We have used Air France to take animals from the U.S. to Europe with us and had SUPERB service, far better than from any U.S. airline. Here was one of our experiences--we had rented an apartment in the 16th for about 5 weeks and decided to take our English cocker with us. We flew from San Francisco to CDG on a nonstop Airbus 340 (drove down from Portland, OR, the night before). When we handed off our very precious cocker to the baggage guys, we tipped them generously (never hurts and it could help). Emily's crate was clearly labeled in French AND English her name, description, along with our names, phone numbers and address in France and the U.S. Upon boarding the plane, we spoke to the head FA to let him know we had a dog boarding. Three FAs came back to our seat to tell us she was loaded safely and correctly (each giving us a description of our dog to make sure we were all talking about the same dog). Upon landing at CDG, they brought Emily to us IMMEDIATELY, long before the luggage came out, and told us to take her out of her crate, give her a walk outside and worry about Customs late (AF personnel accompanied us). On the way back, when we said we had a dog flying, the captain himself came back with a description of our dog, said she had been loaded correctly and that he would personally make sure that area of the cargo hold was heated and pressurized correctly. Upon landing at SFO, the nonAF offloaded Emily LAST. She was upset after a long (11 hour) flight and we tried to take her out of the crate for some reassurance. Immediately, the Air France personnel formed a protective circle around us and warned us not to let the customs or airport guys see us as we could face a big fine (they kept the protective screening circle long enough for us to quickly reassure Emily before putting her back in the crate). <BR>We now live in Europe and a year ago imported another English cocker from NZ (we hope to become breeders). We picked her up at CDG and once again, everyone was extremely helpful and concerned about the dog's welfare. Raisin is now snoozing at my feet, happy and healthy.<BR>BTilke

ciao btilke<BR><BR>do you know that your report makes me happy? maybe air france learned and do give there best now. i hope for you that you can start with breeding cockers. they are great and in europe it needs some "fresh blood" in the cocker line.<BR><BR>thanks for your posting. but can you immagine that i was shocked when i read the experience gerda had?<BR><BR>have a nice evening!<BR><BR>christina

As an american living in Germany I brought over 4 cats and flew directly out of Atlanta to Frankfurt. I flew on Delta in September and they took excellent care of my pets. A rep came to the check in desk and retrieved my babies and personally stayed with them until the flight left. As soon as I was on board I told the crew that my cats were supposed to be on board and could someone verify that they were. They did the flight was uneventful and thank god my cats made it here fine. I don't know if it helped that I slipped the guy a fifty as he left with my pets, he did state that it wasn't necessary he gets a paycheck but I told him to have a nice dinner on my tabbies. I was incredibly stressed about this aspect of my move, and it did go well. Delta was very responsible and a rep called weekly to update us on weather conditions and to make sure we had a back up plan in case it was to warm for them to fly. I did postpone my move until the weather was better. I also have read horror stories about airlines not dealing with pets well. One comes to mind an attorney in NYC became disbarred when his golden retriever was left out on a flight line in 100 degreee weather and died and no one noticed. They put a dead dog in baggage and when he got his dog he was livid. He sued the airlines and when the judge ruled that his dog had no more value than a lost piece of luggage he lost it in the court room and tried to attack the judge.This made the front page of the NY times many years ago and for some reason that story sticks out in my mind so when I moved to europe that was all I could think about....

I have been working for a major airline in the US for many years. I will attest that we have special slips that the agent gives the captain of the plane alerting them that an animal is traveling below(has owner's name,seat number,animal's name,etc.)The flight does NOT leave the gate until the captain has found out that the animal is on board and then we alert the passenger so he can put his fears to rest.On flights that the animal has been shipped without humans and that are delayed-I have seen ramp agents/crew members,etc.go down to the area where the dog/cat,etc. is being held to make sure they have water,"loved/talked to" etc.My airline will not ship during certain times of the year,etc. I think that you have to know who you are shipping with and what type of people they have working for them!

I have imported dogs from Europe and have also shipped dogs/puppies across the US and to Canada. I, knock on wood, have had no bad experiences. I don't believe it is so much one particular airline as I believe the airlines properly train their employees to handle the transportation of animals. Fortunately there are animal lovers in the world, and unfortunately for humanity, there are non animal lovers. I believe it comes down to who is on duty that day and who is handling the transport of your pet. There are also countries and nationalities that do not regard animals with the same feelings others do, as a whole. Many countries eat dogs, I certainly would not send my dog through that country on a connecting flight! The president for my dog breed club in Europe has sent puppies and dogs through Spain on different airlines. More than once the animals were left on the hot runway and left with no shelter and water and died! He refuses to ship any dogs through Spain now. He is even Spanish and says they have little regard for the well-being of animals. <BR><BR>Some advice in general, if given the opportunity to transport counter to counter vs. cargo, avoid cargo. More chance for errors. It's always a scary thing, and I breathe again when it's all over.

Tell us SkyGoddess, how to find out those things, please.