Job Discussion Forums

Turbster · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 67 Location: UK

Not sure if this is the right place to ask??????? But............... I am pressing on with my arrangements to move to the ME. I have had two quotes for taking my dog, a medium sized Sharpei cross with me. One @ �2400, the other @ �1800 plus vet fees! Can anyone come up with a scenario that is lighter on the pocket? Maybe a carrier who cares?

I'm wondering whether he could have the seat next to us on the plane................mmmmmmmmmmm?

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Have you tried KLM? I like them because they are really pet friendly and helpful. I have travelled with my dog both as "cargo" and "excess baggage" - there's no real difference except for the terminology. The pricing seems outrageous - my dog is not small (about 25kgs) and I also brought a cat along too - for less than half your lower quotation from North America. Call their cargo/customer service line directly to see if you can travel excess baggage - it should be cheaper.

I don't know where you're going but all GCC countries require you to have an import permit from their Dept of Agriculture. A pet relocation service can help with that - they can also help smooth the inspection process when the dog arrives.

Be aware that some carriers will not take pets when it is very hot (and it is very hot here now - about 40C and it's only 8:00 am Sad

There are several pet relocator services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah as well as Doha and Muscat who have very good reputations.

Turbster · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 67 Location: UK

Hi Helen,

I have just recieved a quote from a pet relocators for Spongy to travel to Oman. $5500!!!!!!! If I could pay that much, surely I could arrange for my wife and I to join him in First Class Laughing

juliagirl · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 69 Location: California

it's usually easiest and cheapest to just fly on an airline that lets you check ur pet as cargo. some air lines will let him slide under the seat in front of you if they carry pets (for this reason i always fly united when i can). in the US, there should be a federal vet near major international airports. find the office and book an apt in advance. you will need a certificate from the dept. of agriculture (federal vet) to enter any country with your pet.

i still get really nervous with my cat flying in the cargo area (he just flew home cargo from China), so if it's a smaller animal, try to get on a carrier that allows pets on board (i.e. united). The trip home from China cost $100 for my cat. $50 for the government certificate of health from the chinese federal vet. no where near the prices you are quoting..... but if your school or company is paying for it, then by all means use a pet transporter.... i hear some are really cushy.... Smile

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:45 am Post subject:

OP, follow helenl's sage advice. KLM is known to specialize in pet transport and puts all pet through its' Schipol vet clinic before reboarding them...no matter has short the layover.

NCTBA

Turbster · Joined: 09 May 2009 Posts: 67 Location: UK

I will take the advice that you all seem, in the end, to be offering. When I get my flight bookings, I will contact the airline direct, and get it sorted. Thanks all, for your good advice.

T

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

The last time I flew with my dog (cargo, KLM from North America 3 years ago) - they charged me the excess baggage fee for him - USD150.00 for each leg - total of $450.00.

I don't know who is giving you these outrageous prices but it might be they're giving you the straight "air freight" charges rather than excess/oversized baggage? I dealt with KLM directly and was very happy with them.

One caveat, some airlines will not transport animals at certain times (hot) of the year. I have always travelled in cooler months with my dog so it wasn't an issue. As another poster pointed out KLM makes sure the animals are seen by a vet at Schipol and are watered and walked in a secure before they are loaded on the next flight - well worth any extra cost IMHO

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:44 am Post subject:

Whether it was true or not, I was told by KLM that all of their long-haul fleet have temperture-controlled cargo holds.

NCTBA

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Helen1 - Air freight has always been cheaper than excess baggage charges. I air freighted my excess baggage and books and such.

Of course, this might have changed with all the higher fare structures and charges, but I expect that things have risen in tandem.

VS

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

My experience has been the exact opposite VS. Travelling with the dog as excess baggage has always been cheaper. Air freight is based on volume and weight - a 25Kg dog in an IATA approved kennel is quite large. Excess baggage is cheaper at least in my experience.

canadashirleyblue · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 162

My cats have flown a lot. KLM is good and so is Lufthansa. My cats have generally flown as checked baggage in the hold. It usually costs in the range of $250 - $275. Generally there is a base price and then it goes up if your animal weighs more. When they flew on Austrian the two of them went in one kennel and it cost $264 ($250 +$14 for the extra weight). If your animal is small enough it can go as checked baggage in the cabin with you for around the same price. These were prices between the middle east and north america. When they travelled on Qatar airways between two middle eastern countries it was just the excess baggage fee which was much cheaper. When I had to ship one cat from Canada to the middle east (she managed to escape the day I was leaving) it cost me more than twice as much as it was for the other one that went with me as excess baggage.
You need to check with the airport if there is a long stopover. I discovered that Vienna has no facility for looking after animals and no one to look after them so they just sit on the shelf all night if you are there overnight. If your animals have to pass through customs to go to the hotel with you overnight you will need to have whatever paperwork that country requires to get them past customs.
Also, if your animal goes as checked baggage you need to take photocopies of the health documents and put the photocopies with the animals. Keep the original (and another copy) yourself. Then, when they have lost the one that you put with the animal (as they generally do) you will be able to provide another.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

No GCC airline or hotel will allow the animal to travel in the cabin or stay with you in the hotel room.

Manuel Geere · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:

runninggirl · Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Posts: 50 Location: Latin America

I got my best prices on Lufthansa. Going out of the US on United (then Lufthansa which is the same company) I only paid $50 for my dog. But coming back from Kuwait I had to pay about $100 for a cat. Still much cheaper than what you are hearing. This was 2005 so I dunno if prices have changed.

I need a job by the way. It's me and my dog woof. I'm worried that it's been too long and now not the classroom references for teaching I have a Masters but not in anything like English and I have a TEFL. But I don't have recent teaching references!!!! I am sure I cannot find the people that were around when I was teaching in 1996.

Maybe I better make a separte post and ask for advice. I want to teach in ME where ever I can get a good paying job and have a dog.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA