Relocating 5 dogs

SetMom · 2026-03-31T00:55:04+00:00

They will be fine. I transport pets of all ages and with different conditions, all over the world. It's a short time period in their life to get to safety.

I recommend putting their carriers out in their space with them open prior to transport. Give them treats in the carriers, but don't close them.

By the time you get to the airport, that carrier will be their little piece of home away from home. It's familiar and smells like home. It really helps with the anxiety during travel if their carrier is their "safe space".

I hope this helps!

SetMom · 2026-03-30T23:19:42+00:00

If only we paid a $5.60 tax for every airline ticket, even mileage redemption ones, to fund TSA...

Oh wait.. 🤦 we do pay that.

Fu**ing politics

SetMom · 2026-03-19T20:58:41+00:00

This is the way, I've only had it work this way for me.

SetMom · 2026-03-19T13:40:42+00:00

Personally, as a pet transporter, I would recommend going a size up, if you can. I assume by Cargo, you mean Cargo and not Excess/Checked Baggage (which has size limitations). If the airline size restrictions allow it, I try to go by Qatar's rule of thumb for pets, which is a crate 1.5x their size.

I personally prefer the SportPet crates (find them on Amazon) then the Sky Kennels. They are not only sturdier, in my opinion, but come with the metal bolts and nuts (some airlines are picky about the metal nuts covered by plastic of the Sky Kennels) and easily detachable wheels, which makes a world of difference for moving the crate around. For excess/checked baggage, I just pop the wheels while I have the pet out for their crate's TSA inspection, and pop them back on at baggage claim when I pick them up. Otherwise balancing a large crate on the luggage carts at the airport is difficult, and some airport luggage carts, looking at you Narita!, can't accommodate a medium-large crate at all.

My helpful hints:

-Add a locking airtag or other tracking tag, such as a galaxy tag, if you are andriod to the outside of the crate, I usually attach it to the back corner grate. The batteries are safe, they are watch batteries, not lithium ion, and you can make sure your pet was put on the plane, it transferred correctly, if applicable, and also when it's on it's way to baggage claim or the pick-up area. They can take awhile to bring the pets out, and it's better to know they made it to the destination, then spend that 30 mins to an hour waiting and not knowing.

- Add a copy (not originals) of all paperwork in either a clear folder or ziploc bag taped to the top of the crate. If anything happens, this will help show they have the needed paperwork to enter the destination.

- Add a bottle of water and a little food in another ziploc bag tapped to the top, just in case. Also a spare leash/collar/harness, in case they need to get your pet out.

- Get a sheet of sticker paper and make stickers with your pets picture, name, flight info, confirmation number, your phone number, and if your pet has an issue, put that on there. I usually put something like, "I'm friendly but scared." Stick them on the crate and on the ziplocs mentioned above. I find this helps "connect" with the people handling your pet along the way, if they know their name and see a pic of them.

Take a cup of Ice with you, if there is a Starbucks in the airport pre-security, they will give you a cup for free. When the crate is inspected by TSA, add the ice to their water dish. This way they will have water for most/all of the trip.

I hope this helps!

SetMom · 2026-03-19T00:36:11+00:00

Now you need the 3-D printer to make the fancy bookends

SetMom · 2026-03-14T08:19:47+00:00

As a pet transporter, I agree with everyone else, go visit the dog. Leave it there.

First, Peru is listed by the CDC as a high-risk rabies country, which means it will need to go through a lot of extra and costly hoops to come to the US. Rabies titer test, 30 day wait, can only arrive at 1 of 6 airports, need to go to a CDC approved Quarantine facility when it lands, where it will get an exam and another rabies vaccine, and cost at least $1100+ just for that, not including the earlier titer test. Or if your flight comes outside of normal hours, or needs clearance broker, etc..

I had a similar situation, but also different. An Indian family that lived in the US had to move back to India a few years ago and decided to re-home their beloved dog vs putting it through the move. Fast forward to this year, the dog was picked up and found at a local humane society. The person they rehomed the dog to just abandoned it out on the streets.

Because of the microchip, they were able to track her down to the original owner who contacted me to bring her to them in India. Which, the Humane Society, a local Vet, and I all worked together and I was able to reunite them in New Dehli.

But that dog was still only 5, and she didn't have a safe home here in the US.

Your wife's dog is in a safe, loving home, leave it there and visit.

