Advice on cross country move

[sunshine.within]

Hi all! It appears that we’ll be moving back to NYC from the West Coast in a few months and I’m starting to think about how to carry Bianca. We will probably make the long drive in order to move the car but there’s always the chance that we might have the movers move the car while we fly, in which case I have to figure out how to take Bianca on a plane.

Does anyone have any tips regarding carriers and portable cages?


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[noodles123]

I hate the idea of cargo, but there are apparently some climate-controlled cargo holds (FOR PETS)..I am worried if you fly, that she will exceed size-limits, which is why I mentioned the first thing...If you take that route, the disease possibility is another thing to consider..
You could also have one family member break the trip up and drive with her, but only if there are stopping points. Either way, it will stress her out, but she will get over all of the change in time..you may need to be very patient, as that will be a lot of change for a U2.

 

[sunshine.within]

Hmmm no way am I going to let her travel in the cargo... I was thinking more like boarding with her like one does with a small dog. If that’s not possible, we will both drive. And yes, she’s going to bite the crap out of me for years probably


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[sunshine.within]

Oh wait, I see what you mean, sorry. So I should google pet cargo transport and see what the options are.


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[noodles123]

LOL! Either way, your response is viable! Just make sure it is legit if they say cargo is climate controlled etc....and ask what happens if there is a delay etc (if they sit outside of the plane etc etc)

 

[sunshine.within]

Would you consider a pet relocation service? Maybe they have a way to make it less stressful for pets.


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[noodles123]

I know nothing about them, but it sounds promising?

 

[sunshine.within]

Also, if we end up driving, should I have a carrier for the car and a bigger one for the hotel room where she can sleep? Or just a big one where she can stay the whole time?


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[noodles123]

I have both.. that is based on my bird and how she moves around at night (not every bird owner does this and it isn't essential, depending on the bird). I use the travel cage for travel and the other for sleeping/hanging out when traveling (and I bring her perch etc)...It is hard to find decently-sized travel cages for bigger birds who will be staying overnight at a new location. If startled at night, mine will flap and hold her perch (this wouldn't turn out well in her travel cage).

 

[sunshine.within]

Yeah, I think I should have two. Of course getting her from one to the other will be a nightmare.


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[noodles123]

LOL. I just posted about this because I have had to buy full-sized cages for places I visit often...BUT-- someone suggested large dog cages from walmart (placed on an elevated surface at the final destination +screw in food dishes)...I think it was EllenD. These carriers collapse flat and are meant to be portable...Plus, they are cheap (ish) and HUGE. My only concern would be if the paint wasn't bird safe and a chunk came off, but EllenD is pretty reliable and she didn't think this would be an issue. Anyway, I am looking towards that idea instead of buying more full-size (EXPENSIVE/HEAVY) cages. I do have 2 travel cages, but one TERRIFIES my bird, so....lol--

Whatever you do, get her used to seeing and climbing on the cages BEFORE the trip...place treats on them etc and just make sure she is sort of used to being around them if you can.

 

[sunshine.within]

LOL. I just posted about this because I have had to buy full-sized cages for places I visit often...BUT-- someone suggested large dog cages from walmart (placed on an elevated surface at the final destination +screw in food dishes)...I think it was EllenD. These carriers collapse flat and are meant to be portable...Plus, they are cheap (ish) and HUGE. My only concern would be if the paint wasn't bird safe and a chunk came off, but EllenD is pretty reliable and she didn't think this would be an issue. Anyway, I am looking towards that idea instead of buying more full-size (EXPENSIVE/HEAVY) cages. I do have 2 travel cages, but one TERRIFIES my bird, so....lol--

Whatever you do, get her used to seeing and climbing on the cages BEFORE the trip...place treats on them etc and just make sure she is sort of used to being around them if you can.

Do you know if they are so huge that they can’t fit in the back seat of the car? That’s something else I have to figure out before buying. The cage has to fit easily through the back door


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[sunshine.within]

Would this work?

https://www.petco.com/webapp/wcs/st...W7GzB9hPOkdfWeyfZrLEKIWjSZ_Pbtx4aAn-9EALw_wcB


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[Scott]

If you end up flying, best method is to transport Bianca in a below-seat carrier. Folks fly birds in the cargo pits everyday, but my preference is in the cabin only. You'll have to visit the airline's website to determine maximum carrier size. I'll tell you right off the bat, United prohibits cockatoos in the cabin!

 

[sunshine.within]

If you end up flying, best method is to transport Bianca in a below-seat carrier. Folks fly birds in the cargo pits everyday, but my preference is in the cabin only. You'll have to visit the airline's website to determine maximum carrier size. I'll tell you right off the bat, United prohibits cockatoos in the cabin!

