[globetrotter]

I booked a flight from SFO to Dublin, Ireland by way of Atlanta on Delta. I spoke with the reservations department as did the travel agent from Quinn Travel (San Francisco, CA). We were told that I could bring my small cat as carry-on provided I obtain the proper health certificates. THIS WAS ELECTRONICALLY NOTED ON MY RESERVATION.

I did all that was required and had all paperwork with me but was still refused boarding on the plane. The first "issue" was that the hard-side carrier was too large for carry on with a pet. The size of the carry on was well within the limits of regular carry on but I was made to purchase a soft-side carrier for the trip. (By William J at SFO) After I had done that I was told that Ireland would not accept pets from in the cabin travel and that my cat must travel as cargo. Then I was told that Ireland had an embargo against pets traveling into the country from May to September 15, 2009.

I am out a great deal of expense due to Deltas misinformation and lack of professionalism. I MUST take my cat back to the vet at least twice for the health certifiates to be re-done for international travel. The USDA certificate within 10 days of departure and the domestic certificate between 24 and 48 hours of departure.

I e-mailed the pets and agriculture office at Dublin, Ireland and was told by that government official THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN EMBARGO!!!
I am severely inconvenienced as I am trying to move to Ireland and am currently stuck here. I have no income as I am relocating and this delay is a financial hardship.

DO NOT EVER FLY DELTA. STUPIDITY AT ITS PEAK!!

[PHXFlyer]

The pets in cargo embargo is on Delta system-wide. More info is available on Delta.com here. Also it is fairly common knowledge that you can't bring a pet in cabin on an international flight. Why aren't you blaming your travel agent? You hired him or her and it is he or she that should have researched this for you! It took me less than 60seconds to find the embargo information using Google. I guess your travel agent has never heard of Google?

[The_Judge]

I don't want to sound like I'm letting DL off the hook cuz I'm not. It sounds like they gave some wrong information about pet entry into Ireland. For that, they have screwed up.

That being said, did you investigate on your own what is required for arrival, as far as paperwork and all the other things? The carrier size you spoke about seems to be the most minor of issues. I'm including what I guess is accurate information for bringing a pet into Ireland. For an agent at the gate to be expected to know this I think is unreasonable. I considered myself a good agent and sure didn't know this. I would have had to look it up but the airline I worked for didn't give interent access to all agents. Even as a supervisor, I had to beg for it. If I'm expected to know all this, I needed a raise. This is just one country for a pet arrival. Think of all the other issues. Guns to Japan? Can or not? Human organs to Jamaica? Yes...no?? Too much to have to be expected to know. Anyway.....here's what I found.

Entry of pets into Ireland under the Prior Approval System
This information is available in more languages. See a list below.

EU Pet Passport "Declaration of Prior Approval" Applications
In the absence of approved airlines we have put in place an interim measure to facilitate the direct entry (by air) of pets into Ireland. Details as follows:

The animal must, in the following order:

be identified by means of a micro-chip - no other form of identification is acceptable. The micro-chip used should comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785 - otherwise the person accompanying the pet will have to carry their own scanner.
have been vaccinated for rabies after microchipping
after vaccination, have been successfully blood-tested for rabies anti-bodies at least six months before entry into Ireland
have been correctly treated for tick and tapeworm between 24-48 hours prior to scheduled departure time
have been issued with an official passport under Regulation (EC) No. 998/2003
In addition to the above the pet animal must be accompanied on the journey to Ireland.

Evidence that the animal complies with the first four of the above requirements is contained in a passport - a document standardised throughout the EU. For animals originating in an EU Member State the "passport" is in booklet form, blue in colour with the EU emblem of yellow stars.

In the case of animals originating in a qualifying country other than an EU Member State the "passport" is in the form of a "Veterinary Certificate" which must be printed in the language of Member State of entry and in English. The "Veterinary Certificate" must be accompanied by supporting documentation or a certified copy of it including vaccination details and the result of the serological test

In order that prior approval for entry into Ireland may be considered the following conditions will also apply:

