Is my carrier FAA approved

[erik7181]

Hi, I will be flying to Florida with my bird next month but im not sure if my carrier is FAA approved. I cannot find my carrier anywhere online.
US airways states a pet carrier needs to be hard sided and have proper ventilation. But I dont want to buy the ticket and get told i cant bored at the airport.


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[ruffledfeathers]

Is your bird flying in 'cargo'? I just picked mine up that way and his carrier was hard topped and hard sided, with vent holes. The aviary that shipped him also put this mesh along the vent holes, presumably so no toes or tail feather or beak popped out anywhere and got injured. They had said with the hard topped carrier, it keeps it nice and dark in there for the bird to stay more calm. But honestly i'm not sure the exact specifications 'needed' by the airline. I would check with them and even if your carrier is approved, i may fasten some mesh on there just to keep the bird from getting hurt in cargo. My bird flew united/continental "pet safe" into newark and there is a separate office there. Maybe call them and ask?

 

[erik7181]

Hi thanks for the reply. I will be bringing him in the cabin and puting him under the seat . They don't allow pets in the cargo hold. I'm flying US Airways

 

[ruffledfeathers]

It would be my guess that carrier is ok for the passenger compartment.

 

[DebsFlock]

I don't think a cabin carrier needs to be FAA approved, it just needs to fit under the seat, but it is probably safest to contact your airline and ask them exactly what the rules are.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Erik7181,
I strongly recommend that you call the airline and find out the exact dimensions of the space under the seat in front of you for the aircraft you will be flying on. I recently did a lot of research for a 1st flight with Pritti and found out that in almost every case, the most common of the small pet carriers is too tall for the under-seat storage, but one to two inches. To avoid any problems for going and returning home, you should call airline and ask hem to look up the exact aircraft of your flights -and- for back-up you can google the make / model of the aircraft and find out yourself (i.e. Airbus #ABC123). The generic seat heights listed all over the internet do not apply in many planes.

Also, I found an excellent transport cage if you find that you will need another one. It is very roomy inside, but is only like about 9" tall (see this thread for a photo http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/21521-flying-airplane-bird.html) and about $30 delivered. Pritti is about 14" long and seemed comfortable sitting on the little perch I connected inside, towel on bottom so he wouldn't slide around. Fold small towel in half, so you can then reuse the other side when it gets soiled. Bring an extra one. I kept the top covered up on and off when there was a lot going on so he's be relaxes.

Some say to not feed them for 2 hours before so that they don't make a mess and don't get stomach sick - I have to admit that I fed him treats rather often by sticking my hand inside the little trap door on this cage (chopped apples, popcorn, and a few almond pieces). I also put water and food dishes in as soon as I boarded.

If you are taking a connecting flight, be sure to ask about the under-seat dimensions on the second flight. One of my options had a MUCH smaller size on the connection and NO WAY the regular small kennel would have fit -- then what, I wonder. I wound up on a direct flight and everything was fine. But I will say that in Florida heading out, security was a small fiasco, so leave extra time in case.

Have a great trip. Your bird should be happy to get in to the nice subtropical climate right about November.

 

[erik7181]

I like that carrier I mite consider it.I was thinking of taking his food out in the mourning and giving it to him before we bored, Give him some treats as mentioned, Apples, pop corn, maybe a millet stick. But I am considering that carrier.
My girlfriend flew down two weeks ago with her GCC on jet blue, They told me they dont allow birds on jet blue but she said her boss pulled some strings.

 

[Lintini]

TSA says that you need to call your airline to get any specific details on bringing your pet on board.