Just When Things Were Looking Up.....

I'd planned on leaving originally 3/2 which got delayed to 3/25 due to delays working on my home here.

AA called last night and leaving today as tomorrow they begin a pet travel embargo.

Posted by: @Alana33

I'd planned on leaving originally 3/2 which got delayed to 3/25 due to delays working on my home here.

AA called last night and leaving today as tomorrow they begin a pet travel embargo.

Good luck and safe travels.

@Alana33

Out of interest, would it be expensive if you got together with a couple of other people and chartered a plane? It's only a 2/3 hour flight to FL so the cost shouldn't be that much? Just a thought.

Thanks jaldenborgh.

Charter flights too expensive for me at this point in time.

Posted by: @jaldeborgh

Totally agree, hope is not a plan, that was never my meaning.  It’s also not surprising that scientists discover that an existing drug might work for COVID-19.  The drug was developed for malaria but has also has been widely used for RA (rheumatoid arthritis).  The studies cited in the article are very limited but look promising.  Given the drug is over 50 years old and has shown to be low risk, there is little reason not to ramp its usage rapidly.  If my 88 year old mother, currently on chemotherapy for mesothelioma, contracts the virus, I would urge her to try this drug.  Unless someone can come up with a better alternative.  I also feel doing nothing is also not a plan.

I took this drug for malaria before, during and after I traveled in sub-Saharan Africa 30 years ago when I was ... well ... much younger. It took me a year to recover from its after effects on my liver and kidneys. It's nasty.

Sorry but your 88 year old mother will not an candidate for this drug. Nor do I think anybody else will be either unless they have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

I sorry you had bad side effects from the drug but it's been widely used for a long time so on average the drug must provide more benefits than problems.  I would still urge my Mother to take the drug as long as the Doctors felt it was worth the risk, given that my mother is in a very high risk category, if she contracts COVID-19.  I would never do anything that her Doctors didn't support but to me doing nothing doesn't seem like a good option if the odds are already stacked against you.

Clearly our focus as a family is to keep her as isolated as possible until the COVID-19 danger passes.  If you know anything about Mesothelioma, you will know that it's a death sentence.  My mother has been fighting the disease for more than 4 years, which is remarkable.  Her doctors tell her they are not sure which of the Chemotherapy or the disease will kill her first.  She's a fighter and will go down swinging but has never complained once, the embodiment of courage and dignity.  Needless to say, she is the role-model that everyone in our extended family seeks to emulate.

Posted by: @jaldeborgh

I sorry you had bad side effects from the drug but it's been widely used for a long time so on average the drug must provide more benefits than problems.  I would still urge my Mother to take the drug as long as the Doctors felt it was worth the risk, given that my mother is in a very high risk category, if she contracts COVID-19.  I would never do anything that her Doctors didn't support but to me doing nothing doesn't seem like a good option if the odds are already stacked against you.

Clearly our focus as a family is to keep her as isolated as possible until the COVID-19 danger passes.  If you know anything about Mesothelioma, you will know that it's a death sentence.  My mother has been fighting the disease for more than 4 years, which is remarkable.  Her doctors tell her they are not sure which of the Chemotherapy or the disease will kill her first.  She's a fighter and will go down swinging but has never complained once, the embodiment of courage and dignity.  Needless to say, she is the role-model that everyone in our extended family seeks to emulate.

My 90 year old mother is locked up without family in an assisted living facility. But I know she will not be a candidate for this drug based on her age, condition and rarity of the treatment. I am not optimistic my mom will survive this.

I truly feel your pain.

So many people are affected by this virus in so many ways. Prayers for all our loved ones, friends and family members.

I did manage to get myself and Hershey back to FL. We flew out on Tuesday afternoon on AA.

Most people at airport leaving STT wore gloves and masks. I watched planes come in while waiting to fly out with minimal passengers. There were 6 on one AA incoming flight.

Maybe 40 passengers to Miami airport and business class had 3 people.

Miami airport was basically empty.

Pretty eerie!

Flt. from Mia to Orlando had 30 passengers and its airport was same.
I took the Villages Airport Shuttle from airport to my home in Lady Lake.
My dog and I were the only passengers.

Very little traffic.

Since I travel with my 65lb dog, I can only fly on BOEING aircrafts.
Planned on returning on Wednesday but AA called me on Monday at 9:30 pm to advise that unless I took Tuesday flight, I wouldn't be able to travel with my dog as they were instituting a travel embargo on pets in cargo on Wednesday.
Was glad to make it back.

Both flights announced to passengers that if they weren't traveling with family, they were welcome to spread out in the empty seats.
Y'all be safe.

Glad you made it.  A larger dog make traveling more of a challenge.

Posted by: @jaldeborgh

Glad you made it.  A larger dog make traveling more of a challenge.

That it does! I asked if I could just buy her a seat and they said no! I hate having her travel in cargo. This was her 8th flt. It's stressful for both of us. Unfortunately, when I come home to STT, I'm here for almost 2 months, generally.

Plus she loves her doggy bed on our deck here while surveying her domain!

The Pilots on every single AA flight we've taken have been absolutely wonderful about letting me know she's safely boarded when I advise them I'm traveling with her. 

Today will be my 1st day out as I have a drs. appointment this morning. 

@stxdreaming

I actually checked into charters bc we have 2 big dogs that will have to fly cargo when we move and a flight from MIA to STT started at $22k for the smallest plane. To go to STX started at $23k. 

Ummm.... my dogs will def fly cargo. 

