I think I might be making a mistake...

[sirrahbed]

This is sounding possible Missy!! Please find out all you can - lets pray it will work I know for sure that after all in said and done - you will be so glad to have Boomer in the states and I know the trip will be hard on him but he will do OK If he can come right into Dayton WOW We will be right there waiting to receive him!! No long car trip for him!! Oh my sure hope things fall into place!!

[kittycats_delight]

Debbie, Missy...this sounds promising. We will have all fingers, toes, paws and whiskers crossed here that this will work out.

(((((HUGS TO YOU BOTH))))))

Good Luck !!! and keep us updated !!!

[rg_girlca]

Keeping fingers and paws crossed along with big time prayers and positive thoughts that whatever decision is made, that all will work out well for precious Boomer.

[sandragonfly]

I'd say bring him with you! 14 hours & a couple hundreds worth having boomer with you for his life! (tyler's first cat).

hope things will work out whatever that wouldn't stress you anymore! many hugs along with paws crossing!!

[Sirrahsim]

Ok, this is looking very possible. I'll probably try to get him out on the 14th or so and have my Mom pickhim up at the airport. We just have to get all of the details nailed down.

boy will Paul be surprised when I get to talk to him next

[rg_girlca]

Oh Missy, I didn't want to get my hopes up too high, but this sounds more and more promising.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[persianmom]

Oh Missy I pray this works out. It will be hard on all but well worth it. Boomer seems like he really wants to stay with you. I will keep all fringers paws crossed also. See you soon.
Love Mom

[sirrahbed]

Sounding good Missy Like Lorraine says - getting our hopes up risks another hopeless feeling disappointment - but it is looking good!! I know that everything seems complicated but once it is done - you will get to keep Boomer!! I really think he will do fine on the flight and that he will adjust to our crew here - they are all pretty friendly cats. I will keep praying...hi Carol I see yoi posted under me here!! Yes this might work!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I sure hope that everything works out with Boomer. You won't regret it. Please continue to keep us updated.

[jazzcat]

Fingers and paws crossed here. I really hope Boomer gets to stay in the sirrah family!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by sirrahbed

... she will have to ship him as cargo -
they have told her that Narita will
not allow animals in the passenger cabin
(even if she is on the same plane) -

The folks she called said that Continental does not allow pets at all on their international flights.
Boomer will have to fly cargo ...

PART of what you've been told is correct ...

Continental Airlines WILL fly domestic, warm-blooded animals to
the United States FROM Japan ...

The ONLY Airport in all of Japan that Continental flies out of is
called "Narita" - airport code = "NRT" - a suburb of Tokyo.

NO Pets allowed IN THE CABIN on international flights that
fly over WATER - means Japan to USA NO pets in the cabin;
BUT - Continental WILL transport pets to the USA as "Live Animal Cargo" -
properly caged (to Continental's standards), with Vet's Certificate,
and in a Temperature & Pressure controlled cargo hold.

IF Missy delivers Boom directly to Continental at the
Narita Cargo Terminal (in Tokyo) - Continental will accept him and
deal directly with her ...

But IF Missy can't get to Narita herself, and will have to use "another airline"
to get herself and Boomer to Narita ... THEN she MUST use a "Freight Forwarder"
(a third-party middleman) to arrange the flight ...
Continenatl doesn't want to "deal with" another airline.

The story about "all arrangements must be made in Japan"
IS Correct!
Girl I talked to apologized for that - but said it IS Continental's policy ...

But she DID call Japan's Continental Office and found out:
* Continental (Japan) does have English-speaking reps -
my girl TALKED to one!
* Missy can call a JAPAN number of 476-326398 ...
I know - doesn't seem like a good number - but she verified that's
what she dialed (with international & Japan prefixes of "011 & 81")
and that 9-digit number should work in Japan.
She said to just keep repeating "ENGLISH" to get to an English-speaking
Continental rep - there ARE English-speakers working there!

She can book Boomer herself, directly with Continental at Narita;
or use a "Freight Forwarder" to shuttle him to Narita and then
onto Continental ...
or try another airline -
She suggested "Northwest" and "KLM" - she had personal expierence
arranging a missed flight guy and his Parrot from Japan to the USA -
da BIRD was allowed to fly IN-cabin on on Northwest.

DEB ~

YOU can call the Continental "Live Animal" group yourself here in
the States ...

** EDIT @ 3:30 am
DON'T CALL the number
I used 1-800-525-0280 which the gal said was a good 24/7 number
- that number is for PASSENGER Reservations and domestic flights
with Pets as "checked baggage"!!

Continental's CARGO "Pet Desk" 24/7 number is:
1-800-575-3335

Here's a link to Continental Air Cargo - Live Animals >>>
http://www.continental.com/travel/policies/animals/default.asp

From that site:
"Safeguards for Pets Traveling as Cargo
Continental's PetSafe program will allow pets that previously traveled as checked baggage to experience these safeguards when they travel as cargo, keeping them safe and their owners reassured:

* Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk (1-800-575-3335 or 281-553-5052)

* Confirmed booking prior to departure

* Weather conditions constantly monitored at all points

* The ability to track and trace the animal from its origin to its destination

* Personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over Continental's hubs when the animal will be exposed to temperatures above 85 degrees for more than 45 minutes.

* Continental recommends (but does not require) that SENIOR DOGS AND CATS (over 7.5 years old) receive a more extensive health examination (i.e. liver and kidney screens)."

The gal I talked to at the FIRST 1-800 number was SUPER friendly and helpful -
SHE dialed up Japan and kept Japan on the line for 15 minutes
while relaying my questions!

She said you (Deb) can call the USA Live Animal Desk yourself
and get the details -
but reminded me that the "REAL Arrangements" *MUST* be made
in Japan - not the USA.

And there really ought to be a USA Military Person on the Base that
* should KNOW how to do this
* should be willing to HELP Missy make the arrangements

/s/ Phred

[Sirrahsim]

that is the number that I called here They told me that Continental is no longer able to ship live animals in cabin OR as checked luggage. The Continental people sent me to the Yamaguchi place that I'll be using. Lots of confusion

[Soledad]

I took my cat Boo from New Zealand to Minnesota. It was a tough decision, but I decided to do it in the end because I knew Boo was strong enough to handle it and I knew I'd be a wreck without him.

Boo is an outgoing and resilient cat. Bettie is very shy and skittish. Should we move back to NZ, I do not know that I would want to put Bettie through that. She freaks out during small moves. Boo handled it well, but he was a little weirded out after the flight but seemed to recover within 24 hours. Bettie, I think it would take her weeks to feel secure again, and I don't know if I could stand to put her through that.

I guess what I'm saying is, you have to go with your gut and trust your pets' limits. The money is worth it. I believe it cost us around $1000 US to do it, and I don't miss it at all, even when things have been tight. Boo, and my relationship with him, are priceless. I'm glad I trusted my gut on this one. And as sad as it would make me to have to move internationally without Bettie, I know I'd be making the best decision *for her* by finding her a kind, loving home with someone I trust and can remain in contact with.

Don't know if my rambling on the topic helped, but either way, I know what you're going through and how hard it is.

[Sirrahsim]

NWA told me that they could only take him if I was a passenger. I already ahve my tickets for Continental. No one else will take him unless I fly with them

[Sirrahsim]

I'll make a few more calls. Thanks Phred