Traveling Long Distance for New Job with Two Birds. Fly or drive?

[chris686]

Hello,

I'm sure I'm not the first to do this, so I want to know some opinions. I'm re-locating from Florida to Texas for a Job and I'm trying to figure out the best way to transport my birds.

I have a cockatiel (1.5 years old) and a green cheek conure (2.5 years old).

The company I'm going to work for is giving me a lump sum and is paying for the movers. The movers are willing to transport my car as well. If I didn't have my birds, it'd all be pretty simple.

Travel time by car is going to be approximately 10 hours. Travel time by air seems to be around 4 hours due to layovers, but that's not including time spent at the airport clearing security. It's probably closer to a 6 hour ordeal.

So my options are pretty simple. Fly or drive. I'm seriously considering driving since I think it'll be simpler and I'll pocket a lot more of the relocation money

Flying will be significantly more: I'll need to rent a car, by plane tickets, and of course pay for two birds to move.

Both moves will be stressful for them, obviously, but there's not a whole lot I can do about that. What is the process like when flying with your birds? Driving?

I'm seriously considering just getting a light sheet and covering them for the drive, but I'm wanting to know how flying has played out for some folks.

 

[Kiwibird]

DRIVE! I would think it would be far more traumatic for a bird to be shoved in the dark cargo hold by total strangers and subjected to an unfamiliar motion (the plane) when they can't see than to drive.

When moved out of state, we drove for 2 straight days (and half of the 3rd) with our bird in the uhaul. He did fine, enjoyed the trip actually. And we got to choose when to stop to rest, were able to give him food/water, he could see out the window and most importantly, he was with the humans he loves and trusts, not being manhandled by strangers and shoved around in a crate. Personally, unless there was literally no other option, I would never fly with my bird.

 

[Flboy]

Ditto on driving, it takes only one moron to make life ugly for your babies!

 

[henpecked]

Drive, my birds have made many trips longer than that.i would suggest getting them travel cages and start now with short trips around town.

 

[Xraysrrad]

I vote in favor of driving too!

Also, your birds can hear your voice during travel time as well as enjoying the scenery.

 

[Scott]

I would drive rather than fly, particularly this time of year between FL and TX. However, if you can travel with a bird in a carrier below the seat, this would be safe albeit more costly.

Despite the best efforts of major airlines to avoid pet loss, summer temperatures will soar during parts of a pet's transport. Ironically, the least dangerous aspect is when the aircraft is aloft; the cargo hold of a modern airliners is fully pressurized and temperature controlled. One of the many fuel-savings techniques is to taxi with just one engine to/from the runway and even turning off one of the (typically) two air conditioning systems while on the ground. This tends to keep conditions warmer than you'd like for quite some time even when both are operating in time for takeoff. I've seen cargo hold temperatures mimic the airport conditions for several minutes once the door is closed, and remain far from comfortable for 1/2 hour or longer.

 

[Doublete]

Definitely drive. Without a doubt. Rent a uhaul and make the trip with your critters. It'll be less stressful for all involved.

 

[chris686]

Thanks for all the comments. They basically validate what I was thinking.

I had to give an answer the day I posted this: Whether I wanted the movers to take my car or not. I chose to drive. I've already purchased travel cages and they've become familiar and comfortable in them since their big cages had to be cleaned for the movers.

They're not too familiar with driving. They've had short trips before, but nothing too long. Since I have time, I'll make it a point to take them both on short trips over the next few days since we won't be leaving for another week.

 

[Hawk]

Hello,

I'm sure I'm not the first to do this, so I want to know some opinions. I'm re-locating from Florida to Texas for a Job and I'm trying to figure out the best way to transport my birds.

I have a cockatiel (1.5 years old) and a green cheek conure (2.5 years old).

The company I'm going to work for is giving me a lump sum and is paying for the movers. The movers are willing to transport my car as well. If I didn't have my birds, it'd all be pretty simple.

Travel time by car is going to be approximately 10 hours. Travel time by air seems to be around 4 hours due to layovers, but that's not including time spent at the airport clearing security. It's probably closer to a 6 hour ordeal.

