Fish in Checked Baggage (US domestic flight)

[cidermaster]

Ive done this many times flying US Air..You can check them as long as they are in a cooler and tell the agent you have live fish/coral..THEY WILL OPEN UP THE COOLER WHEN THEY SEARCH YOUR BAG!! SO HAVE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW YOU WANT THINGS LEFT if you do want them left a certain way . Most of the time when you call usair you get a different answer everytime you call so if you want confirmation call TSA they are much smarter than a us air rep!!

 

[surfjeepzx]

TSA, NOT USscareways will search your bags that are checked. Every checked bag goes through an xray machine. This^^ advice is best.

 

[Plan>B]

The thing I would be worried about if they were packed in your luggage is the cold weather and rough handling they would be subjected to. heat packs would help with the cold but the way I see those baggage handlers chucking luggage makes me nervous LOL.

+10... the only reason why I wouldn't.

 

[cidermaster]

+10... the only reason why I wouldn't.

What do you think the mailmen do?Also have you ever seen the back of a mail/ups truck?

 

[wooden_reefer]

I have done so many times international from Hong Kong to LAX.

But have not done so since 9/11/2001.

Yes, I want very much to do the same again but I fear problems.

 

[vwmike]

I'd love to hear the answer to this, I'll be in Florida in March and was thinking about doing some shopping at the LFS while there...

 

[scottwhitson]

I would just get a styrofoam cooler and package them in it and check it. I fly every two weeks and my suitcase is already trashed and have only had it for a couple of months. I don't think your fish will have a good chance of survival in your luggage. If they are in a seperate box clearly lableled they stand a much better chance of making it in one piece.

 

[WharfRat]

They should allow you to bring it on. The 3 oz rule doesn't apply for a fish in water and some other exceptions. It's pretty obvious it isn't a hazardous chemical.

However, it will depend on what TSA agent you get. If they want to be a hard *** about it and go on a power trip they can, and there isn't much you can do about it.

Doesnt matter what the liquid is or what it contains. You can't even take an unopened bottle of water through security. Just box'm and check'm.

 

[albano]

Ive done this many times flying US Air..You can check them as long as they are in a cooler and tell the agent you have live fish/coral..THEY WILL OPEN UP THE COOLER WHEN THEY SEARCH YOUR BAG!! SO HAVE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW YOU WANT THINGS LEFT if you do want them left a certain way . Most of the time when you call usair you get a different answer everytime you call so if you want confirmation call TSA they are much smarter than a us air rep!!

+1, disregard all other posts...except mine! (JK) I have done this many times, LAX to NY, (United) as recently as last FEB. cooler/baggage is checked at 'special handling/oversize' counter. They will probably want to see inside, so pack fish in CLEAR bags, and provide material to re-seal cooler, after they check. They should have a 'handle with care' and 'live animal' stickers to put on luggage. NEVER LOST A THING, this way!



my 450g build http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/63397-hundreds-corals-fish-free.html

 

[JillNairn]

Wondering if the clowns made the trip and if there were any hangups? I know people do this over seas all the time, but they seem to have way less restrictions.

 

[Plan>B]

What do you think the mailmen do?Also have you ever seen the back of a mail/ups truck?

True I guess

I have done so many times international from Hong Kong to LAX.

But have not done so since 9/11/2001.

Yes, I want very much to do the same again but I fear problems.

Now thinking of this... I am going to Fiji next Sept!?!?!?!:idea:

 

[JustinReef]

my 450g build http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/63397-hundreds-corals-fish-free.html
[/SIZE][/I]

What does this have to do with anything? Just a plug to get people to go check out your tank? :lol:

 

[albano]

What does this have to do with anything? Just a plug to get people to go check out your tank? :lol:

Yes, and hopefully that is the only type of plug, my tank EVER needs! :lolspin:

 

[parliament28]

Wondering if the clowns made the trip and if there were any hangups? I know people do this over seas all the time, but they seem to have way less restrictions.

