Matmanhapman
Members
Well I tried to carry on 6 of my african cichlids in my carry on bag and my plan failed miserably. I did have a backup plan and that was actually executed perfectly. Here is the story:
I wanted to carry on as many africans as i could fit in my carry on bag because Im trying to transport my tank of 15 fish from MD to CO. I bought a nice carry on duffel that I could squeez 6 large fish bags in that were big enough to hold these 5-6 inch cichlids. I didnt double bag them though which was my first mistake. I also didnt put the fish in any styros, i just used 2 cardboard boxes that I fitted nicely in my duffel and I was able to squeeze 3 bags in each box. When I got to security i notified the tsa people that I had live fish and they were unsure of what to do. They called a couple supervisors who proceeded to tell me that I could not go through with them. While all this is happening I notice the bottom of my duffel is wet. I open my duffel and at least one bag is leaking because one of the cardboard boxes is all wet and water is starting to soak onto the security floor. While this is happening i notice that the bag that was leaking is starting to lose water quickly and the fish inside needed to be moved, so I start doing emergency bag work with the poor fish. Then, another tsa officer, the main guy i guess since he was dressed differently, walks up and just stares down at me as im trying to save one of my fish. He of course said no to my fish even after I tell him about rule about bringing live fish thru security. I even show him the slip from their website that says live fish are ok.
Anyway i know i didnt help the cause with the mess i made. I saw all the officers wiping the floor with towels as i left the scene, I felt so bad.
Thankfully, I was able to get the fish out of the leaking bag and into another bag and I also had to do this to another fish aswell. I was also able to give my duffel to my brother who waited for me in case something like this went wrong. I thought one of the fish was going to die when i handed the duffel to my brother and then I had to run down thru security again to catch my flight. I just barely made it.
I also checked just 1 fish in one of my checked bags by putting him in a styro, and to my surprise it arrived in Denver still in my bag and unharmed.
When I landed my mom texted me that she got all my fish safely back into my tank at home in MD. I was so relieved.
So no fish died on this crazy day and I did learn alot from what happened. I think Im best just shipping my fish out from MD to CO instead of taking them on a flight with me. hahaha
I wanted to carry on as many africans as i could fit in my carry on bag because Im trying to transport my tank of 15 fish from MD to CO. I bought a nice carry on duffel that I could squeez 6 large fish bags in that were big enough to hold these 5-6 inch cichlids. I didnt double bag them though which was my first mistake. I also didnt put the fish in any styros, i just used 2 cardboard boxes that I fitted nicely in my duffel and I was able to squeeze 3 bags in each box. When I got to security i notified the tsa people that I had live fish and they were unsure of what to do. They called a couple supervisors who proceeded to tell me that I could not go through with them. While all this is happening I notice the bottom of my duffel is wet. I open my duffel and at least one bag is leaking because one of the cardboard boxes is all wet and water is starting to soak onto the security floor. While this is happening i notice that the bag that was leaking is starting to lose water quickly and the fish inside needed to be moved, so I start doing emergency bag work with the poor fish. Then, another tsa officer, the main guy i guess since he was dressed differently, walks up and just stares down at me as im trying to save one of my fish. He of course said no to my fish even after I tell him about rule about bringing live fish thru security. I even show him the slip from their website that says live fish are ok.
Anyway i know i didnt help the cause with the mess i made. I saw all the officers wiping the floor with towels as i left the scene, I felt so bad.
Thankfully, I was able to get the fish out of the leaking bag and into another bag and I also had to do this to another fish aswell. I was also able to give my duffel to my brother who waited for me in case something like this went wrong. I thought one of the fish was going to die when i handed the duffel to my brother and then I had to run down thru security again to catch my flight. I just barely made it.
I also checked just 1 fish in one of my checked bags by putting him in a styro, and to my surprise it arrived in Denver still in my bag and unharmed.
When I landed my mom texted me that she got all my fish safely back into my tank at home in MD. I was so relieved.
So no fish died on this crazy day and I did learn alot from what happened. I think Im best just shipping my fish out from MD to CO instead of taking them on a flight with me. hahaha
