A long journey ahead

[Sazhra85]

Hey everyone. I am new here and honestly just looking for some advice. My wife and I own a maxi pi and currently live in Florida. I need to move to Idaho for work/school and so we will be relocating at the end of the month. That is about 2500 miles and a six day drive for us. Obviously this means a very long journey for our feathered baby as well. He has a travel cage for things like vet appointments but rarely for more than a few hours. So my question is... would we (especially our little guy) be better off traveling by car together? And if so what hotel chains have you had good success with? OR would we be better off leaving him with friends or family who would talk to him and take care of him though he doesn't know them and likely wouldn't get his usual out of cage time and then having one of us fly back to get him in about 2 weeks? This would result in bringing him along as a carry-on on a 10 hr flight....

P.S. in case it makes a difference he was a rescue so my mom is worried that it will re-traumatize him if we leave him that long. I get that and worry also, but I want him above all to be safe on the journey. Also, the flight is too far to ship him by himself (no direct flight) so that is not an option.

 

[noodles123]

Tough call...I am going to bed..My gut is that your bird would be happier with you on the trip..then again, you don't know what kinds of cleaners hotels will be using (especially with covid) and that could pose added risk...I probably would fly him and take the risk (given COVID) but why does he have to stay with strangers, and why do you have to wait 2 weeks?
Do you have any friends along the way?

 

[fiddlejen]

Is maxi pi your type of bird?

My first inclination is to bring the bird with you as you travel. Get a really good, comfortable carrier. But make time for some test drives ahead of time. Go out in the car for an hour. Let him get used to the idea of longer drives.

Personally, my Sunny Loves driving and is quite the backseat driver. Whenever I crest a hill, she yells loudly. She does not like when people pass me and will yell about it. On the highway, she alerts me to upcoming off- and on-ramps. Also she does not think I need to stop for stop signs when there is no other traffic pleasant, and complains quite vocally when I do. She likes music while we drive.

My budgies on the other hand simply endure traveling. I have tried positioning them so they can see out, and they invariably find themselves a comfortable position - facing the chairseat. But they don't seem traumatized by it in any way.

All this - I have not taken them much further than a few hours each way, to stay with friends. But I'm certain their responses would be the same for multi-day trips as well. So all birds are different. But if it were me personally I dislike the idea of my bird having to be inside an airplane cabin, or worse if the airline made them travel as luggage.

DEFinitely if you are thinking of flying you will need to look into their requirements closely, as something to consider in your decision. Along with checking with hotels you are contemplating staying at, to make sure they can give you a chemical-free room.

 

[Sazhra85]

Yes, he is a Maximilian Pionus. I don't have any bird safe friends along the way. The two weeks is because it takes us a week to get there ourselves and then the next time we would have the two days necessary for getting back to him would be the following weekend. I like the acclamation idea and I am trying to work out letting him get used to my grandma via a few weekend trips this coming month. But due to current schedule I can only get out to her on weekends, so he will only know her from a couple of visits, thus why I said stranger. I have checked with the airline and all is good there if we choose to take that route. The extra chemicals in hotels right now are a very good point. The car ride itself isn't the part of traveling that worries me really, He has never seemed to mind the car or travel cage. Though adapting to a different carrier would be needed for the plane.

 

[wrench13]

I would take him with you in the car, with a small travel cag,e, like a Pak-O-Bird, easy to open and close, easy to clean, change food/water and easy to allow your parrot to ride shotgun on your shoulder for a spell. Salty's problems when traveling by car: Loud sudden noises, like a Tractor trailer passing or worse, hitting their air brakes right next to you, hitting big potholes at speed, none of which can be avoided. Oh yeah, and at night I have to cover him up because the bright pinpoints of lights scare him.
On the good side, he likes to ride on my shoulder on highway rides on my right shoulder and away from the window, so I can keep it open 2-3 inches, get some airflow. I hate the idea of flying with him. Confined in acage under a seat unable to see me, with strange , unheard before noises and smells, lots of jostling and bumping, lots of explaining to airline staff etc about What's In The Cage. All it would take is one A--hole to mess the trip up, while they check with their supervisor.

