Comments on: Review of Outward Hound “Roll Along Pet Carrier”

By: Mary-Alice

Mary-Alice — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:04:06 +0000

Hello, Tuck! Your message is such a hoot — what a wonderful pet guardian you are. Taking your questions from the top: (1) When I’ve had to tip Chloe over to get her carrier under the seat, I’ve just talked to her throughout, and moved slowly. I know it seems odd to shift your dog’s base from the bottom of the bag to the side of the bag, but she hasn’t seemed fazed by it at all. As you’re tilting, you can reach in and shift your pup’s padding over too, and pat him at the same. They’re pretty tolerant, I think, as long as they can hear from the tone of your voice that what’s happening is expected and okay. (2) I don’t have any other good suggestions for you besides this Outward Hound wheeled backpack — I do, however, like your idea (in a separate comment) about using an old-fashioned wheelie and strapping your unwheeled carrier to it for a roll through the airport. Wheelies are bulky and a pain, but in this situation, I think they’re a terrific solution! (3) Send a tweet to @sleepypod! And I will too! I don’t have any clout with them, but I love their design sense, and would be THRILLED if they came out with a wheeled carrier that fit Chloe and worked in-cabin. (4) I am so happy that PetEgo’s Messenger Bag is working for you guys! I don’t think it’s a good choice as an in-cabin bag since it’s so big, and yet wedge-shaped — so it combines the negative of slightly too big for the space with the negative of not using the space efficiently — but it’s flexible enough that you could probably wedge it under there. It’s padded, and has good ventilation, so that part works too. I just think it won’t give your dog the room he’ll need on a plane.

By: Tuck

Tuck — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:08:45 +0000

Hola! Well I’ve adopted Sidney (who broke his little leg after a flying leap) and bought the “messenger bag” which works well (although he is so thin that he is like a “meercat” popping out of the top, even with a splint on his leg. Wish I could send you a photo because it’s pretty funny. So the Messenger Bag is working nicely (and I bought a “precision pet” new pad to put on the bottom, that fits nicely and is cushier, btw). NOW it is time to figure out something that will work for flying. I happened to see the Sleepypod Air carrier that you reviewed, and you are correct: that is the most beautiful, well-designed carrier I’ve seen anywhere. It’s luxurious really, for a decent price. And all the Sherpa’s seem shabby by comparison, I also agree (although their sports bag seems a little more put-together). I really need a good backpack wheely one for airport, that isn’t difficult to turn from wheely to backpack and get “on” the shoulders. From what you are saying, this is the best one thus far, so my question is: how does the dog suddenly go sideways when you want to push this under the seat? (I get that the wheely and backpack work). I don’t want to give the little 9-pound dog vertigo by suddenly up-ending it in a cramped space when its never been on an airplane before and neither of us know what we’re doing together (besides pray for a first class upgrade again from Alaska where there is so much room you could have nearly anything and the stewardesses don’t seem to care about much except giving everyone water right away.) Can you help me out on a decision here? The low-priced one on Amazon got away from me, but I found one someplace else for about the same price I can order. Has anything else come out yet? Can you talk the Sleepypod Air folks into making theirs a little taller? (10.5? no way that is really 10″ is it?) and putting wheels on it? I’d settled for wheels instead of a backpack. They are so good they could probably figure out how to make the wheels “fold in” and not take up any height. The other question is about the Messenger Bag. It says on the box that it is “airline approved.” Does that mean one can take it on a plane and push it under the seat? They’re kidding right? That is just for walking around (sleuthing as you say, which I’m thrilled to have done a couple of times if he would just stop popping his head out and showing his broken leg to “ohhh”) Look forward to your input at this stage (and yes, you were right, am LOVING the little dog). He mashed down the Messenger bag in the car first day I got it, and tried to get in it to sleep, showing me he liked it even though he pretended to hate it 2 hours before)

By: Edie

Edie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:01:31 +0000

Okay, I definitely want one of these — in case I ever do end up flying with Frankie. I will be looking forward to tomorrow’s post, so I can learn how to get one in your contest (if I’m lucky enough and if I remember)!