 Barked: Fri May 27, '11 10:19pm PST |
 | |  | | First, I'd suggest that you look up the site for earch airport you will be visiting (home, LA, AK). Most airports have rules in place as to keeping your pet in the carrier at all times in the terminal (minus when you have to take them out of the carrier when going through the security checkpoint). All US airports are required to have animal relief "stations" thanks to the ADA and the needs of SD handlers. You will want to know where those are located. Unfortunately, a lot of airports didn't really think things through very well and placed the relief area outside the security checkpoint.
Next, you can use a soft carrier (like a Sherpa bag) on Delta flights. There aren't too many hard carriers that will fit under the airline seats.
I'd double check on the health certificate. I know they are mandatory for animals flying as checked baggage and cargo. You may want to look up Alaska's animal import laws. Either way, you will definitely want to bring copies of your vax records; if you have an emergency and need to see a vet they will want proof Gangsta is UTD.
Scooter and I use to fly monthly (sometimes several round trips a month) before we came to Korea. I generally fed him light the night before, made sure he had ample opportunity to empty out before leaving the house, made sure to show up at the airport with enough time to get checked in (most airlines won't allow you to check-in online when you have an animal with you), then take him back out for a last chance to pee before heading to the security checkpoint. Depending on how long our layovers were, he'd get a light snack/meal and water.
Keep in mind that once on the plane, he will have to stay in the carrier under the seat in front of you. DOT/FAA regs are pretty strict about what animals are allowed to be loose in cabin (SDs and some ESAs) and what isn't. Due to a recent incident where a pet got loose from a carrier and bit two people, expect to be told to keep the carrier completely zipped shut at all times while waiting in the gate area. I'm really surprised that the PP was allowed out of the carrier in the gate area.
Lastly, make sure your collar/leash is not loaded with metal or bring a small makeshift slip lead for going through security. You can carry the dog through the metal detector, but I still suggest it being leashed just in case. The carrier will have to go through the x-ray machine (sans dog, of course). |  |  | |  |
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