 

[SailBoat]

IMHO, time with family is always better than the belly of an aircraft.

Our Amazon loves to travel, hates being in a cage carrier as he is most happy when he can see what is happening and why his world is so bumpy. He is most happy on either of our shoulders and switches back and forth depending on traffic and the is want or not to be in the sunshine. It's his job to be on watch for aircraft and large birds, which he reports on.

Potty breaks require that he is in his carrier as we 'individually' exit and reenter the SUV.

Grandpa speech: Assure that your transportation is truly ready for a 2500 mile trip! Have a trusted mechanic inspect your vehicle assure that it is ready with fresh fluids, tires, tire pressure, balance, alignment and a check of the brakes. The last thing you want is to be sitting in the middle of nowhere with a broken car. Summer travel places demands on the air-conditioner and a quick top-off can keep you cool and use less gasoline.

Sadly, this year will want you to avoid major cities if at all possible. CV-19 is far more common in those areas.

Take care on how you load your vehicle the space between the front and back seat should be loaded with the real heavy stuff (not the cooler), remember that the heat from the engine, etc will heat the floor! Back seat should be stuff you need during the day with the trunk area what you need for the overall trip!

Please avoid over-loading the vehicle as places like U-Haul has ship packs that you load and they ship to your destination. Loaded vehicles are like targets!


FYI: With roadside motels, we simply do not bring up the subject and request a room near the side parking lot. Bird in cat carrier and a light coat over the top is just stuff being carried in! We place newspaper under our Amazons travel perch and other than a stray shell there is no evidence of a 'bird.' We never leave the Amazon Alone!!!

 

[SailBoat]

Life long traveler. It is a rare motel /hotel that uses heavy cleaners as there are so many individuals that are sensitive to them. Plus with near zero smoking rooms now a days, use of equipment too deep clear the smoke is used only in those rooms that someone did.

Note: Heavy covering sprays have a heavy scent to them. I have rejected a room with such scents and demanded an upgrade and got it.

 

[noodles123]

It would be riskier with the whole covid thing (for your health eat) BUT you might see if there are some small bed and breakfasts around that could put you up (as opposed to a hotel). They could still use cleaners and Teflon...but I imagine at least the cleaners wouldn't be as strong..Not even sure if they are allowing B &B's to run at this point..but you could check into it...OR---Rent a cabin or something for a night.

Here's an odd solution that really could work ---There are usually cabin rentals available in touristy places and near lakes/ state parks /hiking etc so maybe you could plan your trip around those locations and stay the night in a few cabins across the country--that way, you wouldn't have to worry about active chemical use or teflon...I know it might seem likes it's kind of a stretch, but it might be worth it. You might tack on an extra half hour if you had to go off the beaten path to get to these areas, but at least you wouldn't have to worry about breathing the same air as other guests either...Start looking now-- they do book up, but if you go during the week, I bet you can find quite a few still open (esp with COVID and travel restrictions)..That is what I would try to do- and then you also don't have to teach him to like a new carrier..
For instance--- I know there are lots of cabins in the Smokey Mountain area of TN--It would add about an hour to your trip, but that is a scenic area. I bet you can find others less off-the-beaten-path,
but FL to that area of TN is about 10.5 hours. From there, look for another forested area near your path and stay there the following night. From TN to Mark Twain National forrest (also has cabins) that is 8:30, but you could go further before stopping again and likely find another spot in MO. From there to Denver is 12 some hours and Colorado has cabins...and then from Denver to Idaho is 12:40ish....you could probably drive the rest without stopping again....

So in theory, that is
DAY 1 10.5 Hours -stay in Smokey Mountains (depending on where you start in Florida...could be more slightly I suppose)
Day 2 8:30 hours stay in Mark Twain National Forest cabins somewhere
Day 3-12 hours ish -stay in Denver or somewhere else in CO nearby
Day 4- 12:40 hours from Denver to idaho...+ however long it takes you to get to your actual destination.