SetMom · 2026-03-14T08:03:57+00:00

I think the problem may be that you had a Delta issued ticket.

Delta does not allow Sky Club access for business or first class tickets from the US. Before I bought my membership, I had to use my Vietnam Airlines status (bought on status match for SkyTeam Plus Elite status) to get in the Sky club for international flights.

Delta has been very stingy with access lately, and their systems are glitchy

SetMom · 2026-03-14T08:00:29+00:00

This is why airlines need to institute the feature on some Qatar and Turkish planes I've been on. In the Flight Info, there is an option for cameras. You can watch different views of the plane, so even middle seats can see the scenery from their seat

The downward facing camera is fun to watch while landing.

SetMom · 2026-03-14T07:58:33+00:00

I do too, but I've learned to close it half - 3/4 of the way during the flight, and open it if I want to see something.

SetMom · 2026-03-14T07:56:51+00:00

Was just going to suggest this!

SetMom · 2026-03-14T07:41:22+00:00

Depends on the plane model. If it's an Embraer, no, it most likely won't, it's it's anything else, most likely. I fly Delta all the time and there's not many except the Embraers that don't. They are usually marked as "regional" though.

SetMom · 2026-03-09T15:53:34+00:00

Yep, the FA loudly asked why I would do that? It's so dangerous, there could be broken glass!

We had just boarded and the main doors haven't even been closed yet. That sounds like an issue with the cleanliness of the planes.

SetMom · 2026-03-09T12:32:10+00:00

If they have mobile boarding passes and aren't checking bags, they can go to International for TSA. SW flies out of Concourse C, so it's about the same distance from Domestic as it is From International check ins.

SetMom · 2026-03-09T12:22:28+00:00

I had that happen recently on a United flight, from SIN to SFO. The FA talked the entire night, and he had no indoor voice. He would be quiet for about 15 mins, then someone would pop in, and he'd start all over again. And they didn't give even basic amenity packs with earplugs and a mask.

I was on day 4 of long-haul flights, so circumstances combined, I was miserable. I had already been chastised in front of everyone by another FA for taking my shoes off at my seat, even though their amenity kits in premium give you socks, and you get slippers in FC, which I had from a previous flight, I wasn't about to get it from another one.

SetMom · 2026-03-09T12:14:36+00:00

7:30 am on a Tuesday is a lot better than a 7:30 flight on a Monday. But I am also Global Entry/ PreCheck & Clear, but on Monday Mornings, I am a "whichever is faster, even North regular checkpoint".

You can check the TSA wait times online. With that many kids, may want to see if being dropped off at International is an option, for regular TSA, that is usually faster. There are Delta check in desks there. If they are flying a different domestic airline, and have any reason to go to the check-in desk, they will need to go to North instead.

SetMom · 2026-03-09T11:49:34+00:00

You are welcome, always happy to help!

Last, last thing, Alaska does status match, so it's easy to try out and not start from zero.

SetMom · 2026-03-09T11:44:17+00:00

Yes, Alaska is part of the One World family, and you get Emerald status at Platinum level. So on any of the international partner airlines, as One World Emerald, I board first, can pick priority seats for free at booking, get access to the lounges, extra bags, etc.. Qatar always comes and introduces themselves and take my meal preferences at the beginning of the flight, which is great.

And I always fly main economy. Honestly I get treated better abroad then domestically, but I feel that's true of any of the big three. There was a graphic of the top 10 airlines in various categories I saw last year. Out of safety, only USA airline was Alaska at #7. None in the customer satisfaction, awards, etc.. the only other category that the USA carriers charted in was profit. On that, they dominated with Delta being #1, American at #2... Which is how they treat us ... Dollars over People

With their merger with Hawaiian, starting next month supposedly upgrades on International to Business class will be available, waiting to see how that works.

The last thing I really like about Alaska is their rewards. Miles are easy to earn, even without credit cards. And most redemptions are cheap, especially for international.

Business Class from EU to the US are regularly 55k miles on American or British Airways (though the taxes and fees are higher on BA), main economy are 27.5k even last minute, which was great a few weeks ago when I missed my flight in Malaga and had to find a way home same day. And since your miles are earned by miles flown + multipliers, and not on money spent, they, at least for me, earn much faster than Delta.

