https://www.fr24news.com/a/2020/11/canadian-snowbirds-find-creative-way-to-get-to-florida-with-their-cars-despite-border-closure.html

Until a few weeks ago, Canadian snowbird Diane Rood and her husband, Theo, were unsure if they were going to be able to make it to their Florida winter getaway this year, given crossing restrictions linked to COVID-19 . the border by car.

I have arthritis. The idea of staying in Canada with our cold and wet weather just seemed inconceivable, she said.

The couple from Lambton Shores, Ont., Who still travel to Florida, considered taking a commercial flight. But that would mean not having a vehicle when they arrive. Plus, they would have to ditch their beloved black Labrador Abby.

After listening to his mothers reproaches, Jeremy Rood, a helicopter pilot with Great Lakes Helicopter in Cambridge, Ont., Contacted a friend, Greg McClay, who operates a commercial trucking company, GRM Transportation, in Dorchester, Ont. . It turned out that her grandparents faced the same dilemma.

After some brainstorming, they found a solution.

McClay took the personal snowbirds vehicles across the border in his flatbed truck to Buffalo Airport, while Rood transported the owners of the cars as well as pets across the border. from the border in his helicopter to the same airport. Once disembarked, owners could simply get into their vehicles and be on their way, driving approximately 2,000 kilometers of road to Florida.

It solved all of our problems, Roods mother said on Monday.

It was as smooth as silk. Within minutes, we were out of the helicopter and to our car.

Since they recently announced their solution on the Canadian Snowbirds in Florida Facebook group, Rood and McClay say theyve received hundreds of inquiries. Theyve made a handful of trips already, and as of Monday afternoon, 35-40 more trips have been booked.

It was an exceptional year. We have a roadblock that has been put in place. But there is a way around it. We are doing this to get people there, so they can enjoy and be healthier. It makes me happy, said Rood.

Its not a loophole, he added. We are just operating within the means of the system.

Rood said he checked with US officials beforehand to make sure everything was legal.

Its totally permissible, he says. Americans welcome us with a smile. They are happy to have us.

Asked for comment, U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Jason Givens asked the Star to review travel restrictions in the United States.

These regulations currently restrict entry into the United States through the land border to people on essential travel. This includes those who need medical attention, go to school or work in the United States, public health officials, truck drivers, and military families.

Essential travel does not include tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events.

The current restrictions are in place until at least November 21.

After The Star insisted on getting a more direct response, an American customs officer replied: If a Canadians vehicle is legitimately imported into the United States and the Canadian arrives by air, it is not considered a violation of travel restrictions.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control did not respond to a request for comment. Representatives from the Canada Border Services Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada referred their inquiries to their US counterparts.

Currently, Rood and McClay charge their clients $ 1,900 $ 1,200 for the helicopter flight and $ 700 for ground transportation. They are currently flying from Hamilton to Buffalo, but are looking to add another route from Windsor to Detroit.