Hi, I want to fly out to pick up my retreiver and bring her to my new home,but was told by the airlines that the FAA has put a hold on cargo shipments. He would be considered cargo, they said, because the crate and he would weigh 100lbs. Can anyone help ?? Any clue as to when the FAA will remove this hold. Thanks

Cargo is not the best option -- driving is. I'm sure you looked into it and I'm sure that driving is extremely difficult and long. Can you get someone to drive and to meet you half-way? At the very least, it may be the quickest way to collect your dog.

I don't think anyone knows when this restriction will be lifted.

You may want to check with Northwest Airlines. I know that their specialty is pet travel, and disabled. 800-225-2525.

When I had to fly my dog out to California(this was a awhile ago), we were on the same flight so she was considered "excess baggage"(which is about?$50 each way?) not cargo, so I don't know if you could get around it that way.

You bring up an extremely interesting topic...

Have you flown your pet before - which airline have you travelling with?

For you and maybe others that are flying a good site to get information is the Humane Society of the United States

http://www.hsus.org/programs/compani..._policies.html

I believe they also have reports on how each of the airlines cater to animals. Some do not heat the cabins that the animals travel in... Please check how your airline is going to treat your pet - I've heard some real horror stories!!

Others HSUS pages:

Tips for Safe Pet Air Travel
http://www.hsus.org/programs/compani...t_travel5.html

Air Line Pet Policies
http://www.hsus.org/programs/compani...vel_alert.html

The Safe Air Travel for Animals Act
http://www.hsus.org/programs/compani...ravel_act.html

Facts about S. 1193 and H.R. 2776—the Safe Air Travel for Animals Act
http://www.hsus.org/programs/governm...air_facts.html

True Horror Stories
http://www.hsus.org/programs/governm...r_stories.html

Don't know all the details, but there are a lot of details to check out and take care of ahead of time. People in dog shows and breeders ship (expensive) pets all the time. Get in touch with the AKC association for your dog's breed. They can give you good advice.

From what I can tell, problems typically arise when it's NOT a direct flight. Even if you have to drive several hours to an airport that can get a direct flight, it'll be better in the long run. (I am assuming that the dog is further than that from you right now.)

I have a friend who is a professional dog breeder, and she swears by Delta Dash air service for her show dogs. I would think that an animal is much different than a typical cargo shipment, which is usually an inanimate object, so you should be allowed to fly him as long as you are on the same flight.

Hi, thanks everyone for all your help. I called Northwest airlines and went on many of the websites that you guys gave. Also called US Airways and Continental. All said different things and I think I will have to drive the 1500 miles to get my dog home. Too much confusion. I asked about excess baggage and they said yes, then said no. Not enough knowledgeable customer service people out there. Chris was right. Thanks again

Have done it both ways--travelled with the dog and had the dog sent. It is comparatively cheap to travel with the dog--about $50. I think the point now is whether the airlines will ship the pet unaccompanied and that is the question that needs to be addressed. Also you must provide documentation by a vet within a specific time frame of travelling.