I am planning on traveling with my 13 lb dog on Southwest in October. Are they pet-friendly. They seem to be when talking on the phone with them.
Do you recommend sedating a dog since he will have to remain in the carrier for the whole trip which will be 2 hours? thanks

Posted By Mary Dunn on September 16, 2010, 3:03 PM

For Trip Coach: We have taken short car trips with our 4 year old Shih-Poo, and have found the biggest problem --where to leave her safely while we are doing things she can't enjoy, like eating dinner in a restaurant, visiting a no-pets National Park (there are doggie dude day ranches), or other activities that may be only a couple of hours, but the doggie goes nuts in the carrier if left in the room, so we don't do that, and she is happy in the car in the carrier, but that is only an option when the temperature allows it, and you can't leave the windows wide open because some heinous criminal might steal her. We stop while driving every couple of hours to let her run etc in the rest areas. Being bedded down at night in a strange place seems to make her nervous. Solutions to these issues welcome

Posted By Nancy Quincy on September 16, 2010, 4:12 PM

I travel with my havanese all the time. She goes in the carrier bag under the seat just fine. I have always gotten her used to being in the bag, so it depends if your dog is used to that... if not, get them used to it. My dog just curls up and watches the world goes by - most people don't even realize she's there.

Posted By Karen on September 16, 2010, 4:14 PM

Remember, pets in carriers in aircraft cabins are NOT allowed out of their carriers. They can't sit on your lap, hang around your feet, cuddle under a blanket, look out the window, be tucked into a seatback pocket, put in your pocket, etc., etc., etc. The fact that you paid a fee to carry your pet on board doesn't change it.

Posted By Toni on September 16, 2010, 7:11 PM

An explanation of WHY the cost is $100 each way....and that is counted as MY carry-on luggage. Please stop gripping about fees unless you are one of us paying this! We are new pet owners (small Shih Tzu) and pay the price, but on our regional small airline, we pay less for our tickets!

Posted By Linda on September 19, 2010, 9:05 PM

True safety for both the pet and the other passengers on board an aircraft would be not only restricting pets from emergency exit rows (which they are) but also from any seat other than underneath a window seat. That way, when pet owners attempt to grab their pet's carrier in an emergency (which they will do), they won't slow down human passengers attempting to escape an aircraft. Having pets underneath aisle seats also leaves them open to injury from beverage carts and passengers/crew members walking in the aisle.

There are many costs associated with transporting pets. Liability is a huge factor. Because so many pet owners don't follow instructions about not allowing the animal out of the carrier, bad things happen, and the airline is liable. Flights have been canceled and diverted because of problems with pets that occurred precisely (and in some cases, only) because the owner couldn't resist removing the animal from the carrier.
Pet fees may seem like a revenue stream. They are actually disincentives.

Posted By Toni on September 20, 2010, 12:57 PM

Here is a link to the FAA site:
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_pets/cabin_pets/

Posted By Toni on September 20, 2010, 12:59 PM

The cost of pet fees relative to the cost of your ticket, Linda, should tell you something -- not about the high cost of pet fees but the depressed state of airfare, which is lower than ever, historically. The disparity emphasizes this as well as illustrates that the pet fees are, indeed, disincentives to traveling with a pet.

Posted By Toni on September 20, 2010, 1:04 PM

Sorry this has taken several posts, I had to go back and cut-and-paste.
This is from the FAA website linked above:
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

Posted By Toni on September 20, 2010, 1:07 PM

I should have said this in an earlier post, but when you select your seat on a flight on which you will be bringing an in-cabin pet, make sure you select neither an emergency exit row nor a bulkhead seat. By law, animals are forbidden from the emergency exit row, and bulkhead seats offer you no seat under which to store the animal in its carrier. If you do manage to select or are assigned either of these types of seats, you will have to be moved.
As a flight attendant and a student of the airline industry, I hear/read of and see a lot of folks attempting to "sneak" their animal onto a flight. Many TSA checkpoints now ask to see the receipt for your pet's fee. If you get as far as a checkpoint or even a gate, you may find that, once you're discovered, it will be too late to pay a fee or else that the limit for pets on that particular flight has been reached. You will then either have to leave the pet with a friend or family member or pay the fee and take a later flight.

Posted By Toni on September 20, 2010, 1:22 PM

I also wanted to point out that the fact that your pet carrier is counted as a piece of carry-on baggage is an FAA rule, not an airline rule, and that every commercial airline in the US requires that you keep your pet inside its carrier at ALL times on board an aircraft. My airline's rule is "Not even the head out of the carrier."