You would just have to make sure that check-in times didn't conflict too much with plans for late arrivals (or super early ones)...because to pick up your keys, you usually have to go to a little office a few miles away--but you can almost always drop off the keys/check-out without their office actually being open. I know we did in the Smokey Mountains. Gatlinburg is annoying lol-- so I wouldn't get one RIGHT there...lol, but hey- whatever works.

You could book more than one night if you wanted....start this trip on a Sunday or Monday so you avoid weekend hikes in prices *if those exist in the current covid climate* EVEN if you can't find any good deals on cabins, worst-case-scenario, you would be looking at around $2000 + probably $200 in gas...? (total guess---no clue what you drive etc) *IF each cabin charged $500 a night- but I bet money you could get some great deals right now because so few people are travelling* !!!

Plus, staying at hotels would be super expensive anyway--- probably like $300+ a night anyway (+same gas) and riskier for the bird and for your health. Flying would cost at least that much for both of you plus the bird--especially for you to both fly out, then fly back to get him and fly back again. And then there is the cost of the airline travel cage and any health checks etc required for flying..and the stress on your bird (flying is kind of stressful with them...)

https://www.stonybrooklodging.com/g...dio/?check_in=06/22/2020&check_out=06/24/2020 <-- required 2 night stay but $440 (for both nights combined) with all taxes, including deposits on things you will get back as long as you don't trash it. So that's under $200 a night for your own place.
You often have to make a higher deposit than the actual cost (for damage etc) but you get that back at check-out.

If you went farther from main attractions, this price would be even lower- and not all require 2 nights...but lots in the touristy areas do.


Things aren't as booked now as they normally would be this time of year, so I am pleased with this idea LOL!

PROS:
1. You will ultimately save money
2. He stays with you
3. No new travel cage or red-tape for the plane
4. Most cabins are far enough apart that they aren't going to know you have a bird with you (unless you show them or ask..)
5. see some scenic areas
6. Don't have to worry about Teflon or cleaning products being used by those in the same building...OR SMOKING!
7. You wouldn't have to share an air-space with others at a cabin.
8. You will have lots more space than you would at a hotel
9. Due to COVID, you can get some real bang for your buck (and stay in nicer places for less)

CONS:
1. You may have to tack on a bit of time to the trip if places have specific times for checking in or if they have a stay-minimum.
2. You will have to shop around ahead of time and have a plan so you can quickly reserve your cabins one after another without dates getting blacked out (but there are still a lot of options--and in these areas, you can find a billion cabin rental companies, even if one is already booked).
3. No continental breakfast ? ?? Not sure if that is even a con...lol buy some crappy cereal and OJ and you've got the same thing.

 

[bill_e]

Absolutely take him.

If you go by car I know for sure that Hampton Inn's and Hiltons are pet friendly, and I bet the rest of the brands in that chain are as well.

Put him in this cage and he can basically live in it for six days. When I take mine camping this is her home, of course she gets outside time at night which you can do in a hotel room. If you get this cage or something similar cut a piece of plywood or MDF to sit on the back seat and use a 1x2 or 2x4 under the rear of the plywood to level it and sit the cage on that.

By Air, there is one user here who took her Eke from someplace down south up to British Columbia (I think) by air. The carryon has to fit under the seat for take off and landing but other than they it can be on your lap.

 

[Scott]

Welcome, coming late only to advocate for taking your bird on the moving "road trip." Normally a fan of air travel to minimize angst, provided your parrot is traveling in the cabin with you - not as belly freight. However, airline in the age of COVID is vastly more complex, and I personally would not wish exposure when reasonable alternative exists. As others suggest, a generous sized travel carrier with advance reservations at pet-friendly motels/hotels may be best.

 

[macawpower58]

I drove from Vegas to Pennsylvania with a Macaw, Too, and Zon.

I used those plastic dog crates for my smaller two, and a wire dog crate for my macaw.

My birds are fairly used to adventure and handled it beautifully, making friends on the way.

I sought out cheap motels (the L shaped kind) and had no problems with the birds coming into the room. One even lent me a cart to bring the larger cage in. Ask for an end room if possible, you may have to pay a pet deposit, I did twice out of the 4 hotels I stayed in.

I'd say, road trip for sure!

 

[fiddlejen]

Absolutely take him.

