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Despite the closure of the Canada-US land border to non-essential traffic, Canadian snowbirds Bernard Loiselle and Sylvie Charbonneau are on their way to Florida – in their RV.
“Finally, we’re leaving,” Loiselle, 57, said from a stop near Albany, NY. “The weather in Quebec was getting cold.”
The couple from Marieville, Que., Southeast of Montreal, live in their RV year-round and spend the winter in Florida. This year, however, they faced a problem because they cannot drive their mobile home across the U.S. border during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But that problem was solved when they learned about a new service offered by KMC Transport.
The Quebec company transports the snowbirds on a chartered plane from an airport just outside Montreal to nearby Plattsburgh, the New York KMC employees also drive the snowbirds’ vehicles to Plattsburgh Airport so, after landing, passengers can continue their journey south.
“It was great – from the plane – to see our camper over there, waiting for us,” Loiselle said.
Despite the increase in COVID-19 infection rates in the United States and Canada’s advice not to travel overseas, many snowbirds they are determined to head south this winter.
Although Canadians cannot drive into the United States due to the land border being closed, they can fly into the country. But this still creates a problem for snowbirds who want to take their vehicles south.
In response, several transport companies have come up with new ways to help snowbirds – and their cars – cross the border.
KMC ships vehicles to the United States for sun protection for snowbirds. But the fare can be prohibitive for carrying an RV – around $ 4,300.
So owner and president Michael Couturier came up with a cheaper option: starting in late October, he organized charter flights for the snowbirds to Plattsburgh, as well as transportation for their vehicles.
Customers pay $ 500 per seat on the plane and $ 1,000 for vehicle transportation. As a commercial transportation company, KMC can bring vehicles to the United States, despite border restrictions, Couturier said.
“Every commercial transaction at the border is considered essential,” he said. “We have to have all the paperwork and then we’re allowed to do it.”
US Customs and Border Protection confirmed to CBC News that there are no restrictions for Canadians importing vehicles into the United States during the land border closure.
Warning for snowbirds
KMC flies to Plattsburgh twice every weekday. Couturier said the nine-seat plane is always full.
The added business was a big boost for the company, which normally focuses on transporting RVs to dealerships.
That side of the business slowed during the pandemic, Couturier said, but satisfying the snowbirds allowed him to keep all of his 35 employed workers.
“If it weren’t for the snowbirds, the company would be in trouble this year,” he said. “This is a good opportunity for us.”
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Meanwhile, the federal government continues to warn Canadians to avoid international travel during the pandemic.
“People are safer when they stay at home,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during a press conference on Tuesday.
However, the message hasn’t deterred the anxious snowbirds. Some argue that they will be safe, because they did COVID-19 medical insurance and plan to remain loyal to their gated community at their destination.
“[You] you shop, go back to your camper and just dine there, ”Loiselle said.
Helicopter rides for snowbirds
Jeremy Rood’s parents were still excited to go to Florida this winter, but they wanted to take both their car and their Labrador, Abby. Then the helicopter pilot found a solution that his employer, Great Lakes Helicopter in Cambridge, Ontario, turned into a company.
The company collects snowbirds in Hamilton, Ontario. airport and helicopters just across the border in Buffalo, NY Then, Rood’s friend – who runs a transportation company – transports passenger vehicles, typically in a flatbed truck, to Buffalo Airport.
“My parents wanted to go to Florida for the winter and I said, ‘No problem, I’ll make sure you guys get there,'” Rood said. “We put our heads together and ended up with this little thing we’re doing here.”
Since beginning service in late October, Great Lakes Helicopter has flown 30 passengers and has hundreds of additional bookings. The cost for a couple to fly in their own private helicopter and transport their own car is $ 1,900. Pets are welcome on board.
Rood said he wasn’t surprised by the brisk business despite the pandemic.
“We have long, cold winters here,” he said. “You are unable to go out, stay fit, stay active.”
It serves snow birds due to high demand
On the west coast, winters may not be as cold, but many snowbirds still want to head south and take their cars.
This created an opportunity for Bidbuy importers based in Blaine, Washington. The company traditionally imports vehicles to private buyers and dealers.
But this year it has branched out to also transport snowbird vehicles from the Vancouver area to the United States in the sun or to closer destinations, such as Seattle Airport.
Jayde McElroy, Bidbuy’s vice president of marketing and sales, said the company has hired snowbird customers due to high demand.
“When the border was closed, we got so many requests from snowbirds that they were wondering if we could help them,” he said. “At the beginning we didn’t know because it’s not something we did.”
So far, Bidbuy has transported 40 cars. The company has about 100 other bookings in the next two months. Costs range from around $ 500 to over $ 3,000, depending on the type of vehicle and the distance traveled.
Asked how to help snowbirds go south during the pandemic, McElroy said he was happy to help them escape the winter.
“You never know how long it will go on. You have to enjoy life.”
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