Really, really a risky thing to put your dog in airline cargo :(

Have you reviewed animal deaths, loss and injuries during air transports?? Five animals died in airline custody in Oct '05, the most recent data on file. Here in Dallas recently, a sheltie was released from its crate, but was not properly secured. He ran onto the highway & was killed by a car.

Pet Deaths while in Airline Custody

Sedating a pet prior to travel is NOT recommended. The pet often wakes up confused and disoriented and can become aggressive, even to people he knows.

I'm taking my doggy with me on my flight to Florida. He'll be in a bag under the seat in front of me. I refuse to put him in cargo. He weighs only 13 pounds.
The problem I have is that my dog is whiny. He'll most likely whimper the whole time. I'd give him a sedative except the last time I gave him one he got violently ill. I feel bad because he's probably going to annoy the crap out of everyone around us on the plane.

Random question:
When I go through security checks with him, will he have to go through the x-ray machine that the carry on luggage goes through? Or do they allow you to take your dog out of the carrier, put the carrier on the x-ray machine, and let you walk through the metal detector with the dog? I keep thinking of all the radiation in those airport x-ray machines and how my poor dog might have to go through it....

I don't know the answer to your question, but would you mind letting me know when you find out? Our bichon will be flying with us, and we're thinking of using frequent flyer miles to get him his own seat. He doesn't take being crated very well at all, and by the time this happens, the airline won't be letting pets fly cargo (thank heavens!).

And, the last time I flew, a woman had a cat behind me. I was worried, because I'm allergic, but I didn't have any problems. The kitty mewed the entire time, but everyone seemed to be very understanding.

Just an update-- we did great! I was able to sneak a plush toy into the crate and no one was any the wiser--- the folks at Continental were amazing and kind! And Riley didn't mess her crate at all-- she was a good girl!

We had a great time in Orlando and now back in TX :)

I forgot to update. The airport security allows you take your dog out of the carrier and walk the dog through the metal detector while its carrier goes through the x-ray machine. I felt so much better about this. Plus, my dog got 2 minutes of freedom before going back into his carrier.