We don't PCS for awhile (August 2010) but an issue with a guy in my husband's shop's pets made me wonder. I had been told that if they cannot fit our pets on the AMC flight that we can request a commercial flight and that the military will reimburse us. I know that they also reimburse the cost of 2 animals to travel. Does anyone know about them reimbursing you for flying commercial? We are going to PCS with 4 animals and I refuse to leave them behind. We are starting to save for when we do PCS in case there are any unforeseen costs but I had been told (I believe by the vet and other people who have PCS'd) that they cover the cost if you have to fly commercial. Anyone have any information?! I was kinda hoping that I could stick all of my cats into one big kennel and have the dog separate so they could just go on AMC as 2 kennels but I don't think they let you do that.  

I'm not sure on the commercial and reimbursement ... but as far as AMC goes you can ship only 2 animals... you can not put more than one in a crate. 

hey nikki its tasha from boot camp ask ashley tomorrow she is pcsing and just got all this info! :) 

but as far as AMC goes you can ship only 2 animals... you can not put more than one in a crate I know that in some cases, if there is room, they allow 3. The 3rd one is just considered Space A on the flight or whatever. 

Thanks Tasha :) I know it's gonna be some work to get them home! I could go home before my hubby and take 2 and have him take 2 but I really don't want to do that. Bleh! 

Really? Then my friend got jipped. She just PCSed. She has 3 animals... she was the only one flying with pets on that flight and there was plenty more room but they told her she was only allowed 2. so she had to ship the 3rd cargo commercially. 

Ah. Well that's what the vet told me anyways I think. Isn't shipping them cargo/commercial really expensive? And they only ship into LA or Texas and you have to go pick them up? Right? That's the option that they gave the guy in my husband's shop and the guy chose to go commercial and take his cats that way. I was just under the assumption from past information that the military will reimburse you if you fly commercial to bring your pets. I still have awhile to go but hopefully they'll change the rules by the time we leave LOL 

She had him shipped to Seattle...And yes it was very expensive... I have 3 pets that i will be taking back and I PCS in Aug 2010 as well... So I need to get on the ball and figure this out too...lol 

Ah...it so sucks :( I can't leave mine here. It might end up costing us a ton which sucksss. Luckily all of my pets are like 10-13lbs so they're small. I might call the vet tomorrow and see if they know anything. Things could change between now and then but I like to be prepared! 

My dog is 35lbs... and I have two cats... But I will NOT leave them... they are my family. Period. 

we're PCSing in about 6 weeks with 2 dogs (16 pounds each). We are flying cicuitist (sp?) travel. We are AF so I'm not sure if this is how it is for other branches. They will not reimburse you any amount for your animals. After you get your tickets, you call the airlines and book your spots for the dogs. We are expecting to pay around $350 for each dog after everything is said and done. They base the cost on the weight of everything though (kennel included). We are flying into San Fran and that's it. Each animal has to have their own kennel I think but you would have to check the airlines rules. As for AMC ...there aren't too many spots for pets and as of 2 weeks ago, they were already booked through june. I'll have more info once I can actually book my dogs their spots on the plane but we are still waiting for over stuff. 

J S S - are they reimbursing your for the amount of your tickets to fly commercial? You are flying commercial right, not AMC? I wouldn't care if I had to pay for all of my pets travel as long as they reimburse us for the cost of our actual tickets. 

Nikki, call your TMO office. They will tell you everything about what you can and cannot ship at government expense, and flying commercial versus AMC. Also you may have to consider that if you leave in August, some flights will not allow any animals to fly due to the heat. Hope this helps. All pets will be required to have there own kennel. If your pets are small enough, you may be able to ship 2 pets in cargo and carry on the other 2, but that would be up to the airline, either AMC or commercial. Jeff 

Yes! Oh gosh, I would freak if we had to pay. Ok, I'm going to try my best to explain this. Our final destination is San Fran CA. So my husband went into TMO, they priced a flight from Oki to San Fran and it was around $1700. So we had $1700 credit per person to spend and whatever amount you go over, you have to pay out of your own pocket. When you fly commercial though, you HAVE to stay 24 hours in another country or HI/Alaska. We are staying in Hawaii and our dogs will be held at the airport quarantine office. They told my husband they have 6ft kennels. If you are in HI longer than 24 hours, they get sent to the Army quarantine where they have larger kennels. Anyway, back to the flights. So we have the $1700 and then they price a ticket from Oki to HI and then HI to San Fran. Don't try to look online because it will say it costs more. They quoted us that it would only be $700 so we don't have to pay any $ for our tickets. Hope that made sense! 

