General Care Discussion :: Flying turtle

[AnnAllmighty]

Alright well, I live in Oklahoma and will be moving to California. My mother is forcing me but at least I get to take my two RES. What do I need to know? I alread read the page on traveling. I have a clear, plastic container to carry them with, do you think it's alright? Or should I get them a cat carrier? They are about and inch SCL. Do you know what airlines will let me keep the turtles in the cabin with me?

Heres the carrier that I have:


I want the best for my turtles. (:

[BullDog]

If they can both fit comfortably in that cage, that should be fine. You'll want to line it with a cloth.
As for what airlines allow pets in the cabin, you'll have to check out the various airline's websites.
I know that in Canada, Air Canada doesn't allow pets in the cabin, but Westjet does.

I would recommend even calling the airlines, and asking explicitly about turtles. On the Westjet website, they say cats and dogs, and on their "no fly list" are snakes, but nothing about other reptiles. That's definitely something you'll want to find out before you arrive at the airport

[BullDog]

Here's info for Alaska Airlines:
http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/help/f ... h-Pets.asp
Sounds like they would be allowed in the "climate controlled baggage area", but it's a bit unclear in the cabin.

Delta airlines:
http://www.delta.com/planning_reservati ... /index.jsp
Reptiles are NOT allowed in the cabin, only allowed as cargo.

[megcornell]

When I flew from NY to denver, I could not find an airline that would allow turtles on board.
They would not do well in the cargo area, I would even be hesitant to fly a dog on an airline in the "climate controlled" cargo area, but a cold blooded reptile with no temperature control would surely get ill.

[TheComputerGremlin]

You may want to consider shipping your turtles instead of bothering to fly with them. You can ship them next day and just find out the details behind the shipping process. It'd be best if you know someone to ship them to, rather than try to do it the day you are leaving. I'm skeptical about the airplane myself, as I'll be moving a turtle and a cat probably sometime in a year. Although I don't think I can ship the cat!

[AnnAllmighty]

I'll probably have to check up the airline that I'll be going with. But thank you, maybe shipping would be best. I could send them out a day before I go so they would arrive at my cousins house. Or cargo with the controlled climate, i dont know for sure yet.

[mikee]

I have checked mine in the luggage. Trying to get in overhead was a pain. My flights were no longer than 3 hours and they did fine. You have to prepare them in a styrofoam bucket with wet paper towels with vent holes. I can give you the method on how I did it, but you will have to take your chances with the airlines. I flew mine from Charlotte to Manchester NH and from Houston to Jacksonville Fla. You have to keep them warm and ventilated. The baggage compartments are pressurized but not heated.

[Dein211]

I'll be moving a turtle and a cat probably sometime in a year. Although I don't think I can ship the cat!

you could try to ship the cat though i don't think the cat would like it, lol just kidding. i agree, i would just settle with shipping. besides while the airlines might let small reptiles in your carry-on the cabin still gets pretty chilly. too bad you can't just open up a magical portal to throw all your stuff and turtles through

[mikee]

De-11 -- I was just trying to help. The airlines would not let me carry it on board. It was some time back and they may let you do it. The logic was, if they let a turtle on board with the carry on they would have to let a snake on. The trick is keeping it warm and under 3 hours of flight time. If lf you will noitice I have done it several times. I also had one shipped to me over night Fed X as a package and he did fine. It just depends on how you ship it. --

[mikee]

De-11 You can ship a cat if you are willing to pay for the cage and the fee. It is the reptile that is the problem. When checking my turtle in luggage, I alway found it easier to get forgiveness than permission. !!

[AnnAllmighty]

Mikee-
So the thing with putting your turtles with the luggage was alright? I might do that. But do I need to pay a fee for them? I think putting them in the luggage is better than shipping them. I might do that. But the flight will be maybe around 5 or 6 hours. The problem is that my turtles will try to eat the styrofoam and probably the paper towels.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Honestly, I'd contact the airline and ask them what they can do for you. Explain the circumstances, you are moving, you worry about the turtle being in the cargo hold for a number of reasons, you will have the turtle completely locked down in a styrofoam box, you would keep it in the overhead bin, the turtle can't make any noise, you promise you won't open the box at all during the flight so you don't scare other passengers. They might make some considerations for you, you never know. I wouldn't recommend stashing the turtle and hoping no one will find out, though. The last time I flew, all of my luggage was checked, both the stuff under the plane and in plane, it's getting pretty absurd with airport security. And they can confiscate the turtle and I can't imagine how much red tape you'd have to go through to get him back ...

Here's US Airways policy: http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/tr ... /pets.aspx. It honestly looks like they'll let you, so call your airline!

[mikee]

Ann-all -- The three hours was my longest flight. They were in the special box longer than that. If you want let me know and I will let you know how I boxed them up. -- Now if the airlines gets them lost or runs over the box there is nothing you can do about that.
Com Grim -- In a perfect world you could "ask" and they would try and to accomodate you, but lately they seem to say no to anything out of the box. It is easier to say no than the help someone. Good Luck!!

[AnnAllmighty]

Mikee
Alright then, tell me how you boxed them up. (:
And I think I will call the airline before my mom buys the tickets. Then I'll ask, because I don't see any harm in bringing two baby red ear sliders in, as long as I don't open the box during the flight.

[mikee]

When I check mine in luggage, I did the following. They sell a Styrofoam minnow buckets for fishing. It holds about three gallons in volume. Do not put water in it just damp paper towels. Put the turtles in with the damp paper towels and seal the top on with tape. Make sure that you put 4 – ½ inch holes in four sides of the bucket. Then put the minnow bucket in a cardboard box just big enough for the bucket and some packing paper. You want the paper to be loose enough for air to get in but not so loose that the bucket will move around. Put 4 holes in the cardboard box on four sides so the little critters can breath. Put you name and what ever is necessary to get in the luggage compartment. Mark the package as glass and put fragile stickers on. Also make sure that you do not check the box too early as they could sit out in the sun a long period of time. I hope this helps