Traveling by Plane

Recently I had the opportunity to take my first plane trip. I was super excited because well I love to go places and surely a plane ride is just as much fun as a car ride. Mommy on the other hand was a nervous wreck. We were meeting daddy out in California so she had her hands full taking care of me on the trip on her own. So what does any good blogger mommy do ..starting doing research on the web and ask my more traveled dog friends for their advise. Thanks Cosmo!!

First, we needed a flight. After alot of research. Mom decided traveling by Southwest was the best option since they allowed dogs in the cabin for $75 each way and they seemed to have more leg room for my carrier. So she called Southwest and they issued me my very own ticket! I even had my own conformation number so I was official and all!

Next mom needed to get me a carrier. I am small enough “barely” to fit under the seat so I could travel in the cabin with mommy. She looked at every carrier she could find and finally settled on the Sherpa classic bag size large. It had several of vents/windows so I could see out and it had nice padding in the bottom. The top was also flexible and it flattens a little bit to help me get under the seat. We practiced alot with the carrier. If I got into the carrier I got a treat, let the top be zipped up while in it I got another treat, if mom lifted the carrier with me in it I get even more treats! It was a win win for me hehehe

Another odd thing we learned is when your traveling with a dog you have to pay extra to bring us with you, but we also count as your carry on bag. You only get the dog and a personal item and not your carry on bag (at least on Southwest) . So mom had to be very strategic on what she packed since she had to carry all my supplies and her stuff too all in one small tote bag in case we got stuck at an airport.

So the big day came, mom loaded up the car, set out the self feeder for my brother and sister cats (don’t worry we did have someone checking on them) and off we went, Well not really …… we waited and waited on the interstate in a traffic jam. The state of Tennessee road department (we flew out of Nashville) decided they just had to trim trees and shut down a lane of Interstate 65 the day of our flight. After over an hour mom was breaking out in a cold sweat..we were going to miss our plane! Finally after getting past the tree crew she drove like a NASCAR driver! We arrived at the airport parking lot exactly one hour before our flight left. After the quickest potty break for me ever (she ran me to a tree, threw me down, said go now!..she meant business..so I went quickly), and I jumped in my carrier. We ran to a shuttle bus then up to the ticket counter to get our luggage checked and all the special tags put on my carrier.

Next was security. Mom was nervous about this part since I can’t stay in my carrier. So out I came and my carrier went through this box thing that takes x-rays. Mommy carried me through the x-ray scanner in her arms. My collar didn’t set it off thank goodness so back into the carrier I went and another mad dash to our gate. At this point mom realized I am a BIG little white dog and 19 pounds of dog on your shoulder racing down a terminal is very hard to do. Mommy was quite winded and just worn out by the time we got on the plane. Here I am at the gate.

Take off was fine. I didn’t bark, didn’t cry or anything. Mom said I was an angel! I had to stay under the seat the whole time but on the way back home the plane wasn’t full so mom was able to put my carrier in the seat beside her. That was much more comfortable. Here is a photo of me on the plane..shhh I’m not suppose to have my head out but I figured out how to open the zipper up on my own and I wanted to see what was going on. Landing was the one part I didn’t like much…it was bumpy and kinda freaked me out but I got through it with mommy petting me.