We often discuss with our customers the advantages and disadvantages of transporting live animals either in the plane’s cargo area or within the passenger cabin.
Imagine being in your pet’s shoes, or rather, their crate. If it were up to you, you’d probably prefer having your pet seated right by you, sharing your in-flight snacks and beverages. Such a scenario can ease your stress, as you know your furry friend is just beside you, seemingly content. With companies like www.suitcasesireland.ie offering a range of suitcases including cabin suitcases and suitcase sets, flying has never been so easy.
However, the reality is different. Your pet won’t be seated next to you. Prior to boarding, your pet would face a multitude of stressors, starting with sensing your own pre-travel anxieties. The chaos of the airport, from the bustling crowds, blaring announcements, security procedures, to the myriad of unfamiliar scents, can be overwhelming for them.
By the time you board, your pet has to be confined in a carrier with limited height for the entire flight duration. They can perceive your presence – your sounds, your scent, and even the tantalizing smell of in-flight meals, but can’t interact with you. Moreover, there’s the potential risk of being offloaded due to fellow passengers’ allergies. Given the stringent airline rules about keeping pets confined, perhaps reconsidering this approach for your pet’s welfare is wise.
Traveling with pets can be stressful:
We believe the ideal solution is acclimatizing your pet to their crate, which we affectionately term their ‘travel pod’. A well-crate-trained pet feels safe and relaxed in their designated space. The real challenge lies in ensuring the external environment of this crate remains as calming as possible during transit. That’s where our expertise comes in, collaborating with airlines to minimize your pet’s stress.
From a pet’s viewpoint, the cargo section is just another room, albeit one that moves slightly during take-off and landing. They don’t perceive it as flying; they just await the moment someone familiar will come and free them, probably expecting to find themselves in a different setting than they left.
The air quality and conditions in the cargo are the same as in the cabin. Airlines are particular about cleanliness because the circulating air is common for both. The cargo holds in reputable airlines are equipped with insulation, controlled temperature, adequate pressure, and subdued lighting. This setup ensures that animals can travel comfortably, lying down, and maybe even enjoying a good nap, much like we do in the cabin.
The primary stress factor for pets is usually the wait on the tarmac before and after the flight. As they are typically the last to board and first to disembark, they often wait with the rest of the cargo. This waiting period can be distressing. However, at PetRelocation, we coordinate with airlines to ensure pets are handled separately, ensuring they don’t experience prolonged waits on the tarmac but are shuttled efficiently during boarding and deboarding