MIA to STT or STX is a long charter flight so I'm not surprised at the price, which is only one way so $44K or $46K for a round trip.  My wife has decided that pets are too much responsibility since our kids are no longer at home, it's hard for me to complain as I'm still working and she is the one who has to shoulder the responsibility.  We'll have to reconsider next Spring when I retire.

The price of a charter has both ways built in. So $22K includes the deadhead back to wherever the home base is.

With the price of fuel dropping and when demand lessens, charters may come down in price theoretically.

The lowest quote I received some time back was $13K to STX from FL's West Coast with a stop in Key West for refuel. Turboprop.

If you stack up more than one flyer going either down or back - you can divide the cost up. More people, better for everyone. The issue is at least before the crisis, everyone has always been about what's most convenient for them at the moment rather than the quickest, safest way to get four legged family to the VI or back to the states.

Look for operator who is using PC12 or TBM single engine turboprop. That is the most economical option. 

If flying your pets in cargo, be aware of all the size, weight, breed restrictions that airlines impose. No animals can be flown in cargo on any Airbus aircraft on any leg of your flight. BOEING aircrafts only!

Health certificate and vaccination history necessary to travel and obtained within 10 days of departure date. Be sure to bring document 

Airlines do not fly pets in cargo in summer months due to temperatures on tarmac conditions.

There is presently an embargo on traveling with pets in cargo, at least on American Airlines that was instituted on Wednesday, March 25th thru May 1st as told to me on Monday evening, 3/23 in phone call  from AA.

I don't know about small pets that fit requirements for in  underseat cabin travel.

I asked if I could buy my 65 lb. girl a seat in business class and was told NO!

Do your research and call airlines if you're planning on traveling with a pet in cargo.

Most veterinarians do not advise sedating your pet for Travel.

Before the Coronavirus shutdown, you could book a 3 month cruise round the world on the Queen Mary for 22k.

20k for one dog, from MIA to STX?

Im the only one thinking WTF?

Some of the pet charter flights have a share program that can reduce costs IF others are found for in and outbound travel destinations during same time period.

Posted by: @singlefin

Before the Coronavirus shutdown, you could book a 3 month cruise round the world on the Queen Mary for 22k.

20k for one dog, from MIA to STX?

Im the only one thinking WTF?

You are not the only one. One could cure cholera in half of Sudan for that kind of donation or cure child blindness in Malawi. 

Well, I had to do this:

https://www.supportpets.com/home5/?utm_source=FB_Feed&utm_medium=23844337247850422&utm_campaign=23844337247960422&utm_content=23844337247950422&fbclid=IwAR3NkNYu_RB7DTr-kgHv3iyZ-uPV4owo4I-TLApL4HNGnmDjr_QN0FsEtz4

It's become exceedingly stressful to fly Hershey in cargo and only be able to get on certain flights and the length of time it takes getting back and forth. 

I have severe back issues and traveling has become more difficult and painful for me. 

I have to fly business or 1st class when I travel as smaller seats kill my back and long waits between flights on hard uncomfortable seats are difficult to endure. This last trip took us 14 hrs. between getting to airport and getting home.

Hows everyone holding up? Must say, would rather be in the VI right now. Would be better to be part of a smaller community where people actually look out for each other etc....during times like these, all political, racial etc differences put aside, and let communities come together and help each other out....or is that an unrealistic thought?

Interesting to note that the WAPA got a bunch of money along with the local government. While it is good that this has happened, it is worrying that there will be no accountability for where it goes, and yet again, the people will not see the benefits of it. 

Great information:

https://mashable.com/video/trevor-noah-dr-fauci-coronavirus-misinformation/?fbclid=IwAR06xZf4eTZCcBh8Iwe5dVieygKjSnJhPbZoPQaGcq0OGq3vuQXpyLCkk6k

Posted by: @STTsailor

Posted by: @singlefin

Before the Coronavirus shutdown, you could book a 3 month cruise round the world on the Queen Mary for 22k.

20k for one dog, from MIA to STX?

Im the only one thinking WTF?

You are not the only one. One could cure cholera in half of Sudan for that kind of donation or cure child blindness in Malawi. 

It's not $20K for one dog - it's $20K to charter the plane.  

That charter could move 6-8 people plus a lot of pets - depending on the payload and size of pets. And that's one way - you can repeat when the plane returns.

So, you need to find 6-8 people. All going to STX from MIA. All wanting to fly at the same time of day, on the same day of the week.

By the way, you’ll be sitting next to a growling Rottweiler for the entire five hour flight.

And oh yea, find another group of likeminded people, plus their assorted four legged beasts, for a return flight later the same day.

Good luck with that!

Posted by: @singlefin

So, you need to find 6-8 people. All going to STX from MIA. All wanting to fly at the same time of day, on the same day of the week.

By the way, you’ll be sitting next to a growling Rottweiler for the entire five hour flight.

And oh yea, find another group of likeminded people, plus their assorted four legged beasts, for a return flight later the same day.

Good luck with that!

They actually need to be going to the STT, STX, BVI, PR or other islands from somewhere, FL. Planes can make multiple stops. Dogs can fly in cages - chances are they would because of balancing issues with small aircraft. Flight back would not necessarily need to be the same day. 

It's more the herding cats thing. Oh, and a person willing to put down a deposit and depend on said cats to show up and pay their share.

It's not about likeminded people - there are many of those. It's about people who are flexible and not just about personal convenience.

As an aside, I spent New Year's on a boat in Trellis Bay on Tortola and there are MANY MANY people that charter aircraft to the Caribbean. It was an incredible spectacle watching jets of all sizes and makes land and takeoff from Beef Island.