[nagdu] First Flight with New Dog

[Julie J.]

We just talked about this recently.  the majority opinion was that it is 
best not to call in advance.  Some people did find that calling in advance 
worked best for them.  Over the years I've done both, although not in regard 
to flying, and I've found that informing them in advance that I have a dog 
just creates more headaches for me.  If I arrive with dog, they can see the 
dog is well behaved, clean and under control.  If there are questions I can 
answer them in the moment, instead of people having the time to dream up all 
sorts of scenarios in between when they find out about the dog and when I 
have the opportunity to address the concerns.

How I go through any security checkpoint is to have the dog sit and stay.  I 
drop the leash and walk through alone.  I then call the dog through the 
metal detector to me.  Most people seem to do it this way excepting that 
they hold on to the leash when they move on ahead.

A few people take off the harness and a few work the dog through the metal 
detector.  It's really up to you.  If I were in a really busy place or if I 
had any indication that people would bother my dog in the few seconds we 
were separated I would not let go of my dog.  I live in a really rural area, 
so the times I'm going through security there aren't very many people around 
and it's pretty low key.

Space when flying is always a surprise.  I don't fly a lot, but I think 
every single plane I've ever been on has been different.  again I live in 
the middle of nowhere, so I am typically on really small planes.  I never 
ask for a specific seat.  I handle it when I see for myself what the space 
is like.  I've only switched seats once, with some other passengers across 
the aisle who offered.

Honestly I think you just have to try some different things and see what 
works for you.
HTH
Julie