My hubby and i would like to take our 10 kids on a plane?

Question

but we discovered it was costign us 14k+ oh man that is how much our house costs!!! i am so ticked. we live in south florida but want to get to manitoba. would it cost less to drive there? we have a big, big van that gets 7 miles to the gallon. it is a huge van.

or how much would it cost to take a train? i had these 2 kids from my first marriage:

Ollie (boy 15)

gail (girl, 17)

this one from the affair that destroyed my first marriage:

valentin (boy 10)

this one from my second marriage:odette (girl, 8)

and my hubby has this one from hs wild years:

arden (boy 20)

and these two from his first marriage:

paige (girl 14)

hudson (boy 10)

and we have these three together:

shayla (girl 3)

joana (girl 2)

lamont (boy, 2 weeks)

Answer 1

Ok - so I took the time, given the info that you provided, to look at both air, train, and car prices (I don't know why I did this)

On orbitz.com I wasn't sure where to put the start and stop places at, so I put in Miami and Winnipeg. I also didn't know when you are looking at going so I did flexible dates in November. I found 3 flights that were at $690, $704, and $720 per person round trip. Each had two stops with little layover. Doing simple math, that is half of the price that you found. I would suggest that you try finding tickets again because your price was way off from mine.

Using mapquest.com, I put in the same cities. It is 2215 miles, 35 hours. I know that the hours are not always right. I have used mapquest often and depending on where I'm going and the traffic construction and weather, the hours can be off by 10 or more, so I wouldn't rely totally on that. I am using gas prices at $4 a gallon. Doing the math, it would cost $2500 round trip for gas using your van.

As for train, I couldn't find Amtrax that went all the way.

As for bus, again I used Miami and Winnipeg, for all 12 of you, it would be $5050 round trip again.

I know that none of this includes meals and housing but I don't know why you are going there, to see someone, job interview, vacation, I don't know.

I know that when I travel I ALWAYS take my own food. No matter what. I have a very sensitive stomach so eating out is difficult, when traveling I don't want any problems. You could do that also. Camping is always fun for kids so you might think about doing that instead of motels.

As for what someone else said about Arden being in a home, I know many people who do that and I never have looked down on them, and I don't know anyone else who does.

Good Luck making your decision.

Answer 2

Go separately.  Some of these kids are already adults.  They can take some of the younger ones with them.  It's too aggravating to travel as such a big group.

Answer 3

It sounds like a huge expense!  Is this a vacation or visiting relatives?  

If its just a vacation, I hate to say it, but save the money.  Also, if this is Gail and Paige's first babies you need to remember how rough and scary they can be.  A drive all the way to Manitoba could be very rough on them.  Also, think about all the bathroom breaks.  A single non-pregnant adult could probably make the drive in 2-3 days, faster if they have a driver to switch off with for diving shifts and if they forgo stopping in motels for the night.  However, someone driving with pregnant women and children will have to stop for bathroom breaks about every 2-3 hours, then face the fun of herding everyone back into their seats.

If you are only going on vacation, have you looked into maybe going into the Appalachian Mountains?  Perhaps, in North Carolina?  Its very pretty around there and the drive would be a lot easier.

If you are stuck on Manitoba though, I would recommend booking a flight very far in advance.  That's the best way to get cheaper tickets... I looked into flying from NYC to NC last week and compared it to both Amtrak and greyhound.  The difference in time and cost wasn't enough to choose the train or bus over flying...

Answer 4

I can't really answer your question, but may I just say the 17 and 20-year-olds can help out.

Travelling with 10 kids.  I can see why you posted this in Mental Health!  :)

Answer 5

you have a 14 year old pregnant daughter? Just woundering how u feel abotut that? Um I dunno Prob driving.. ZGood luckk!!

Answer 6

You should probably take a train because ya 14K is alot and driving for that long would be stressful I imagine. On a train you can relax and eat and stuff.

Answer 7

It really isn't fair to the kids that you gave names and told their personal stories unless you have another motive: to pull at peoples heart strings for financial help.

Arden lives with people like him? Don't all people have a bond? Isn't he family? Oh, he's not like you.

Stay home, take parenting classes and hopefully you will gain some warmth and sincerity towards your children.

A simple phone call to Amtrack or simple arithmetic would have answered both of your questions.

I smell a rat.

Don't ask a phony question when you just want something for free. Thank God that you are so fortunate to have a large family.

Answer 8

This is the reality of having a big family. There are things that are just not affordable. Sorry. Trains are not any cheaper - cost as much as airfare. Maybe bus, or chartered bus.

Answer 9

are u serous? clode your legs wow...

why so any kids?