Eddie and I were very excited. We had booked ourselves in for two big shows interstate and Eddie was about to have his first trip on a plane. Normally, we would drive the distance but being two weekends close to each other, we didn't have the time to drive, so we thought we would fly. I of course was more nervous about how Eddie would take the flying thing as we have heard all the horror stories about dogs and planes.
Anyway we set off for the first show which was in Victoria (and we are very glad we went too!!) and we thought if Eddie could handle that flight, then the trip to Sydney the next week would be a breeze.
          Eddie was so put out that he could not travel with me in the plane, he had "that" look on his face. I know he would be good and sit quietly with his belt on and he would not consume copious amounts of alcohol and be abusive on the plane, but he is a dog and must be treated as one for an airline trip (mind you he still acts like he is a human).
          The Victorian trip was great and Eddie handled flying like a trooper. The next weekend we set off again this time with Eddie and his girlfriend Lili for the British Terrier show in NSW. The Kids knew there was something different happening when we bundled them together into a crate and left them at the airfreight center.  Imagine our surprise when we landed in Sydney some one and a half hours later and our dogs were nowhere to be found. After 30 minutes of waiting, the questions started after an hour and thirty minutes the anger and frustration had taken over. The worse thing was, they could not locate my babies- Not in Brisbane and not in Sydney.. The duty manager for Ansett was accosted by myself and she assisted us greatly in our search. I cant thank her enough for her time and patience with three very emotional individuals. She located my babies at Canberra Airport, some ten minutes prior to them shutting for the night. She arranged to have them sent from Canberra to Narellan Vale in a taxi. My flight arrived in Sydney at 9pm, the wondering Staffies were placed in their crate at 6.15pm (with no water due to the short flight) and we were all reunited at 2.30am. To my babies credit, they did not mess in their crate and behaved like angels for the taxi driver.
          As well as all this happening, each time I went to book them in to fly, different airports, different people, different story each time. This was going to be a problem not only for us, but for everyone who flies with their animals. Through the complaints procedure I was directed to a lovely lady by the name of Sian Miles, who is a community relations officer for Ansett here in Brisbane.  Without her support the contents of this letter would still be a mystery to us all. My heartfelt thanks to her for supplying all the information she could, in writing and for her understanding of our difficulties. She is probably the best Ansett has for their customers and I hope they treat her with the respect she deserves. This letter has also gone to her and been approved for publication in the Stafford Social Club's newsletter and for the Victorian Staffy Clubs newsletter. I hope it can assist in the smooth flying for all dog owners but please, always remember to speak to your local airport prior to flying anyway and clarify any details with them - they are all different.