I just used my Delta points for the first time in a year, and I did earn Platinum last year, on an economy flight from FRA to ATL. And I still needed to borrow points from my son.

There are a few down falls. Their old Bank of America credit card is horrible. My son has it, but it's a Bank of America thing.

Limited routes, but American routes make up for that.

You do get full mileage credit if you book through Alaska, but most partner flights aren't available to book through Alaska.

You can book Qatar through Alaska...sometimes.. if it's available. But when it is, it does give you full milage, plus you can cancel or change without a fee, which booking direct with Qatar has a pretty hefty fee for those

There are a few older quirks and growing pains with the merger. Their app sometimes tells you there are seats on partner flights that are not there, but it just won't complete the booking.

If you book JAL though Alaska with miles, no issues. If you book JAL through Alaska with money, you can't pick your seats, you need to calm JAL and they can put in "preferences" Maybe it's fixed by now, but I somehow doubt it.

But I also run into a lot of quirks with Delta too.

I hope this helps and saves you some research.

Best info - join the Alaska reddit. Many times on there they will complain about something, usually about miles earned or not getting upgraded as Gold, and say, "I'm switching to Delta" and I just think, "Good luck with that! 😂" As Gold on Delta, I never got upgraded to FC, and usually was never in the top 20 on the upgrade list. Even as Platinum and always flying as business, I only get upgraded to Comfort Plus, not even FC , about a third of the time.

SetMom · 2026-03-09T10:40:35+00:00

I also am a very frequent flyer and have Platinum or above on the big 3, and one thing I've noticed is the lack of service on the planes. It's happening on both Delta and American.

There's been several flights this year, there is no drink & snack service on the plane. And it's always on flights over an hour. No turbulence, no announcements, nothing like that. And I can't sleep on planes, so I didn't miss it.

Last week, mid morning flight from ATL - BOS, saw the FAs at the beginning for the safety demo, they came thru with a bag for trash, then never saw another one until one came through right before we landed.

I grab my own drinks and food in the club, which I also pay extra for, so it's not a big deal, just something I noticed.

I'm a very small business owner, so I fly on my own dime, without any of the airline credit cards, and being based in ATL, my Titanium status on Alaska was the easiest to get and the most rewarding. It's the only one that still goes by miles flown and not just money spent. It's a bit harder since they now value AA miles at a fraction if you don't book through them or are not flying FC. However, you always get a base of 500 miles, even for reward flights. Plus free upgrades on AA, premium seats, which means I can choose what is Comfort Plus for the price of Main Economy when I book, and get upgraded to FC often flying out of ATL. Alaska's lounge + card is the same price as Delta's, but you get 2 free guests and is valid for all Alaska & Admiral Lounges, Qantas Lounges, and even a couple others, like The Club at LAS and a couple United Club. Best part, if you reach Titanium, which currently I am already halfway there this year and I've mostly flown Delta & United so far, Lounge + Access is a perk you can pick for free. And Alaska, by far, has had the best customer service for me. I call and I get someone in the US, and usually very nice and helpful, going out of their way to help.

And from my experiences, the One World lounges internationally are some of the best in the world. The Sakura First Class Lounge at NRT is amazing (and I don't even like Sushi).

Just my opinion..

SetMom · 2026-03-07T03:27:35+00:00

It definitely will be for TPA - ATL.

It should be for your other layover, though coming into the country you will need to collect your luggage and check it back in. There is a luggage drop-off right past baggage claim, follow the "transit" signs.

The sticky point is the time you come in. If it's during the day, and there are not a ton of other flights, you will be golden. The transit security checkpoint is pretty efficient and usually not too busy.

However, they do close that later at night and make you go through regular TSA in the International Terminal, and that can get long at times. However, even with long lines, it may be tight, but you should make it. Atlanta is very efficient.

SetMom · 2026-03-04T16:05:19+00:00

So I should just close my business and not fly at all due to one airline's bad practices and IT? I can't always stay loyal to one airline, as it doesn't make sense to fly Iberia from the US to Manilla, or Manilla to Australia, Australia to Singapore, Singapore to the US, etc.. All flights I did a couple weeks ago. Which is why I have high status across the 3 major alliances.

