United States Dog Travel Forum
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Delta vs United Petsafe - What's Safer?
Hey guys,
Hudson (6 mos, Lab Mix) and I are moving cross-country back to Los Angeles from New York. It's not feasible for me to drive back to LA, but I want to make sure Hud is in good hands. All I'm finding online are horror stories that make me want to call the whole thing off, but I'm just wondering if anybody could weigh in on whether Delta's or United's pet transit options are safer. Want to make sure Hudson is as comfy as possible and above all else, makes it there safe and sound.
Thanks!
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Frequent Flyer Dog
Hi,
Ask Delta, where the drop off and pick up for your dog will be. Then decide. My experience with pet safe united is bad for many reasons.
I fly USA-Germany at least once a year with my 9-year-old Vizsla (XL kennel). We have flown Lufthansa from Germany to Portland and Air Berlin to Miami or New York (and vice versa) very often. Both airlines are great with dogs. They allow you to check in your dog at the baggage counter really last minute, to make the waiting time short for your dog. Once you on board, a flight attends comes and brings you a little slip of paper from the captain with a note, that your dog is on board. KLM does the same.
My dog has a European Vet Passport (blue) where all his vaccinations are listed and stamped. Never any problems with customs, since the Rabies shot is always up to date.
Flying within the US is much more complicated. United, with their policy of having to drop off the dog at the cargo service is such a mess. First, none of the employees at the check in counter knows where their own cargo area is, neither do the employees at arrival. When I arrive in the US or in Europe, flying Lufthansa or Air Berlin, my dog has usually been brought to the luggage pick up before my suitcases are there. I take a porter who brings me and my dog with kennel to the car rental place and off we go.
Not with United! A nightmare. Ever tried to find the SFO cargo at 10 pm to pick up your dog? United makes the flight time (and time in kennel) at least two hours longer than the European airlines, which handle, at least the ones I know, the dogs much better. Not to mention the cost. Air Berlin flies your dog two ways to Europe and back for about the same price as United charges one-way coast to coast.
And a new problem occurred with United: usually we have a water bottle (the one you buy in pet stores) fastened outside the kennel so my dog has water any time he wants. Now, United does not allow this anymore. We had to take the water bottle off, they filled ice cubes into his bowl. Who guarantees that those cubes will not fall out when we go up in the air and the plane has a strong slopping position?
Question: does anybody know an US airline that does the check in for a dog at the checking counter and brings the dog to the luggage area?