Guys!
I just brought back 5 colonies today from miami and at least 20 frags! You prep them for shipment, you freakin make sure that they DON'T leak all over your clothes, and you put them in your suitcase. You CAN'T bring them on as a carry on, but you can definitely check them into your baggage. I've gone to FL at least 6 times in the past year (I'm from Miami), and I've brought back nice corals EVERY time without a hitch! I usually get to the airport 1 hr and 45 mins prior to my flight, check my bag in, and ask to speak to the TSA, AFTER I tell the airline person about my crazy hobby! Another great reason to tell the airline person about this, even prior to TSA, is that they also label your luggage as "FRAGIL," which will not get your luggage on the belly of the plane (which bakes your corals nicely. If you've ever grabbed your luggage from the conveyor belt and ever wondered why it was warm!), also, they won't throw it around like a bag of cement, when you're bringing back your babies with you! When speaking with TSA, I just tell them that I'm transporting corals from my parents home in Miami to my Apt in NYC, and that I'd like to make myself available to open or reseal the bags should they want to inspect them. They ONLY onpened my stuff ONCE. They usually NEVER look. Plus, IF they DO look, and you're NOT there to reseal and repackage, you can COUNT ON WEARING your corals nicely, since they will MOST DEFINITELY NOT close them back properly!
My $.02. If you're bringing corals in from Brazil, Central America, or the Caribbean, hit me up and I'll share with you how I've brought them in Internationally! :smile:
Luie