Posted By Toni on September 20, 2010, 1:41 PM

I am considering studying in Brazil for about four to six months (Salvador) and I have many questions regarding keeping a pet in a rented condo or apartment for that time.

But my biggest questions concern 1. whether I will be able to take my two (mature) cats with me for the duration and 2. whether there's a difference (paperwork, shots, etc.) between having them with me for a short vacation or a longer period as I suggested at the beginning. Are there still isolation periods required like in the old days?

Posted By Dale on September 20, 2010, 2:07 PM

The price to take a small (10 pound dog) who is sleeping the entire trip seems totally out of line when I look at very overweight travelers who also have heavy carry on bags, which they jam into an overhead rack or check at the gage. The high cost to take a dog has meant I have decided to drive to a location rather than have the hassle and cost of flying with a pet. But I have flown with my miniature dachshund a number of times, including internationally, and it has gone very well each time. I will be taking her to Guatemala this winter, and I've checked the guidelines there for importing a dog. I suggest that each country has different requirements (some still have long isolation periods, I believe.)

Posted By Vivian Harvey on September 20, 2010, 3:47 PM

Westin is a very dog-friendly hotel chain. They don't charge extra for a pet, and they even offer Heavenly Dog Beds and water/food bowls.

Posted By B.Y. on September 20, 2010, 6:57 PM

When we drive with our dogs in the summer, we leave the car running with the air conditioner on and the doors locked when we go to a place that does not allow pets. We have a second set of car keys so we can get back in. You would be surprised at how little gas is used.

Posted By Liz on September 20, 2010, 11:41 PM

At Kimpton Hotels your pets are the guests and they can bring you along too...they are a pet hotel that is people friendly! When making the reservation, they ask for the pet's name, have a treat for them upon arrival, and will provide a bed for them in your room. We always stay at Kimptons if we can because of this pet friendly policy

Posted By mas on September 23, 2010, 1:13 PM

My husband and I plan on spending about 6 months in Europe next year. We have two Lhasa's (14 & 24 pounds) and want to bring them along. We could really use some suggestions on safe air travel for both dogs. They must fly together and I think the 24 pound male will not be allowed in the cabin. Also, what is your thought about renting apartments in Europe? Our goal is to visit France, Portugal, Italy and Germany.

Posted By Rose Anderson on September 23, 2010, 6:53 PM

Second the comment re Westin. Sheraton also has pet friendly policies. I've taken my 100 lb lab on many car trips. Never had a problem with hotels. Summer travel is, of course, tricky. I have no problem leaving car windows completely open since I doubt that any prospective dog thief wants to deal with an angry 100 lb dog.

Posted By OregonBill on September 23, 2010, 8:01 PM

what is the best way to travel with a cat on an airline in the cabin? How well do they sedate? yes they need to stay in carrier.

Posted By gail on September 24, 2010, 12:36 AM

We are planning on relocating to Aruba. We have two large dogs we need to get there. I know what airlines will take them and what I need for the dogs do get on the Island. My question would be what is the best way to get them there. On a commerical flight in the bagage, cargo flight with one or both of us to acompany them, or some sort of cargo ship with us on it? Any useful information would be greatly appreciated. We don't know of any names of cargo air or ships. So if that would be the way you suggest if you have names of companies. What is the best for the dogs.
(104 lbs and 85 lbs)

Posted By Leslie on September 24, 2010, 7:40 AM

Hi Brad,

I do not have a question. Just a comment regarding house swapping. My husband and I have been doing home exchanges for the last eight years. It is a great way to travel and we have many new friends that we continue to keep in touch with and visit back and forth. A truly great way to vacation! No cramped hotel rooms for us on longer visits.

Joan Raymond
Felton, CA

Posted By Joan Raymond on September 24, 2010, 5:26 PM

For Nancy Quincy--Our dogs love to travel with us BUT when we only had one dog he reacted much the way your dog does. He felt he was being abandoned by the "pack." If we stayed in the same place for more than a day, he was fine but the first day he cried, barked, and was miserable. When we got a second dog all of that stopped. If your dog truly doesn't like to travel (you say being in a strange place makes the dog nervous) then please leave him home. He'll be happier.

