Brent Goes to Hawaii
Brent was ready to go as we loaded up the borrowed truck for our trip to the airport. Over the last week, everything Brent had known in the house was slowly boxed up and removed. And this morning it was his food, his bowl and his favorite toy. That was it; he was ready to go to where ever his stuff was going.
The plan was to arrive at the ticket counter one hour before departure. By arriving at the airport a little before that we were able to stop at the park and wait and let Brent out to stretch his legs and do his business.
Since we were moving, we had a lot of luggage and enlisted the help of a skycap. Since security liked to go over the kennel without a dog in it, he said to let Brent out of the kennel and to walk him in the terminal.
We were helped at the ticket counter by a friendly woman who had a dog biscuit ready for Brent which made him very happy. The additional paperwork took only a second and then we were taken over to security. Brent, still on his leash, watched as they scrubbed his kennel for explosives, something Brent found very funny.
After his kennel was cleared he was loaded up and taken behind the counter. I said a quick goodbye.
As I boarded the plane, I notified the flight attendant that I was traveling with a dog and to make sure that I got the ticket from the loading crew once he was place on board. After it seemed that everyone was on board, a man came in the cabin and handed a flight attendant a tag, she then came back and gave it to me, letting me know that he was indeed safely on board.
We pushed back from the gate and I was anxiously thinking about Brent when we stopped and returned to the gate. An issue with the hydraulics we were told, and hopefully it would be repaired shortly. And it was, thirty minuets later we were taxing for takeoff.
The remainder of the flight was uneventful, at least for me. I have no idea what it might have been like for Brent. Was he alone? Did he have a friend in a kennel next to him?
After collecting our luggage I headed off to find the Animal Quarantine Holding Station, something easier said than done. I asked around it ended up to be only about a 3 minute walk from baggage claim C.
I entered the AQS office and told the lady behind the window, who I was and that I was there to pick up Brent. She had the paperwork right there. I simply filled out my Hawaiian address, signed and dated the document. She made a copy for my records and sent someone to bring up Brent.
I saw Brent as they wheeled him down the hallway in his kennel. He has a slightly worried look on his face but he calmed down a bit as I was able to talk to him and stick my fingers through the kennel. They lady helped me place him in the back of the truck and we were done.
Less than 45 minuets after the plane landed, we had gathered all the baggage and picked up the pooch.
There was a great deal of planning, double checking, and triple checking that went on before I moved with Brent to Hawaii, but the hard work paid off as it was unexpectedly easy picking him up from the Animal Quarantine Station.
Finally Brent was in Hawaii, and slightly over an hour later he was cooling his paws at the Kailua Beach Park.
The inspiration for PetFlight.
RSS
Comments
Hello! Which airline did you use w/Brent?
Brent flew Delta, mostly because we were leaving from a Delta hub and there were direct flights.
HELLO, MY NAME IS NICOLE HARVEY. MY FAMILY AND I JUST RELOCATED HERE TO KAUAI AND OUR WHITE LAB (WHO BY THE WAY LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE BRENT), IS DOING HIS QUARANTINE IN CALIFORNIA WITH FAMILY MEMBERS THERE. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIS FLIGHT TO HAWAII, BUT THE COSTS ARE ABSOLUTELY INSANE. TO FLY AN UNACCOMPANIED PET, THE CHARGE IS EXTREME. HAWAIIN AIRLINES GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $745.00 FROM L.A. TO HONOLULU. WE THEN HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $225.00 FROM HONOLULU TO KAUAI. NOT WITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT I WILL HAVE TO FLY ROUND TRIP FROM HONOLULU TO KAUAI BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS TO BE THERE TO MEET WITH AQS. WE ARE LOOKING AT PAYING CLOSE TO $1,000.00. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Where did you flight out of? We are moving with a 70lb dog for a 10 month assignment in Kauai.
Brent had a direct flight from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Hello,
I am currently living in TX and soon will be moving to hawaii.
I own an english bulldog that will be traveling with me and this will be he’s first time traveling out of state let alone on an air plane.
I’ve also been reading on all the guidelines and requirements that hawaii has to move a pet there. I wanted to know if you could please provide me with information as far as getting all the quarantine paper work ready?
