Would you rather drive for days or fly?

[lyra]

I would rather fly, and that's despite the fact that I have an aversion to flying anywhere. It would just be easier on my body. The recovery time would be less. I would definitely take the chance if it were a case of moving to another place. I probably will never fly for a vacation again. But who knows. We might get a decent vaccine and this will be fine in a few years.

 

[TooPatient]

My husband is a medivac helicopter pilot. He never ever ever drives us on an extended trip without reminding me that:

1. He is a pilot and
2. IF he had his own helicopter we could get there faster.
3. But helicopters is more than we can afford.
4. But if we win the lottery he's getting one
5. . . .

If the traffic is bad, we might work this list twice. It's like the stages of grief.

I know this conversation really well
DH has his commercial certificate (fixed wing). We're currently restoring an airplane so he either grumbles about how we could have rented something or how if he finished his helicopter certificate and we had one of them.....
It is possible that I have opted to make long drives by myself to avoid this conversation!

 

[TooPatient]

What about buying a used motorhome? They could tow her car behind it if they wanted. Toilet onboard so no public restroom. Some even have a shower. Make a fun road trip of it and see some sights (from the motorhome or while stretching legs -- stay away from people!) along the way. Refrigerator and basic kitchen onboard too so could cook and not even need to stop for food along the way. When they get there, could keep it for future adventures or sell it so it wouldn't actually have to cost all that much.

Otherwise, I would suggest a private charter if she can afford it. Given she is high risk and pregnant, I wouldn't risk it if I had a choice. What if she has a miscarriage? Or anything goes wrong during the pregnancy? Or there is some defect discovered at birth? Even if it (probably) isn't COVID related, would she ever be able to truly believe that or would she always wonder and blame herself?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

What about buying a used motorhome? They could tow her car behind it if they wanted. Toilet onboard so no public restroom. Some even have a shower. Make a fun road trip of it and see some sights (from the motorhome or while stretching legs -- stay away from people!) along the way. Refrigerator and basic kitchen onboard too so could cook and not even need to stop for food along the way. When they get there, could keep it for future adventures or sell it so it wouldn't actually have to cost all that much.

Otherwise, I would suggest a private charter if she can afford it. Given she is high risk and pregnant, I wouldn't risk it if I had a choice. What if she has a miscarriage? Or anything goes wrong during the pregnancy? Or there is some defect discovered at birth? Even if it (probably) isn't COVID related, would she ever be able to truly believe that or would she always wonder and blame herself?

That's a really awesome idea! Now I wonder how much those motor homes cost!

 

[TooPatient]

That's a really awesome idea! Now I wonder how much those motor homes cost!

I don't know about that particular area, but my mom bought a pretty nice one and lived in it for a few years for around $35,000 if I remember correctly. That replaced the one that she had been living in and had cost her $12,000. There is a huge range of prices from a few thousand up to closer to $100,000. Lots of in between and should be plenty of great options in whatever budget she looks at. Plus they hold their value pretty well if you are talking just that one way trip so could probably sell it for almost as much as the purchase price if they chose to.

 

[MMtwo]

I know this conversation really well
DH has his commercial certificate (fixed wing). We're currently restoring an airplane so he either grumbles about how we could have rented something or how if he finished his helicopter certificate and we had one of them.....
It is possible that I have opted to make long drives by myself to avoid this conversation!

It's so true! Ha. Yeah....car rides with pilots can be challenging. The airplane restoration sounds fun! Soon you can fly and it should be much more pleasant.

Hubby is one that started in a helicopter - he has only minimal time in a fixed wing. He talks about a group airplane purchase with his base pilots, but I don't think that will happen.

We drive about four hours to see his folks three or four times a year. We CAN suck it up

__________________

Sorry, I didn't answer the topic in my first post.
In the days of COVID I prefer to drive anywhere. Hubby had to fly down for his yearly training in May and I was beside myself with anxiety that he would be okay (he was). he said that the airports were mainly deserted.

 

[TooPatient]

It's so true! Ha. Yeah....car rides with pilots can be challenging. The airplane restoration sounds fun! Soon you can fly and it should be much more pleasant.

Hubby is one that started in a helicopter - he has only minimal time in a fixed wing. He talks about a group airplane purchase with his base pilots, but I don't think that will happen.

We drive about four hours to see his folks three or four times a year. We CAN suck it up

__________________

Sorry, I didn't answer the topic in my first post.
In the days of COVID I prefer to drive anywhere. Hubby had to fly down for his yearly training in May and I was beside myself with anxiety that he would be okay (he was). he said that the airports were mainly deserted.

Fun.... Yeah. Depends on the day. We could have bought something for less than this is costing. The stress and unknowns are crazy.
If he wants to buy, experimental are awesome. He can do much/all of the work himself if he feels comfortable plus everything is much less expensive. (The GPS we are looking at costs an extra $1500 to have a little sticker that says certified.) I have seen some decent options go by for well under $50,000 and a few closer to $30,000 that looked potentially interesting.
Another option is to join a flying club. Some run $30-60/month to join and mean lower rates than renting. Less availability than owning your own, but far less expense. Personally, I wouldn't want to do a partnership thing (not club but buying with friends) because it would be easy to have different ideas moving forward.

 

[Arcadian]

I have no issues with driving if thats what i need to do. Me and doggo did a few trips from Massachusetts to FL (2.5 days if you do it right!) I drive early morning....5am to 4pm. that way I would get enough sleep. we took rest breaks about every 2-3 hours, and, Instead of eating out somewhere I would grocery shop and put things in my cooler as needed.

 

[hmr_mama]

I second the motor home option. There are rental companies too.

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