Bringing Coral on airplane

[rookie07]

I was wondering if anyone has brought coral on a plane before?
If so how is it done?

I ahve been told to send it as Cargo, which will cost between $150-200.

Is this the only way?

If so, how many heat packs should I use for a few corals?

Thanks in advance,
Phil

 

[johnny roastbeef]

Not going to happen. They wont let you take liquids. Certainly baggies filled with salt water would raise some eyebrows.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

were you going??

 

[JimmyR1rider]

My cousin just got married last weekend- his buddy that came up from TX that has had a tank for ten years smuggled a blue hammer and a torch up here for him as an additional wedding gift- if you want I can get in touch with him and ask him how he did it.

 

[jcs11236]

you could pre 9/11.. i brought some corals from florida with no problem.. right in my carry on.. but im sure you cant anymore

 

[Lunareclipse]

You could always mail them to yourself overnight just before you get on the plane. Might even be cheaper too.

 

[albano]

Not going to happen. They wont let you take liquids. Certainly baggies filled with salt water would raise some eyebrows.

Liquids as carry on, is a problem...usually not a problem in checked baggage.
In past 4 years, I 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, a couple heat packs, 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, but you can ask about special luggage, when you go to the airport on the first flight)


.

 

[dnreef]

Liquids as carry on, is a problem...usually not a problem in checked baggage.
In past 4 years, I 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, a couple heat packs, 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, but you can ask about special luggage, when you go to the airport on the first flight)


.

Sounds about right. I've done this before. You can't bring fluids as carry-on but you can as luggage. I would definately check with the airline beforehand. Btw, I never had to pay extra.

 

[ereefer]

I work for a airline. I spoke to TSA about this very matter, and was told the following. (This will work for FRAGS, not lg pieces.) You are allowed to carry through the security checkpoint 1 1qt plastic bag filled with liquids containing not more the 3 oz. Just when you are to get into the line dump the water out of the bag into a new plastic container you can buy at Walmart that is made for airline travel (3oz). When you reach the screener, tell them it is a live animal, and can't go through the x-ray machine it needs to be hand searched. After you have been cleared for travel put the water back into the bag with the frag. Of course this will not work for international travel due to customs. I have seen as many as 5 3oz bottles in one of those 1 qt bags. Hope this helps.

 

[rookie07]

thanks for the reply. Especially those of you that actually read the post, not just the header.

Florida

I have been told by Continental that I must send it in my plane via Cargo...cost over $150...I will be fedexing it to myself the day I leave.

 

[Wolverine57]

sound like alot of work! Then what if your stuck with this live stock and they say no! I'll go with lunareclipse overnight it to yourself.

 

[emmanuel]

a friend of mine brings corals from florida all the time with a cooler in his luggage not carry on

 

[rhudgins]

Wrap them in wet paper towels and put them in a cooler. I have done this with success before

 

[johnny roastbeef]

The cooler will work, but dont forget you're likely to get banged for the additional baggage fee. That's about $35 on the major airlines (for second bag). Why hassle with it, send it fedex to yourself.

 

[rookie07]

FRITZ: I am not sure if you are mocking me, or mocking the situation. I d di laugh however, as this is a silly scenario.
J RB: That is what I was thinking.

I am concerned that I may kill them when I ship, and the plane w/ me would be alot less time traveling...but I am afraid the airline will tell me know when I get there...we Will see. I may "book" a cargo spot, and try to check the cooler...either way I am using a cooler, if it is on plane, in cargo, or fedex...I will be buying me a purdy little red/white cooler, its florida, they sell coolers everywhere!

 

[jaa1456]

Rookie, I brought back quite a few things from cancun. This was Pre 9/11. I had close to 60 hermits in a water bottle, not a clear one but a solid color one. I actually even acted like I was drinking from it. Also brought back close to 100lbs of live rock that I told them were rocks I picked up off the beach. They were curious why they were wrapped in newspaper. Also brought back a pair of clowns in seperate bottles. No corals though. Everything survived and the bottles were kept on my lap to help keep them warm. It was a very nerve racking experince though and I'm pretty sure you can locked up for it.

 

[albano]

This was Pre 9/11.

that was then...this is NOW...different world...



.

 

[jaa1456]

that was then...this is NOW...different world...



.

Yes I know as stated in my Post, I think people can read.

 

[Master Shake]

nope sepecially after 911, the fertelizer chemical incident, liquid incident and the guy who tried to inject something into his stomach and blow the plane up incident

 

[Josh]

You can check the items with water, obviously you cannot carry them on.

Do NOT label the box as "Live Animals" or anything like that. They will reject the box.