United Airlines pets travel new policy (March 2012)

United Airlines pets travel new policy - No more pets flying in cabin or checked as luggage!


As of March 3, 2012, United, which is merging with Continental, is adopting Continental's pet transport program known as "PetSafe." All pets will be shipping as cargo.

That means different shipping process and cost significantly greater.

For more detail contact us : info.petsventura.com or by Phone +54 (11) 5292-6001 (Argentina) or +1 (818) 627-6256

Breaking News: Continental Airlines Cargo will implement a fuel surcharge

NEW FUEL SURCHARGES EFFECTIVE August 10, 2011

For additional questions regarding International Pet Relocation contact PetsVentura Pet Relocation Solutions

 

   

New Security Directive Affects Non-U.S. Origin Cargo

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a new Security Directive effective 1700 GMT March 10, 2011. This Directive mandates changes in security measures applicable to cargo shipments originating, transiting, or transferring at all non-U.S. locations.

Continental Airlines Cargo continues to accept cargo from all our customers as we work with the TSA to validate the impact and ramifications of this Directive.

Compliance with the new Directive requires carriers to determine whether the forwarder/

consolidator’s customer has had an established account with the forwarder for at least one

year. Forwarders are required to attest to this relationship by submitting the following revised

MAWB statement:

“All shipments tendered on this Master Air Waybill were received from persons having an established account for at least one year with a physical shipping address and a payment, invoice, or credit history of at least one year.”


When possible, this statement should accompany the shipment at time of tender. The statement may be written on the air waybill or other shipment documentation or may be included on a separate document. The version of the MAWB Acceptance Statement required by previous Directives is no longer valid or required.


Separate security measures apply to shipments tendered by regulated agents who provide the statement above, and to cargo from unregulated agents or agents who do not provide the statement. United Cargo will continue to accept cargo tendered both with and without this statement, and will apply the appropriate security protocols.


We will issue further updates on this issue as the impact of the new Directive is clarified. If you have any questions on this issue, please contact your cargo sales manager. We appreciate your support and continued strong business relationship.

Continental Airways and Skywest

This is to inform PetsVentura Pet Relocation Solutions clients that Continental Connection carrier (Skywest) with their CRJ aircraft will not accommodate live animals, thus we are forced to embargo animals on Continental flight numbers 5800-5849 effective immediately.   We hope that Skywest will resolve this issue over the coming months but for now we cannot move an animal on their flights. 

OUR CLIENT RECOMMENDATION - One More Successful Pet Relocation

Henry was all set to go. Paperwork from the vet had come back from the USDA, signed and stamped, staying in the kennel was getting a bit easier, he had gotten a good work out swimming behind the canoe for several hours the day before, and Continental had confirmed his place in cargo. Now, we had to travel to Raleigh with all of my bags (4 large suitcases and two carry ons if you were curious) Henry's kennel, and Henry (of course!). Henry's plane leaves Friday at 5pm from Raleigh and mine on Saturday at 2pm from Greensboro. We are to meet up in Houston and get on the same plane to Buenos Aires! Sounds simple right?

So, we get to the Continental Cargo facility at the Raliegh airport 2 and a half hours early (as requested). Should I also mention it is almost 100 degrees? We are not to bring the dog into the cargo office, so we are stuck walking him around in the hot parking lot. These cargo guys are super nice, but not as well put together as they are made out to be by the Continental "pet safe" program. One guy keeps telling me that I'm going to be homesick in Argentina right away and come running home to Mommy (thanks a bunch). They also do not want Henry loaded yet, so they tell us to "go for dinner and come back in an hour". Did I forget to mention it is 100 degrees? Those of you with dogs will know the problem here. So, we drive around forever and find a nice creek for him to swim in for about 20 minutes and then head back to the cargo facility.

They strap his food, his collar, and his vet papers to the top of his kennel. They let him have his stuffed bunny and a meaty bone (his favorite) which made me feel better (I was told he wouldn't be able to have these things in the kennel with him). I say "farewell", shed a few tears, and head for the hotel to prepare for my flight.Henry stays overnight in the Huston airport. I call through the "pet safe" hot line and they say "Henry arrived safely and has eaten dinner".

The next afternoon I arrive in Houston and again they say, "Henry's fine and he has eaten". By the way, I can't see him at the airport, only call to check in. He loads the plane with me. I ask the airline attendants to make sure he is on the plane before we take off. "Yes" he is on the plane.

Doesn't sound bad so far, right? The worst is yet to come....

