Flying home (in cabin) - how to make it a smooth transition?

[Rica + Margot]

I've got the nervous happies! So so excited :D I'll be picking up my 10 wk mini ALD and fly with it in cabin in a few weeks. The breeder will meet me at the airport for the trip back. I've already reserved a spot on the flight for the pup. I also got a little bit more leg room and extra time to settle in our seats for the flight back even though the flight is only 1.5 hrs. But, does anyone have tips on going through security and keeping the pup (and everyone else) happy in cabin? Do you give treats or ice chips?

I saw that they make harnesses without metal to make security go smoother. Do I really need to worry about this? Has TSA made anyone remove a collar or harness?

I'm still deciding on a carrier bag and could use opinions on that too. I'll probably use it too when walking/driving him/her around before shots are all done. I'm between the Sleepypod Air and Sturdibag Large. I like the Sleepypod Air because I can use it in the car too and has been crash tested. Would placing a soft carrier on the floor behind the passenger seat be safe too? I couldn't find much info on that. Also, how many months do you think I can use the carrier before my pup's too big for it?

Thanks for your help!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Read all the instructions concerning flying with pets from your airline. You will have to remove him from the carrier when going through security. They will let you hold him.. The carrier must fit under your seat They are sticklers about that! The airlines gives carrier dimensions. He is suppose to stay in the carrier the entire trip. Remember, others around you may not be as thrilled as you are. I kept the carrier on my lap ( once we were in the air)and just stuck my hand inside to help calm her. Snacks may not be such a good idea in case he gets air sick. And what goes in, must cone out! Cleaning up a poop on the plane is no fun. I lined the carrier with potty pee pads for the absorbency factor. I also carried wet ones and a few paper towels, " just in case"

[Rica + Margot]

Luckily, the space under the seat seems big (20" x 15" x 11" (height)) compared to the bags. So it seems like both will fit. Thanks for the "just in case" tips! I'm guessing this pup will help me get more of a "just in case" mindset! :D

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

And baby wipes and ziploc bags.

[Chelsie]

I have flown with my dog many times. There have been several times when the TSA asked me to remove his harness and or collar. When that was the case after we screened I went to a quiet area to put these back on, not right there at security where there can be lots of people! Make sure the puppy has had plenty of time to potty before you go in the airport. It can be hard to find an area without having to leave the secure area. Also, some airports the dog is not allowed of out the carrier anywhere. I had some guy complain when I was carrying my dog out of the airport after a long flight, some people! I used the Sherpa soft sided carrier and it works great. I don't know the exact dimensions of mine, but sometimes it was a little tight under the seat I would have to smoosh the top town to get it under. Some airlines still require a health certificate so check on that. My dog luckily just sleeps or lays quietly during the flight, only one time did he seem to be hot so I gave him ice, but he did try to get out when I opened the carrier! Have fun and enjoy your trip and puppy!

[Rica + Margot]

Thank you! How big is your dog that you can still fly? I'm not sure if mine will be too big to fly over the holidays Dec. It'll be ~6 months old.

[Michele Kiss]

I have flown with multiple pets, including our miniature labradoodle, who was 4mo at the time. 

Carrier: We used the typical "Sherpa" airline-approved bag. Works fine. We trained him to ride in it by ALWAYS using it when he rode in the car, prior to flying. That definitely helped him traveling, but I understand if you're picking him up for the first time it won't be an option. Fenway is 7 months and 21lb now and still uses the carrier, though we're probably getting to the end of its life. 

Food / water: No food before flight, no water. Maybe half an hour before, one ice cube is okay. We flew in the AM (e.g. 9AM wheels up) California to Dallas, changed in Dallas, then Dallas to Philly, so it was a long day. But it's better than "accidents." If you don't have to stop that's SO much easier. (We took Fenway out to go potty in Dallas.) 

Security: Send the bag through X-ray, never leave the pup in there (anyone who tells you to is an idiot and should be fired. Print the guidelines from the TSA saying NEVER put an animal in the bag through Xray, in case it helps to have handy.) You carry the pup through metal detectors. I had to take the harness off at one out of four stops. (They won't make you take it off UNLESS it beeps.) No biggie, take it off, carry him through, put it back on. The pup will likely be so freaked out he won't try to jump out of your arms... 

Drugs: We didn't drug Fenway and he was SUPER good. Not a peep, honestly. We had him in the Admirals Club for two hours and no one even knew we had a dog with us. That's very much dependent on the dog himself but if you can avoid drugs I would. 

I'm trying to think of what else, but ask ANY questions of me if you want! - I feel like I've done this tons now (twice with a cat, once with a dog, both times cross-country LONG flights including stops!) Starting to feel like an expert LOL. 

[Rica + Margot]

Thanks for all the useful info! Let me know if you have any other tips.

Glad to know that there's a good chance to use the carrier for a good number of months. I'll definitely print out the guidelines out. Wouldn't want anyone to force a pup to go through the harmful xray. I don't think self-drugging would be a good idea either - too many risks for me.

And for anyone else flying. I read somewhere that TSA encourages a recent photo and itinerary on the carrier bag itself.

[Michele Kiss]

Yeah I think we wrote in big letters on the carrier - LIVE ANIMAL, their name, and had a pic also. 

Oh btw if the pup is papers-trained (ours was a little too old - he had basically learned to NOT pee on papers and only go outside by the time we flew) it actually makes things easier IMHO... take a few pee pee pads and take the carrier into the airplane rest room. Lay the pee pee pad down (typically the "large" size will cover the entire ground) and pup can go potty without you having to take him outside... 

We took ours outside during a stopover, but 1) he was dyyyying (but held it! good pup!) and 2) we travel frequently so we have TSA Pre-Check so it was super easy to get in and out. I don't think it would have been possible to get out and back in before our connection without TSA Pre. 

You need a health certificate dated within 10 days of the flight (if you're picking up from breeder, he/she should organise that for you) though no one has EVER asked to see ours. 

And yeah if you can avoid drugs I think it's way better. You won't know how your pup will respond till you get up in the air (and by then it's too late to drug them) but hopefully he/she will be fine. Keep in mind too that planes are LOUD so any whimpering etc will be drowned out by the plane. It's only if puppy is a SUPER loud barker (which, at a young age, they normally aren't) that you would even annoy other passengers with barking... 

[Rica + Margot]

I brought Margot home last night. She did really well. Security was really easy. She was very mellow and made some friends in line. The hardest part was actually waiting for our flight since she's not used to me or being in a carrier. The family bathroom helped a lot. We bonded for a bit in there and in a later visit, she was able to pee before the flight. Unfortunately, walking around in the carrier made her a little motion sick and she vomited in her carrier before our flight. But after a cleanup, she was pretty mellow on the plane and most of the ride home. She's pretty sweet, but I know there's a lot of work ahead! Day 1 has been full of nipping mouthing, potty training, and trying to have some fun with each other :D