Air travel with my Gouldians COMPLETED!

[Jonw]

Hi again....I just flew from Spokane Washington to LA with no hitches. I had asked for advise a few months ago and many ideas were helpful.

I flew Alaska, and at their request, had my birds health checked and a USDA form signed by my Vet. I called in and secured a spot for the birds as Alaska limits the number of animals traveling with their owners on each plane.

I checked in and paid the $100.00 fee, when through security. They asked if I could take the birds out of the cage and I politely said NO. They wiped the outer cage down for bomb residue , then I opened the airline approved carrier to let them see inside. I had the birds in a separate little cage, covered with a towel to cover them from drafts. They told me they play it by ear and every situation is different. They get Majicians who take their doves out of the cage and hold them while the cages goes through xray

Birds traveled fine..nobody asked for the health certificate....

Next time I might just forget all the formalities and carry them on board, only issue I see is if they have exceeded there 'pet number' on the plane.

I did learn that people do notice the carrier and are curious as to the contents. I was asked several times if I could open the cage and let them see the birds. I quickly learned a small 'white lie' helped to avoid this..I just told them I had a snake in the cage

Anyway, all SEVEN gouldians are safe and sound and show no signed of stress so far. I had them in a small cage with two perches, millet, seed sprinkled on the floor, a cut orange for moisture, and a plastic water dish that I put filled about half way.

I'd welcome comments but found that all the rules and regulations were really not necessary..I guess I know my birds are heathy, but I knew that before I paid $49.50 for the certificate.

Anyone have the same experience?

Jon

[B CAMP]

Well glad it all worked for you ,if you didn't have the health paper they would have asked for sure

[Jonw]

Of course, I'd always play by the rules, don't know what would happen if they DID ask for the health certificate and I didn't have one....not worth the hassle to find out...
Certainly happy all went well and the birds were happy too!

Jon

[Sally]

I believe Crystal was trying to fly with birds out of California and was asked for a health certificate. She did not have one, so had to ship the birds by either UPS or USPS, can't remember which. She did a sticky about it. California has always been a little more strict than other states with just about everything.

A person I know, who shall remain anonymous, once flew with 7 finches. No mention of the birds was made, they were carried in a small shipping box inside a duffel bag. Except for going thru security, where they did a visual check of the shipping box, no one ever knew the birds were there. The duffel did not look like a pet carrier, so no one was even curious. The birds never made a single peep, as they were in the dark most of the time.

This person would not suggest that this should be done, and a few glasses of wine may be needed (by the human) to get thru it.

[BillD]

I relocated several time before 9/11 and was always asked for a health certificate on my 'kids'. Was quite an ordeal, but I'm sure it is a lot different now.

Don't think my Borzoi would have fit in a bag, but they sure would have loved sitting in my lap on the plane.