Hi,
you are quite right, the cost of flying the animal air cargo it probably less than the cost of gas for driving her. The problem is that the airlines have a maximum allowed crate size (30"H 28"W 40"L)and most LGDs are too big. (Both of my Pyrs wouldn't fit, not even close!) As it turned out this girl is undersize for her breed and just squeaks by, so I am now actually having her flown out. A volunteer was found to drive her to Saskatoon (the nearest airport) and one to overnight her and put her on the plane the next morning. Yeah!
For future reference: if you are willing to help with transport in situations like this, please do put down your name on the map. For most really big dogs, flying is not usually an option, and even partial transport offers help. Had this girl been a normal size, I probably would have had to give up the adoption for lack of transport offers.
Maria