FINCHforum

I will be taking a few gouldians and canaries on the plane to New Jersey from Seattle in May 2010. Do I need to book a ticket or call the airline? What if I use a small cage as a carry-on bagage and not notify the carrier?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Anthony

Always best to check the airlines web site, and call the airline. Policies vary between airlines (and airport), so what one person tells you may not apply to the airline you will be flying.

I would think it would be OK as handcarry.
Make sure you check the size restriction on handcarry luggage, or you could be forced to put it in checked luggage.

Safest place to put it is under the seat in front of you. YOU have control over the birds there. But be careful where you sit and put the bag. On some planes, there are air vents along the side of the floor, and COLD air blows in from those vents. I wondered why my feet was so cold.

I suggest that you do NOT put it in the overhead. I've seen people shove and reposition other luggage, so the cage could end up on its side, and the birds thrown around.

I agree with Gary - check the airline's online website and call.

I know that Alaska airlines allows it but has very strange restrictions. Only two birds allowed per cage under the seat, otherwise they must be in cargo.

Each airline is different, so you need to check with them. Some do not allow birds in the cabin at all--I have been told American does not. Delta does allow birds in the cabin, but they will charge you for that. Most of the airlines are thinking parrot when they set up their bird rules--they don't have a clue what finches are like.

What if I put the birds in the carry-on baggage without letting the airline know? I am worried about the TSA seeing it when they scan the baggage. Will the TSA allow me to carry the birds with me?

I will be flying continental.

Anthony

TSA should not be concerned w a pet.
BUT I would not let them X-Ray the bird. Ask for a hand search. You may have to remove the cages, and let them scan the luggage. There sometimes is a special handling security line that you can go to.

TSA is not concerned about pets, but you can't send them thru the x-ray machine. You would have to take the carrier out of your luggage so they can inspect it separately.

Why can't the birds be X-rayed? What will happen if they go through the X-ray machine?

Anthony

I really can't say what would happen to the birds, but TSA does not allow any living thing to go thru the x-ray machine. It may be that it is too strong a setting.

Really, the best thing is to check with the airline you're flying with. I'd worry that if you try to sneak them on, the airline may not allow you to bring the birds onto the plane at all, or may fine you if they discover the birds after take-off.

Continental allows animals as carry on but the regulations are different depending on what agent you speak to.
I have heard some say you can carry on as many as 10 birds but each must be in it's own compartment.. so 1 bird in a pet carry box within a cat carrier type of thing.
Which is funny because the birds would fair better together in the pet carry box vs confined to a tiny box of their own, but their are not exactly logical all the time.

When we brought my mom's cat back from Florida we had to pay $100 to bring her on as carry on.

It was a separate charge/receipt.. but no one ever asked to see anything about what we paid or what not to bring her on board.