So my options are pretty simple. Fly or drive. I'm seriously considering driving since I think it'll be simpler and I'll pocket a lot more of the relocation money

Flying will be significantly more: I'll need to rent a car, by plane tickets, and of course pay for two birds to move.

Both moves will be stressful for them, obviously, but there's not a whole lot I can do about that. What is the process like when flying with your birds? Driving?

I'm seriously considering just getting a light sheet and covering them for the drive, but I'm wanting to know how flying has played out for some folks.

My birds love riding in car or truck. The longest drive, was 2 1/2 hours.
They are fine, and sing as they seethe sights. They have never flown in a plane though. I do fly quite a bit, to Texas at least 5 times a year, or to Kansas to the aircraft industries, or out t G.E. Wilmngton, or Skykorski.
One of the Client provides a private Lear jet and considered asking him if I could bring bird. But staying in San Antonio at the Marriot on the river walk probably wouldn't go down well with the hotel staff. Besides when the timings right I just pop across the street to see the spurs play.

 

[Kalel]

I would drive too. I hope you have a great and safe road trip! Just a question though... If you fly with a bird, does it have to go cargo? Can't you carry on like a dog or cat? Does anyone know if that's permitted? If you can I'd imagine that would be acceptable too, right?

 

[jiannotto9492]

Gotta drive and make sure your birds are safe. Can't trust the airlines with all of the stuff they lose.

 

[Hawk]

I would drive too. I hope you have a great and safe road trip! Just a question though... If you fly with a bird, does it have to go cargo? Can't you carry on like a dog or cat? Does anyone know if that's permitted? If you can I'd imagine that would be acceptable too, right?

Certain states have requirements with some birds entering the state they are coming into. Quakers are one of them, some states do not permit them in unless you have all the vet documents and permits.

Commercial flights will go cargo, unless of course you charter a private flight and Plane.

My family owns a Cessna 152, and a Beechcraft Twin Baron G58, My dogs traveled with us to Colorado sitting on seat. Can't say I'll do that again!!
They are a bit frigidity up there...Was a pain in the bum...LOL.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'd love to lend you our Chinook, but it's in retirement. :54:

 

[Scott]

I'd love to lend you our Chinook, but it's in retirement. :54:

You had a Chinook? Or just kidding?

 

[Scott]

I would drive too. I hope you have a great and safe road trip! Just a question though... If you fly with a bird, does it have to go cargo? Can't you carry on like a dog or cat? Does anyone know if that's permitted? If you can I'd imagine that would be acceptable too, right?

Birds are permitted in the passenger cabin provided they are placed in a carrier that fits below the seat in front of you. Airlines generally stipulate how many carriers are permitted per cabin or aircraft. As with all but "safe travel," airlines frequently assess a fee for travelling with a pet in the cabin. I would have no problem doing this providing the bird can be trusted to not be too vocal!!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'd love to lend you our Chinook, but it's in retirement. :54:

You had a Chinook? Or just kidding?

Maybe....maybe not???

 

[Scott]

I would love to take a bird to work if my employer offered a "take your pet to work day." Plenty of space in the cockpit of an Airbus A-320, perched atop the center jumpseat. Of course I wouldn't share a bite of our toxic crew meals!

 

[PetoftheDay]

Glad you are driving, and already planning to work in some drives around town before you do the big trip! Safer for everyone concerned!

 

[Macawlover]

NEVER EVER would I trust any airline with my "kids" I know of cases where animals died because they kept them the cargo hold in really hot temperatures. But while in flight the cargo hold can be either heated or cooled depending on the cargo. Most airlines will tell you that when animals are transported the temperature is very close to (usually a little cooler) than the passenger cabin. They can say what they want, I would never let my "kids" be placed in the cargo hold of the airplane.

Beside it is an adventure for all when you drive, Cassinova loves to ride in the car, the other two... not so much, they are okay for short distances but usually end up getting sick. They didn't do to bad on the trip from IL to AZ (1700miles) when we moved last year, only stopped long enough to refuel (car and kids) then back on the road, motel one night then drove straight through.

 

[Hawk]

I'd love to lend you our Chinook, but it's in retirement. :54:

An RV or helicopter transport? I wouldn't take my birds in a Chinook chopper, It's a bit slow, very noisy and vibrates. My birds would be a nut case after traveling in that.