Anyone ever take a baby bird on a plane?

If so, did you pay the $125 fee the airlines are looking for? If I take in in an inconspicuous carrier how would they ever know I'm carrying on a little bird?

You can take it as "carry on" baggage on many flights. The 125$ is shipping cost as if it is cargo. You need to check with the airlines or only use an airline that allows the carry on pet. Yes you have to have a special "approved" carrier. I think Delta does allow this.

I would NOT try to sneak a bird on a plane. If they will confiscate your nail clippers and deodorant, they'll definately find your bird (and may very well confiscate him/her). And who knows what charges you may find yourself facing, given the crazy, power hungry TSA. Since everything must be x-rayed, that also poses a extreme danger to your birds health, since the machines used on your luggage are certainly not calibrated to safe levels for birds. Much better to contact the airline about PROPER procedure, and to follow said procedure. OR there may be an alternate form of travel, such as bus, driving or train (depending where you live and where your going).

I highly suggest only flying on an airline such as Delta that allows you to carry the pet on. Make sure you follow the guidelines, and be sure to let them know AS SOON as you book your ticket that you will be flying with a pet as there are regulations on how many pets are allowed on each flight. First booked first served.

Yes , let them know up front you will be carrying a bird. I've used the small plastic pet carrier but Delta makes you add screen wire over the bars/openings.BTW if they ask for health certificate,,, tell them your not insuring the bird, that's all the health cert is for.(insurance) (people will carry/ship sick birds so that they can sue the airline for crazy amounts of money when/if it dies.) the health cert says it's healthy enough to be shipped. A few bad apples make it hard on the rest of us.

gobble said:

If so, did you pay the $125 fee the airlines are looking for? If I take in in an inconspicuous carrier how would they ever know I'm carrying on a little bird?

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Please know, if you are planning to do something illegal, such as you are inquiring about, do NOT post about this on the open forum, as it will certainly have a very unhappy ending.

You've received OUTSTANING advice already, and I highly recommend you follow it.

You'll never make it past TSA with a bird, without the proper paperwork. They will stop you at the gate.

They may not confiscate your bird, but you won't make your flight, and you probably won't be allowed past the security point.

Most will allow it in the cabin under your seat, but there may be a fee involved.

I know someone who actually bought a seat for her macaw... SO THAT THE BIRD COULD TRAVEL WITH HER IN THE CABIN INSTEAD OF THE CARGO HOLD.

Yeah, macaw owners can be a little bit nuts...

Birdman666 said:

I know someone who actually bought a seat for her macaw... SO THAT THE BIRD COULD TRAVEL WITH HER IN THE CABIN INSTEAD OF THE CARGO HOLD.

Yeah, macaw owners can be a little bit nuts...

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It's not just macaw owners:54: If at all possible, I would not bring Kiwi on a plane, but if there was no other option, I would pay extra to have my baby in the cabin with me, not in the bowels of the plane with the baggage. I would also be thrilled to request a "by hand" examination of him by the TSA officers at the security checkpoint. Best of luck explaining to Kiwi why they are legally allowed to feel him up:21:

Actually, they examine they usually just run the carrier through the X-ray machine. You usually take the bird out, and hand carry it through security.

They wave the wand over them. Which a macaw will usually sit still for, but an amazon? Probably not so much... BIRD RECOILS IN HORROR AT THE SIGHT OF THE WAND: "DUDE, GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME, YOU'RE INVADING MY SPACE!"

"Sir, I understand you are just doing your job, but the only bombs my bird is carrying are the kind he releases from his butt onto your shoe..."

"...any second now!"

When we flew to Hawaii I called a lot of airlines. Some require you to buy a ticket for your pet, others allow you to put it under your seat. Again, as many people have said, you CANNOT sneak it in! This could end up with devastation and heartbreak, and likely a heafty fine and maybe even jail time. At best you will miss your flight - why would you risk that? Delta does not charge a fee for carrying-on a pet, check them out. Also, something to consider is that due to a string of pet deaths a few years ago, there are very strict regulations about pet air travel, and it is much safer than it used to be. If your baby is still unweaned (which is a topic for a different time) it might be perfectly happy under the plane as a checked bag if you cannot bring yourself to find an airline where you can carry him on. Do some calls around and find the airline that you want, and make it happen. Another option would be to drive, unless you are flying across an ocean...

Silversage, which airline did you eventually go with, when you transported your flock? It's still 2 years out before we move to the Big Island, but i'm starting to reasearch all the logistics

We went with Delta. I am going to PM you so we can communicate more directly, as it is a complicated process. Is that ok?

I use to travel all the time and met a young guy in the security line with a yorkie dressed with ribbons and bows in a Louie Voutan pet bag. They did not match each other. Turns out it was his girlfriends dog and they flew all the time and he traveled with her dog. He had a letter declaring the dog as a therapy companion by his doctor so no fees, they were waved. I was cracking up, he was a character. There is an option, service animals are allowed no fee, a companion has to be in a carrier. Rode with a lab laying on my feet once but he was allowed in the cabin because he was a service animal. You could check into companion status. I will never fly animals in cargo because I don't trust very well.