No Pets in 'Unpressurised Holds' on Jetstar

[ftm]

I noticed in the Jetstar baggage policy that they don't accept pets becuase their aircraft "don't have pressurised baggage holds". Given that the holds are pressurised - anyone know what the real reason is?

 

[oz_mark]

I'd be more likely to believe them if they said they weren't heated!

 

[N860CR]

The reason would be that Jetstar just don't want to handle pets. The entire aeroplane is one presurised tube (imagine how strong and heavy the floor would have to be if it wasn't!), however they aren't always heated. My understand is that at least one of them would be though.

I don't understand why companies can't just write "we don't do something because we can't be bothered to set up the process for it" rather than outright lie.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I agree with oz_mark perhaps something along the lines of "we don't want to spend the money heating the hold(s)" would be closer to the truth...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Probably the same reason they don't accept unaccompanied minors - "it's all too hard mate". They wouldn't do wheelchairs either if they had a choice, however legislation prohibits any airline doing that as it would be outright discrimination. They do however place a limit of 2 wheelchair pax per flight so it's essential people prebook one beforehand.

All the A320's are containerised with all bags being loaded into cans which in turn are loaded into the aircraft hold via a pallet loader so they have deliberately chosen to not have a separate area for special cargo.

 

[Justchecking]

Just use Australian air express, it's not like there is a special rate for having your pet on the same PNR anyway.

 

[markis10]

Just use Australian air express, it's not like there is a special rate for having your pet on the same PNR anyway.

THere are special rates for QF and Skywest pax though.

 

[docjames]

Have used JetPets and thought their service was excellent (but not cheap). Our dog is too large to travel as "checked luggage" so invariably it's easier to use a dediated service.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Have used JetPets and thought their service was excellent (but not cheap). Our dog is too large to travel as "checked luggage" so invariably it's easier to use a dediated service.

Depending on the airport & whether the owners allow livestock in the terminal (assistance dogs excepted from this rule ) even little pets must go via Australian Air Express. If you can lodge the pet in the terminal the pet in its cage forms part of your baggage allowance so for a couple eg NB they can have one suitcase & one pet in a cage & pay no extra at all.

Just use Australian air express, it's not like there is a special rate for having your pet on the same PNR anyway.

There is a rate for accompanied pets if you are travelling on the same flight as your pet where you lodge them at freight about 2 hours prior to checking in for your flight. The unaccompanied rate is almost double if you are not going on that same flight so in the majority of cases it would be cheaper to pay for ticket for someone to take that flight so you can get the cheaper rate for the pet.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

i think the issue is not that the holds aren't heated... they just aren't heated enough... I know my bags come out cold after a long flight... but if there was no heat at all then everyone's liquids would freeze and potentially ruin the contents of bags?

I think it is purely a handling/cost issue as to why they won't carry pets.

 

[rechoboam]

Cargo holds are pressurized. Heating on the A320 is an option. I have heard that on short flights the temperature is maintained to a limited extent due to the door seals. I seem to recall that if proper ventilation and aircon wasn't optioned, it's actually heat that harms the animals.

 

[docjames]

If you can lodge the pet in the terminal the pet in its cage forms part of your baggage allowance so for a couple eg NB they can have one suitcase & one pet in a cage & pay no extra at all.



.

Provided your pet is small or medium (ie. less than 20kg). If you have a large animal (dog) > 20kg it cannot be your luggage allowance. Our dog is 28kg so must go via dedicated freight. At least with QF as far as I'm aware.

 

[Simo]

I would say the temperature is not consistent.

Surprise surprise something else not consistent within the group.

Sometimes when i get my bag off the carousel it is quite cold.

 

[SighMN]

Ever since I had to transport my cat over a long distance with a reputable airline, I will never let my cat go in a cargo hold again. Despite paying a premium fee on top of my ticket my cat was dehydrated on arrival, and almost in shock. Despite having ample water as per the guidelines, the handlers obviously were careless and tipped over the water during loading. She looked so sickly after I picked her up she required a night recovering at a vet.

I don't trust JetSubpar with my own travel needs, so there is no way I would trust them with my cat when a much better "premium airline" almost killed her! Thankfully I'm not relocating in the near future, but I'd look at all the other options to avoid having my pet in the cargo hold. Those things can be death traps! I'm sure some airlines allow you to carry certain pets on board if they are of appropriate size. Not sure if you have to pay for an extra seat, but I would even do that if my cat had to travel again.

I'm not really into the whole Qantas vs Virgin thing, but I hope Virgin starts picking up some of the routes that only JetSubpar operates on so that at least customers have a choice of carrier. Come on cargo holds not being pressurised? Who authorised such nonsense? As others report not all cargo holds are heated or at least temperature controlled.