bergamini

I'm moving from Madison, WI, to Albany, NY, and the last part of the move is the critters. I have too many! Don't judge, I "fostered" and couldn't let go. I called the Medallion line and reserved 4 as "checked" and 1 cat in the cabin with me. I even PM'd DLAssist on Twitter to confirm this. It's going to be $925 (4x$200+$125) but most of it is covered by my company's relocation policy.

Has anyone checked a significant number of pets? The aircraft are A320 and ERJ. I'm most concerned about the ERJ. Is this plane going to have room for 4 pet crates (3 cats & 1 medium dog) in the hold? I don't want to show up at the airport and be turned away with so much riding on being able to get to my destination that day.

I'll probably head out to the airport a day or two before the flight and speak with a counter agent just to make sure but I'd love to hear from someone with experience on this craziness, especially before I pay $300 to get the health certificates.

I realize I "should" drive them but, IMHO, driving 17 hours is going to more stressful on them than flying for 4.5, even if you add in 3 hours for getting to the airport really early, and transit time on each side. I am also not sure I could even drive 17 hours straight which means a hotel, etc., and more messes.

I can imagine these 9 hours are going to be hell but at least it will be done.

yohanson

I found this: http://petairlines.net/#DeltaAirlines

rylan

I'd be concerned about the ERJ as well, not just for the space but is the hold heated/pressurized? Note from the link above there is a maximum of 2 kennels so your plan isn't going to work so you might want to call and get a supervisor to verify.

OHDL1

After doing a little research....where are you connecting. I can't find a connection that XXX/ALB is on an "ERJ".
If you're on an EMB 120/145...they do only allow 1 large or 2 small/medium kennels.
OTOH if you are on an ERJ 170/175...they do hold a max of 5 small/medium kennels.

bergamini

Sorry for the confusion on the metal, I'm on an EMB145 (not an ERJ). It's DL1171 (A320) connecting to DL6335 (EMB145) on 4/20. Thanks for the heads up. The only full size metal into ALB is on an MD88 through ATL which has terrible times but if that's all there is, that's all there is. I will keep pursuing information, it isn't honestly that great on their web site. Alternatively, I could look into shipping 2 of them on other flights with similar times through Delta cargo. This is definitely stressing me out and I keep calling and confirming. There isn't great information online, very vague.

baccarat_king

I would either

(a) drive with a companion/friend (so you can take turns driving/sleeping)

or (b) use a professional pet relocation company that has door to door service; and will handle all of the details (should be covered by relocation)

I received relocation approval for pet relocation last year (BOS-AMS); but decided that (after consultation with my vet) in cabin transport (one dog, 6kg) would be preferred. We survived (barely); it was a long night; but Delta was great. Also was a miracle he didn't pee on the customs officials by the time we got to AMS customs, since it really is a long time from check-in at BOS to clearing customs in AMS.

In my situation, the transportation of one dog was north of 3000€ (one-way). So, going in cabin did save everyone a lot of money. Of course, if my dog was larger, there would have been no other option (and I would have allowed the professional pet relocation people handle it).

Doing the return trip again this summer (and then back to AMS). [not excited]

Personally, I would never fly with pets unless absolutely necessary.

bergamini

Unfortunately, I don't have time to drive. The mover's are packing and loading on 4/21 (Monday) so we need to be out by 4/20 (Sunday). I can't ask anyone to drive 17 hours with me on Easter and, seriously, 4 cats and a dog (who is well behaved) in a car for that long is going to be maddening. Flying them is the way, they are healthy and it works out best on many levels. If the EMB145 won't fit 4 kennels, I'm going to have to call Delta Cargo and fly a couple of them that way.

I wish they had sort of a pet hotline to help in this situation.

baccarat_king

That's why I suggested the Pet Relocation Specialists.

Just like the fish-tank/pool table/fine art etc. specialists who handle different aspects of a relocation (move).

I spoke with one of these services, and they really do coordinate EVERYTHING!

baccarat_king

One option, this was the company used by our relocation company.

I am sure there are others.

PetRelocation

gooselee

Do you have the option of breaking up the 17 hr drive into 2-3 shorter days with some pet-friendly hotels in between?

I moved from GA to DC and back with my two dogs. 12 hour drive each way in a straight shot. On the move north, they got stir crazy even with lots of rest stops, so a few years later when we moved back, we just stopped at a cheap motel somewhere in NC and all of us were much happier. Absolutely worth the extra travel day for once-in-a-blue-moon instances IMO.

bergamini

If it was just the dog, I would be all over breaking up the drive. But moving cats is hell and 4 of them is even worse. They meow constantly, if you stop at a hotel they will crawl under a bed and not come out which makes retrieving them all in the morning very difficult and then they will be out of sorts all night and howl to keep me up. Making this as short as possible is the goal. Cats and moves is not awesome. I have a friend who moved her cat from Anchorage to Charlotte via a week long drive and I guess it went pretty well. Mine aren't that mellow and they feed off of each other.

gooselee

Ahh - I've never dealt with cats, so I'm out of ideas. I do hope the move works out well for everyone involved, though!

lsumegan

I would NEVER put a pet in a cargo hold of a plane or leave it in the care of airline employees. I have heard and read too many horror stories. I second the pet relocation service.

bergamini

I looked up the pet relocation services and did request a quote. However, before we get all judgmental about what a bad pet owner I am, the pet relocation services use commercial planes. They just take care of it all for you.

Only 2 of my 4 cats are small enough to travel in the cabin anyway. Thousands of pets travel in cargo every day. If I had a choice between 4 hours in a kennel and 3 hours in cargo versus 17-24 hours in a kennel/car/hotel, I would surely pick the 7 hour option and that's what I'm doing for them.

lsumegan

I apologize, I didn't meant to come off as judgmental. It is just something I feel very strongly about. And I didn't realize they used the same service as you would use if you did it yourself. I wouldn't use them either then.