Fly or drive?

[lwayne]

I just got a job offer! It’s across the country though.. so now I need to figure out the logistics of moving with my two bunnies.  There’s no direct flights, so it would be one layover if we flew. Leo and Arduina are about 6.5lbs each, so I don’t know if I can fit them in to one carrier that would fit under the seat (soft shell?).  Driving would be by myself, so it would take like 5 days (7-8hr/day). Do we drive or fly? 

[Sarita]

I’m not sure which carriers will allow you to have your rabbits in the cabin any longer…I guess I would first check that out or did you already?

[CinnabunMom]

I’ve never had to do what you’re doing before, but I almost think it would be less stressful on the bunnies if you drove. The noise of the plane, the landing, the takeoff, ect. almost seems extra stressful. And if you checked into a hotel each night that was very tolerant to pets, you could let them have some running time each night. Would you be driving by yourself? The one issues is I think you would need to pull over frequently to make sure they have hay and extra wet veggies so you wouldn’t be bothering with a bottle.

[lwayne]

I checked with the airlines.. Frontier allows rabbits and also flies the route I’m looking at.  Here’s their policies if anyone else is interested: 

“A one-way, directional fee of $75 will be assessed at check-in.Make advance reservations on the phone. Pets can’t be booked online, so please call our Reservations Department at 800-432-1FLY (1359) so we can ensure availability and reserve space for your pet as no more than ten pet containers will be accepted per flight and no more than one pet container may be carried per person.
Only certain animals are allowed in the cabin:
Domesticated dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, or small household birds may be carried on flights within the United States.
Domesticated dogs and cats only may be carried to or from international destinations.
There are some things you need to do before arriving at the airport:
Make arrangements for complying with applicable laws, customs and other governmental regulations, requirements or restrictions of the country, state or territory to which the animal is being transported. This is your responsibility.
Obtain required health documents as described below under health and wellness.
Due to limited space in the cabin, if you are bringing on a pet container, then you may only carry a personal item. No other carry-on baggage is allowed, as the pet container counts as your piece of carry-on baggage.
The travel container must be large enough for the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down in a natural position.  The carrier must also fit underneath the seat in front of you. There may be certain seats which cannot accommodate your pet container, but we’ll work with you to get a seat assignment that works. Maximum dimensions are based on aircraft type:
Airbus A318/A319/A320: 24″ length x 15. 5″ width x 9.5″ height.
Embraer E190: 18″ length x 13.5″ width x 10″ height.
Embraer E145: 17″ length x 12″ width x 10″ height.
Up to two (2) small animals may be transported in one travel container as follows: puppies or kittens (8-10 weeks old), hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and small household birds.” http://www.frontierairlines.com/customer-service/travel-support/family-pets/traveling-with-pets

But driving may be better, even though it will take 5 days. At least then I’ll have all of their bunny supplies (litterbox, pen, toys, etc) when I get there rather than having to wait for the moving truck.  I will be driving by myself, so it will take longer and I’ll have to stop frequently. I’ll have to plan out the route and find pet-friendly hotels..

[Sarita]

I think either way is fine. I think the idea of getting it done quick is as good as taking your time. They both have their pro’s and con’s. I think either way is going to cause some stress (for you and for them). Driving can be tedious and tiring especially if it’s lots of stops and starts and packing and unpacking the car.

That is good to know about Frontier Airlines.

[longhairmike]

hotel schmotel,, you can do coast to coast in 3 days, just bring a bazillion pillows so you can zonk comfortably across the front seats at a rest stop for 6 hours.
by 10pm, temps will be cool enough that you can leave the car off and no a/c running.

[Monkeybun]

Yay! Congrats on the new job

[lwayne]

Thanks Monkeybun!  

Longhairmike – I don’t think I could do that drive by myself.  My mom and I did 52 hr straight driving across country with 5hr shifts, but that’s not possible with two bunnies who don’t like car rides.  Arduina and Leo will also need time out of the one medium size carrier they will share.  Plus, the job pays for moving costs, including hotels .

