Leaving on a jet plane

The time has come, and finally, we are on our way back to the States. Boo was taken yesterday by the vet. He passed his exam with flying colours (he's a very healthy boy) and it looks like he's all set to go. It was hard leaving him, even for a few days, because I know he's so happy and well adjusted out here. I cried and wondered if I was doing the right thing by him. But I just couldn't imagine not having my little boy with me.

So we leave in an hour to the airport and will arrive in Minneapolis around 8.30pm Wednesday. Wish us all a safe and gentle trip (especially the Boo)!!

Good luck to all of you! What's the story with Boo - you said you had to leave him, does the vet transport him directly to the airport? Can't he ride with you? I guess I don't understand that part.

I'm fairly close to Minneapolis, maybe we should have a MN/WI Pet Talk meeting sometime!

Good luck on the move! Hope everything goes well! :)

Best of luckl with your trip and happy reunion with Boo.

Best of luck to you and Boo!!!
Have a safe trip, and report in when you are settled!!!

Wishing you all a safe and "bUmpLEsS" trip!;) Please let us know you've arrived safely! Be brave, Boo!!:)

Safe and quick trip for you, Sam and Boo :)

Look forward to hearing from you when you land and have computer access again.

So, Minneapolis, Puerto Rico, Washington DC? Wow, that's a road trip and a half!

Look after yourselves {{{hugs}}}

Good luck & safe trip for all of you.:) I'm guessing that Boo
will arrive here later after you're settled? Anyway, safe trip.

Bon Voyage!

Good luck! Have a safe trip. Let us know when you are settled and give Boo a smooch for me! ;)

Wishing you the best of luck and hoping Boo will arrive safely with you and your husband. Take care of yourself down there Boo, and don't get too scared. Your mommy will be waiting for you upon arrival. :) Good luck!

Ps. You are doing a great thing by taking Boo with you. :) I would do the same.

Fingers and paws crossed here for you!

Not sure exactly what part of your trip you're on right now...but I'll be praying for a safe and easy trip for all three of you.

I hope you all have a safe and relaxing trip.

Hope you are having a safe journey and without a doubt in my heart I KNOW you are doing the right thing by bringing Boo with you.

It is Wednesday am...so, you are halfway here! Prayers for a safe remaining trip. I bet you cannot wait to hold Little Boo in your arms.......I know you will post when you can.

*bump*

Are you here yet? How'd Boo do?

Really bad news, guys. :(

Sigh. Here it goes.

It is now 3.28am on Thursday morning. I have just returned from the airport. We arrived in Minneapolis around 8pm local time. We were expecting Boo to arrive, as planned, at around midnight. So my parents, Sam and I went for dinner and then unpacked our enormous bags. Then Sam, Dad and I went back to the airport. Only, no one was at the American Airlines counter.

I started to spazz out. I asked around at other counters, and despite some of their efforts, no one working for AA could be found. They'd gone home for the day.:mad:

Thinking that these people had gone home without locating the owners of a live cat really pissed me off. But then we were soon informed by some friendly baggage workers that they would not have done that and that the cat must not have arrived in Minneapolis at all. :rolleyes: :mad:

Sam and I then proceeded to call the man who arranged Boo's travel, but to no avail. It was evening time in NZ and he would not be at work. We then called AA and Qantas. We discovered that no one wanted to take any responsibility for the situation. AA insisted that Qantas had not turned Boo into its custody. Qantas insisted Boo was in AA's care. As of right now we only know that Boo is in LA.:( :confused:

The receipt on the ticket that Tony (the pet mover) gave us has all the flight information. According to it, we should have received Boo twenty before midnight Wednesday. However, upon calling AA they said that Boo had been booked for two flights that were not on the receipt and that his arrival time would be for 10.51pm Thursday!!!:confused: :eek:

I asked when that had been booked and she said it was booked May 26th, so this was no accident. He either gave us the wrong information or was given bad information. Either way, I'm pissed off.

Moving internationally is hard enough for a cat. But this is ridiculous. There is no reason Boo should still be in LA when he was passed through customs with no problems. There is no reason why Tony should believe that once the pet is on the plane, his job is done. This man should have followed up and confirmed. He should have left a message if things had been changed. We were instructed to simply pick him up in Minneapolis, despite our constant questioning of this.

