General question everyone...

What crate do you use when you have to travel by air with your Dane? Is a Vari-Kennel 700 actually big enough for travel.. I know I"d not want to use it for more than that. Just seems to cramped. I was going to order the Midwest Colossal wire crate until I checked with the airlines, and they won't take wire construction crates. Does anyone know if they take any others? Or if there is some way you can modify a wire create to make it work for them? Stick it inside a wooden support frame with solid top and bottom? Of course that adds dramatically to your weight.

I'm only concerned because I'm not 100% sure if I'll be flying with the dogs for the last trip of our move, or if I'll be driving with them. Problem is, I'm not sure my old truck will take the drive between Texas and Oregon one more time, and even then I'm envisioning problems fitting a Great Dane, another 70lb mutt, a 40lb cattle dog, a cocker spaniel, a ferret, at least one house plant, my computers, my suitcase and myself into the extended cab pickup truck for 3 or 4 days! If we go in the winter, then all that must be in the cab. If we go in the spring, then I can move some into the bed.. but we still have issues with all the living breathing creatures riding up front!

I've been thinking about getting a Honda Element.. does anyone here have one? If so.. do you think it is possible to get that much "stuff" into one and still have room for a driver? I don't mind being crowded, but I want to be safe.

Thanks,
Heather