What hotels are bunny friendly (including rooms which are easy to bunnyproof)?

[Beka27]

I would fly with them with no hesitation. That sounds MUCH less stressful for everyone. They’re gonna be mad either way. And IMO it’s better that they be stressed for the better part of a day than off and on for 5 days.

[rexanater]

I agree with Beka, long term they would be in the carrier for a less amount of time, in the plane. Less stress for everyone, congratulations on the new job!

[lwayne]

hmmph… if I fly, I have to figure out how to get all their stuff there (ie pen, hay, litter, toys) by the time I get there. The moving truck will be slower. The company will pay to move stuff and ship the car, or milage & hotels if I drive. So whatever way is easier for the bunnies…

[FrankieFlash]

Could you ship their stuff overnight with post office or something? (Since your company is paying for moving expenses )

[Sarita]

Yes, maybe you could ship their essentials ahead of time to be there when you get there. You don’t have to do everything, just litterboxes, food, etc…maybe just buy a bag of litter when you get where you are going.

[tanlover14]

Are your buns really skittish? I’ve heard it can be extremely terrifying for skittish buns — so maybe if you had a skittish bun it might be better to drive. We, personally, have two crazy rowdy buns and one who is really skittish. The first two we wouldn’t hesitate to stick on a plane with us if we needed to but after googling so much about it (we considered taking them on vacation with us) we decided our skittish girl probably wouldn’t be able to handle the stress.

[lwayne]

We have decided to fly with Frontier. I think one 8 hr day will be better than five days of driving. We leave August 14th. I’ll let people know how it goes. I’m going to keep Arduina and Leo in the same carrier, I think they’d feel better if they stay together. If anyone has ever flown with bunnies before and have some tips to share, please do so. Thanks!

Frankie and Sarita -yes I’ll probably UPS some of their stuff so its there when we arrive. (Assuming we have a place to live lined up ;-)).

[Sarita]

I think you made the right decision. I cannot imagine driving 5 days – stops, starts, packing, unpacking the car, not to mention the heat, etc…that would be five days of stress as opposed to 8 hours of stress….hopefully it won’t be too stressful though. I would buy one of those fleece cat beds to put in the bottom of the carrier – I like to use those because unlike towels, they don’t slide all over the place and they are easy to stick in the washing machine when they get soiled.

[lwayne]

I was thinking of getting a box of those puppy pads and then I could change them out at the airport if it gets soiled. I’ll be bringing with me hay, pellets, veggies, & water bowl. I’ll try to keep them on their normal eating schedule.

[Sarita]

I wouldn’t do a water bowl though – maybe do a water bottle. It seems according to the pet section of Frontier Airlines they don’t want you to feed and water your animal on-board. Might want to just double check that with the airlines too. I might not do pellets either – maybe just hay while in flight. Maybe give them fresh veggies beforehand. I have a feeling it may be a bit restrictive as far as space and when you can actually do anything. How long is your flight?

[lwayne]

The first flight is 2.5hr, then we have a 2.5hr layover, and then another 2.25hr flight. I’m not sure a water bottle can attach to a soft shell carrier? I also wouldn’t want it to drip all over inside. Plus my two haven’t used a water bottle really ever. I think I rather just put in a bowl in when we are sitting somewhere (on the plane or in the airport). I’ll give them pellets before we leave the house in the morning. I need to bring some with me for the following few days until our stuff arrives/gets unpacked.

[bunnytowne]

Wow a traveling bunny.   Sounds like you have some good ideas and suggestions on this travel trip. Thats great.

I can never leave Cotton behind.  Not after I was gone for a week and he was so mad when I got back I got the bunny butt for 3 days.  Plus I feel better when I have him with me.  I don’t worry so much.

HE remembers the neighbor who came to feed him.

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