By sandy (BonaireTalker - Post #89) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 10:13 am: |
Hello all again. I'm trying to get my dog (70lbs) to Bonaire from San Diego...Can't find an airline that flies that large a dog to Bonaire from San Diego. Tried a special airline that KLM recommended but they have been flakey and given me a web site that doesn't exits. Has anyone flown their dog from so cal or anywhere in cal to bonaire? I'm getting really worried that i won't be able to get him down there. Any suggestions, help advice would be so very much appreciated. It doesn't help even tho he is not old that he is blind so i'm especially worried about his care on the way. thanks so much if anyone can advise...hope ya'll are having a sunny day where ever you are.
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By Kevin W. Williams (Bella Vista Estates) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #531) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 3:57 pm: |
What is the name of the "special airline"? I might be able to find you a contact if I know what I'm looking for.
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By Jan Klos - ( Hamlet Bonaire #10) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #633) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 5:00 pm: |
Have you tried Continental or Delta Both fly non-stop out of Houston( Continental) or Atlanta (Delta).
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By Barton B (BonaireTalker - Post #70) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 8:46 pm: |
One possibility (if you can not find flights from California) would be to consider driving to Houston and catching a flight on Continental from there. Of course, I haven't checked with Continental - maybe no airline will fly a dog that big...
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #852) on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 10:04 am: |
I think the problem has been that the airlines (like CO & DL) don't have an animal handler here at the airport (at least not in the past), so maybe you need to work from Bonaire backwards. I'd start with calling Bonaire Air Services, 011-599-717-4475. This company handles the needs of many of the airlines that land here. Good luck!
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By John Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 11:02 am: |
I have friends who fly large dogs down from NY using crates on AA thru SJU. So I know it can be done.
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By sandy (BonaireTalker - Post #90) on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 3:24 pm: |
Thanks for all your help. just found out that yes AA flys pets.problem is they said due to the date i want to fly him (june 28th) the temp will be well above 85 in SJ and so they won't allow him to board the plane in san diego. i've exhausted all possible leads now. AA tried several different routes but still all roads led to SJ and too high of temps. Basically they said forget it. I even called a yacht charter business out of miami...wow not cheap, rough seas and days to get to bonaire...not affordable for me. wonder if i could find a good makeup artist and pass him off as a blond, blind old lady...he really is blind so maybe i could put glasses on him and a long coat...i even thought of saying he is a special service dog that he helps me teach people how to deal with blind dogs...as a special service dog they will allow me access to him to take out of the crate and even on the plane....oh well. Thanks again for all your suggestions. anyone a private pilot that wants to come to san diego and fly us down to bonaire?
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3143) on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 4:24 pm: |
I seem to recall Dara Walter used Amerijet to transport her two dogs from Curacao to Miami. I may be wrong. Here is there schedule.
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By Ann Phelan - www.bonairecaribbean.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3144) on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 4:26 pm: |
sorry, their schedule...It might be worth it to call Amerijet. Did Continental and Delta say no?? What about another carrier to Curacao?
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By Bruce Zavon (BonaireTalker - Post #42) on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 4:50 pm: |
Sandy:
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By David Johnson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #391) on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 6:27 pm: |
I have no particular knowledge here but here are some ideas (some may be too expensive and/or end up being lame):
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By Alex Brown (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #269) on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 9:11 am: |
There is no easy or cheap way to do it. And even in the fall and winter you run the risk of temperature restrictions in San Juan. At least as of last summer, Divi will fly the dog from Curacao if you can find a route to there that will allow you to avoid the temperature restrictions. I would advise taking the same route as your dog. You could also think about flying the dog to Amsterdam and then to Bonaire on KLM, but that is a long and costly trip. The only other options I am aware of are Amerijet (you'd probably want to hire a pet shipper to take care of that, which adds to the cost but helps ensure your pet's safety) or chartering a private plane, which is what many, myself included, have done when they have large dogs or multiple pets. If you can find someone else in a similar jam you could share the cost. Good luck!
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By Meryl Virga (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5389) on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 12:11 pm: |
How do the airlines accommodate blind people with seeing eye dogs?
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By Alex Brown (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #270) on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 1:26 pm: |
Licensed/registered (not sure of the correct terminology) service dogs of any kind are allowed on the plane with you. I am also told that if you have a letter from a mental health professional stating that you cannot fly without your pet, the airline must accommodate you.
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By Alex Brown (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #271) on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 1:29 pm: |
"certified'--that's the word I was looking for
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By Dennis Wightman (BonaireTalker - Post #81) on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 2:14 pm: |
You don't have to be blind to have a service dog-all good training companies in the U.S.can get a dog certified (the training is done in your home, takes just a few weeks, is not expensive, and it's worth the money to be able to take the dog in cabin)if you have almost any health problem (can be what is called an "invisible" handicap-for example a heart condition, nervous system problem, eye condition, etc.)and can get a doc to say it is a disabling condition and that he/she is prescribing a service animal for you-the disabling condition does not and should not be listed by the doctor(considered private) and the U.S. airlines must honor it-cats can be "companion animals" with mental health letter but it also helps to have an MD write a letter to accompany the shrink's letter-anyone needing advice on this can email me and I'll be happy to advise.
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By Alex Brown (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #272) on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 4:47 pm: |
Dennis and his wonderful wife Patti are absolutely the experts on this subject! (Hi guys! I hope you and the fur kids are all well. Emmy and Buya send hugs, as do I!)
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