Ok thanks J S S & Jeff! That's great that you don't have to pay. We got here Aug 31, 2007 so we should be PCSing around the end of August/beginning of September. I'm hoping it's more towards September. I have cats and a miniature dachshund so I'm hoping the pet restrictions won't apply. And I don't think you can take cats in the cabin. I'd take my dog but I can just imagine her whining the whole way and peeing everywhere! I can't decide which would be more stressful for me - her being in the cargo or cabin! They are all fixed, UTD with shots and microchipped and all of that so hopefully I won't have much work to do to get them ready to leave. And luckily my job ends in June of every year for summer break so I'll have the whole summer of 2010 to get everything prepared! I can just imagine how insane we'll look with 4 kennels and luggage! I am thinking of getting the Space Saver bags so we can bring less luggage. All of this is giving me a headache! 

I work TMO pax and AMC .. I work Kadena TMO 2002-2005 and just volunteered last month. You can take more than 2 only if the request is made for a wavier. The wavier is request not untill 7 or so days out from SCOTT AFB AMC. And Not until they authorize it. When Flying CIRCUITOUS Travel..when you have to layover 24 hours in another country or AK/HI... Keep in mind.. that United Airlines I know for sure only allows so many pets .. depending on the aircraft. I remember it average around 5 pets. Japan does not allow PETS in cabin from Okinawa to Mainland. If anyone ever has any questions email me . I have over 10 years experience in Passenger travel Official and Airlines.. I miss it.. I recommend Circuitous Travel to anyone that wants a vacation or to avoid the MAC flight.. lol.. 

Shipping Cargo is $$$$$$$$$$! Crazy! Keep in mind also..traveling in the summer.. you may have to take EARLY or LATE flights from the POE due to heat restrictions.. So you are either gonna hang around the airport for awhile or get a hotel room.. Uh oh.. Hotels normaly dont allow that many pets..or if they do its a high fee... AVG $50-75 per pet. Just trying to help so you dont have any suprises!!!! 

I am thinking of getting the Space Saver bags so we can bring less luggage Those are a good idea, but remember, those bags can make your one bag heavier, and then you would have to deal with an overweight bag. You can fit so much, so you do, then its like 2 bags in one! Awesome idea, but not on the costs of an overweight bag. 

Awesome idea, but not on the costs of an overweight bag.  True. Someone warned me of that before...but I can't decide if the cost of an overweight bag or 2 would be better than having 4 huge pieces of luggage, carry-ons, and 4 kennels! Just something else for me to think about! 

The rolly carts at the airports are awesome, and think about getting some bungie (bunji?) cords to hook around your rolling bags together to make it easier to tote around... 

Just wanted to throw this out there.. we just left Okinawa a few days ago ( this is stephanie btw) and it was OUTRAGOUS coming home! We paid $1500 to get both of our dogs from Okinawa to Ft.Bragg. Its really odd cause when I flew TO okinawa with luna it was only $150 the whole way.. same airlines and all.. Make sure you start saving cause we did NOT expect that and it took a good chunk out of our savings. 

Danielle --- 8 min ago - quote - flag comment - put 'em in the ice box Just wanted to throw this out there.. we just left Okinawa a few days ago ( this is stephanie btw) and it was OUTRAGOUS coming home! We paid $1500 to get both of our dogs from Okinawa to Ft.Bragg. Its really odd cause when I flew TO okinawa with luna it was only $150 the whole way.. same airlines and all.. Make sure you start saving cause we did NOT expect that and it took a good chunk out of our savings.  How much do your dogs weigh?? where did you have layover at? 

they are each 40 pounds. we went from okinawa to tokyo, tokyo to washington d.c, d.c to raleigh NC 

ok thanks! we are planning an spending $1000 but our dogs only weigh 16 pounds each and we are going Oki to Tokyo, Tokyo to Hawaii and then Hawaii to San Fran 

Wish you all the luck!! We almost missed two planes because of re checking the dogs.. So glad its over lol, told hubby we will not be going back overseas till our doggies pass away cause that is just soo stressful on them and us. 

i think we have a 5 hour layover and then in hawaii we are staying the night so that doesn't matter. How long were yours? my old neighbor told me to allow at least 2 hours. 

Yea ours was 2 hours, but our flights were also 30 mins late taking off.. so we were running off one plane to get baggage, waited about 20 mins for them to bring up dogs, then go through and recheck and security and all that again.. was not fun 

Does anyone know how it works if you didnt have pets when you got here? Will they let u take them home with you? We are AF if it matters... Thanks in advance!! 

nvr wants to leave --- 49 min ago - quote - flag comment - put 'em in the ice box Does anyone know how it works if you didnt have pets when you got here? Will they let u take them home with you? We are AF if it matters... Thanks in advance!!  We got our dogs when we were here on island. You can take them home with you 

Thank you JSS I am worried cause I really could not be one of those ppl who gets a pet for the time they are here I hate! Pls I love my Ooki!