SHIPPING BY AIRLINE

I am curious, I see reputable breeders like Sun Coast and The Pet Glider they ship by airline. My question is how safe is that and how stressed out are they at the pick up destination?

Welcome to GC!

I have never shipped (or received a glider that was shipped) so I can't really help with personal experience. I have always heard that for the most part gliders do well, as long as they are healthy, of course.

Hopefully some people who have been on one end or the other of shipping will chime in soon.

I'm going to move this to Glider Talk for you.

Lethe was flown to me in TX from KY. It was an early morning flight...she was fine. A little stressed out, but she had a pouch and some blankies to cuddle in and a piece of apple in case she needed food/fluid.

The shipping crate will be labeled "live animal" so believe me, the airline KNOWS what's inside.

I went to the pick up spot, filled out some paperwork and they handed me the crate. You'll need your drivers license.

Lethe was super when I got her home...I holed up in the bathroom, opened her pouch and gently got her out on my shoulder, and she went straight for my sports bra and stayed there for a few hours.

Thanks a bunch, I just wasn't sure how the airlines handled that. I know that in the past they did not have a pressurized cargo hold for the animals. Watching CNN it was reported that the Govt was requiring the airlines to pressurize the hold due to deaths of animals they transported. I hobby breed AKC Papillons and I refused to ship because of the un-pressurized cargo hold. That is why I was curious how well they shipped. bdo

continental airlines and delta and some others all have pressurized cargo. temp controlled and they personally drive the pets from the airplane off the tar mat and into their offices to hold. continental is great with pets. in fact on delayed flights they will always take the pet into their office to hold for the flight. i have had many gliders shipped to me and have shipped gliders myself. They have pet programs and its very safe IMO. granted the shipper on their end ships the gliders or animals appropriately hope that helps! i have used both delta and continental

Thanks so much that satifies all my questions on shipping. Years ago in the 80's I showed and bred Akc Min Schnauzers. I shipped one out of San Francisco to Alabama. I don't even remember the Airline, what I do remember is the poor puppie got off loaded somewhere and from the Mobile Ala end had to track her down and get her put on another flight, long story short she finally arrived she was in fair condition not great it took a vet and a week or so for her to rebound. That's why I was soooo concerned. I know I want to have two females to start with. I also know that in my area there are no breeders.
Plus I will not buy from a pet store or a mill. I never have on any animal and they all have been forever pets. Sooooo I am very thankful someone joined on the thread that has totally done it of today. Thx

They would probobly be confused by the crabbing though!

I've had 9 gliders shipped so far and only 1 has even been awake when I went to pick her up. They seem to just sleep soundly during the day and don't even know they flew halfway across the country!

I've never had a glider shipped - but I had my Papillon shipped to me from a breeder when he was 9 weeks old. I used continental airlines I believe? It was over a year ago now so I don't remember all the details - but he was in perfect health when we picked him up from the airport