Dog transport hell! I hate go betweens!

Okay so I have only called 3 airlines... but what on earth is going on? Only Virgin Cargo will give me a quote. Both Continental (after 5 phone transfers back and forth) and BA say they won't deal with public and recommend various Pet transport companies....Continental does not inspire me because they can't even deal with my phone calls correctly so I don't think I'd trust them with my dogs!

I'm trying to ship them before we fly to stay with my parents. We need to fly into the Washington, DC area. Any one else have any luck going direct with the airlines lately? I have read the old threads but it seems like so many of the airlines are going with these agencies.

I have already posted on DIA, but thought I'd try here too!

I had a wonderful experience with Continental, but you need to know who to talk to there.  The ticketing counters can be quite rude and lack understanding, whereas all the pet desk people I spoke to who work 24 hours were fabulous and did everything to ensure my dog's safety and my customer satisfaction.  http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/animals/default.aspx
In the end though, you have to feel confident and comfortable doing it yourself with the airline.  I know by doing it myself it cost me 1/3 what it would have to go through a pet shipper.  Best of luck and take deep breaths, it will all come together.

See.. when I did finally get to talk to someone.... they told me they no longer deal with the public and gave me three companies to try! I should also make sure that people know this is for the UK to USA.

Ahh, in going back to the states, I haven't a clue, sorry.  Best of luck to you!