Posted By Jeanette on September 26, 2010, 3:04 PM

We live in San Francisco California and we take our 5 year old Yellow Lab Brady with us on vacation as much as we can. For all of our travels with our dog we consult our dog-friendly travel guides, as well as web-sites like bringfido.com and even aaa.com
He has traveled to Vancouver, BC via airplane several times as well as by car (16 hour drive). We have also driven with him to Santa Fe, NM over Xmas holdidays
Most of our travels have been in California.
CAMPING
We have driven North as far as the Redwood forest to camp with our dog. There are many dog friendly camp sites, but dogs must remain on leash at all times, even when in your campsite, and not all trails allow dogs so if you like to hike, it is important to check.
WINE COUNTRY-
We have taken many, many trips to Napa,Sonoma,Russian River and even Mendocino which we have discovered is very dog friendly and most wineries will roll out the welcome mat to your pooch. Since there are also lots of winery dogs, we always check to make sure it is OK to have our dog on their property or inside the wineries tasting room. It us usually not a great trip for a dog in the summer as the temps are usually 80's,90's++ which is too hot if you had to leave them in the car and in some cases even too hot to tie up outside. When in wine country we have stayed with our dog in a B&B, a Best Western, The Renaissance in Sonoma was fabulous and have even rented a house in Healdsburg
LAKE TAHOE-
We have rented dog friendly homes through VRBO for our vacations with Brady in Lake Tahoe. It is harder to find hotels or condo's that are dog friendly. When we go skiing we have taken him to a doggy day care and we know of several dog walking services you can arrange to ensure your dog is walked and worn out by the time your are done on the slopes. The lake area itself is not dog friendly, you would need to find a designated dog park and even then check if they allow dogs off-leash. Most of the shops are fairly dog friendly.
SANTA CRUZ
This is probably the least dog friendly place we have ever been. No dogs on the beaches at all, no dogs on the boardwalk at all, and no dogs allowed to even walk down the main street. In fact we were told to get off the sidewalk with our dog or we would get a fine (he was leashed). A major thumbs down; we won't go there anymore.
SANTA BARBARA/SANTA YNEZ VALLEY-
We had a fabulous stay at the Biltmore hotel in SB. They have wonderful "cottages" for guests with dogs and a gorgeous beach across the street that permits dogs. This was a very easy and beautiful place to travel with our dog.
CARMEL-
We stayed at the Cypress Inn,a very dog friendly hotel where the dogs are allowed in the lobby lounge and restaurant. Dogs are not allowed to be left in the room by themselves, so it makes for an interesting scene with the guests and their pets. The town is very dog friendly as well as Carmel beach so this makes a very nice place to visit with your pet.
SANTA MONICA-
We drove with our dog to LA. Fortunately all we do is fold down the back seats in our SUV and he relaxes the whole way. Rest stops are a great place for them to stretch their legs, and some have doggy potty areas. Much safer than walking your dog around a gas station. Fairmont hotels are mostly dog friendly, however, the rooms at the Miramar were SO small, probably the smallest hotel room we've ever stayed in. OK for people with lap dogs I guess, but barely enough for two adults. The beaches from Malibu all the way to Long Beach do not allow dogs, not even on the sand. Sad for a Lab who loves to swim with miles of ocean before him. We rented cruisers and rode about 6 miles along the bike path with him which was fine. It would be hard to live in LA with a Lab; where do they swim??

Posted By Melanie Stewart on October 12, 2010, 7:50 PM

Trip Coach,
I am interested in a Mississippi River cruise. I have Blount Cruises' catalog and "Googled" for other same type cruises and came up only with Blount Cruises. Their min. price for a cruise from Nashville, TN to Chicago is $3500. Are there any other companies offering similar itineraries at less cost?

Posted By Yale W. Mooers on October 17, 2010, 5:23 PM

I travel often with my dog(s). For airline I use a Sherpa bag and keep food to minimum before. I bring along favorite treats I can sneak into the bag. Also found he likes an ice cube. It takes a few times for them to get used to 'hotel' noises and not barking. I always web research areas that might be of interest to them dog parks or dog friendly areas for running. Leaving them is the biggest problem so I often do carryout meals. I travel with canvas foldable crate or stronger if I need to spend more time away.
Most recently we traveled to Seattle and I spent a couple days touring. Found a dog friendly town that even let me eat on the patio with my dog and brought a dog bowl of water for the dog. Tacomoa had a wonderful park that allowed dogs on leashes.

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