A photocopy of the Passport/Veterinary Certificate including the front cover (for Member States passports) and completed Sections I to V inclusive must be faxed to the Special Projects Unit of the Department of Agriculture and Food at least 10 working days in advance of travel. Fax number + 353 1 607 2843. Where applicable, supporting documentation must also be faxed.
If, on foot of examination of the faxed documentation the animal appears to satisfy the conditions for prior approval a "Prior Approval Declaration" will be issued. Release of the animal into free circulation will be subject to an inspection being carried out on the animal (to verify identification) and presentation and examination of the original passport and where appropriate, supporting documentation.
Where the animal appears not to be in compliance with the conditions outlined above prior approval will be refused.
Entry into Ireland will be by airline into Dublin Airport only
Written confirmation that the animal will be accompanied by its owner or a person responsible for the animal must be provided. Owner /person responsible name, address and contact telephone in Ireland must be provided.
The owner/person responsible for the pet will provide flight details or a written declaration that he/she will provide flight details to the Department of Agriculture and Food at least 24 hours prior to travel.
Prior to arrival at Dublin Airport arrangements must be in place for an approved courier to transfer the animal to Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital for inspection. Arrangements, including costs, for Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital and courier will be a matter for the pet owner. Contact and approximate cost details attached.
Written confirmation that a booking has been made at Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital facility and that the approved courier has been engaged must be provided prior to travel
Original passport must be available for inspection.
Animals satisfying all of the requirements of the pet passport system will be released from quarantine into free circulation. It is expected that the inspection will take place on the day of arrival and usually within an hour or so of arrival at Lissenhall Veterinary Hospital.
Animals deemed not to have met all of the requirements of the Pet Passport System will be detained for up to six months at the public quarantine facility at the owners expense.
All pets entering Ireland by airline must travel as manifested freight (cargo) and cannot travel in the cabin or as checked baggage.
Please click here to download Prior Approval application form. (doc 51Kb).

Note: Please ensure that you have read thoroughly the conditions for entry above before completeing this application form."

Not included in this info, I found that the pet will be quarrantined for 6 months and that must be taken care of 3 months in advance.

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/e...pprovalsystem/

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

Complaining to the Irish airline regulatory authority, as well as to the Aviation Consumer Section of the US Dept. of Transportation, is one of the few things you can do. Send "carbon copies" of your letters to Delta. Don't waste your time writing a separate complaint letter to Delta. Delta will be very quick to seize upon the point that they're not responsible for the information (about the importation of pets into Ireland) they give-out. Beyond sending you a form letter acknowledgement there is probably nothing the government agencies I've mentioned can do in the way of redress, or compensation, to you.

I don't have a very high opinion of Aer Lingus (Irish International Air.) However, in this instance, putting-up with the attitude of their flight attendants might have been a worthwhile price to pay in return for allowing your pet aboard their aircraft (for a fee, naturally!). I note Aer Lingus does operate one daily SFO - DUB non-stop. Unfortunately, your travel agent probably is compensated better by Delta than Aer Lingus.

Based on your story it sounds like Delta was, perhaps, making-up things as they went-along. Delta's story seemed to change three times during the course of your interraction with them.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer

Also it is fairly common knowledge that you can't bring a pet in cabin on an international flight.

I meant to say some international flights. It depends on the customs requirements of your destination country. Damn 5 minute rule!

[globetrotter]

I blame Delta because I SPOKE TO THEM. The reservations EXPERT working for DELTA gave me false information. As for checking the website, who knows when that was last updated? As for your "expertise" in international travel, Ireland is the one of the ONLY EU countries that require pets as cargo. Others do allow in-cabin travel.

[The_Judge]

As I stated at the beginning of my post.......(why don't people read?) I don't take the blame off Delta. Here is what I said........"I don't want to sound like I'm letting DL off the hook cuz I'm not. It sounds like they gave some wrong information about pet entry into Ireland. For that, they have screwed up.

Blame DL till the cows come home. That is fine. Somebody is at fault. But you stress you spoke with an expert reservations agent. They deal in moving people, not animals. They can be to blame for giving you the info they had, which may also have been outdated.

Then you question my expertise in international travel saying "Ireland is the one of the ONLY EU countries that require pets as cargo. Others do allow in-cabin travel."

I don't get what this has to do with the price of tea in China. I don't make Ireland's pet entry rules. They do. If they don't allow pets in cabin on arrival then that's the way it is. For the record...Hawaii doesn't either.

[jimworcs]

It is ridiculous to suggest that DL are not "primarily" culpable in this situation. Airlines which introduce an "embargo" on carrying pets for some random reason, need to ensure that all affected passengers are informed (and all Travel Agents are informed). You cannot seriously expect that passengers should think "oh, let me check on the website in case DL has randomly introduced an embargo". How far does this go? Should passengers check in case DL has decided to embargo carrying surfboards?

There are reasons why some countries ban pets being transported in the cabin. They are usually rabies free and have quarantene requirements. It is almost impossible to maintain the integrity of the quarantene chain if the animal is transported in the cabin. It is reasonable to expect the carrier to know these regulations, especially where a passenger has called in advance and asked for advice on this issue. If the airline cannot give accurate advice, then the agents should be trained to say that the airline cannot give advice and that they should contact the Irish authorities. To give false or misleading advice makes the airline culpable.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

As for checking the website, who knows when that was last updated?

That statement, alone, is very telling.

[Jetliner]

Both the travel agent AND Delta are responsible here. The travel agent should have known or found out this info when booking the tickets, are at least if they found out later, advised the passenger of this. However the OP ALSO called and talked to Delta directly, and they should have advised of this as well.