I am really a mess about it all. I was sobbing at the airport and really really doubting my decision to take him. I feel like the most selfish person for doing this to him, even though I didn't know it would be this bad. I still feel like I should have prepared for this. I don't even want to think about what sort of care he's getting. I have no idea what's happening and I can only hope the people are kind and thoughtful and making sure he has plenty of water. Right now, I just want to cuddle him and make sure everything is okay and that he still loves me.

It's one of those "I'm a terrible meowmie" moments.

On the bright side, I am reunited with my dog, Wylie. Sam ADORES this dog. He's never had a dog before and he's just loving it. So, we're almost a happy family. We just need our little dictator. ;)

Please send out thoughts, prayers and/or wishes on our behalf. We could really use the positive energy after such a crap day.
:(

Oh my goodness.. I'm just sick for you :( I can't believe how irresponsible this Tony guy is!!! :mad: Why couldn't Boo be on the same plane/s as you?

Can you call and see if Boo can be flown home on an earlier flight on Thursday? I am just so sick over this.. I can't even imagine what you are going through :( :(

Please please please let us know how he is and give us an update. As soon as I read this I said a prayer for his safe return, and I promise I will send many more during my waking hours tonight and tomorrow :(

oh no Soledad! what a horrible, terrible experience! I just saw this thread, and I read the first post, anxious to read the last one, and hear all about the trip, then , ...:( :(
you must be frantic! I don't blame you at all, what an awful thing to happen to you, what did they do with your baby Boo! and that poor dear cat!!

after such a LONG trip, that is the last thing you need to happen. I can only imagine if it were me and I was missing one of my babies, I really don't know what I would do. but, I'm sure Boo will get to you safe, and he will be fine, scared, but then when he sees you, he will be ok. I am praying for you and for Boo to be reunited very quickly! I would also , like you, be furious at that pet mover! wouldnt they let Boo travel with you?
my brother, when he traveled internationally, had his dogs with him, it was very hard, and traumatic but they had them with them.

Soledad you are NOT a bad mommy at all, don't think that way, don't punish yourself. I know a day and night without your baby is like a week, but you will get him back then everything will be fine. I will look for a an update on this, let us know when you can ok?

boy I can imagine your words when you talk to that pet mover... I would , as the expression goes, want to rake him over the coals!:mad: :mad: :mad:

Oh my goodness, how awful!! Poor Boo and poor you!! I hope that this whole mess will get straightened out soon. Keep us posted!

Only just found this thread Soledad - I'm heartbroken for you, no wonder you're so upset - UPSET - I'd be fit to be hung!! Keeping you in my thoughts and praying that Boo is somewhere safe and being well cared for. I can't wait to read your next posting telling us he's arrived safe and sound. {{{Hugs}}} across the miles and fingers, paws and eyes crossed at this end. Good Luck xxx

Lynne

Oh, no, this is awful! Poor Boo! I am so upset about this and how I feel must be just a fraction of what you are feeling.:( Hoping and praying that Boo is keeping safe and that someone is taking good care of him until he can be home where he belongs with his Meowmie. Please keep us posted.

Many, many, Hugs
Chris

Thinking of you & Boo. :(

Soledad try not to worry. I bet Boo is just doing fine.

Just remember, you totally did the right thing bringing Boo over with you, it is the airport who mucked up.

May he be on the next flight over.

PS. Try causing a polite & emotional loud fuss at the airport desk, to get quick results.

I was expeciting to hear some good news, but this is just terrible:(
I can't imagine what your feeling right now, but I'm sure it's all going to be ok.
Please let us know what's happened when you reunite with Boo. You and Boo will both be in my thoughts.

This is just horrible news, Soledad, at a time when you should be so happy! I do hope that Boo will arrive safely tonight, as scheduled. Please keep us posted and know that we are thinking of you. I know you have to be a wreck! :(

I'm just reading this thread now, poor Boo!!!! This must be such a horrible experience for you. I can only imagine how upset and angry you are right now. I'm upset reading this!

:(

Positive vibes going out that Boo will be returned to you asap! I will also say you are NOT a bad kitty mommy! The people involved in the logistical end are the people that do not have their act together.

Please keep us updated!

Oh, Poor Boo!!!
I will keep you in my thoughts, hoping that Boo arrives safely today--boy will he be happy to see you--keep us posted.

