Would you rather drive for days or fly?

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

If you had to travel and your options were: driving for multiple days or flying, what would you do in these COVID times?

Driving allows you have more "control" and "limit" your surroundings, however would still involve Airbnbs, restroom breaks, food, etc. There is always risk associated with driving for days as well.

Flying is much faster, however you would be on a plane with many other people, and still need to be mindful of using the restroom. Would you buy a first class ticket, direct flight, preference for airline? Where is the safest place to sit on the plane?

Chartering a private jet is also an option, but they are quite expensive (equivalent to cost of large and high quality engagement ring for one way trip).

Would your decision change if a highly vulnerable person was involved?

 

[kenny]

In these Covid times I'd never "have to travel".
Never.
Period.

How could anyone be "higher value" than YOU?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Fly because when I think about it, if you take all the usual car breaks, you'll come into contact with a lot of people.

Unless you can minimise the contact risk while driving a bit more. You could try:

Minimal bathroom breaks - only stop by a shopping centre late or early in the day when no one is around, or you can pack a portable potty and use it in the bush if there are bushes to stop by. My son had a portable potty that you could line with a bag, do your business and bag it up.

Sleep in the car so no need to stop by hotels/ motels

Pack your own food

***

Definitely jet if you can afford it and the person is very vulnerable. I'm assuming this trip is vital and not for funzies so I think the jet is worth it if you can afford it.

 

[Missy]

I hate flying so if I could choose I would usually opt for driving over flying though my DH would prefer the opposite. Of course being Covid times I choose not to travel until I feel it is safer. But since you are asking I choose driving. I feel more in control when I am driving vs flying.

 

[qubitasaurus]

I'd fly, but I wouldn't be happy about it. I passed through SFO in mid march and it was a complete meltdown disaster. We even had all the business class lounge and I think we were fast tracked through security. Still a huge mess. Flight was a dream though as we had an entire cabin to ourselves.

 

[dk168]

I love to drive, and when time is on my side, I would dive using the scenic routes rather than the motorways which can be a bit souless.

Not planning to travel by plane or train in the foreseeable future, not until next year the very earliest, and that's because I really should pay my mum and bro in Vancouver a visit - this year's trip in May had to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

DK

 

[Rhea]

I'd fly but only if it was really important. I'd asked my parents to please stay safe because I'm not sure I'd be able to see them or attend their funerals if something happened. Other than their serious injury or death I'd probably not travel.

Driving you do have more control over your immediate environment, but days in car means multiple stops. You have hotels, 3 meals a day, multiple comfort breaks. I could easily imagine coming into contact with just as many people making a several day drive as flying.

 

[Missy]

IMO the difference is you can control where and when and why you stop. And when using the restroom you wear a mask and shield and you’ll be safe. And you don’t have to stop to pee if you kwim. As for sleeping you can sleep in the car. And just bring lots of food. There are ways depending on how long the trip is. Obviously if you’re traveling super far flying makes the most sense but if the distance isn’t greater than let’s say 6000 miles you can drive imo.

 

[GliderPoss]

I don’t mind a long road trip as long as it’s with someone to talk to! Otherwise I’d fly.

 

[OoohShiny]

I am not that bothered by C19 - statistically I am at very low risk of any adverse outcomes, and I think I've already had it TBH - so either option would be fine for me.

Given the choice, though, and removing C19 from the equation, a roadtrip is always cool

 

[Missy]

Yes road trips rock @OoohShiny.

It brings back amazing memories of when my DH and I took our yearly New England road trip every autumn for about 12 years. We stopped taking them about a decade ago due to cat health issues and other reasons. We miss them.

It was a wonderful time of year to drive through and visit all the special towns and we stayed at some B&B gems. Some planned and some spontaneous.

The trips were always wondrous and romantic and I hope one day we can resume them. I love road trips.

 

[Elizabeth35]

Right now I wouldn't do either. But if, for some reason, I HAD to I would probably drive.
I would take most of my own food and supplement with drive-through.
I would ensure that wherever I stay was as safe as possible---and would choose AirBnB with entire rental as opposed to a hotel with a lobby and more people around. Maybe even consider camping--which I detest.
We would board last to avoid having 100+ people walking past. If I flew, I would go first class and board last to avoid everyone walking past as they board.

No really safe options in US right now.

 

[Slickk]

Fun question. I have driven across the US to move my DD and I loved it!! So much to see in America! I would do it again in a heartbeat during normal times. For me, the problem now is having facilities available for restroom breaks (not interested in the Shewee or bottle). Because the NE US is pretty closed up, we have been staying close to home.
I would fly only if I had to at this point.

ETA The Shewee is a device that allows women to stand to urinate. Is this TMI?

Shewee - The Original Female Urinating Device

www.shewee.com

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

My sister just found out she is pregnant and was planning a cross country move. Do you think she should still move (which would be easier before the baby), or postpone her move until after the baby is born and there is a vaccine (probably 2 years out)? She has the flexibility for either option, she was planning to move until she found out she was pregnant as she is concerned about getting COVID in transit, especially because she also has pre-existing medical conditions that make her more vulnerable.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

If the drive was in the range of a morning-evening kind of trip (so, 12h max of driving?) I would drive because I can pack enough food for a day, easily. If it was longer I would fly, because I won’t be able to sleep in a car. But in these Covid times I want to avoid travel as much as possible so I don’t see myself having to do either unless it was an absolute level 10 emergency.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Oh bummer that a tough one. Is the move a permanent one? As in is she planning a whole new life across the country? Is she eager to leave the old location?

