Airlines and Geckos???

[Shadraak]

Just had a thought, it's more of a curiosity more than anything, as i'm not traveling yet but i do take trips to california normally, mainly by SF area etc.. and i'm curious with things like crested and leos etc... if theyr'e housed in deli cups, has anyone ever asked or tried to put them in your carry ons? they can transport taht way just fine, same way they're shipped, and there's no risk to them getting out.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

Most airlines require animals other than cats and dogs to be shipped in the cargo area. You'll have to check with specific airlines for what they will/will not ship. I remember I tried to ship my Jackson's Chameleons here from Hawaii when we moved but the cost was astronomical (like, $200 a lizard). Each airline has different rules and such, concerning containers and crates, etc.. We ended up giving them away in the end .

 

[Shadraak]

bummer

 

[cat_named_noodles]

I would still check it out, call a few airlines. Thatw as a few years ago and maybe they are more lenient nowadays.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Just a thought but you could always ship your gecko via FedEx or UPS to your destination and it would only cost around $60.

 

[Barbel]

When I worked at a pet store a guy came in to buy a small animal carrier because they were carrying their tortoise on the plane. BUT, my dad tried to travel with a tarantula, which was safely tucked away in a critter keeper tucked in a bag, and the security wouldn't let him go through without the ticket agent's approval. As soon as she saw it, she freaked and told him no way! He said that if he talked to an agent who was less a, ahem, he probably would have gotten through. It all depends I guess.
Anyway... You would probably just need to call and ask.

 

[ajveachster]

My coworker has been checking with airlines to try to get her son's skink back to him. So far she hasn't been able to find one that will let it be brought on the plane as a carry-on item.

 

[Geckonut]

Excellent thread! I was thinking of looking into this myself so this is great. No way would I trust commercial airlines in the cargo hold with these delicate critters. If I cannot carry them on I would not do it and would just Fedex them ahead.

I would wonder more about getting through security than with the airlines. Once through security no one looks in your stuff. Security would be my main concern. Maybe you could call the airport to see if security allowed deli cupped lizards. If some of us do this maybe we can get a consensus. If they are OK with it then you're in. The airlines won't look into your carry on.

 

[Shadraak]

Excellent thread! I was thinking of looking into this myself so this is great. No way would I trust commercial airlines in the cargo hold with these delicate critters. If I cannot carry them on I would not do it and would just Fedex them ahead.

I would wonder more about getting through security than with the airlines. Once through security no one looks in your stuff. Security would be my main concern. Maybe you could call the airport to see if security allowed deli cupped lizards. If some of us do this maybe we can get a consensus. If they are OK with it then you're in. The airlines won't look into your carry on.

no but it goes thru the xray kinda hard to explain that

 

[Geckonut]

no but it goes thru the xray kinda hard to explain that

There is no XRAY at the gate (other than Hawaii). That's why if it can go through security you would be fine.

 

[M&I Gecko]

I say just try carrying it on first and if they tell you have to pay just be ready to. But then again shipping it to your destination is a good idea too.

 

[Geckonut]

OK, I just talked to TSA about this. They said that it would be OK to take the deli cups with geckos through security as long as they could see them to visually inspect them. Then you would just put them back into your carry on and you'd go on your way. As far as permission from the airlines...who cares? They do not check individual's carry ons so as long as the geckos were in there you would be OK.
I would not bring them out of your carry on in the plane as that could be an issue.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

I've traveled a lot on planes (my DH was in the Navy) and I can tell you that yes, they do have x-rays (or whatever they are) in every security check I've been through (Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Midland, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, Maui, Kaui, Oahu, Phoenix...). They even make you take your shoes off, nothing in your pockets, etc.. Sometimes if you get a marked boarding pass, which are completely random btw, they WILL go through your carry-ons, and use a hand-held metal detector on you. It's a humbling and embarrassing experience, and I've gone through it twice. Just FYI and all. But if the airport doesn't give you any grief about deli-cupped animals, do it! Or Fedex/UPS next day air.

 

[GeckoGoon]

I know people that have kept deli-cups with baby snakes in them on there carry on with no problems...
I'd still call ahead though.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

I know people that have kept deli-cups with baby snakes in them on there carry on with no problems...
I'd still call ahead though.

Yea you don't want the airlines to say NO so you miss a flight and worse confiscate them (I seriously DOUBT they would do that though, herps aren't lighters or shampoo bottles, lol).

I did, eh, "smuggle" my little sulcata onto a plane years ago when he was a hatchling. He sat in my bra till we were on bored, then I put him in my carry on and all was well. I DON'T recommend doing that, however, EVER! I was young and dumb and not going to lose my beloved tiny tortoise! :rolleyes3::blush:

 

[leoman777]

they do have x rays at airports and they will know of you have reptils in your carry on this guy was trying to smuggle reptiles from australia that were illegal to bring and this is an x ray of his carry on.

http://images.watoday.com.au/2009/02/27/398751/snakes-lizards-420x0.jpg

 

[Shadraak]

There is no XRAY at the gate (other than Hawaii). That's why if it can go through security you would be fine.

lol dont know where you go thru, but every airport i've ever went thru i've had to put my jacket, shoes, all carryons etc, thru the xray machine hehe. yes it's not at the gate it's the security checkpoint.

 

[Shadraak]

OK, I just talked to TSA about this. They said that it would be OK to take the deli cups with geckos through security as long as they could see them to visually inspect them. Then you would just put them back into your carry on and you'd go on your way. As far as permission from the airlines...who cares? They do not check individual's carry ons so as long as the geckos were in there you would be OK.
I would not bring them out of your carry on in the plane as that could be an issue.

Thanks i'll ask tsa about it as well if i ever decide to get anythign while on vacation, was just curious about it not like i'm doin it right now or anything...

i'd ofcourse ask just thought it would be a good topic and i do travel a lot, and was just curious if i wound up going to some shows or shops or something and get awesome deals i wanna figure out what to do..

ps. on the shipping thing, if i wanted them shipped i wouldn't have asked this Q i live in a very small town and the delivery guys here suck so bad always been scared, if i get problems with frozen rodents i'd hate to see what'd happen with live animals

 

[Gonser]

lol dont know where you go thru, but every airport i've ever went thru i've had to put my jacket, shoes, all carryons etc, thru the xray machine hehe. yes it's not at the gate it's the security checkpoint.

That's my point! If they OK your leos at security and XRAY, the actual gate will not bother you or check your carry on. I travel extensively.
I still recommend though that you check with the airline. If you explain that it is a tiny lizard sealed in a little plastic container so it can't get out, and it is in your carry on and costs tons of money, they will know you are likely OK.

 

[Gonser]

I did, eh, "smuggle" my little sulcata onto a plane years ago when he was a hatchling. He sat in my bra till we were on bored, then I put him in my carry on and all was well. I DON'T recommend doing that, however, EVER! I was young and dumb and not going to lose my beloved tiny tortoise! :rolleyes3::blush:

When my wife found a bra in my glove compartment, I told her it was the bra I sometimes wear when I travel so I can keep my geckos hidden in there.