General Care Discussion :: Airplane travelling

[Tenodera]

I have read the article on transporting turtles on this website but didn't quite find what I was looking for.

There is a chance I might be moving back to Taiwan, and I just wanted to get the facts straight.

1)I am supposed to call ahead and ask them if I can bring it.
2) If they say yes, I jump with joy
3) I get a large plastic container and put in some moist towels and put Serra in
4) I keep Serra under the seat and water her every few hours.


Does this sound right to you?

Also, Could I use one of those plastic kritter keepers to transport her? I don't have anything else that has a lid with airholes in it...

My mom said not to make such a big fuss just over a turtle, she said she can buy 10 more turtles in Taiwan....Some people just don't understand...

Any other tips I would really appreciate it.

[greek]

i also wonder the same as ice and cream might move to germany for a while next year...

i think if you call the airline and inform them about the pet they are going to be ok..
better if you have a paper from a vet saying that the pet is ok and healthy...
and also a plastic bucket with towels so that serra wont be dry and wont make noise.. there maybe troubles from irritating passengers more than from the company i think..

i hope the best for serra and a nice stay at taiwan

[Starchick]

From what I've heard, most airlines will not allow you bring a turtle onboard. You might be able to call around and find one that will but I know some people on this board have tried and were told no.

[greek]

From what I've heard, most airlines will not allow you bring a turtle onboard. You might be able to call around and find one that will but I know some people on this board have tried and were told no.

in london luton airport there was a special check in for big packagers or pets..
maybe onboard is more difficult to allow you..

[DavidY]

Whoa, that's a big move. Are you looking forward to it?

You might also have to check laws regarding importing turtles into Taiwan. Some countries will require a quarantine period if they allow them at all, especially island countries. Most airlines allow pets to be checked in. And DHL will ship live animals.

[megcornell]

When I tried to fly to Denver, NONE of the airlines I called allowed you to bring turtles aboard. I ended up having my boyfriend drive Leo across the country. I hope you have better luck.
You will also want to see if it's legal to bring turtles into Taiwan, they may not even bother with quarantine periods for reptiles, they might just ban foreign ones.
But, your plan is correct provided you can find an airline to bring Serra.
I'd show them a picture of her cute mug and that should lighten any security I would hope lol

[marisa]

I brought my RES in the opposite direction, from Tokyo to CT in the fall of 2003. The airline I flew said no to turtles, but I already had the return portion of the ticket and wasn't going to waste it, and I was fortunate to know of some people who had brought turtles and fish on airlines without the airline knowing it, after getting some opinions on how it could be done, I prepared accordingly. FYI, you don't need a large plastic container, one that that's smaller and not tall enough so your turtle can tip over is better. I knew flying out of Narita (in Tokyo) would be easier than flying out of post 9/11 US, so all I was really worried about was actually getting airborne.

If you want to do it "right," you should contact the appropriate gov. dept. of the country you're going to and find out if there's any restrictions on your turtle being admitted into the country (and what, if any paperwork is required), and you should know if the US has any issue with your species of turtle being taken out of the country (and if there's any paperwork on this end). Where your species of turtle is on CITES list is probably the determining factor (RES are no problem), although if by chance your species of turtle is considered to be "invasive" (like RES are in Australia and Europe), there will be a problem.

[SpotsMama]

Marisa, how did your turtle fare going through security? Did he have to go through x-ray? If so, were they able to see the turtle on the x-ray?

[marisa]

I don't like to really give specifics, because it sounds like I'm advocating doing something that's not above board. Tilly didn't go through an x-ray. Security in Tokyo was not as stringent as in the U.S. (I read it was tightened up a lot this spring, though). I went through a metal detector, and anything that wasn't metal didn't set off any alarms. What equipment that's now in use at US airports, I don't know. (I've heard some airports have detectors now where everything shows up, but don't know if this true). Tilly went where I went. I do know people have who put turtles and fish in carry on and sent them through x-ray. They were recognized, but I don't think anyone did anything about it (this was coming to the U.S., not leaving it).

[steve]

There are also a number of links at the end of that page that worth reading, especially http://www.1happyturtle.com/sliderlifebf.htm#Flying

Definitely call to find out what documents you need and keep a list of contacts and copies of the paperwork you will need. It might be a lot of work, but the last thing you want is for customs to take your turtle.

[Tenodera]

Ok thanks everyone! If I have more questions, I'll ask!

[marisa]

Remember, if you go and come back, you're going to have to go through the whole process again in reverse.