You land from the aircraft and find that your loving pet is dead in the cage. You break down. There is no veterinarian available on the spot and Airlines staffs do not know what to do. You are surrounded by strangers, gathered to see what has happened.
Pet Travel in Flight
I have been reading similar stories in various online forums and Blogs. Flying along with Pet has become nightmare for many. Our pets do not deserve such unfortunate & untimely deaths.
Fortunately, my dog Rosch, survived a long air travel. I’m not an animal expert, therefore instead of writing what to do or what not to; I’m just sharing my own experience.
Generally people travel with their pets when they are relocating or going for a vacation. We were relocating from Delhi to Goa (via Mumbai) by Jet Airways. My dog “Rosch” (3-1/2 yrs old male Labrador) was also travelling with us. We reported at Delhi airport at 06:00 hrs and after initial check-in formalities, we took off from Delhi at 09:30 Hrs. We landed at Mumbai at around 12:00 Hrs. We waited for our connecting flight for Goa till 15:30 hrs. We landed at Goa at 16:00 Hrs.
My dog “Rosch” was in the cage for more than 10 Hrs and survived.
I just list down things we did during the travel.
1) My husband was in touch with Airlines staffs, their call centres 2-3 days prior to fly for detailed information. He also asked the airline staffs to inform Mumbai & Goa Airports to coordinate with a local veterinary doctor (In case required) on arrival date. Airlines did it on our request. 2) We put our dog in the cage and ensured that either I or my husband is near the cage till boarding.
3) We opted to carry our dog in LUGGAGE in place of CARGO. Airlines charged us additional Rs. 13,500/- for excess baggage.
4) We kept on talking to our dog in cage to make it comfortable till we boarded. My dog was able to see us through the grill of cage.
5) Before take off, my husband called the attendant and asked her to confirm with ground staff that our dog is on board. Attendant replied “it must be on board”. The response from attendant was unacceptable to us. We asked her to communicate with ground staff and confirm us again. We insisted and she did it for us.
6) We asked another attendant to inform the captain that “a live animal is flying in luggage compartment and suitable air pressure & temperature to be maintained”. This attended responded “Captain must be knowing”. Again we did not accept her response. We ask the attendant “to communicate with the captain in cockpit, come back to us and re-confirm. By this time, other passengers came to know that an animal is also flying in this flight. This is not a regular situation so they became curious and friendly to us. Attendant came to us and confirmed in front of other co-passengers.
7) After landing at Mumbai, we contacted ground staff standing near aircraft to unload our Dog on “Priority”. He confirmed very politely.
8) We had connecting flight to Goa at 15:00 Hrs. So we approached ground staff to confirm whether my dog is unloaded from first aircraft. I also requested her to ensure that my dog is shifted (during waiting period) in air-conditioned place/ good ventilated place/ in a shed and certainly NOT under direct sun. After 2-3 phone calls, she confirmed that the Dog will be shifted to a ventilated place in a shed. We did not leave the place. After 15 minutes we approached same ground staff of Jet Airways and asked her to call and confirm that my dog is shifted in a good ventilated place. She confirmed it after making few calls.
9) After boarding our connecting flight, we repeated point no: 5-7 and claim our dog at Goa on priority. Rosch was little irritated but was in good health.
Safe flights fro Dog
Animal travelers do not fly frequently so there are chances that airlines crew make mistakes (mostly unknowingly). They may or may not be able to understand how complicated it is when a live animal is on board. Most of the times, results of such mistakes are fatal.
My personal advise to all pet owners planning to fly with their pets that never trust anyone when it comes to your pet. Always crosscheck the information provided by Airlines Crew. After all, preventive measures are the best safety measures.
Have a happy & safe flight!