Could It Cost Up to $4,000 for Military Personnel to Ship Their Pets?
Published February 17, 2012
Flickr User Beverly & Pack
Could it really cost military personnel up to $4,000 to ship their pets overseas? A new policy change indicates that could very well be the case.
According to a report from Stripes.com, the cost of shipping a pet during a service member's permanent change of station could rise to up to $4,000 from what was once a flat fee of roughly $280 per pet.
The move comes as the result of a merger between Continental Airlines and United Airlines, which are both federally contracted carriers. As part of their merger, United is going to drop its flat rate for pets being shipped as excess baggage and require all pets to be shipped as cargo. For those serving in the Pacific, this could mean that the cost of shipping a pet back to the United States could range anywhere between $1,400 and $4,000, depending on the animal's size. It is a cost that is not picked up by the military, as the military already gets the initial cost of the flight at a reduced cost through its contract.
The new policy change United is initiating does not apply to what are known as Patriot Express flights, or flights chartered as official missions, which already have pet spaces set aside. The issue, however, is that one must be on official orders only to use a Patriot Express flight. Additionally, Patriot Express flights are often far less direct than commercial flights, making them less convenient for travelers.
As a result of the policy change, some fear that many military pets could be left behind, as the military personnel will not be able to afford the outrageous price that United will charge to ship their beloved pets on commercial flights.
What do you think about United's policy that could hurt pet-loving military families? Share your thoughts in a comment.
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Comments (20)
Really, I just disgusted. Military personnel put their lives on the line for our country and the least we could do for them is help them out and help defray the cost of getting themselves and any of their loved ones home at a decent price human or animal. Because sometimes your pet is the only one you can count on when you have no one else. Really the public industry needs to get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a disgrace. I just retired from the Navy and all of my commands except for my last was overseas. I remember going onleave from Bahrain and seeing all the beautiful dogs in the terminal getting ready to make the flight with their families. I can not imagine leaving a pet behind because of these ridiculous airlines are again ripping us off. I would never leave my two 4 legged girls behind and I pray that the families will some how may a way or someone would step up and help them out so they wouldn't have to leave their pets alone to fend for themselves after living in a loving home.It's a disgrace to think these airlines would do this.
This is HORRIBLE! As a veteran of the U.S. Army and an animal lover, I find this outrageous. I know how little most military make, most could not afford to pay this outrageous amount to bring a family member- as their pets are. These people risk their lives in service of our country, something not everyone would do and this is how they are treated?
Cannot believe that there is someone at United as insensitive (idiotic)to have made this determination........there seems no limit to human thoughtlessness (stupidity)
If everyone lets United and Continental Airlines know that they will no longer be using them because of this, the airlines might just listen! Pet lovers speak up!
Where are these "decision makers" moral ethics? They are walking, talking, sleeping safe at night because our servicemen keep
things safe......I guess greed replaces gratitude in their mode of operation.......
Sad, wrong, terrible......
This is a outrage, and I think that all pet lovers need to take a stand. This is just another way for someone to have control over something else we love.