Oh no! I was so looking forward to hearing how Boo did and how he liked his new home. :( I'm just so heartbroken for you. I can't imagine how you must feel! Jeesh, why do they make it so hard to travel with pets? :mad: They should have a pet section in the plane, in the cabin, where their carriers would fit and their mommies can come and check on them every now and then during the flight. What's the big deal that airlines can't do that? There just aren't enough airlines that allow pets in the cabin, where you can feel they're safe. I can't believe Boo didn't fly in the same plane as you. That really makes me sick of those pet transporters. :mad: I know you are very upset right now, but please drive them crazy until they get your baby back to you. Hopefully everything will turn alright and Boo will get on the next flight home. :(

I'm so sorry to hear about the mistake. Keep us posted, hopefully Boo won't be too stressed out. But I'm sure he will be super excited to see you.

Oh no, poor Boo. Don't blame yourself, it sounds like you did everything to assure he'd be OK - someone else dropped the ball.

I'm hoping he'll arrive soon, and you will be happily reunited. This sounds like one of those nightmare stories I read about in the news. I'd raise hell with the person(s) responsible after you get him back.

Poor Boo! and poor you! I too would have ben irate. That's just not acceptable. I hope Boo gets to you soon. ((hugs))

I forgot to add - please let us know when he safely arrives!

:mad: FOOLS:mad: How dare they not follow up and do their freaking jobs to make sure the little guy is where he's supposed to be. That's why you organised these people to do the job, GRRRR.

I can't tell you how angry and stressed I am for you guys. I'm sure he's OK, but I know you won't feel that until he's safe and sound with you. A couple of interstate trips with the cats nearly sent me mad, especially when they just dumped Mini and Jasmine in the public baggage collection area where anybody could have taken them, so I have an idea of what you're feeling.

It's Thursday afternoon your time, I think, so hopefully in a few hours you'll get to see your boy. I'm sure there's been a kind soul or two who have been taking care of him.

Please let us know as soon as you get him back.

I wish I could say I had Boo right now, but I don't. I won't have him for another five hours. But at least I'll have him eventually.

It's 5.41pm and I've just woken up.

In the past 72 hours, I have had 10 hours of sleep. I only slept today because Sam insisted and my body was really too tired to resist even though my brain was still wired.

We fell asleep at eight this morning after being on the phone with every airline and every person involved.

The whole thing is a HUGE mess and it turns out the problem does not lie entirely with the pet mover, Tony. He was FURIOUS when he heard about this and is seeking action as well. The main problem seems to be that Qantas Airline booked the flight with American Airlines for Boo to go from LA to Minneapolis. Only, the flight they told Tony wouldn't work because of customs regulations on the amount of hours needed to inspect the animal and the amount of time required to clean the animal's cages, etc.

So, Qantas had to arrange another flight with AA, only Qantas did not inform us or the pet moving agency about the change of itinerary.

Boo was with us on our international flight, in a special cargo area for pets. However, Qantas can only transfer pets to its partner airlines, which American Airlines is. We flew Northwest and they do not allow pets, and even if they did, they would not accept a pet from a non-partner airline.

Does this make any sense?

So, Boo had to travel on a different plane once we were in America. Sam and I knew that. What we didn't know was that Boo's journey would take two and half days.:mad:

There are no other flights with AA to Minneapolis other than the one Boo will be on tonight. Qantas booked him in to a cattery last night, which was good to hear. At least he did not spend the whole night in a cargo hold area. I called the cattery and spoke to the manager. He said Boo was doing great and that he was an extremely friendly cat. :)

So, hopefully, he isn't too traumatised. Though I know that this whole thing must be so incredibly confusing and horrible for him.

I miss my baby so much and I hope he doesn't hate me for all of this. :(

I'll keep you guys in the know as soon as I can. Thank you for all of your support, you all know what I'm going through.

Just a few more hours....just a few more hours. I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about the reunion that you will have with Boo. Hope that the time will go fast for you....:)

Oh my.. my heart just sighed with relief to hear that Boo is at least ok and doing well in a nice environment. *PHEW*

What a huge ordeal. Don't blame yourself.. Boo will be so happy to see you that he won't have time to be mad. Of, if he does, it will be next week after you've had all the cuddles you can manage :)

Please let us know when he's home and safe :)

The main thing is that someone was looking after him, and he must be OK if he's been described as a friendly cat. He might be questioning what's going on around him, but it sounds like he's dealing with it like a trooper.

Only a few more hours to go - he'll be so glad to see you! :)

(After all this crap is over, send QANTAS the biggest complaint letter in history - what a bunch of bureaucratic cretins :()

I'm glad to hear that Boo didn't have to spend the night in the cargo area & is booked into a cattery:)
I bet that's a big load off your mind!

well glad to know they know where he is, and in a few hours you will have your sweet boy back with you where he belongs!
what an experience!