International Travel With Dogs – Passengers must remove pets from their travel carrier at the security checkpoint and direct the carrier to the X-ray machine. Then pick up their pet as they pass through the metal detector. Alternatively, pets can be walked through a metal detector while on a leash. (picture)
DULLES, Virginia – Traveling through airport security with pets can be easier when travelers know what to expect. Small pets can travel in the aircraft cabin with their owners after the pets are screened at the security checkpoint by Transportation Security Administration (SSA) officials.
International Travel With Dogs
“Pets often travel with their humans and are treated like family members,” says Scott T. Johnson, director of federal security for the Airport Transportation Security Administration. “Therefore it is important that if a passenger is traveling with a pet they are familiar with the security procedures for pets and how to go through the checkpoint security screening process quickly and easily. The main thing you should know when examining pets is that they should never be examined through a checkpoint x-ray unit.
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An officer will check the hands of the passengers to check for any traces of explosives. (picture)
All pets must be brought to the security checkpoint in a hand-held travel carrier. Remove the pet from the carrier just before the screening process begins. Place the empty travel carrier on the checkpoint conveyor belt so it can be x-rayed. Never keep pets in the X-ray tunnel. X-rays at the security checkpoint are only used to monitor passengers’ personal property and carry-on baggage. If possible, take the pet through a walk-through metal detector during the screening process. Alternatively, pets can go through the screening process if the owner has the pet on a leash. It is best to listen to the guidance an officer is giving. An officer gives the pet owner an explosive trace detection swab to ensure there is no explosive residue on the owner’s hands. After the screening process is complete, owners must return their pet to the travel carrier in the re-composer area away from the security checkpoint. This space helps ensure the safety of pets as well as other passengers. Pet travel restrictions vary by airline and airport, so it’s important to check with the airline before traveling with pets. There are four pet assistance areas at Dulles International Airport, two of which are outside the terminal (before security) and two inside the concourse (after security).
Other helpful travel tips to make traveling through security with pets as easy as possible include:
Acclimate the pet to the travel process by introducing it to the travel carrier in the days leading up to the trip. This familiarization will help ensure that pets will be more comfortable during the security process and when traveling through the airport. Watch out for dogs and handlers who “work” at the airport. Areas where it is common to see working dogs in airports may include security checkpoints or terminal areas. If you encounter a working dog, please consider relocating to an alternative location so as not to disrupt government working dog operations. Know your pet’s temperament and make sure you can keep control over it in a busy and potentially crowded airport. This is especially important for cats, who often become nervous when they are removed from their pet carrier and hear and see the sounds and sights of the checkpoint. Passengers with pets that may become agitated when removed from the pet carrier, and may attempt to struggle or jump out, should request that an officer examine the pet in a private screening room. The passenger will be accommodated in the room together with his/her pet. When traveling with service animals and pets, it’s a good idea to contact your airline directly for policy details as they vary by airline and time of year. Travelers should familiarize themselves with the pet assistance areas at their departure airport and arrival airport. ###Traveling is an exciting adventure, and you definitely want your dog to accompany you. Although people with small dogs can easily bring them along as carry-on luggage, flying with your larger dog is not such an easy task, and often your dog will need to travel as cargo.
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The process of getting your dog from Point A to Point B via plane can leave you feeling like you don’t know where to start or what you need. After all, there is paperwork involved, including choosing the right pet carrier so your dog is as comfortable as possible, along with many other things.
That’s why we’ve created an article that tells you everything you need to know about flying domestically or internationally with your big dog to make bringing your big dog with you as easy and stress-free as possible.
After all, if you get the chance to travel somewhere exotic and dog-friendly, there’s no reason why your dog shouldn’t be with you every step of the way, and we want to help make that happen. .
The short answer here is no, you cannot fly with your large dog in the cabin during your flight. Most airlines require that in order to travel in the cabin, dogs must be able to fit inside a carrier placed under the aircraft seat.
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Unfortunately, this means that medium or large dogs such as the Husky or the Labrador are automatically excluded. In addition to allowing small dogs to travel in the cabin, there are some exceptions.
Trained or certified emotional support animals or service dogs, with valid documentation, are sometimes allowed to travel with their pet owners in the cabin. Flights can be a stressful time for many people, and for those who need service animals, it can be even more so.
Therefore airlines can make exceptions to allow large service dogs, such as golden retrievers, in the cabin during a flight. However, this is at the discretion of the airline and therefore, it is important to constantly check the rules and regulations.
Need expert advice on how to safely transport your beloved pup? Contact our friendly team today.
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You can certainly fly internationally with a large dog. However, along with the steps you should take when flying your large dog domestically, there are some additional steps you should take when it comes to international pet travel.
To make sure you are fully prepared and equipped to travel internationally with your large dog, contact the local authority in your destination country, and they will be able to provide you with all the latest information.
There are some ground rules when it comes to flying with large dogs. You must ensure that your dog is completely free of ticks, fleas or any other infectious diseases. Depending on the airline, larger dogs will be required to be transported as checked baggage or cargo.
If you would like to know more information about what the specific check-in requirements are and how to travel with your dog, contact the airline directly. Your dog must also be traveling in a suitable carrier, be clean and remain as calm as possible for the duration of the flight.
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We are here to help make transporting your furry friend as smooth as possible. Contact our friendly team today to make your journey easier.
To help you deal with taking your senior dog on flights and all the stress associated with it, we have compiled a useful guide of general advice to follow when flying with your dog.
Always check that your dog is fit to fly. The vet can look at your dog and give you breed-specific information and advice, which can be really helpful. They will consider your senior dog’s behavior and health history to provide the best advice.
When flying, make sure you don’t feed your dog within four hours of your flight departing, as most airlines recommend this. By not feeding your dog within four hours of your flight, you reduce the chance of motion sickness and your senior dog’s potential need for the bathroom.
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Always make sure you have taken your dog to the bathroom before checking in for a flight, as this will make the flight easier and more enjoyable for your senior dog.
Making sure to exercise your senior dog before going to the airport can help your dog to fly, allowing them to potentially sleep during the flight.
This tip may come as a surprise, however, as most airlines will not allow an unconscious dog to travel with them. This is because sedation can change the way your dog breathes, which is risky during travel, especially when in an unfamiliar environment.
If you have real concerns about your dog blowing insensitive, talk to your vet about alternative methods of calming your dog or methods of crate-training him.
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