I arrive at the EZE airport in Buenos Aires at around 9:30am on Sunday. I am immediately greeted by the lovely Lia from Pet's Ventura who is to help me break Henry out of cargo jail. THANK GOD I HAD LIA! This was the craziest process. We walked all over that airport from facility to facility (let me also mention it was in the upper 40's and raining). We had to pay this guy, then get that guy's signature, then go to this place to pay this fee, then go back and get that signature. So 9:30am turned into 4:00pm before I had Henry in the pet taxi. I was able to give him some food and water and let him out to relieve himself (although he was in such shock he wouldn't go). Just to put him back in to finish this cursed process. He was in that kennel for almost 24 hours! Did not make a mess either (very proud). But Pet's Ventura saved the day. There is NO WAY I could have done it alone.

Note 1: they never asked for my vet translations from English to Spanish (that would have saved me $100). But, it was very important that my vet papers were correct. Who knows how much longer it would have taken if I didn't have the right USDA stamped form.Note 2: Continental either did not feed Henry or they didn't feed him my food because every single last kibble bit was left in that bag. Not to happy about that!

Note 3: Weekend travel with a pet to EZE isn't a bad idea. The lines are much shorter for paying fees and getting paperwork signed.Learn from me. Beg, steal or borrow to get your pet to fly excess baggage if you are flying to Argentina. Apparently there are little fees and no where near the hassle I went through. The kennel just comes off the conveyor belt like your bags. Customs checks them out fairly quickly (maybe with a vet and maybe not) and seem super pet friendly (I've heard from other sources). I had no choice but to send Henry cargo because of the US heat embargo.

Henry snapped right back to his normal bubbly self. He was tired and backed up (if you know what I mean), but in great shape other wise. He proved to be pretty tough. I think it was me who was not.

Posted by Amy Young     http://henryandmeargentinaadventures.blogspot.com/2010/08/henrys-flight.html

       

 

 

Continental Restricting Snub-Nosed Breeds through September

Continental's PetSafe program announced today that they are is placing some restrictions on adult snub-nosed dogs flying this summer.

Like many pet airlines, Continental is working on how they can provide the best possible service to their snub-nosed passengers.  From May 15 through September 15, all adult Bulldogs (French, English, and other) as well as the Pug and the Boston Terriers will be prohibited from flying as cargo on Continental Airlines' flights. 

The rest of the year (September 16th through May 14th) these snub-nosed pets will be allowed to fly as long as the forecasted temperatures at arrival and departure will not exceed 85 degrees F (29 degrees C).
 
Previously, Continental had a complete embargo of all adult Bulldogs (and their mixes) on their pet flights.

Snub-nosed puppies will still be allowed to fly throughout the year, until they reach 6 months of age or 20 lbs (6 kg), whichever comes first.

Continental Airlines to re-evaluate its pet policy

On June 23, a pit bull escaped from its cargo crate and caused minor disruption on the runway before jumping into Flushing Bay and eluding New York and New Jersey Port Authority officials for 40 minutes before capture. 

As a result of this incident, Continental’s Pet Safe Program will be amended in several ways. They will no longer allow the following breeds in cargo after 6 months of age or 20 pounds :

Pit Bull Terriers
American Staffordshire Terriers
Presa Canario
Perro de Presa Canario
Dogo Argentino
Cane Corso
Fila Brasileiro
Tosa
Tosa Ken

Additionally, Continental will be comparing all paperwork associated with the animal (health certificate, titre test, rabies vaccination, etc.) to be sure that the breed reference is correct and consistent. 

This action is to assure the safety of the animals, passengers, and employees.
Owners of breeds that are considered dangerous need to be concerned about this policy change. Pet and passenger safety is of primary concern to the airlines. 

Obviously, many of these stronger breeds cannot be confined in a plastic cargo crate. Changes that will insure that events do not reoccur must happen in order for pet owners to be able to transport their pets safely.

Continental announced merger agreement with United Airlines

This morning, May 3, 2010, Continental announced that they have signed a definitive merger agreement with United Airlines.

Combined, Continental and United will offer the industry’s leading loyalty program, providing vast opportunities for members to earn and redeem miles with us and on our Star Alliance partners. Anyone with  Elite status will enjoy even more benefits such as upgrades and priority airport services.

More detailed information as well as ongoing updates you can visit http://www.unitedcontinentalmerger.com/

Transport Your Pet on Commercial Flights

United Airlines

Accepts dogs, cats, and birds as checked or carry-on luggage.
Carry-on fee for domestic travel is $100 each way.
Checked-luggage fee for domestic travel is $100 each way for small-to-medium-sized kennels and $200 each way for medium-to-extra-large-sized kennels.
Fees vary by destination for international flights.
Call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) to make a reservation.

American Airlines

Only accepts cats and dogs as checked or carry-on luggage.
Limits carry-on pets to two in First Class and five in Coach.
Carry-on fee is $100 each way; reservation is required.
Carry-on kennels can be no larger than 23” long x 13” wide x 9” high.
Checked-luggage fee is $150 each way; you don’t need to make a reservation.
Checked pets can weigh no more than 100 pounds, including the kennel.
English-speaking callers can book a reservation at 1-800-433-7300.
Visit the reservations page for additional numbers.