airplane tips please!

[pebbles1553]

So, I've flown with Pebbles before, but this time the flight length is 6 hours. I'm scared; she has a super small travel cage, and I would like to get a larger, safer one. Also, I'm trying to train her before the flight so she isn't all stressed out. But can I please have some more tips? She gets super aggressive in small cages, and I'm scared of putting water and food in because she might escape ( she hates small spaces). So, can I have cage recommendations that are allowed as a carry-on on a plane? Thanks! I am also flying into the sate of Washington, and wondering if i need a health certificate for her? Some websites say they do, some say not, so how do I know? Flying with pets always makes me so stressed!

 

[rheashard2]

The latest regulation that I know of are simple. Pets transported to other states, US territories by their owners isn't regulated. Pets transported by agencies are regulated. Owners should have health records if need arises. The catch is some species of parrots are considered invasive and not allowed in some states or territories. So check on this. Getting your bird used to carrier is advisable. Cover and have her sleep in it. Feed foods she'll eat that has a high moisture content. This will get around the need for water. You know your bird. When you say cranky what do you mean. With parrots cranky is subjective. Does she become aggressive? Escape artist? Sulky? Depending upon your response talk it over with your avian vet

 

[DonnaBudgie]

What airline are you taking?

 

[pebbles1553]

The latest regulation that I know of are simple. Pets transported to other states, US territories by their owners isn't regulated. Pets transported by agencies are regulated. Owners should have health records if need arises. The catch is some species of parrots are considered invasive and not allowed in some states or territories. So check on this. Getting your bird used to carrier is advisable. Cover and have her sleep in it. Feed foods she'll eat that has a high moisture content. This will get around the need for water. You know your bird. When you say cranky what do you mean. With parrots cranky is subjective. Does she become aggressive? Escape artist? Sulky? Depending upon your response talk it over with your avian vet

Thanks a lot! She gets aggressive, like runs at everything entering her cage, then bites the corner of the cage when super angry. She does this when she is around small spaces; I'm guessing to her it looks like a nest. When I flip over just a simple binder or something like that, she will immediately grow an obsession with it and want to be inside it. It's nest behavior, and this is in the cage lots of the time. She also becomes very responsive and copies a lot of what you do, like sneezes and coughs; she does this in all nests. It's interesting but difficult to travel with lol.

 

[pebbles1553]

What airline are you taking?

probably frontier, because its a lil cheaper

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I tried to take my Budgie on American and they don't take birds so make sure you call and ask before making reservations.

 

[pebbles1553]

I tried to take my Budgie on American and they don't take birds so make sure you call and ask before making reservations.

ok thx so much, American is one of our options! ill definetly call them

 

[DonnaBudgie]

ok thx so much, American is one of our options! ill definetly call them

If they tell you that they take birds in the passenger cabin I'm going to be so mad at them for refusing to get my budgie fly. Let me know.
Make sure you check with all airlines you're considering by calling them.
Don't count on someone's past experience or anything it says online.

 

[pebbles1553]

If they tell you that they take birds in the passenger cabin I'm going to be so mad at them for refusing to get my budgie fly. Let me know.
Make sure you check with all airlines you're considering by calling them.
Don't count on someone's past experience or anything it says online.

Okay, I'll tell you! Also, do I need to book a ticket for the bird, or can you just show up on the day of the flight and say you want to fly with her? It was something like that when I flew with Frontier, and it made me nervous. Also, I might not be able to fly Frontier because they don't fly from our nearest airport...

 

[DonnaBudgie]

You have to reserve a under seat space for your bird in advance. Don't get a bulkhead seat or there will be no space for him. There's a fee for carry on pets. At least $100.

 

[pebbles1553]

You have to reserve a under seat space for your bird in advance. Don't get a bulkhead seat or there will be no space for him. There's a fee for carry on pets. At least $100.

ok thx! yes I know there's a fee, it's annoying cuz thats how much i paid for Pebbles lol. but no one is gonna convince me to sell her!

 

[pebbles1553]

What airline are you taking?

actually probably delta, Frontier doesn't fly from my airport, just realized....

 

[Pickle's Mom]

Make sure to call the airline as soon as possible. We found out too that it can depend on how knowledgeable the representative you get on the phone is. Some know the regulations, some don't, you may get different answers. So if it doesn't sound like they know maybe try calling back for a different person. Arrive super early too, you will most likely have to get in the special line to check in for flight. We almost missed our flight because that line is so slow, and we had arrived early too. Apple is always a good go to for leaving in the carrier for hydration. Water will just spill. Pak o Bird makes some wonderful airline approved carriers, but they are $$$, and they only have carriers that can be taken in the cabin. Some airlines will only allow pets to travel as checked cargo.

 

[TiredOldMan]

I don't worry about the climate controlled pressurized holds they put animals in

It's the baggage handlers that I worry about

 

[pebbles1553]

Make sure to call the airline as soon as possible. We found out too that it can depend on how knowledgeable the representative you get on the phone is. Some know the regulations, some don't, you may get different answers. So if it doesn't sound like they know maybe try calling back for a different person. Arrive super early too, you will most likely have to get in the special line to check in for flight. We almost missed our flight because that line is so slow, and we had arrived early too. Apple is always a good go to for leaving in the carrier for hydration. Water will just spill. Pak o Bird makes some wonderful airline approved carriers, but they are $$$, and they only have carriers that can be taken in the cabin. Some airlines will only allow pets to travel as checked cargo.

Ok, thank you! That is very helpful. I am definitely going to try apples; she loves apples. I am also taking her in the cabin. For me, I don't want to cargo her... too scary.

 

[Pickle's Mom]

Ok, thank you! That is very helpful. I am definitely going to try apples; she loves apples. I am also taking her in the cabin. For me, I don't want to cargo her... too scary.

I absolutely agree about in cabin if possible. For us we had no choice about in cargo to get our bird to Hawaii. It bothered me so much to have to put him through that for our move. The pilot actually had someone come tell me that he had set the temp to 72 degrees for him in the area they carry pets. It was still really hard to not worry. But, he made it like a trooper.

 

[Pickle's Mom]

I don't worry about the climate controlled pressurized holds they put animals in

It's the baggage handlers that I worry about

I was worried about that part too, for sure

 

[pebbles1553]

I absolutely agree about in cabin if possible. For us we had no choice about in cargo to get our bird to Hawaii. It bothered me so much to have to put him through that for our move. The pilot actually had someone come tell me that he had set the temp to 72 degrees for him in the area they carry pets. It was still really hard to not worry. But, he made it like a trooper.

thats awesome! Im glad it worked our for you, iv'e just heard may creepy stories so.....

 

[Pickle's Mom]

Although it was really hard to have him travel that way we really didn't have a choice. In the big picture of things he is like one of our children, and no matter what we were bringing him. Much better a rough day than losing him or being someone who just rehomes their pet. I actually would have just stayed at our home in wa if he couldn't come with. I told my husband we only move as a package deal lol.