As I started to make plans to get us all (spouse and cat, bag and baggage) to Florida, I kept hitting bump after bump. Our house to Lansing, Michigan, then Lansing to Orlando (one of the world's busiest airports) then rental car to Venice, a 3 hour drive. And only 2 days a week, so if one day was snowed out we would have to wait three days. OR bus to Detroit, then to Sarasota, then drive to Venice, about an hour. OR fly to Detroit. And airplanes are not too thrilled about animals on board; we had a hard time booking any cheap seats. Plus car rentals are up to $250 a month more expensive when you pick them up at airports. Cats have to have vet certificates and must be under the seat. And even more hassles I will not bore you with. I was not going to drag a sick husband and freaked-out cat and luggage through strange and chaotic airports with the chance of getting stuck somewhere due to snow.
On a hunch I called this guy that operates a small charter service and sure enough lots of people fly from Michigan to Florida and he flies them. In a group it is not much more expensive than commercial, plus no groping airport inspectors, the ability to hold Honey on our laps (as long as she is leashed), and right from a small town near here straight to Venice. Talked to the pilot just today. All systems are go. The plane is bigger than the one above, by the way. If it snows, we just take off when the weather is good. This outfit flies all over and has a good reputation.
OMG I hope this works out.
