First Flight

[Brennan's Mum]

I am getting ready for the big move from Adelaide to Brisbane in December this year. I have decided to fly over to cut down on travel time, safety ( travelling alone) and of course petrol.

I have bookmarked Qantas and Virgin Blues 'Pets guidelines' am prepared for the cost etc. Now I need to buy a suitable crate. I am considering hiring a crate which would be cheaper and I can be guaranteed that it will meet the airlines criteria. However, if I buy a crate I can start crate training Brennan earlier ( she has only been in a crate once).

I am just concerned that I would a) not meet the airline criteria, and b) it could be too small for Brennan ( she is 14month old GSD female). The other concern is that most of the crates I see on ebay are collapsible and I know that Virgin Blue do not allow collapsible crates ( not according to their website).

Any advice would be great, if you could suggest a good website that sells wire crates which are airline approved

Although I have flown plenty of times, this will be my first flight with Brennan. I have already decided that I shall fly as early as I possibly can when it would be cooler ( flying in December eek)

[dancinbcs]

The crates favoured by airlines are Vari Kennels, that are plastic and made in two pieces that are joined with screws around the middle. Not sure if the giant size would be big enough for a GSD or not.

Here is a link to someone that sells them

http://www.australianexplorer.com/shop/products/148.php

Otherwise enquire about hiring a solid steel crate for a few weeks before the trip but make sure you can transport the crate to the airport. A large steel crate will take up a lot of room in a vehicle, unless you have someone with a box trailer that can deliver you, the dog and crate to the airport.

[ish]

The couple of times I've flown GSD adults, I have hired crates through the airline - however they've been quite similar to the usual fold up crates I use at home.

If I was in your position, I would buy a crate to use at home for training Brennan to get used to it, hire a crate for the flight and then if you no longer have a use for the crate you bought, sell it (people are always looking for them 2nd hand)

You can occasionally find the vari-kennel style crates for sale on the DOL classifieds, whihc you could use for training and the flight, but for a GSD size they're $300+ 2nd hand (and thats if you can find one)

[Brennan's Mum]

Oh wow, thank you both. I think I may go with the hiring option lol. I can buy a crate for good once I get to Brisbane as they sell them at my obedience club and I won't have to worry about postage ;-)

[ish]

Oh sorry, I missed the part where you're flying too Buying a crate now that she couldn't fly in would be a silly option in that case!

The dogs are allowed to have a blanket in the crate with them when they fly, so if she doesn't already have one on her bed, its a good idea to get one soon so it will smell familiar and be calming to her. Good luck with it all

[Brennan's Mum]

Thanks guys. I have started making my necessary phone calls today. I will be going with Dogtainers to hire a crate. They will charge me $50 for the hiring of the crate and I pick it up from the airport.

The price is a huge factor in my choice to go with them, and also they allow me to take her with me to the airport. I would get nervous having someone else drive her to the airport. Especially since I myself will be going there in my Mum's car it does not make sense.

[Skye GSD]

Thanks guys. I have started making my necessary phone calls today. I will be going with Dogtainers to hire a crate. They will charge me $50 for the hiring of the crate and I pick it up from the airport.

The price is a huge factor in my choice to go with them, and also they allow me to take her with me to the airport. I would get nervous having someone else drive her to the airport. Especially since I myself will be going there in my Mum's car it does not make sense.

We flew from NZ to WA and brought our 7yr old GSD on the same flight with us. Sascha had never been crate trained but managed great. If you use any of the pet transport companies they will supply the crate and pick up for you. You also just leave it behind when you pick your dog up at your destination and someone else has to clean it out!!!

More often than not the dogs are far better being handled by the transport people instead of the owners as they are not getting the worried vibes transfered and you don't look like the baddie that put them in there - only the wonderful mum who got them out!

I remember looking out of the window of the plane while we waited on the final loading and heard the couple behind say "oh - look at the lovely GSD" and there was my baby being loaded in the hold below us.

My new GSD flew from Brisbane to WA and was equally fine.