Flying Continental with In-Cabin Cat

curiosa · #1 (**permalink**) 28th July 2011, 10:03 PM

I was wondering if anyone here has recently flown on Continental with an in-cabin pet. If so, were you really not permitted a carry-on since your pet is in lieu of the carry-on?

I've flying out on Saturday as I'm moving to Mexico and I have personal documents and camera equipment that I cannot afford to check in. How can they charge you for your pet and then say it's in lieu of a carry-on which is free? I would like to just take a carry-on suitcase and my cat. Sorry for rambling.

Thanks!

DNP · #2 (**permalink**) 28th July 2011, 10:53 PM

Be prepared to abide by what Continental tells you and maybe you'll get lucky.

maryellen1952 · #3 (**permalink**) 28th July 2011, 11:11 PM

Have you checked the Continental website about flying with pets????
There has ALWAYS BEEN A CHARGE for pets flying regardless if they are checked in as baggage so don't know where you got that assumption.
You might end up, as many have, going to the airport prepared to leave only to find that you are unable to do so because your baggage/pets are not accepted.
Most airlines require that you notify them in advance if a pet is flying with you AND you need to have a specific sized carrier approved by the airline.
Last time my dogs went with me on Continental it was $75/pet as checked baggage and I'm sure it has increased since then.
Flying with a pet is not a simple matter of showing up at the ticket counter and checking the pet in so you might check that.

FHBOY · #4 (**permalink**) 28th July 2011, 11:29 PM

Continental counts your carrier as a piece of carry one. It must fit under the seat in front of you. Since Continental and United are now the same, there is a very detailed piece on the United Website - check it out.

I am still looking for feedback from those who have flown cats as baggage on connecting flights and what they have found. I will be flying thru ATL or HOU and my wife is afraid we'll lose our cats. Sorta like luggage - and don;t them to have a holiday in Hawaii when I'm in GDL

curiosa · #5 (**permalink**) 29th July 2011, 12:04 AM

I guess I should have stated previously that I have read the Continental site thoroughly and am not a person that doesn't use Google. I like to think of myself with a good head on their shoulders.

I was asking for experiences of people that had flown with Continental so that I could see what to expect. I spoke with a Continental agent and she was even under a different impression of what was listed on the site. It's as with everything...a luck of the draw.

What irks me is that they want to count the pet as a carry-on but they want to charge you for it when you don't have to pay for a carry-on technically. I paid for my reservation back in May which included my cat. It's just principality. I won't be able to take a suitcase and will have to figure out how to take my digital SLR with lenses, laptop, personal documents and effects in a small bag. All in the name of love.

FHBOY · #6 (**permalink**) 29th July 2011, 03:00 PM

I never meant to imply that you didn't already look at Google - it was a general piece of advice.

We have 4 cats we will need to bring with us when we move - 2 cats per person - and they are not small enough to fit in cabin, so they will be flying as baggage - unless my wife convinces me to make the multi-day drive just so they can be with us in a car [which has it's own set of hassles].

One way or the other United/Continental is going to get you for something and I have learned not to tilt at windmills. Yeah we cat people are weird - willing to do just about anything for these furry little children who eat off the floor.

Buena Suerte!

pappabee · #7 (**permalink**) 29th July 2011, 09:10 PM

No one has said anything about the medical requirements for bringing pets into Mexico. I hope you have all that documentation with you and available when trying to board. When we drove down here we had our dog with us and no one asked for anything regarding his health. But I know of a few people who have been questioned when trying to fly. One had their paperwork that was 2 months old and they were required to get it updated before they were allow to take their pet with them.

Just like the little boy on the potty, the jobs not done until the paperwork is finished.

RVGRINGO · #8 (**permalink**) 30th July 2011, 03:41 PM

Sometimes, it is just much easier to drive.

pappabee · #9 (**permalink**) 30th July 2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Sometimes, it is just much easier to drive.

And possibly more comfortable for the pets.

maryellen1952 · #10 (**permalink**) 1st August 2011, 05:03 PM

Did you red the Continental website section as it specifically states Because we share our customers' concern that their pets' flights are stress-free, we have enhanced our animal acceptance policy to transport pets as cargo. Our program is called PetSafe®. Under this program, Continental does not accept pets as checked baggage.
And you do need a health certificate for each pet from the vet so you might want to read the website again.
As airline regulations change frequently, other peoples' opinions will probably not apply to yours. I have flown dogs, guinea pigs and fish in the past and I will NEVER AGAIN put them on a flight.

"'