Jet Set Schnauzer

This Thanksgiving Schnauzer, Kaiser, will be flying to Atlanta from San Diego to celebrate the holiday. This is our first experience taking a pet on any flight. We’re very nervous and unsure of how Kaiser will handle the airplane and the small, confined carrier.  We are flying Delta and plan to bring him into the cabin with him as his carry-on. We have a sedative from the vet, so hopefully he will sleep through most of the trip.  We’ll update everyone on Kaiser’s first airplane experience next week.

Bon Voyage!

***After Flight Update***

The four hour flight to Atlanta came and went without any major problems. What a relief! It did cost a pretty penny though. Each way was $150 and our Schnauzer counted as our carry-on baggage. If you have to check your dog, that’s even more expensive about $275 each way for Delta. After researching the airlines pet travel guidelines we called in to make a reservation for Kaiser. Only two dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin per flight. We paid the $150 at the check in counter in the airport.

Kaiser received his sedative about 30 minutes before we arrived at the airport and we didn’t feed him for up to five hours before the flight per our vet’s advice. If they eat too recently travel could make them sick and they would need to use the bathroom sooner.

Security was a bit of a challenge as we had to wait in line for about 20 – 30 minutes. Kaiser was pretty good and mellow though as the sedative began to take effect. We walked through security with him out of his zip up crate with no issues. It was pretty tough having to take off shoes and jacket, take out laptop, and while keeping control of our Schnauzer, but we made it through and headed to the gate.

Once at the gate we found a corner where Kaiser could relax and stay out of the eye of airport personnel. At this point he’s supposed to be in his carrier. Most of the staff at the airport was friendly and asked what our dog’s name was and what type of dog he was, but we did get told that he should be in his carrier when at the gate. Boarding initiated about 30 minutes before flight as usual, and when they called for boarding with infants or other special needs we walked up and asked to be let on early to make things a bit easier. They were nice enough to accommodate that request and Kaiser was then shoved back end first into his carrier.

The carrier fit perfectly under the seat and Kaiser seemed a little nervous but was acting normal for the most part. He did let out a little yelp but stayed quiet otherwise. The person who sat next to us didn’t even realize we had our Miniature Schnauzer down there until well into the flight.

Four hours later we landed and Kaiser was ready to get off the plane. Everything seemed fine except for what seemed like a little throw-up on his bed pad from him getting motion sickness, and he seemed was a little woozy as the sedative was wearing off. We walked down to baggage claim and went outside. Kaiser came out of his carrier and did his business quickly on a nearby flower bed. We went back inside to get the bags, came back outside to get picked up, and all the stress was now behind us.

What helped the most was introducing Kaiser to his crate before the flight. We let him explore it a couple days before leaving and had a dress rehearsal to make sure he could fit in it comfortably. He didn’t like it, but at least he wasn’t freaked out seeing it for the first time at the airport.

Calling ahead and making sure that Kaiser was within the weight restrictions alleviated some stress. Our Schnauzer was about 13 – 14 lbs and might not have fit so easily if only a few pounds more. The airlines ask that the animal has the ability to turn around in their carrier.

Schnauzer Air Travel Posts:

Jet Set Schnauzer Update

Jet Set Schnauzer Again

Schnauzer On Board Program

Tags: airplane, crate, Dog, flying, Miniature Schnauzer, Schnauzer