
To the OP, any update on how your trip went?
I ended up not taking the kittens with me due to the rushed nature of the situation...However, I am now going back to CA and reconsidering taking them. The ironic part is that I might HAVE to fly DL this time if I use miles. I reaaaally hope they aren't going to be sticklers on the same gender requirement. If I recall, even the phone reps were getting a chuckle out of reading that one out loud.
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