Traveling with pets

Who would have known that traveling with a dog could be such a hassle? Maybe I'm the only one that thought it'd be as easy as checking your dog in as luggage. Think again! In an effort to be considerate of our furry friends, the FAA has put some major restrictions on pet travel. Most notably, a temperature restriction that does not allow the animal to be exposed to temperatures above 85F and below 25F. Some of you may not think of this as too restricting; however, considering that many hub cities are in the Southwest you may want to start considering travel times when you fly, as the hub city counts when considering these temperature restricitons. For me it's particularly restricting as I regularly fly between Florida and California, where temperatures often exceed the 85F maximum.

After discovering the temperature restriction I began looking for airlines that offered temperature-controlled cargo areas where the restrictions would not apply. Woe was I after discovering that, of all the major domestic airlines, only Continental offered such an amenity. I've never flown Continental, but will start to as I intend to bring Izzy with me on every trip to the Sierras (it's like Dog heaven on Earth out there!). I'll let everyone know how the experience is after I fly, but I hope it goes smoothly and that they don't loose Izzy!

For others seeking information about traveling with their pets, see Continental's PetSafe program website: http://www.continental.com/web/en-us/content/Travel/animals/default.aspx. If you're lucky enough to travel to areas where the temperature restrictions do not apply then you can consider other airlines (American Airlines, Delta, Northwest, etc); however, be sure to check as some airlines, especially "discount" airlines such as Southwest and JetBlue, do not allow any pets to be flown in their cargo areas. Also, do NOT sedate your pet! If any airlines discover that your pet is sedated they will not allow it to fly!!

Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions! Hope this helps everyone looking to enjoy their pet's company while enjoying their favorite vacation spot. Safe traveling!