How in advance did u have to get started with your paper work?
and how long was the process?
your help would be greatly appreciated.
thank’s in advance.
Kim: Get on the net and start your research. You will be shocked by the amount of time and money it takes to bring a pet to HI. Besides the 120 day quarantine there are the rabies test, health certificates, etc… Give yourself a minimum of 5 months if you want to have your pet released to you from the airlines. I suggest you immediately get your pet microchipped and their rabies OIE-FAVN test started immediately. Good luck.
We are moving to hawaii in May and will bring our minature poodle. How did you get your dog out of quarantine so fast? I thought that you had to have them there a minimum of 5 days?
kool
Do you know what airline goes from New Jersey to Honolulu with a 5lb dog Yorkshire Terrier allowed in cabin?
What time of year did you fly to hawaii. I read hawaiian airlines does not fly pets to hawaii from april to october. Do you know any airlines that allow pets year round? I am moving to kauai in june with my two cats
Hello,
We have a "Mini Goldendoodle" (Retriever/minature poodle mix) He is 26 lbs and just over 2 years old.
We are planning an extended stay on the Big Island or Maui. We are traveling out of Alaska and the only carrier that flys non-stop is Alaska Airlines. They will not take dogs to Hawaii due to the strickt laws there. So we ar either looking for a pet sitter for a minimum of 5 weeks. Or take a flight via seattle so that we can change carriers to get our dog there. He has all of his papers in line and should qualify for an immediate airport release.
My concern is his safety due to the changing aircraft. We have never traveled via air w/him before and not really too sure what to expect. Thanks for any comments or suggestions. Kim
Moving back to Hawaii to care for aging parents, problem my Chi can not be in cabin must go cargo. Willing to purchase her a ticket to be in cabin under seat as she traveled with me to other States. Her paperwork ready and approved for Direct Release, Quarantine Stn are not the ones saying she need to go cargo, it’s the airlines. Why? Have read of the deaths (natural causes, heart failure), loss and injuries that pets suffer in cargo. What to do?
To Lee Venard: Have you turned up an airline that will allow your dog to arrive in Honolulu in the cabin? LY.
Larry or anyone let me know if you find an airline that allows my Chi on board. it is not the Hawaii Quarantine Station that does not allow them on board but the airlines themselves for whatever reason…I spoke with the Quarantine folks today… they said the animal can travel on board in checked or cargo but it is not up to them…so does any airline allow a 2.5 pound Chi on board?
My message is for Kim and the English Bulldog? Did you make it out to Hawaii? How did it go with the Bulldog? I have also been looking into flying my English Bulldog to Hawaii, but I heard our dogs don’t do to well on planes. Can you please let me know if you were able to fly out to Hawaii with your Bulldog?
Thanks
Did Brent fly direct to Kona? Or did he have to get released in Honolulu and then get put on another flight to Kona?
Thanks!
Brent flew to Honolulu and stayed on Oahu.
Anyone interested in sharing a charter flight? Because pets can NOT travel in cabin, chartering a flight would allow the pets in cabin.
Anytime in 2010 – Very flexible. The more people interested, the cheaper the flight.
Can leave from California, as its even less expensive to charter.
contact: Inc0gnito@cfl.rr.com
If you are interested.
Hi I was wondering if you remember what type of crate you used for Brent. I can’t really tell how sturdy the "Sky Kennels" look and I want to make sure that I get something secure. Or if you have any recommendations. Thanks!
Hi-
I am very interested in doing a charter flight or alternate route for my dog to get to hawaii. I cannot believe that the new pet airline does not go there, considering the # of travelers to the islands! I have looked into boats and there seems to be no other solution. Any idea of the cost for a charter. My email is asuplee@hotmail.com
Hi—
I may be interested in a charter depending on costs. I am relocating to Oahu from Maine for grad school and have two cats that must come with us. I was also surprised that the new Pet Airline doesn’t go there. I’m also wondering how we’re going to handle the 120 day rule as I’m planning to move at the end of July, but 120 days from May 1 is September 1 (approximately). Also, is it safe for cats to travel that long in a carrier?
