Florida

When I was in Arizona a couple years ago, I picked up a few frags and a mini carpet nem. I asked for extra bags and bought a gallon of extra saltwater, then the morning of the flight, I rebagged them with some fresh saltwater. I double bagged each one and put them in a very small tupperware (in case of leak) and put it in my suit case in the middle of all my clothes. I did include the receipts for everything in the tupperware with the corals, just in case it was opened for inspection they could see what it was and not freak out.

Everything made it home and did great.

 

I inquired about similar desires (to bring stuff home) from Los Angeles in November, and Tampa just last week. The fish shops were mixed in their experiences. About half of the people say that they know of people recently that had the stuff pulled from their luggage and held by TSA or the airline, or had to pay extra fees from the airline for having live fish & corals in the cargo hold (Delta is one that charges a LOT extra for shipping so they want their money)... The other half say that they know of "a person" that has done it, but rarely more than just 1 person, and those were many times at least a couple of years ago if not all the way back to pre-9/11.

So I have yet to do anything about it myself.

Your best bet is to call the TSA folks at the airport that you will be leaving from, and also contact the airline since the TSA will report anything unusual to the airline. If everything checks out ok, then go for it. I fly Delta almost exclusively for work and despite my Medallion status with them and everything (not that it really should make a difference) but they told me that it wouldn't be permitted without paying a "pet shipment fee" from one call to them, and another call talking to some other rep from Delta said that it *might* be ok, but that they wouldn't say if it would be permitted or not since it is dictated by people at the local TSA and the local Delta folks.

So you can give it a shot and report back, but like I said, make the calls first, get names of the people you talked to and find out if you can get the name of a representative from the TSA and the airline that will be working at the time that you plan to check your luggage. Ask the person on the phone to contact that person and to make sure that they are all up to speed and you should be ok.

I know that it sounds like a lot of work, but if you spend a chunk of money on corals or fish, you don't want to roll the dice without at least having the odds better than 50/50...

 

I just made the trip to AZ spring of 2011, so it wasn't too long ago. Strict airport security was already in effect, which is why I included my receipts and made sure it wouldn't leak. I didn't want to be the cause of a big scare...

That said, I also didn't ask or announce what was in my luggage since it wasn't hazardous to anyone and I didn't specifically see it as a restricted item. Had they come across it in inspection, I don't know what would have happened.

 

Given the TSA's record I can see them declaring your coral a weapon because of the stinging nematocysts and taking you into a room for a cavity search to check for sea cucumbers and call the FBI.

 

LOL. I never said that they would think that the corals were hazardous, but the TSA squawks about 3oz liquids or gels in your carry-on, they WILL wonder about the larger liquid quantities in your suitcase. Again, not saying that they will have a problem, or honestly, if they are really even paying attention. As for the airline, they want money for transporting live animals, thus their interest.

Again, I am not saying that it can't be done, but until I hear first hand from someone that did it and it wasn't just "I put stuff in my suitcase and never got caught", I would be cautious about spending too much money. Then again, you may end up only having to play dumb on the receiving end and say "I didn't think that it would be a problem since it was sealed up in my luggage". Some of these people and places are actually nice and more understanding.

Alaska Air states:
Live and Fresh Fish and Seafood is acceptable as checked baggage provided all packaging and labeling requirements are met by the customer. Customers also have the option of pre-booking live fish and seafood as pets traveling in the baggage compartment; however, they would be assessed the higher fare and the shipment would have limited liability due to the perishable nature of the goods.

Delta:
Reptiles, amphibians and fish are accepted only as air cargo, not as carry-on or checked baggage. Shipments must comply with the container requirements of the current edition of the IATA Live Animal Regulations.

Southwest as a lot of info about cats and dogs, and the only mention I see from their website is for fish and seafood that you plan to eat, but just that it needs to be ready to be inspected, not that they have any problems with it.

So maybe...

Then again, I saw this when I looked up Southwest specifically:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110719082909AA3YAoL

You could always make the calls to the airline and TSA at the airport you are flying back from, and just don't give them your name right away. Ask about their specific policy on it. If it is real easy, then just be on the "up and up" with them and do it right. If it sounds like a pain, then roll the dice if you choose.

 

If the FBI comes looking for me... none of the above ever happened!

 

LOL

 

Interesting, I am headed out to San Diego here in about 3 weeks and taking my trip through American Airlines. I will have to call them up and maybe see what they say about me bringing a few pieces back from Cali.

 

That may like a sea cucumber Dr. Jellyfinger, but I assure you its just a turd...

 

Sorry, i cant be allowed around bathroom humor. I just fold everytime (i laugh every time i look at my cuke)

 

So, it has been a little over a week since you got to Florida. What ever happened?

 

LOL