If you go by car I know for sure that Hampton Inn's and Hiltons are pet friendly, and I bet the rest of the brands in that chain are as well.

As far as chemicals. I am Extremely sensitive to chemicals ie cleaning products, fragrances (febreeze -- uggh horrible stuff poison!!), and used to travel with my Dad who was possibly even more so. We stayed many times at Hilton and Marriott properties -- ((various of their chains such as Homewood, Residence Inn, Courtyard etc)) with No problems. I did not have birdies then, but, I personally would be 100% comfotable planning a stay with my own birdies at any of their locations.

REgarding that carrier - Pak-O-Bird is the one I meant to mention, it is a Really Great Superior carrier, they have lots of options -- there is a similar on one Amazon about third the price, (tho not so may options as the Pak-O-Bird) which is the one my Sunny loves, called Petsfit carrier.

It looks like a backpack but can be carried in a number of ways. It has really good airflow, and, coverings that roll down when your bird wants to sleep. I slide the carry straps over the seat in the car to secure it in place, or else use the seatbelt. This is the one I personally recommend.
https://www.amazon.com/Petsfit-Carrier-Stainless-Steel-Cleaning/dp/B0714KS7LP/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1LQRSBKPYS2S3&dchild=1&keywords=petsfit+carrier&qid=1592680587&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=petsfit+ca%2Cpets%2C152&sr=1-9

 

[bill_e]

fiddlejen, I have a Pak O Bird and use it all the time but not as a travel living environment. I use it for short transport and walks and hikes etc but for a living space for 6 nights I would recommend the Avian Hotel or similar cage as it can function as a carrier as well as living quarters for a week. If you have a chewer it's possible that 6 days in a POB could cause a lot of damage, ask Tami2, she's gone through a couple of them .

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I whole heartedly agree with Al (Wrench) and Steven (Boat's) TAKE HIM ALONG! My Amazon loves to travel. We have visited Wrench in L.I. a couple times and he loves "outside...in the car" as he calls it. The first time we went to visit Al I had Amy in a small vet/pet carrier and he was straining his neck coz he couldn't see out the windows! I stopped at a rest area on the highway and put him on my shoulder where he stayed,wide-eye'd talking to the cars that went by who saw him and waved/honked their horn. When I stopped to pay the gate keeper for a toll the guy said "oh you have a bird on your shoulder...HI BIRD" and as on cue.Amy said HELLO! the guy said that made his month lol.

As far as motels/hotels/lodging goes,I never tried. But I seriously don't think anyone/place would give you a hard time..or maybe you could sneak him in thru the back door


Jim

 

[noodles123]

I whole heartedly agree with Al (Wrench) and Steven (Boat's) TAKE HIM ALONG! My Amazon loves to travel. We have visited Wrench in L.I. a couple times and he loves "outside...in the car" as he calls it. The first time we went to visit Al I had Amy in a small vet/pet carrier and he was straining his neck coz he couldn't see out the windows! I stopped at a rest area on the highway and put him on my shoulder where he stayed,wide-eye'd talking to the cars that went by who saw him and waved/honked their horn. When I stopped to pay the gate keeper for a toll the guy said "oh you have a bird on your shoulder...HI BIRD" and as on cue.Amy said HELLO! the guy said that made his month lol.

As far as motels/hotels/lodging goes,I never tried. But I seriously don't think anyone/place would give you a hard time..or maybe you could sneak him in thru the back door


Jim

No one likes my cabin idea??! LOL---I think it's perfect...but I guess that's just me lol!

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Actually your cabin idea is awesome! I'm just wondering about being cost effective



Jim

 

[noodles123]

Actually your cabin idea is awesome! I'm just wondering about being cost effective



Jim

cheaper than the cost airline tickets + a bird though! ..
Florida to Idaho x2, Idaho to Florida x2, Florida to Idaho x2 + bird

 

[Ira7]

Oh, take him with you in the car.

I logged thousands of miles with my ringneck in the 70s, and we both had a blast.

