Hi Everyone! If any of you have any experience of travelling to the US (Texas is where we are going) with your pet; please could you let me know how did you go about booking your schnauzer? We are re-locating to the US from the UK in the next 3 months and I am finding the process very frustrating and confusing. The airline we would like to fly is not at all helpful and have a different response each time we call. I am hesitate to go via a pet agency due to the exuberant costs and feel/believe that there must be another way to go e.g. we make all of the arrangements. I am aware of all of the requirements/papers needed - just am confused how to book him safely onto a flight with us. Thanks in advance for your help.

Rebecca

I can't remember the poster's name but someone on here recently relocated to the US - and think it may even have been to Texas. Hopefully they will see your post or maybe someone else can remember whom it was and you could send them a PM.

Try PM'ing 'Kimbo' or waiting for her to come into this thread. Here is her thread where she mentions the company she used; http://www.champdogsforum.co.uk/cgi-bin/board/topic_show.pl?pid=1297127

She has recently relocated to Houston!

I had no problems using American Airlines to fly both ways with my bitch in December 2010.  She went as checked baggage which was only $150 each way.

So much cheaper and less time in the crate for the dog than Cargo.

You did have to check in at the airport 5 hours before hand, then you were given a time before human boarding to bring the dog and airline crate for the baggage handlers.

At the other end they deliver the crate and dog to the baggage claim.

I'm assuming you have a Standard Schnauzer so you would need the same size airline crate as I used which is A kennel large/400.

Here is AA's pet policy http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/specialAssistance/travelingWithPets.jsp

We did research AA today - only prob is they don't fly direct to IAH - closest we can get is DFW.  If we were to do that option - does anyone know how pets do with transfers?  Thank you for the recommendation!  The knowledge that your bitch was okay makes me feel better!  We own a mini and have an approved crate - which is another reason we would like to avoid the pet agents as we have everything apart the knowledge of how to book Leo on the flight!

Thanks Josh!  I have PM Kimbo!  Exactly where we are headed too!

Rebecca

I wonder if you have considered going by boat?  My cousin did this... 

It might sound crazy, but you can travel from Southampton to NY on the Queen Mary 2.  It takes about 5-8 days.  They have 12 kennels and a full time kennel 'master' to look after the dogs.  The dogs are allowed out of the kennels most of the day and to have playtime with each other (with your consent), and you can visit them as long and as much as you want every day, walk them on that deck, etc.  It works out really reasonable in terms of cost to travel in this way, because you just pay a small surcharge for the dog - rather than a whole other fee.  You don't need to pay an animal travel company to deal with it either.  You can take more luggage on the boat than on a plane, as much as you can fit in your cabin.  Of course you'd then need to drive or fly from NY to Texas, but it's easier to take domestic flights with a dog in the US or you could hire a car and drive.

Here is some info:  http://www.pettravel.com/cruiseship_ferry/QueenMary2.cfm 

And here is a YouTube video showing a schnauzer travelling on it, including footage of kennels:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtfTgI2wB18

> does anyone know how pets do with transfers?

When I travelled to Finland we flew to Helsinki, where I picked her up in baggage claim, and went over to domestic check in checked her in for the local flight, then was able to take her for a walk etc, and bring her back for boarding.

I would expect the same thing in the USA, so allowing a good amount of time between connecting flights will allow you to give the dog a break and get them back onto the next plane.  Other than the UK in other countries flying dogs seems pretty routine, based on the numbers I saw just at the airports.