I did read up on it and I’m just worried that a carrier that fits under the seat would be horribly small for her. Cats and dogs can lie down but parrots stand and she’s pretty tall... She’d be so miserable.


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[LordTriggs]

what I would do is get a dialogue open with an airline now, either through the phone, emails, or even checking out one of their offices. Tell them you have a cockatoo you are going to be taking from where you are to NYC and if you are able to have her in the cabin, what requirements for carriers are needed, paperwork you need for her, ETC ETC. Hopefully one of the airlines can find a way that works. You'll then want to have a full itinerary of travel including extra time for checks at the airport which may require having to take her out of the cage (ask for a private room for this for obvious reasons) so they can scan the carrier after that she goes back in the carrier and they pass her around the security check whilst you walk through the detector. Then you do the same on the other end.

The first thing to do is to find out the carrier size you would need to get and find one. Then start getting her used to going in the carrier, so treats in the carrier at home with the door open so she can come and go, turn it into a game for her. Then you can once she's comfortable going in and out you can shut the door and take her outside for a couple minutes, say for a walk around the block. Then heaps of praise when you get back and slowly build up the time spent in the carrier.

What I would then do if you do take her by flight is stick a little sign on top of her cage saying "Sorry if I'm loud, I'm a bit scared" and stand somewhere by the gate where everyone can see. I'd also try and get on the plane last so you're not having to shuffle around everyone else putting bags away

 

[Kiwibird]

As all pets must fit under the seat in front of you in an airline approved carrier to ride in the cabin of a commercial plane, I would imagine a U2 would not fit very comfortably in a space that small. That could lead to her 'expressing' the discomfort of being jammed in a too tiny carrier under a seat for...well an entire cross country flight as you aren't allowed to take the carrier out from under the seat and especially aren't allowed to take the pet out. If you must fly, then climate controlled cargo in a more comfortably sized carrier for a bird her size would likely be the preferable option. Even then, consider time of year and the fact she will have to be outside at some point to be loaded on the plane (and can those baggage handlers be trusted to move her out of the NY cold in winter as quickly as possible?). Also, as I have flown from out west to east coast more times than I can count and have probably taken every route/layover possible. There is a real possibility a U2 could chew her way right out of one of those plastic airline-approved carriers somewhere along the way as that's going to be at minimum a full 8-12 hour day from the time you leave home till you pick her up at your destination.

Personally, a flight would be my option of last resort to transport Kiwi (unless I ever became rich enough to take a chartered flight without all the restrictions, of course). We have driven on a out of state move with him with 0 issues. Be sure you plot out pet-friendly hotels along your route and offer water or moisture rich fruit every time you stop for gas or to stretch your legs. Kiwi actually rather enjoyed our big move. Very excited, alert and engaged the whole drive.

 

[jousze]

Hi,
Why don’t you search an airline that allows you to take your friend on board??
I’m going to Spain in Christmas and taking mambo with me, on board ! I only had to pay 50€ extra.

About a carrier, I received 2 days ago my Celltei airline carrier or something like that, it is basically a park-o-bird.. it’s expensive but I couldn’t find anything else that an amazon wouldn’t destroy..

If you wanna take him on a plane you will have to take your bird to the vet so he will make a certificate saying that he’s healthy, this has to be done maximum a month before the flight I think..
So well...
mambo in the pakobird thing is not stressed at all, he even likes it and yesterday he flew to it and went in to sleep :/ I guess I have a weird parrot !

 

[noodles123]

http://www.parrotforums.com/cockatoos/77506-semi-portable-cage-sleep-etc.html


Here is the link to the thread where I got a bunch of travel cage suggestions (including the dog crates). You might PM anyone who has actually done this and ask for more information--just in case they don't stumble upon this thread.

 

[noodles123]

If you end up flying, best method is to transport Bianca in a below-seat carrier. Folks fly birds in the cargo pits everyday, but my preference is in the cabin only. You'll have to visit the airline's website to determine maximum carrier size. I'll tell you right off the bat, United prohibits cockatoos in the cabin!

I did read up on it and I’m just worried that a carrier that fits under the seat would be horribly small for her. Cats and dogs can lie down but parrots stand and she’s pretty tall... She’d be so miserable.


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If you decided to have one member fly first class, you might actually end up with more room under your seat...not sure though. Some airlines, I can't even fit my purse under the seat...and it's about the size of a very small laptop in height/length and the width is maybe 8 inches (FULL)...Anyway, it can't stow half of the time in coach, but depends on the airline.