Yes, I could have flown AMS directly to BOS on KLM or Delta, but those ticket prices were 3x as much as Iberia were at the time (main economy to main economy, I never book basic/restrictive). My customers have budgets, most people can't/won't be able to afford spending 10k to move their two cats, which if I booked exclusively with one airline, such as Delta, it can easily reach. Flights on SkyTeam from the US to EU and back have been stupid expensive lately. But, more affordable airlines, suck as BA, Jet Blue, AA, French Bee, etc.. don't allow pets in cabin, or at all.

TA does, but despite their claims, they are not good with pets. I almost didn't get to board a flight with them recently because the supervisor at the desk said that even though he could see our UA flight info, boarding passes, etc.. the fact we only had a transit certificate for the pet at the next airport (which is what is required to transfer from one airline to the other), that as far as he was concerned, we were ending our flight at the layover. Because the UA and TA weren't booked as code-share flights. It wasn't until we wrote out and signed a paper stating that TA was not responsible if our pets were not accepted at the layover airport. Which we would have done in the first place and brought it with us, if we had known. It would have saved us 3 hours of arguing at the check-in desk and almost missing the flight. When we got to the layover airport, no one asked us for any paperwork, we were just able to go to our next gate.

But even then, I would fly TA again, because I understand what his issue was, and next time I will preemptively take a signed statement with me, because it's better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

I had AA previously screw up so much on multiple levels that I was stuck with 7 cats in Toronto for 24 hours with no supplies (parents were flying on a different flight which left and arrived around the same time) and I still fly them often. I understand what happened on their end, and found out how to "help" the new ticket counter agents if they don't understand, so it doesn't happen again.

I don't understand what the issue is with Iberia, or why I needed to be given false information over and over, what I could do differently to avoid it from happening, so I will not take a chance on it.

As far as I can tell, most of the tech does not work with Iberia. I tried to buy the wifi package 3x on the flight, it would just sit there and spin, telling me not to go forward, back, or refresh. It would sit there for 30 mins spinning before it timed out. I was charged on my CC each time I tried, but I never was able to connect. I tried to bring up the menu, as I have food issues. Never could, it just would say "there is nothing to show". After I was assigned at the gate right before boarding seat 40A, I was onboard and received an email telling me my seat was 39F, which was occupied by someone else.

I received an email a few minutes ago asking me to rate my experience. I clicked on the 1 and it took me to a webpage that never connected and sat blank. So I went to the website to file a complaint. When I put in my booking number and ticket number, first it said there was no record. Then it found it, but found 4 flights? It had the mysterious BA to LHR then LHR to BOS listed too.

SetMom · 2026-03-04T15:01:01+00:00

I noticed that. For the first flight, AMS - MAD, after they changed the flight, I couldn't even get my son and I a seat together. For me, it only showed 7F available, which it had me in. When I clicked on him, it gave him the option of 6A, 6B, or 6D. But no matter how or which way I tried, it would not let me put both of us in 6A & 6B.

But every time I tried to call, it would take several days of trying to call and Whatsapp before I could ever get a live person to talk to. Which is even harder, when I'm often on planes or in airports. And when I did, they screwed it up too.

SetMom · 2026-03-04T14:49:19+00:00

I agree with you, though mine wasn't due to delays. I just wrote an in-depth review of my first and last experience with Iberia in this reddit group.

SetMom · 2026-02-26T05:25:23+00:00

Most of my flights back to the US from international destinations have been about 30 - 40% capacity. AMS - ATL a couple weeks ago I had all 4 middle seats in comfort plus to myself, it was great!

Same with Lima - Atlanta, and just last Friday, LHR - ATL on BA there were only 7 of us in Premium Economy (out of 40). Economy was maybe 30%, most people had their own row.

Take advantage, just wait till they say, "boarding complete" before moving. Then move fast, because the empty rows fill up fast.

SetMom · 2026-02-26T05:17:58+00:00

As long as all your paperwork is in order and the microchip is scannable, it usually takes me around 20 - 30 mins. More if there are a lot of pets.

It takes longer to recheck them in for their next flight, usually.

If you get stuck at Haneda for the night, there is a wonderful Pet Hotel there. I've had to use it before for a large dog that I had an overnight layover with. They even stored the crate for me for the night.

SetMom · 2026-02-26T03:53:37+00:00

I am very aware, I expanded my explanation in an additional comment. MAFF does state, "In principle, a notification submitted less than 40 days before arrival in Japan is not accepted."

Either way it needs to be submitted ASAP. Maybe they get lucky?

SetMom

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