Travel, Gone to the Dogs
For those of us that love our dogs like children, vacations can be stressful. Finding a boarding facility that you trust can be difficult and expensive; But taking your dog with you, especially on a plane, is also expensive and potentially traumatic (for you and your baby.)
I live in Los Angeles, but frequently travel to Atlanta to visit family – and I bring my 18 lb Pug, Hannah. I mention her weight because I can bring her in the cabin with me in a crate that fits under the seat. But this means paying the price – between $75 (Southwest Airlines) and $150 (Delta Airlines) per leg – AND she counts as one of my pieces of carry-on luggage! That means checking at least one bag, bringing the total additional fees per leg to $170. Also, most airlines have restrictions on how many dogs can be in a cabin at one time, so around the holidays I have to plan ahead and book my dog as a carry on as early as possible.
Pet policies vary by airlines and airport. Most require that pets stay in their crates once they’ve passed through security (which is an adventure on its own). The size of plane-approved pet carriers is subject to IATA regulations – more information on acceptable crates can be found here.
To save money this year, I’m getting creative. Hannah and I will fly to Atlanta for Thanksgiving, and I’ll leave here there with my mother (and miss her desperately) until mid-December, when I return for Christmas. The separation will be hard for me, but less stressful on my pug (less time in the tiny crate) and on my wallet… By making this four week sacrifice, I’ll be able to cut the cost in half, saving as much as $340 on holiday travel with my dog.
