NANFA-- NANFA:Re Wade's Question

Jeffrey Fullerton (tcmajorr_at_westol.com)
Sun, 12 Jan 2003 02:07:46 -0500

I've managed to get fish thru airport security back in the 1980s with no
trouble. Even when the unusual appearance of a water fileld tupperware
container aroused suspicion of the screeners I simply declared them and
there was never any problem. Eventually I just openly declared
everything up front and had no problems. That saved having to expose
fish to xrays- though the gambusia and store bought blackbanded
sunfishes I brought from California in 87 spawned generations of
offspring in my ponds and there were never any deformities noted.

Even before 9-11 I started to mail fish home or to others from my trips
to Florida in the mid to late 1990s. I've also used air cargo which is
great for fish though expensive - about $30 per container in 1997. Best
thing about it is if you time it right- send the fish the day before
your flight they will be waiting for you at your destination. If you
send them the day of your flight you may have to wait around for them
like I did for some turtles at National in DC after my return from the
93 Expo in Orlando.

In the post 9-11 world I advocate going by the book in regard to
transporting fish and reptiles on the airlines. That means checking to
make sure they will allow you to hand carry fish and no more "pocket
express" (small snakes and turtles double bagged in your coat pocket)
for herps!

Otherwise you might be subjected to alot of misery, miss your flight and
loose the fish or animals that you have come all that way to collect or
purchase.

Jeff
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