 

[SailBoat]

I whole heartedly agree with Al (Wrench) and Steven (Boat's) TAKE HIM ALONG! My Amazon loves to travel. We have visited Wrench in L.I. a couple times and he loves "outside...in the car" as he calls it. The first time we went to visit Al I had Amy in a small vet/pet carrier and he was straining his neck coz he couldn't see out the windows! I stopped at a rest area on the highway and put him on my shoulder where he stayed,wide-eye'd talking to the cars that went by who saw him and waved/honked their horn. When I stopped to pay the gate keeper for a toll the guy said "oh you have a bird on your shoulder...HI BIRD" and as on cue.Amy said HELLO! the guy said that made his month lol.

As far as motels/hotels/lodging goes,I never tried. But I seriously don't think anyone/place would give you a hard time..or maybe you could sneak him in thru the back door ;
Jim

No one likes my cabin idea??! LOL---I think it's perfect...but I guess that's just me lol!

The cabin idea is great for a tour of the States, but reservations are problematic as part of a road warrior crossing of the US -- some days it is pedal to the metal and other days, it's a die early thing. Also, at 200 USD per night, that's what our normal total day cost comes in at for food, gas and motel /hotel costs.

Just prior to the CV-19 monster thing, Pet surcharges had been becoming more common, running as much as 60 USD per night and someplace's refusing to even provide a room to those with Pets. Post CV-19, most places are begging for customers.

 

[noodles123]

I whole heartedly agree with Al (Wrench) and Steven (Boat's) TAKE HIM ALONG! My Amazon loves to travel. We have visited Wrench in L.I. a couple times and he loves "outside...in the car" as he calls it. The first time we went to visit Al I had Amy in a small vet/pet carrier and he was straining his neck coz he couldn't see out the windows! I stopped at a rest area on the highway and put him on my shoulder where he stayed,wide-eye'd talking to the cars that went by who saw him and waved/honked their horn. When I stopped to pay the gate keeper for a toll the guy said "oh you have a bird on your shoulder...HI BIRD" and as on cue.Amy said HELLO! the guy said that made his month lol.

As far as motels/hotels/lodging goes,I never tried. But I seriously don't think anyone/place would give you a hard time..or maybe you could sneak him in thru the back door ;
Jim

No one likes my cabin idea??! LOL---I think it's perfect...but I guess that's just me lol!

The cabin idea is great for a tour of the States, but reservations are problematic as part of a road warrior crossing of the US -- some days it is pedal to the metal and other days, it's a die early thing. Also, at 200 USD per night, that's what our normal total day cost comes in at for food, gas and motel /hotel costs.

Just prior to the CV-19 monster thing, Pet surcharges had been becoming more common, running as much as 60 USD per night and someplace's refusing to even provide a room to those with Pets. Post CV-19, most places are begging for customers.

Unlike a dog, you don't have to take a bird outside and it's common to cover them when transporting anyway...plus...no there are no neighbors and noisy birds all around... so pet charges are unlikely in a cabin...unless you are all about full disclosure...ha

The longest drive I've done was from MO to NYC and that was done with one hotel stop because it was too brutal otherwise--originally, the intent was to drive it in one shot and take turns behind the wheel. For MO to NYC, Google said roughly 21 hours, but it ended up taking closer to 30 (had to think about it) between traffic jams, roadwork , tolls, gas, bathrooms and food stops (even when they were combined). It may have been closer to 30 collectively when you counted daily start time to daily end time...it was like 14 one day and 15 the next, but again with short stops...Again- roadwork and traffic made a huge difference on that trip.

NOTE:I didn't have the bird at the time..her longest drive thus far has been 9 hours.

My concern is that hotels are going to be cleaning EXTRA hard due to the virus and that means that the rooms will likely be more "scented" than usual. A plane is a huge P.I.T.A and will be more expensive.. (due to their trips there, back, and there again +bird). Plus, in the South and many states, COVID cases are up 25% in the past week, which poses a risk to humans staying at hotels (IMO).
If you don't break it up, 40 hours will be a huge stress on the bird (and maybe, your marriage LOL---just saying---long time in a car, even with those we love ) LOL -15 hours in a car was about the best myself and S.O. could manage, knowing there were 15 more the next day on 4-5 hours of crappy sleep.