 

[qubitasaurus]

Is the shift away from her parents or towards them and is the shift away from the baby's father or towards him? If towards father and parents then I'd lean heavily towards going. Just with whatever precautions were possible -- can fly first leg of international flight and pay for first class for example (as international flights are largely empty and their planes are bigger offering more spread out cabins.).

 

[Austina]

As my DS lives in the US and the only way to get there is by plane, or several days at sea, then I would fly. Sorry if this sounds braggy, but we fly first class anyway, and the cabin isn’t usually full, plus you have dedicated check in with separate security at Heathrow, so the biggest risk would be actually waiting to board the plane.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

Oh bummer that a tough one. Is the move a permanent one? As in is she planning a whole new life across the country? Is she eager to leave the old location?

Would be a permanent move, a whole new life across the country. She is married and they are excited to move, but could also stay put for the next year or two. She would be moving away from parents (which she can't really see nowadays anyway and still requires a flight or long drive), but closer to in-laws (driving distance) and her best friend (10 minutes away).

Her doctors said to limit time in car to about 6 hours a day, so would then take probably 8 days of driving vs. 5 hours of flying. Is it worth it? It's a medium risk, but high consequences if she gets COVID, high reward situation...

 

[1ofakind]

This is my DD’s situation exactly. She did move, and find out she’s expecting at the early stages of the pandemic. She has an underlying medical condition as well. They drove 2.5 days and were well prepared and careful. The only tricky part was finding stops along the way as that was when everything was shut down, But they were able to stop at essential stores to use restroom and restaurants still had drive thru Etc. I’ve now traveled a long way to be with her as they move from temp housing to a longer rental. I isolated myself before the trip and was careful while traveling. The hotels had extra precautions in place and I was not at all uncomfortable. Planes have been flying but I am not aware of any airplane related outbreakS...it’s just beyond my comfort level and hers.

Be smart And be careful. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow so we have decided to continue experiencing life as much as we can even during this pandemic. That means safe and responsible traveling, new jobs and babies (yeah!), being able to put my hand on her growing belly and feel first kicks. Nope, not going to miss this!!

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

As my DS lives in the US and the only way to get there is by plane, or several days at sea, then I would fly. Sorry if this sounds braggy, but we fly first class anyway, and the cabin isn’t usually full, plus you have dedicated check in with separate security at Heathrow, so the biggest risk would be actually waiting to board the plane.

I advised her to only fly first class, direct flight, and to board the plane last so the entire plane doesn't pass her when they board. To wear a mask, face shield, and glasses. Have her husband wipe everything down with Clorox wipes, and consider wearing a diaper since the bathroom is high risk (small space and with toilet flushing, must put the seat down). Could also coordinate bathroom visits with her DH, she could go first and not flush, then he could flush afterwards.

The other option to consider is a private jet but will cost about $30K for a one way trip. She can afford it, but seems like a lot of money...

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

As someone who cried every day for the first year with a baby, I'd say move before the baby gets here. It could be a long while before it's completely safe to move so I'd do it while baby is tucked away in the tummy.

8 days is brutal! First class or private plane if she can afford it. Think of it as a moving expense!

$30K is a lot but not a lot in the context of a brand new life.

Your advice regarding the plane is super solid. I think with mask, shield etc she'd be pretty safe!

 

[Austina]

The toilet in first class is only for first class passengers on international flights @MRBXXXFVVS1, and the cabin crew ensure that no one else uses it, although I don’t know what the situation is on internal flights, so I wouldn’t be unduly concerned about that. I would take wipes to clean all around the seat, tray table, TV remote etc plus I’d take several pairs of disposable gloves that could be used to open the toilet door and dispose of them after using the facilities. Once I’ve washed my hands, I use a paper towel open the door, stick my foot in it so I don’t have to touch it again, then pop the towel in the waste, ensuring I don’t touch the flap. I then put on hand sanitiser when I get back to my seat. I‘ve always done this pre-CV days. From what I’ve read, the air in the plane is cleaned every 2-3 minutes and comes from above so pushes everything down, the high backed seats offer some protection from the person behind sneezing or coughing on you, and if you have a mask and visor on, then you’re pretty well protected. That’s what we’ll be doing next time we fly, whether it’s required by then or not.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

@Austina Unfortunately, domestic flights don't have dedicated first class bathrooms from what I recall. The only direct flight available is on an airline that is not limiting capacity. The other option is to fly another airline to a hub that's a 5 hour drive away...she could have her car shipped there in advance...

 

[Austina]

That’s a shame @MRBXXXFVVS1, I have the bladder of a camel, so can usually last several hours if I need to, but obviously being pregnant, is a different matter.

 

[voce]

Driving vs flying...in general, it depends on the distance. If I have to use the public restroom on a road trip, that's risky and defeats the purpose of not going to a public transit place.

I'm glad you recommended your sister take a flight, because 8 days of staying at hotels and taking breaks at rest stops is probably more exposure than a flight for a few hours.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Id always prefer the drive
More than half the fun is the journey and ive only flown cattle class internationally - i hate to think what a first class flight would cost from here to North America - id rather buy a new ring or spend that money on holiday

Precovid i would have liked to taken a cruise to Australia but not now
I love the car
We have a nice car sterio
We talk in the car
Just need Gary's eyes to get fixed so we can safely drive out of town again

 

[doberman]

I don't exist at the decimal point required for a private jet flight. I hate long car rides, they are terrible for my back. I'd rather fly, masked, gloved and slathered in antiseptic wash.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Ive given this more thought
Seeing as NZ is covid free with no community transmission and all oyr cases are caught coming into the boarder and at the boarder as in at the airport they have no yet worked out how to keep passengers from covid free places separate from passengers from places with covid - im talking all flights, all airports, connecting flights and connecting domestic flights there is no way i would be getting on a plane right now

 

[MMtwo]

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.