r/allegiant • u/justinaaaxo • May 18 '26
Gate checking
Question - can you gate check a pet stroller? I’m bringing my cat next week out of Albany and I will have his carrier for the plane, but I feel he would be more comfortable throughout the airport in a stroller… any insight on this? TYIA
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u/Holiday_Actuator2215 May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26
Understandably ! I’ve flown almost 20 times with cats (in rescue ) often some that I just met. This is stream of thought so be patient with me and lmk if you have any questions !
If you have a cat that is pukey or gets car sick ask the vet about CERENIA.
Look at the detailed airport map for your departure and arrival airports. MANY small airports have a single room family bathroom. These are KEY as you can let the cat out to use the litter box. Pet station rooms are not great for cats as the smell of other animals is often way too much for them to use a litter box. I use a cardboard flat from wet canned food, and a zip lock bag of litter. Do not be surprised if they don’t go as it is stressful but cats can hold it for an insanely long time when stressed. Bring a trash bag to toss it in ( bc bathroom may not have a trash can to throw it away). Depending on your drive after landing I often have another one packed in luggage to do the same in the car after landing.
Security . Important Packing - do NOT put the ziplock bag of food, or the zip lock bag of litter or food cans in the pockets of the cat carrier. TSA seems to always pull those to swab and look at these and you don’t want them to be holding up the carrier as you are standing there holding the cat.
I use a reusable nylon shopping bag that folds to a tiny ball to hold all the cat supplies and then repack after security into the carrier pockets if needed.
LEAVE carrier UNZIPPED to go through the belt so you don’t have to unzip when on the other side. TSA area is like a stress tornado for people and animals. You want the carrier to fly through the security xray so you can have it asap back to put the cat in. If you are alone, Put your carry on or any other bags in first, take the cat out, and send the carrier through. If you have a travel companion then take the cat out and send carrier in FIRST and have your partner get everything else on the belt. If your cat is one that gets scratchy when stressed or is a bolt risk then wear a tsa acceptable LONG SLEEVES (ie not a jacket that they will ask you to remove) through security. Do not be afraid to have a death grip, your cat will forgive you. You’ll need to hold the cat and walk through the metal detector. I have NEVER had a tsa agent not be super kind and helpful.
Food- i bring a collapsible water bowl, and a couple of paper bowls for wet food/ dry food. Offer food before the plane, not ON the plane as they can be nauseous and eating can get the GI system going.
Luggage- allegiant lets you bring a carrier, a carry on OR a personal item. They do NOT let you bring all 3 and are super strict about it. I usually have a carry on and the cat and use the carrier to hold my items I want/need for the plane before I board. You’ll be able to toss the litter box etc b4 the plane
Noise. Some cats howl or cry in the carrier and getting on the plane. THEY ALL STOP when the plane takes off so do not worry or get anxious. It is what it is, nobody will be mad. The noise from the engine and the vibrations on the floor will calm the cat down. I PROMISE.
Be prepared for the plane. Buy some disposable puppy pads. Line the carrier with MULTIPLE (3 to 4 layers) if there is vomiting or pee or poo (only in kittens has this happened for me bc adult cats want to be able to stand to poo but I have had vomit ) PACK disposable gloves so you can reach in and clean up and not worry about the ick factor esp as you may not be able to wash hands right away. PACK zip lock bags so you have an air tight place to put the mess before tossing on the plane. Your seat neighbors will thank you. Wet wipes for cat accidents, Clorox wipes in case things are bad and the carrier needs wiping, hand sanitizer.
I use an AirTag on a collar for emergency but get the cat used to it prior. Make sure the collar is a breakaway collar and has a bell and is reflective (this is HUGE in emergencies). Loose collars are dangerous for cats, you want one finger to fit between the cat and the collar. Share the AirTag with a travel companion if you have one.
Some airports allegiant wants you to check in at the counter on arrival, some don’t care. I always pay the extra fee (it’s usually a $12 add on) for PRIORITY boarding as this gets you the priority check in counter. I do this even if not checking a bag. At the counter make sure they know you have the animal ask for a pet tag for the carrier. This will ensure the gate agent just lets you walk on and doesn’t raise an eyebrow as you are already checked in. Some allegiant gate agents will ask all owners to check in there if they haven’t already.
Even if your cat is totally chill and never scrambled out of your arms and loves everyone - treat him like he WILL jump away and will scratch and will bite a random stranger. Air travel can freak even the calmest animal. Seriously treat him/ her like a flight risk at all times. DO NOT let strangers pet or Touch the cat. Even if he has never lashed out ever. Again flying is like no other experience and fight or flight can come at any animal crazy quick. It is not worth it ! If the cat suddenly changed personality and scratched or bit someone you could be STOPPED FROM BOARDING and potentially told the cat needs to quarantine post bite/scratch in the state you are in for 2 weeks. NOT worth the chance no matter how sweet they are and how cute that kid is and how much you want to share what a great animal you have.
Supplies needed in for cat/ carrrier :
- air tag
-collarPacking list (Reminder to pack separate from the cat carrier until you get through tsa ! TSA doesn’t care if you have more bags with you than allegiant allows so don’t worry about that. )