From: mike@nowaksg.chem.nd.edu (Michael George Buening)
Subject: Re: flying with GSDX puppy (Sherpa Bag?)
Organization: University of Notre Dame
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 17:47:33 GMT

In article <1gg6jaINNgdf@nigel.msen.com> dan@msen.com (Dan Sugalski) writes:
>Kyler Laird (laird@stable.ecn.purdue.edu) wrote: : I just adopted a stray
>from my vet back home. 
>
>: So...I'm going to Florida over break to cable (Ethernet) my sister's new
>: home.  Gretta (the pup) has been with me constantly, and I'd like to
>: take her along.  I'd rather not have to drug her, and throw her in the
>: cargo area, so I asked about transport in the cabin with me.
>
>: The airline (ATA) said that I could take her in a container that fits
>: in the carry-on space (8"x13"x22").  This doesn't sound like much room
>: for a flight to Florida.  She's about three months old, and ~22 lbs.
>: I haven't tried to find/make a box of the max. size yet, but I did
>: notice Sherpa Bags that are approved on certain airlines and come in
>: a large size ($79).  These look interesting, but I don't want to force
>: my pup into an unpleasant trip.
>
>: Advice and stories will be appreciated!
>
>Check with the airline in advance.  I have been told by people who fly
>regularly with cats that most will not allow nsoft sided carriers in the
>cabin.  Alsoi most will only allow one animal in the cabin per flight 
>so make the reservation ahead of time.  Make sure that they will allow 
>your pup in your carrier on your flight.  I knew a woman with a small breed
>pup who was told that the pup was too big for the carrier that was allowed
>in cabin as she checked her luggage.  I would also plan on having
>tranquilizers on hand.
>
>BTW, the correct spelling is shepherdn not shepard. :)
 				^^^^^^^

Boy you are probably going to get it for that one :-) :-)

Anyway, 
	There seem to be as many rules about dogs on airplanes as there are
operators at Time-Life books :-)  I was told a much smaller max. dimension 
than the 8"x13"x22" that Dan (I think) wrote.  I think I was told 8x13x18 or
something.  Those few inches make a big difference.  I was also told that
no more than 5 animals could ride in the cabin (may depend on the size of
the plane) at one time so reservations were mandatory and I was also told that
you could not use a homemade or softsided carrying device.  Only an airline
approved crate.  Usually plastic and at that size, usually less than $30 or
so.  We had considered taking Beamer on a plane and we went to the pet store
to see what he had to fit into.  Not a chance.  A 1yr old cocker can not fit
in that little crate.  We were planning on having him sedated for his and our
sanity but even in a relaxed state he could not have been folded into that 
thing. Since my wife refused to put him in cargo he stayed at home.  It was the
same price in cargo or in cabin and either way it was more than a seat for a 
person!  I suggested that Beamer have his own seat and a slightly bigger crate 
but that was not allowed.  So the moral of the story is:  I have no idea.  
As a chemist I believe in averaging several trials so get as many different 
people at the airline in question to give you the same answer and you will 
have a better chance of not getting to the airport and having to change all 
the plans.  I am guessing that you won't want to try to stuff you GSD under 
the seat and if you are in Florida for any period of time he probably won't 
fit on the way back :-)  So I think cargo is the way to go if you are comfortable
with that.  There was a story on the Kansas City news a while ago about a huge 
shipment of puppies from St. Louis to Kansas City (or vice versa, I don't 
remember for sure) and most of them died from suffocation.  About 60 out of 80
I think.  A terrible tragedy and the reason Beamer didn't ride in the cargo 
of that plane.  Anyway, good luck,

Mike


-- 
| Michael Buening	         | 
| mike@nowaksg.chem.nd.edu       |