In mid April 2004, I will be moving from Oregon to Central New York.

It looks like I have two options:

1. Have my household items moved via a cross country moving company.

Then drive my '97 Jeep Wrangler (I hope it makes it) across the
northern part of the US by the following route:

Eugene, OR to Twin Falls, ID; Twin Falls to Cheyenne, WY; Cheyenne to
Des Moines, IA; Des Moines to Cleveland, OH; Cleveland to Syracuse,
NY.

Total roadtrip = 5 days, about 3,000 miles.
Estimated cost = $3,500
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2. Have my household items AND Jeep moved via a cross country moving
company.

Then take an airplane from Eugene, OR to Syracuse, NY.

Total trip = 10 hours, 3 plane changes
Estimated cost = $5,200
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Even though it is quite a bit more, I would much rather have all of my
belongings and my vehicle moved by a professional moving company, and
then fly home; hoping and praying that my '97 Jeep makes it for five
11-12 hour days driving on long stretches of interstate highways.

I have driven across country twice, by myself, and believe me it isn't
something I look forward to doing again (this was pre-cell phone
days). I have also had a professional mover move my vehicle and
belongings across country, and I found it to be quite painless (I
suppose I was lucky).

OK, here is my problem.

I have a 11 year old female cat (she weighs 10 lbs), that will be
moving with me. Moving her puts a damper on option 2, where I would
move all of my stuff by a professional mover, and then fly back home.
I have read horror stories about traveling with a pet on a plane.

Any suggestions on which option I should choose that would be the best
way to go when traveling with a cat?

I would love to be able to take the cat on the plane and place her
under the seat in front of me for the three flights. Except:

1. She has never traveled on a plane before.
2. What do I do if she throws up or goes to the bathroom in her cat
carrier when she is in the cabin with me.
3. I can't guarantee she won't howl while in the cabin.
4. I can't guarantee that the airline would allow her to fit in a
sherpa cat carrier, even though she isn't a particularly large cat (a
short and stout 10 lbs).

Checking her with the baggage which would require three plane changes
(no one-way flights from Eugene to Syracuse), and again no guarantee
the airlines would take her if the temperature in mid April, dropped
below 40 degrees for any of my legs of the flight.

Looks to me like driving across country with my cat is the lesser of
two evils, even though I dread it.

Any suggestions from others who have made a cross country move with a
pet are greatly appreciated.

PS: Anyone out there know of a good nationwide prepaid cellular plan
for someone like me, making a cross country move? Currently, I do not
have any cell phone, and would like to get one for emergencies and to
call roadside assistance. But, I would also like to be able to change
my cell phone number once I get to NY. I have read Tracfone's web
site, but again I have heard horror stories about them.

Also, I currently do not have AAA membership. Is it worth it to get
one just for the cross country move? It would be around $100 for the
AAA plus membership with free 100 mile towing available.

Mary