I travel quite a bit on business, and sometimes, if I have a little downtime, I stop by an LFS or two in whatever city I happen to be in. Sometimes I find something I'd like to buy, but I never have, just because I don't really know how to travel back home with the fish/coral/invert. What's the best way to get such a purchase through security and back home while flying regular commercial, U.S. domestic airlines? I'm sure there are others who frequent this forum who have tried this - tips, hints, protocols?
How does one travel - on regular commercial airlines - with marine livestock?
- Thread starter mrwilson
- Start date
Bongo Shrimp
P. ceratophthalma
I've never done it before but have thought about what I would do. I would overnight it back home and have someone get it all acclimated and in the tank for me.
bennkrys01
Member
I don't see how you would make it past security with the water.
+1 for overnighting it back home
+1 for overnighting it back home
iamwhatiam52
New member
Security will not allow liquids in carryon bags.
What if it were in a checked piece of luggage?
What if it were in a checked piece of luggage?
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
I would *not* try to get through security with livestock in water. The 3 oz. liquid restriction is still in effect. You may make it through but you may not and the resulting hassle could cause you to miss your flight.
If you don't want to overnight your animals to yourself you could package them well and check them. The cargo compartments of airliners are pressurized and are heated well enough that I think a heat pack would work to keep livestock alive. On the A320 I fly the bins run around 60f, we can see the temperature in the compartment.
If you don't want to overnight your animals to yourself you could package them well and check them. The cargo compartments of airliners are pressurized and are heated well enough that I think a heat pack would work to keep livestock alive. On the A320 I fly the bins run around 60f, we can see the temperature in the compartment.
Bongo Shrimp
P. ceratophthalma
It cannot go in a checked piece of luggage because first, it is far too cold in the cargo hold of the plane (depending on the type of plane) and second because of how they treat the bags while getting them from the plane back to you. They throw them around and some bags just get plain destroyed.
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
A lot of livestock moves on scheduled airlines, as well as freight carriers. Yes some is damaged but most is not. The rampers at sked airlines are no rougher on your stuff than the handlers at freight hubs, I've seen both in action.
Again with regard to the cold if you're concerned box your animals marked "live" and request that they be shipped as livestock. They will be put in the "pet bin" which is pressurized and heated.
Again with regard to the cold if you're concerned box your animals marked "live" and request that they be shipped as livestock. They will be put in the "pet bin" which is pressurized and heated.
iamwhatiam52
New member
Do you think "overnight" packages are treated any differently?
LobsterOfJustice
Recovering Detritophobe
I have heard that a fish in a bag would be an exception to the 3oz liquid rule because if the fish is alive in the bag it's obviously not some voliatile compound. But I'm not sure, just heard it mentioned before.
in past 3 years, have been to LA, 15 times, on at least 6 of these trips, I have returned with a 'picnic' cooler full of corals and fish. I have shops hold purchase till day of return flight, buy a cheap cooler at Target, pack it nice, all bags inside another large, CLEAR, RESEALABLE bag...bring to special/oversize luggage checkin, they may/or may not want to look inside after you tell them whats inside...they put fragile/handle with care/live animal stickers on...you're done, pick up cooler and luggage at carousel when you land! (I use United Airlines)
bennkrys01
Member
Interesting to know the experiences of others. I will keep this in mind as I fly very often and may find some treasures along the way.
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
Drat. Double post.
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
Perfect. This is exactly what I would recommend, obviously works well... And I fly for one of the scheduled airlines.
seafloor09
New member
But I thought the part of plane where the luggage was had no heat?
wayne in norway
New member
You're right, it doesn't, but it didn't either when the fish you buy where shipped from SE Asia, Hawaii or wherever. But the fish and others are sitting in polystyrene, thermally insulated boxes with (possibly) heat packs, so heat loss is minimal.
I've shipped fish in Europe by checking them in. I have a polystyrene shipping box that happens to fit in my suitcase (it's a half size box, and I use a big suitcase). Fish go in there, double bagged, and usually no heatpack, and are checked in, and that satisfies all IATA regs so no problems there with carrying it. The other hassle might be customs - but if you're internal in the US, what customs? Going back to Norway they will allow small imports for personal use, and there is no paperwork for taking fish out of a country.
I've shipped fish in Europe by checking them in. I have a polystyrene shipping box that happens to fit in my suitcase (it's a half size box, and I use a big suitcase). Fish go in there, double bagged, and usually no heatpack, and are checked in, and that satisfies all IATA regs so no problems there with carrying it. The other hassle might be customs - but if you're internal in the US, what customs? Going back to Norway they will allow small imports for personal use, and there is no paperwork for taking fish out of a country.
seafloor09
New member
What about when you ship a dog or cat, they must be in heated areas?
jmaneyapanda
Commencing hatred
The requirements for shipping mammals are far different than for shipping fish. Some people have stated success in showing the Inspector the live animal in the liquid, and being allowed to pass. However, it is at the discretion of the inspector. It was be a REAL shame to get there, have the inspector deny admission, and have a fish in a bag, with nowhere to put it. Miss your flight and return the fish to the LFS, or catch your flight, and doom the fish. IMO, cargo shipment is far more practical. Just be sure to pack it well, use a cooler, and cross your fingers. That is, of course, unless the store wont ship. Its worth asking- many do.
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