I too am interested in chartering a flight to HI. But we would need lots and lots of money! I looked into chartering and the only thing I found costs $42,000 for the smallest plane available.
Has anyone had any luck with any of the airlines regarding allowing the pet to be int he cabin? I have two small chihuahuas that would be terrified in Cargo. We are moving to Kauai and have done all the requirements, which are not cheap and now I find this out!!! This is insane. Notice people were interested in chartering a flight. Any luck? Looking for 2010.
Jo,
Pets can’t go in the cabin when flying to Hawaii b/c of their quarantine laws, all pets must be in a carrier and in cargo.
$42,000 to charter a flight isn’t bad if enough people come together. Considering, say, $500 each counting pets, that’s a total of 84 tickets. If that’s one pet per two people, that’s only 28 groups paying $1,500 each. My family is moving to Kauai at the end of August. I’d gladly pay $2,000 for three adults and our Shih Tzu to be able to have Petey in the cabin with us. We’re looking at close to that anyway on a commercial airline.
Greetings Oahu bound travelers!
I, too am looking to travel to Honolulu with 2 small yorkies and cannot bear the thought of them being "cargo". I would be interested in a charter flight to Hawaii as well. Please keep me posted. I was looking to head that way in August and my pups are document ready. Please keep me posted on this joint effort. Mahalo! Diane
I am moving Home to Hawaii in approximately 3 weeks. Am very frustrated by the fact it seems to be impossible to speak to anyone directly at SFO to visually check out the process and it’s safety, the time required for arrival at the airport before actual boarding, and where and how my dog will be kept. I loved the idea of the pet/parent plane but found out they don’t fly to Hawaii. Am interested on this charter plane idea and restrictions/requirements and how/who would have authorization to make a flight of this magnitude. I have asked the airlines (800) employees re: specifics as they pertain to temperature control, etc. and they are unable to provide that information. Frightening for those of us who love our pets as they are part of our family.
We’re moving to Hawaii in December with 2 Large Dogs from Seattle. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines both fly non-stop from Seattle to Kahului but the do not accept pets for immediate release from the airport outer Islands. At this time they only way to get there is via Honolulu. My big guys are senior and I really want to fly non-stop and be done with it. I heard that both airlines might be starting Cargo only animal acceptance in August. Start calling Alaska Airlines Cargo and request pet cargo service. They told me the more demand they have they will start shipping pets directly to the islands via Cargo. Don’t call the reservations number call the Cargo number.
My husband and I are moving to Ohau and I am terrified of having to put our 60lb boxer Lucy in cargo!!! We would be interested in the charter as well. October 2010! From S. Florda or California… Anyone looking to charter from here around this time?
tracyjhilton@hotmal.com
I am moving from Germany to Ohio next week and we had planned to take our black lab Shiloh on the flight with us but changed our minds because were were worried about the heat. We sent him ahead with PetAir today and at this moment he is 1 hr 22 min from landing (I’m watching it on a flight tracker). I just keep looking at things like this waiting to hear from my brother that Shiloh is safe and sound. I’m worried sick. Anyone has happy stories with pet air/ lufthansa?
My family and I are moving to Maui in August. I have a small chihuahua- pekingese, who has to wait four months in NC for test results! Hopefully, I will get her back by December. Can she fly alone, without me being on the plane, as cargo? I don’t want to travel her by cargo, but it seems to be the only option… any other suggestions to transfer her from NC to Maui?
I posted one month ago about travelling in cabin with my small dogs and even as emotional support animals they are not allowed. I am looking at moving to Kauai in November or December. If anyone is chartering a plane to any of the Islands please send me an email. I am willing to pay for two animals and two adults.
jo kort iliahi7255@yahoo.com
We are moving to the Big Island on Sept. 15th. We are flying out of LAX on United Airlines. Our 58 lb. boxer Bailey is flying on the same plane that we are. He is to be released at AQS for appr. 48 hours, and then transported to a kennel in Hilo. We get to visit him every day in Hilo. Does anyone know if there is any way we can check to be sure he is okay when he goes into the cargo hold? How hot and cold does it get in there? When we land, I plan to be right there whether they want me or not!