We decided to take our puppy home for the holidays and got quite nervous after reading reviews about southwest airlines not allowing pets onto the plane at the last minute. Some Sherpa carriers are guaranteed onboard, but not with Southwest. The dimensions for southwest are a bit unusual, having a 9" height clearance maximum. The dog also has to be able to stand up and turn around in the carrier. Many carrier descriptions included either interior or exterior dimensions, so you really did not know if you met all the criteria without trying it out. So, after MUCH reading and shopping, I ended up buying 6 carriers so that I could get southwest's blessing. I ordered the snoozer wheel around, the pet 2 go escort and traveler, and the Sherpa sport from Wayfair[...]. Realizing this was not going to happen, we went to 2 local pet stores and bought the dog whisperer tote and the outward hound carrier on wheels. Other than the dog whisperer, everything I purchased SEEMED to have the same features…. On wheels with pull out luggage handle, converting to a car seat and backpack. My dog, a 15 pound miniature American Eskimo, hated the dog whisperer… and liked the outward hound a bit more. (he really hated the whole thought of the enclosures, so we also got some ACE from the vet to calm him down… great idea!!). We took our dog and the Outward Hound carrier to southwest and they did not approve of it, for it was really short and he seemed squished … They recommended we buy the southwest bag, ok, our 7th bag purchase.... I have to say, the southwest bag is quite wide…. But doesn't have all the cool conversions as I was seeking… it is just a "box" that does not even stand up on it's own (no structure) When we returned home from our trip, we received the other carriers from Wayfair, and set them all up in a row…. We loved the snoozer the best of all the 7 bags we ended up purchasing. It has a lot of mesh for him to completely see out of, it is tall enough for him to stand up in, and has a central support to hold the top rigid. The bag's hard bottom even comes off in case the airline has low seating. He seems to actually LIKE getting into this bag, and we use it in the car where he is typically very nervous, and it seems to calm him down….The backpack is VERY comfortable, and he seems very comfortable in this bag… even the floor is nicely padded from the luggage carrier…. I am very pleased with this purchase![...] But I am stuck with the southwest bag."..." Read more
- shelights in San Francisco, CA