Bone Voyage!
Calling
all pawsengers! And those pawsengers can behave like animals aboard a new
airline scheduled to take off soon in the U.S.
Pet Airways, the first
airline designed specifically for the safe and comfortable transportation of
pets, will book pets in the main cabin - and owners are not allowed to go
along - even in the cargo hold. Pets (cats, dogs or other pets) can book online
and then check into a Pet Lounge at the airport. On its web site, the
airline promises never to leave a pet alone adding: "A pet attendant will always
be within a cat's meow." Pet attendants give the animals a "potty break" shortly
before take-off and then monitor the animals during the flight. To accommodate
the pets, seats are removed from a 19-seat turbo-prop plane (operated by
Suburban Air Freight) to make room for pet carriers. The inaugural flight is
scheduled for July 14 with five cities served, New York, Washington DC,
Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles. One-way airfares start from $149.
Bone voyage! (Excerpt from
www.ClarkHoward.com on 4/23/09.)
Valuable Pet Tips
(courtesy of The Atlanta Journal/Constitution)
Tips To Make A Pet's Flight Safer:
*Make sure your pet is wearing a collar and an ID tag and include destination information. Breakaway collars are best for cats.
*Book a direct flight whenever possible and try to avoid heavy travel times (weekends and holidays). This will decrease the likelihood of your pet being left on the tarmac during extreme weather conditions or mishandled by baggage personnel.
*Purchase a U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved shipping crate that is large enough for your pet to stand, sit and change position comfortably.
*Write "LIVE ANIMAL" in large letters on the top and sides of the crate. Use arrows to show the upright position of the crate.
More tips, plus airline prices and requirements at www.ajc.com/travel. More information is available at www.airconsumer.ost.dot.gov -- click on Air Travel Consumer Report.