I’m an airline retiree with great travel benefits and can easily hop on a flight from my east coast location. Does proximity of HS to HO play a big part in the decision making process? A transcon trip is not a big deal for a four-day sit. Just wondering if it works against me compared to someone close by. Hate to think I miss out on my desired sits because of it
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No that wouldn’t work against you .
What’s most important is that the sitter is reliable , good communicator, tidy , respectful and can follow instructions in welcome guide
Reviews are also very important
I look for that above where they are travelling from . Unless it’s a last minute sit
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Not when you mention how easy it is for you to secure flights.
If you are new to THS…you may want to get some local sits for reviews, as that will have more of an impact on selection outcomes.
Welcome to the forum and keep posting!
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I assume most HOs would love to have consistent sitters. I know we would love that for our boy if we had the chance and we actually just got contacted by an HO who is close to us asking if we’d be open to being that for her.
That being said, It usually just works out that you get more one-offs and people traveling from greater distances because most people come and want to travel and visit.
It doesn’t count against you. What matters waaaaaay more is are you a solid sitter.
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I live in Australia and just got a sit in Andorra, accepted immediately after writing my application. Oz to Andorra is a looooong way so no, it doesn’t matter - usually.
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Thanks, appreciate your suggestions.
There’s many sitters on here who travel all over their country and the world to petsit. I think the pet parents want to know if you can be a responsible dependable person. Our family is on our first international petsit as we speak. We were surprised when they selected but here we are and we have had an amazing experience bonding with their two lovely cats.
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I am going to go against the grain here. I do take location into consideration, although it is not the most important factor.
In my experience, travel disruptions are often easier to navigate when distances are shorter as there are usually more alternatives available. Also, given what we know about climate change, I prefer to choose sitters who already live in Europe (where I am) or whose stay is part of a longer European trip, rather than having sitters fly thousands of miles just for a short sit.
Again, it’s not the most important factor, but so far I have been lucky that often I have had multiple sitters apply who all seem great. In those instances, distance/location is one factor I take into consideration.
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@Mkk there is also a thread about crossing the border and suggestions on how to handle situations. That’s another suggestion 
Appreciate all sides of the story here!
HO here, and all of my sitters have traveled by plane to get to my sit. Most have been in country (I’m in the US), but also from another continent. I prefer to host sitters who are traveling!
For me, the most important thing is that the sitter communicates their travel plans clearly, and for international sits, the sitter should be in the US, if not my immediate area, days before the sit is to start. I also have learned to discuss with international sitters that they DO NOT mention housesitting when crossing the border.
Thanks! Good points to touch on in my application process.
Hello @Catme and welcome to the forum!
I find your post curious. Local sits for sure occur and repeatedly sometimes but my guess is that this is not the overall exchange premise.
I get the flying in if your flight attendant… but that’s a big ask all otherwise, I think.
Are you a new member and surprised by the movings on part or just your overall preference?
I would like to better understand your post.
Are you in a location that someone would want to repeatedly sit on short notice? Because presumably someone with flight privileges can go to many places of their choosing. And they might not necessarily want to sit.
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From a pet parent’s perspective that makes sense to have the same sitter repeatedly sit. Sitters knows the protocols and the pets know them. But from a sitters perspective, it may not make sense to spend time, money, and energy to sit for a pet parent more than once unless it’s a location they continuously want to go to every chance they get. We’ve had some amazing sits in awesome locations and I do feel bad when the pet parents invite us for future sits and we decline. As amazing as those were, we are looking to visit new places
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Thanks for the input! Sometimes I think non-airline folks don’t realize how easy it is for us non-rev’s to get on planes. I can appreciate that you’re looking for that consistency that a repeat sitter would bring. I’m probably considered a “rookie” with only 3 sits under my belt but two were long distance so I have hope!
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