Taking Betta on a Plane?

Meeper

Meeper

AC Members
Jun 24, 2006
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Hi everyone! First Newbie post!

I'm giving one of my precious thoroughbred bettas to Seattle to give to my fiance's family as a way to appease them (his mother hates me). They already have two koi ponds and have owned bettas in the past, so they're experianced with both large and small fish care. Only problem is that I'm taking him on the plane with me. Seeing as I have no choice, and I am NOT about to send him through the mail (I've heard horror stories), should I be aware of anything? I've read about pressure changes killing the fish and the damage xraying could do, not to mention them not even allowing him on. But I've also read that if his carrier can fit under my seat, then he'll be allowed in. Anyone want to give advice on packaging, general care, ect. on the flight? It's only a few hours (3 tops) so it's not like he'll be overly stressed...

So what should I do? Any ideas? :help:
 
I'd put whatever kind of tote you are using into a cooler (soft sided probably, and as close to a tight fit as possible). If you are taking things onto a plane that cannot be x-rayed, they will look through them by hand at request (at least in my experience). They do that for video equipment and other optical electronics that would be harmed, I think. I don't know how a fish will reacte to pressure changes though. It isn't too drastic a change a plane as far as I know. Enough to be noticed, but not to cause harm.
 
I'd consider if it's wise to give a fish to someone who hates you. They might project their hatred towards you onto the fish. Just a thought...
 
Only his mom hates me. The rest of the family is fine with me. Besides, she's not the type to strike at a fish. >>; She's not that cowardly.

Anyway, thanks for the :idea: . You really helped. ^^
 
Sorry, I had to laugh at the idea of your betta sitting on a plane. So cute.
 
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Why not just buy them a Betta from one of the LFS in the area? You also need to make sure the airline will let you travel with a fish. They may have an extra fee to transport animals.
 
Flying Fish

Check Google under TSA, fish, and carry on. Somewhere in there you'll find stories by and about a young woman who tried to get her tiny pet Betta through a TSA security screening at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration shock troops detained her, and one of their Oberfuhrers, who pointed out that they are free to make policy in each situation, told her that she was forbidden to bring a live fish on the aircraft, that doing so would be helping Osama Bin Ladin and the Terrorists, and that she should take the evil fish into the ladies loo and flush it for the sake of God, Country, and the American Way Of Life.

The girl in this situation described how she pretended to do so, but actually smuggled the fish on board. This was a while ago, and it's possible she is now in Guantanamo, or hiding with the Taliban in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Check it out on line if you doubt me. If I'm lyin' I'm flyin'.
 
It's the priciple behind it. She keeps blabbering on and on and on about all the sacrifices she's going to make for letting me stay up there for a week, so I figure that if I return her 'struggles' with something I put far more effort into, it'll go through her head.

Besides, I could never find another like this one at a LFS. Amon's an black and red butterfly delta with blue irridenscent streaking, the pick of the litter! I bred his parents not only for their beauty, but their hardiness, and I know he'll survive.

I know it's horrible to put my prized fish on the line simply to prove a point, but the level of trust I'm putting in them is immense. I hope his mother realizes that and doesn't let her paranoia get the better of her.

Anyway, thank you.
 
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agilis said:
Check Google under TSA, fish, and carry on. Somewhere in there you'll find stories by and about a young woman who tried to get her tiny pet Betta through a TSA security screening at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration shock troops detained her, and one of their Oberfuhrers, who pointed out that they are free to make policy in each situation, told her that she was forbidden to bring a live fish on the aircraft, that doing so would be helping Osama Bin Ladin and the Terrorists, and that she should take the evil fish into the ladies loo and flush it for the sake of God, Country, and the American Way Of Life.

The girl in this situation described how she pretended to do so, but actually smuggled the fish on board. This was a while ago, and it's possible she is now in Guantanamo, or hiding with the Taliban in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Check it out on line if you doubt me. If I'm lyin' I'm flyin'.
Click to expand...

That is quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever heard. ...sad thing is, I believe you. :thud:

I've checked it out with some of the other airlines, and they don't seem to mind, probably because some of them have enough common sense to conclude you can't put a bomb inside of a fish. --;
 
You would be better off mailing it overnight on the day you left. That way you would be there when it arrived. If you pack it well and ship it express it will be fine. That way you won't have to deal with the hastle of the airlines.
 
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