Need help getting cats to Wellington

[Wicky]

Last November I drove my two cats from Boston to Wellington, but left the car there. A friend came down in May to help me fly the cats back. Now I have to return to FL. I thought that if I bought two seats, I could bring the two cats, putting one under the seat in front of each of my two paid seats. Spent an hour or so on the phone with Delta, booking the two seats, only to find out that Delta requires a real person in each seat. An empty seat cannot bring a cat. Sigh.

So, now I have to figure out how to go. No one I know needs a seat from Boston to West Palm, about October 30. Anyone have any suggestions on other methods (not cargo, thanks!), or anyone want a free seat? Returning the first week in May, I think!

[Equkelly]

Try roadie! It’s an app for moving things and even pets by people who are usually already going that direction. The drivers all have ratings too so you can check that it’s someone who’s done this before.

[Pony123]

Allegiant Air allows you to take two cats per carrier. They only fly out on certain days and don’t go to a lot of the big airports, though. Looks like they fly from Boston to Sarasota/Bradenton around that time. It is a discount airline so don’t expect a lot of frills. I fly with them a lot with my two cats.

[Wicky]

Thanks, I would rather not have them drive, it would be a 24 hour trip and stressful. And they are probably too big to go in one carrier. What happens if they fight? Carriers that fit under the seat are pretty close quarters. I guess I need to find someone who needs/wants to go to West Palm and wants a free flight.

[endlessclimb]

As an aside, I’m always surprised that they let cats/dogs fly in the cabin at all. Some people are deathly allergic to them, and if they pee/poo my god does it stink.

Can you just check them into cargo? They’re going to be extremely stressed no matter what…

[clanter]

I have several friends who are private jet pilots that often are flying empty to reposition an aircraft there is a web site that often lists such fights to provide revenue rather than flying at full cost

Empty Leg Flights

I am pretty sure there are several other sites

and might check the care rental companies who are short on inventory who might need a car repositioned to Florida …When I was in national sales I was given a car by one rental company to take to DFW Airport from Tallahassee, just paid for the gas. As I was turning in my rental at Tallahassee the rental manager asked where I was headed … Dallas… Do you want a free car to go back, we need to get some cars there…since I was in commissioned sales and had clients across the return trip I took a car back and kept my airfare.

[Wicky]

So now I am thinking of flying into Ft Lauderdale, with one cat in cargo and one in the cabin. This way I could fly without a layover, which is the most problematic for animals (waiting on tarmac in heat or cold, or missing the connection…). But I would have to choose one to go with me. Mom, which one of us do you love more? Fortunately, one has much more of a coat than the other so the balder one needs to be protected from possible cold in the event of a failure of the heat in cargo. And the bald one had gastritis after the drive, so he might be more prone to illness from stress. Another reason not to drive the 24 hour trip.