Joined
·
1,843 Posts
So, I book a same day round trip flight to pick up my puppy in Houston on April 18th and fly in cabin. I booked the flight February 21st. Confirmed 8 week old puppy. Confirmed paperwork needed. Confirmed he would not have a rabies shot due to age but ok to fly with me with vet clearance. Check check double check. Always get the agent's name.
Today, thank goodness, a friend of mine is interested in the remaining male from this litter (who is actually taken now anyway but that isn't the point). She asked if I could fly 2 pups in cabin. I was pretty sure it was no..but figured I would check anyway. Seriously, thank goodness this happened. It turns out end of January United changed in cabin flights to 16 weeks old minimum. Uh....ok. So I call United, said the agent definitely said 8 weeks w/vet clearance is ok. The lady I was talking to said they claimed a memo about the puppy policy went to all agents..she did admit not seeing hers..and she was under the impression when I called today it was 8 weeks. Made her check her own website...and that is when she saw 16 weeks. So no...all the agents did NOT see the memo. I had to argue HARD to get my 650 bucks refunded.
In short, had my friend not asked about a 2nd puppy in cabin I would have flown to Houston at 6am, and been denied a flight home with an 8 week old puppy...at the gate. Not very happy about that.
I googled the policy and yes there was a press release end of January. I should not have to google news to see if I ticket I purchased in good faith with accurate info is VALID. Ugh.
Anyway now we are sending him cargo. I think. The agent on the phone *thinks* she maybe heard it was changed to 10 weeks for cargo...but website still says 8 weeks. I did not want to ship a puppy, but I will. At least it is a short flight. There have been lost dogs, dead dogs, in the news recently. Which is why I preferred in cabin (yes yes I know, many have shipped and are fine, it just is not my first choice).
If they did change it to 10 weeks (Delta and other carriers I checked have changed to 10 weeks-united says 8 weeks still) I guess I will make a road trip with my friend and pick him up at 7 weeks 4 days. It would be a few days of work that I didn't expect but oh well. Due to my parenting schedule with my ex..road trips have more date parameters. And I'd rather a dog at 8 weeks, not 10.
So anyway..when it comes to airlines lately...check and check again pre flight! lol
Today, thank goodness, a friend of mine is interested in the remaining male from this litter (who is actually taken now anyway but that isn't the point). She asked if I could fly 2 pups in cabin. I was pretty sure it was no..but figured I would check anyway. Seriously, thank goodness this happened. It turns out end of January United changed in cabin flights to 16 weeks old minimum. Uh....ok. So I call United, said the agent definitely said 8 weeks w/vet clearance is ok. The lady I was talking to said they claimed a memo about the puppy policy went to all agents..she did admit not seeing hers..and she was under the impression when I called today it was 8 weeks. Made her check her own website...and that is when she saw 16 weeks. So no...all the agents did NOT see the memo. I had to argue HARD to get my 650 bucks refunded.
In short, had my friend not asked about a 2nd puppy in cabin I would have flown to Houston at 6am, and been denied a flight home with an 8 week old puppy...at the gate. Not very happy about that.
I googled the policy and yes there was a press release end of January. I should not have to google news to see if I ticket I purchased in good faith with accurate info is VALID. Ugh.
Anyway now we are sending him cargo. I think. The agent on the phone *thinks* she maybe heard it was changed to 10 weeks for cargo...but website still says 8 weeks. I did not want to ship a puppy, but I will. At least it is a short flight. There have been lost dogs, dead dogs, in the news recently. Which is why I preferred in cabin (yes yes I know, many have shipped and are fine, it just is not my first choice).
If they did change it to 10 weeks (Delta and other carriers I checked have changed to 10 weeks-united says 8 weeks still) I guess I will make a road trip with my friend and pick him up at 7 weeks 4 days. It would be a few days of work that I didn't expect but oh well. Due to my parenting schedule with my ex..road trips have more date parameters. And I'd rather a dog at 8 weeks, not 10.
So anyway..when it comes to airlines lately...check and check again pre flight! lol