Haven't done it yet. My flight back with the fish isn't until after Christmas. I'm just trying to get a handle on it to see if I'll need to pursue other options.

Albano,
Have you ever done this on US Air? I've done some reading and it seems like they might be a pain.

Check this out: http://www.secinfo.com/dWcTe.z1h.htm
Scroll down to the Live Animals section
"Live animals will no longer be accepted for travel as checked baggage, PDQ or general cargo effective Oct. 1, 2005. The policy change does not apply to service animals."

That's a dated article (August 17, 2005), but somewhat disheartening.

I appreciate the advice everyone!

 

[parliament28]

Ive done this many times flying US Air..You can check them as long as they are in a cooler and tell the agent you have live fish/coral..THEY WILL OPEN UP THE COOLER WHEN THEY SEARCH YOUR BAG!! SO HAVE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW YOU WANT THINGS LEFT if you do want them left a certain way . Most of the time when you call usair you get a different answer everytime you call so if you want confirmation call TSA they are much smarter than a us air rep!!

Sorry cidermaster, I missed the part where you mentioned that you'd done this with US Air.

Were you using an actual cooler, or were they in an styrofoam cooler inside of a box?

Thanks!

 

[kentlighting]

I know ive seen Boxes show up in the baggage claim saying LIve Tropical fish in the past year because i know my girlfriend had to talk me out of going up and opening up all the boxes to see what exciting fish were in there.....

 

[Matt850]

Thought this might be helpful... it was posted on a fresh water forum about taking fish from Hawaii to California and was dated for September 24th of this year.


"Thank you for your e-mail regarding the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) policy for carrying live fish onboard a commercial airline.

Travelers passing through security checkpoints may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols if these are in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller. All of these must be placed in one, quart-size, clear plastic, resealable bag and must fit comfortably in the bag (3-1-1 rule).

There is an exception to the 3-1-1 rule for live fish. If the fish is alive and swimming in the liquid, then the liquid is not an explosive. In addition, the container holding live fish may be larger than 3.4 ounces. The fish must be swimming in water that is contained in a clear, plastic container that is spill proof. This will allow the Transportation Security Officer to visually inspect the fish at the screening checkpoint.

However, regardless of whether an item is on the prohibited or permitted items list, the Transportation Security Officers have discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft. Therefore, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening personnel make the final decision on whether to permit items like live fish into the secured area of the airport.

Also, TSA recommends travelers contact their airlines to inquire about any additional guidelines the airlines may have regarding traveling with live fish. For the most current information on TSA security screening procedures, visit our website at www.tsa.gov.

We hope this information is helpful.

TSA Contact Center "


I would like to add that this email did not come to me. It also says it is up to the TSA official so unless you have a backup plan, you could be in trouble. I was just doing a little reading to see if I would be able to bring back some fish myself on an upcoming trip, rather than ship them to NC overnight (very costly).

 

[parliament28]

Leaving it up to the TSA officer is a little risky... I'm still planning on checking them at this point.

 

[MeuserReef]

I managed to get 2 clams from Florida to Texas as carryon.... but had to dump most of the water out before the TSA guy would let me through. Honestly, I dont know how they made it. I have had excellent results shipping UPS/USPS/FedEx Next Day, so I would probably just drop them off on my way to the airport, then meet the delivery guy at my front door the next day. Your $15 will either go to shipping, or to carry on charges

 

[wooden_reefer]

True I guess


Now thinking of this... I am going to Fiji next Sept!?!?!?!:idea:

I did bring fish back from HK. On the Custom Form I wrote, "Ornamental fish for personal enjoyment". The officer was just curious as to how they were packed to sustain life.

Once Cathy Pacific insisted that I put my fish in cargo. I thought they (Semilarvatus butterlies blue line angle and other) would all freeze but they did not. It seems a myth that cargo is unheated or I was just lucky that they were placed in a certain place in cargo.

I like to know what will happen for you.