Share charter flight to relocate with dog

You could get in touch with Bohlke on STX to see when they have an open returning flight from Miami
http://www.bohlke.com/

A 75 lb dog is not that big. I'm pretty sure that you can transport him/her in a large carrier with American Airlines on the non-stop that flys direct. Its only a 2 and half hour flight so the dog would be in the kennel for less than four hours (one hour prior to check-in, plus flight). This would definitly be the least expensive way to go. September 15th is typically the cut-off day where they allow pets in cargo.

Otherwise contact Bohlke or Caribbean Flight Center to find out if they have charters going up and you may be able to catch a flight back. They can also tell you of any private pilots (there are a few) that might be making the trip that would be willing to help.

Good luck.

American will take a dog up to 100 lb including the crate. The dog must be able to easily stand (with head room) and turn around in the crate. So get the really big one! 🙂 Or they will send you back.

We moved with two 70 plus pound dogs. Be very very careful with American. I had gotten flights and hotels set (dog friendly hotel in Miami) (the only way to do it was through Miami because the cargo doors were only big enough on the miami flight for crates for that dog's size. Well the day before i went to confirm my flights and the dogs and i was told they could only confirm the dogs to Miami because Cargo was full from Miami to St. Croix. Think having sold the house, sold the cars, having two duffell bags and two big dogs and relying on friends to get to the airport. Any this is what I got the day before i was scheduled to depart? Horrible experience. US air saved the day for me (and their cargo was the only one climate controlled one for animals) but it was a horrible experience. Please be very careful and do your research on what the airlines will and will not do for your animals. I'm sure things have changed over the years, but American was not and does not have a reputation for being very pet friendly. If I'd had the money at the time I would have done the charter without question.

Welcome to St. Croix btw.

I am interested in the charter idea for anyone going MIA- STT

We are putting a car on the ship at Miami.
Have 4 poochies to transport in six to 8 weeks..
10#
15#
20#
22#
Plan on AA because of direct to STX. Don't want dogs lost in flight changes.
Some say AA not pet friendly others have said they did a great job. I guess it's just what you happen to get.

Would pay up to $250 a dog if someone wants to investigate some sort of a charter flight.

[www.bohlke.com]

Thank you for all the info. I will definitely be looking into Bohlke. The only other option will be AA.

I am DEFIANTLY interested in a split charter flight from Miami!!!

I am DEFIANTLY interested in a split charter flight from Miami!!!

No need to get upset about it! LOL

Great! I have an 80 lb yellow lab, 13 yrs old, with crate weight she will be slightly over 100 lbs.
Anyone else interested in the split to STT?
Cheryl

Mrs.G

We are also interested to share a charter to STX. We have two retired Greyhound racers, 67 and 80lbs. The 80 pounder is tall and needs a "Jumbo" crate which means he would have to go as cargo, not sure what that means. Anyway our plan is to drive with the dogs to MIA, leave the car with Managed Freight to ship then fly to STX on AA. A group charter looks to be a safer deal and spliting the cost probably works out close to the AA ticket cost per person and animai. Even less of a hassel factor at the terminals. Our time schedule is somewhat flexible in that we hope to be in MIA between the 10th and 15th of OCT.

Please PM
Mike & Di

If you folks get enough people maybe this is cost effective but if you don't then remember the other option (which I used last summer) is to catch the earliest AM flights out your major city. When you get to Miami you want to take the earliest AA flight to San Juan and then the next leg to STX/STT. The Miami flight will be leaving so early that heat restrictions aren't in effect and you will typically land in San Juan early enough in the AM to not have an issue either as long as you get off the ground within another 1 to 1.5 hours. Frankly I suspect that once you make it to Puerto Rico as long as you are scheduled to leave soon that morning it really won't matter what the temperature is as they have no alternative but to ship your pet on your flight.

The other alternative if you leave the U.S. when temps aren't a problem (regardless of time of day) is to fly into San Juan and transfer (which means a taxi) to Seaborne for your flight to STX or STT. Seaborne is very accomodating of pets and their kennels (they can't take a 500 series I don't think though - neither can American Eagle.)

Also, FYI, by reputation Delta's service (probably have to fly direct from Atlanta) is supposed to be the best for pets amongst the major airlines.

Personally, I wouldn't consider a layover anywhere in the Caribbean during daylight hours. The sun is too intense. If they spend any amount of time out on the tarmac...

At Dulles Airport, outside of DC, I was told that pets were kept in an air conditioned room and weren't loaded until after all of the baggage was in place. I seriously doubt STT or STX follows that guideline.

I called Bohlke. There is an empty leg available Oct.21st. The price is $4000. If anyone is interested give them a call.

I just found out my move has been postponed again. I am looking to move sometime in Nov. If anyone is interested in sharing a charter in Nov. please let me know.

Thanks so much,
Mrs.G

How big a bird?
Can people and pets fly together?
How many passengers of either type?
The time frame works for us if anyone else interested - 4 4G's way outa my price range tho if people, pets, and more folks may be possible.

People and pets fly together. They suggest no kennel because of space and that the dogs behave better not in the kennel. Depending on how many pets and the size of the pets you can fit up to four people, I believe. You will have to call them to get more accurate info.

I think it would be the way to go if you could get more folks in on it.

and again I am still interested in sharing a charter but not until November.

Sent you a PM.

We shipped our very large Rotties via Continental Airlines. They have temp. controlled holds for pets. Our dogs are large and had the 700 series crates. I think the price was around 2 hundred per dog. They fly to Houston and stay over night if the temps are too high for them to fly on to San Jaun. If it is cooler weather, early in the morning or in the evening they fly on the same day. The animal facility in Houston is highly rated. They feed, water, walk your pet and get them back on the plane. My husband then flew over to San Juan with a private pilot who helped him walk our animals and then flew them all to St. Croix. I believe you can also fly them via Seaborne or Cape Air. The private pilot cost us around a thousand. Hope this help. Call Continental or check online under the animal transporting. They are very nice and helpful. My dogs did great. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. I was planning on driving to Florida because that was the only direct flight to St.Croix and the shortest flight as well.

i am actually in Houston now so I will look into the Continental route. I did call a few airlines get my dog from San Juan to St.croix and they
would not allow her size 400 kennel on the plane.

How did your dogs from the private plane San Juan airport to the private plane? Is it located in the same airport?

A private flight to St.Croix may be cheaper then renting a car and driving to Miami.

I also have a friend whose father flies. They are looking to renting a plane from Houston and flying us to St.Croix. I will post the price and see if anyone is interested. This may be way out of my price range but it is worth a shot!!!!

Try Continental, I think that will solve all your problems. Continental flies direct from Houston to Puerto Rico. I will get the name of the private pilot here. I always forget his name and let you know. Seaborne or Cape Air might be cheaper than he is because your dogs are much smaller than mine. Good luck. I know how frustrated that you feel but it will work out.

I would love the name to the private pilot. Thanks so much

I've talked with Bohlke and Air Propel. What we are hoping for is an "empty leg" from Miami area to STX/STT someware between the 7th and 15th of OCT. I"ve left my name and number with both. It sounded to me that Air Propel may have a few more sources. If you can fit that time frame and are serious please give us a PM or a call 651 269 6770.

Mike & Di

Try this website, it looks like a air charter broker site:

http://www.aircharterguide.com/Default.aspx