[The_Judge]

I did a little more research (cuz I'm bored) and found an error on someone's part. Not sure whose. There most certainly is an embargo between May 15th and Sept 15 (this located on DL's website) but it is DL's for accepting pets as checked luggage. That point is moot though as the website I provided (possibly out of date per the OP) says animals entering Ireland must travel "as manifested freight (cargo) and cannot travel in the cabin or as checked baggage." (That is pasted directly from the info I posted)

But oddly enough, DL will accept animals as air cargo during this time period.

Again, DL is to blame for shelling out all kinds of wrong information but with this major of a move and bringing a pet, I would advise checking all possible sources of information.

Gentlemen.....flame away.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by The_Judge

I did a little more research (cuz I'm bored) and found an error on someone's part. Not sure whose. There most certainly is an embargo between May 15th and Sept 15 (this located on DL's website) but it is DL's for accepting pets as checked luggage. That point is moot though as the website I provided (possibly out of date per the OP) says animals entering Ireland must travel "as manifested freight (cargo) and cannot travel in the cabin or as checked baggage." (That is pasted directly from the info I posted)

But oddly enough, DL will accept animals as air cargo during this time period.

Again, DL is to blame for shelling out all kinds of wrong information but with this major of a move and bringing a pet, I would advise checking all possible sources of information.

Gentlemen.....flame away.

Yes, but...

Why will Delta allow a commercial shipper to transport pets during the embargo?

Commercial animal shippers have the means to keep animals comfortable in extreme heat. They can also be more flexible with flight schedules when shipping these animals.

So the exception is only for commercial shippers of live animals and not for persons checking a pet as cargo.


Furthermore, I found this additional information on Delta's website:

International Pet Travel

Many countries have strict regulations regarding international pet travel. Remember to make arrangements in advance and:

• Contact the embassy or consulate of the destination country to determine pet travel regulations.
• Obtain all necessary paperwork (such as health certificates and documentation) regarding your pet's travel.
• Contact your local veterinarian to ensure your pet is in compliance with foreign health regulations.
• Check with the CDC about the importation of pets into the United States.
• Check with APHIS about international animal export regulations.
• Additional fees and charges may apply. Terminal handling charges, customs clearance fees, veterinarian service, and/or kennel storage fees are in addition to shipping rates and will be charged to the shipper or pet owner upon arrival at destination airport. All fees and charges must be paid in full prior to the release of animal.

Did the OP, or his travel agent, contact the embassy or consulate as suggested? It sure doesn't sound like it because he seemed to be unaware of the quarantine requirement. Furthermore there is this information specific to Ireland:

Pets Traveling to the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Other European Union Countries

Delta will not accept any live animals as checked baggage, carry-on baggage, or as cargo to the United Kingdom except as detailed below. Delta will accept pets as cargo to the Republic of Ireland. A six month quarantine will apply to all pets traveling to the Republic of Ireland.

Repeatedly on the website it advises one to call Delta Cargo with any questions. From the post it sounds like the OP only contacted general reservations who are not, as he stated, "experts" in these matters. Once again had the OPP been a bit more prudent with his research much of this, if not all, could have been avoided. Oh wait...the information on the website is outdated and useless anyway! Nevermind...

[globetrotter]

Troy, I was not questioning you. "Flyer" seemed very aggressive in response. It was him/her to which my last response was directed. From several of you I have had very helpful responses and I thank all of you for them.

As "Flyer" seems hell-bend on angry defense of Delta I will no longer check this site. I have had enough stress on this issue and still need to deal with Delta to resolve my out of pocket expense.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

Troy, I was not questioning you. "Flyer" seemed very aggressive in response. It was him/her to which my last response was directed. From several of you I have had very helpful responses and I thank all of you for them.

As "Flyer" seems hell-bend on angry defense of Delta I will no longer check this site. I have had enough stress on this issue and still need to deal with Delta to resolve my out of pocket expense.

Show me where I defended Delta in your matter. I merely pointed out that you paid a travel agent who did not provide you with any service other than to purchase your tickets which you could have done yourself online. Your thread title accused Delta of incompetence but you had no such accusation about your travel agent who should share some of the blame. Additionally you should accept some of the blame as you could have avoided this whole mess had you taken some time (very little time actually) to do some basic research yourself about importing your pet to Ireland and not relied solely on the information provided to you by a phone agent who was probably in a contract call center overseas.

[abutterfinger25]

Yes, the travel agent should take some of the blame since you are paying this person to arrange your travel. They should get the information for you. However, I would expect that if you personally call a carrier, then that agent should tell you the correct information. They should have all the information that the carrier has on that given topic at the tip of their fingers. It does not matter if the agent is in an overseas call center or in the carrier's HQ. Now if the information itself is flawed, that is a whole nother can of beans....

That being said, it is still fundamentally the passengers responsibilty to ensure that all his or her ducks are lined up.