Does anyone require an agent

Hi -

Just looking to see if anyone's experience with the airlines REQUIRED an agent to do all the handling?  We did the PETS process before and I called all the airlines the other day for prices and asked and they all said no except for KLM who gave me 2 numbers to call in the Chicago area.  When I called the agents they both said they always us BA and the prices were like $500 more than what BA told me.

Just wondering if the airline agent was wrong or if I can do this myself again.  BTW we are looking to fly into Manchester so Delta and Continental - but are ok with going to London if we can just do it ourselves again

We're doing the same thing and we need an agent.

Who are you flying with then?  Neither Delta or Cont said about using and agent at all- did they tell you that?  I will call again and confirm

Sorry, for the miscom.. I don't know that for sure... what I meant was we are shipping our animals over and I need an agent. I know it will cost a lot but I can't risk my cats ( I have three) going into quarantine for a stupid mistake. I have a 10 year old siamese mix that I am rather worried about. She is very healthy but I am worried just the same.
Just the same let me know what you find out from the airlines. Thanks

I understand- I will let you know what I find out.  I can tell yo that I did this process with my 2 dogs already about 5 years ago as was very paranoid about doing something wrong but everyone here was great and in the end we did it ourselves with no problems at all.  The one went with us a a friend did the second so she could wait out the rest of her 6 months and it was fine.  We even faxed DEFRA everything and had them check it over and they were good.  It was the most stressful part of the move though!!

Will keep you posted

I understand- I will let you know what I find out.  I can tell yo that I did this process with my 2 dogs already about 5 years ago as was very paranoid about doing something wrong but everyone here was great and in the end we did it ourselves with no problems at all.  The one went with us a a friend did the second so she could wait out the rest of her 6 months and it was fine.  We even faxed DEFRA everything and had them check it over and they were good.  It was the most stressful part of the move though!!

Will keep you posted

Thanks I will keep looking for your response.

I understand- I will let you know what I find out.  I can tell yo that I did this process with my 2 dogs already about 5 years ago as was very paranoid about doing something wrong but everyone here was great and in the end we did it ourselves with no problems at all.  The one went with us a a friend did the second so she could wait out the rest of her 6 months and it was fine.  We even faxed DEFRA everything and had them check it over and they were good.  It was the most stressful part of the move though!!

Will keep you posted

It's interesting that you faxed your paperwork to DEFRA to make sure everything was ok. I was wondering if I could do something like that. Did you do this right before flying, so you could include the flea/tick/tapeworm treatment or did you send it earlier than that?

Usually when people refer to an agent, they are not talking about someone who does the paperwork for you, they are simply refering to a company that takes your pet from the airline and transports them to the ARC.  As far as I know, ALL airlines will require this.  Some will charge a seperate fee for it and someone will work it into the fee quoted from the airline.

yes we did and will probably do it again too just to be sure there aren't any mistakes.  I can't remember exactly but I don't think we would have had time to do it AFTER the tick/ tapeworm treatment but I guess if you had access to a fax you could.  We have also called them a few times and they are very nice and helpful.  I think their number is on their website

You don't need an agent on the US side, but Delta has an arrangement with Pets on Jets for Manchester on the UK side. Continental also have a specific arrangement, but can't remember the name of the firm.

POJ checked papers that I emailed as a PDF file prior to the flight, and were quick to answer questions. The charge was £130 - far less than the $730 a Delta cargo employee had quoted (this was in July this year).

I've always wondered if the Delta agent misread the "1" as a "7".

We delivered our cat to the Delta cargo terminal in Atlanta, paid the cargo fee, and that was that. Animals flying into MAN must be accompanied - perhaps the higher fee is for flights into LHR? Not a clue on that.

Be aware that OJ ion Manchester do NOT take a check. It's cash or (£) or credit card.