I went from Chicago to Atlanta last October with a small cooler full of corals and fish from ReefAPalooza. I made sure they were all packed in containers that had screw on lids because the TSA agent had to test the water in each container. They initially had to call a supervisor in because the person I was dealing with said he had never encountered this situation. I personally would have never sent it in with my checked baggage because that is a rough travel for anything, much less live creatures. When I went through security I had to put the container in the xray line. Once they saw liquid, as I suspected they would do, they pulled me and my cooler to the side for private inspection. As someone else mentioned, it's probably the luck of the draw and could have something to do with the mood of the TSA agent. I was fortunate, as they unscrewed each containers lid, quickly stuck the tip of a test strip into the top of the water, looked at it, tossed that one in the trash then went to the next container with a new test strip. I was determined to make it through without having to resort to shipping them at the last minute so I was killing them with kindness. I did inquire about the test strip having any chemicals that could leach into the water but the agent assured me it would be fine. Did I trust his knowledge since he had no idea what a coral even was? Not really but I was at their mercy at the moment and just had to have faith that I would arrive home with everything unscathed, which I did.
With all that being said, had I been leaving from Atlanta I feel things may have turned out not as favorable. I fly out of ATL often, as it is my home city, and the TSA agents there wake up with thorns in their paws daily and they're determined to make sure you know they are large and in charge.
My main concern in your situation is the whole leaving from Cali thing. Cali is pretty particular about any possibility of a cancer causing agent crossing over the state line. But, if you're leaving Cali perhaps they'll gladly let you depart with them....just don't bring them in.
For the record, I was traveling via Delta so I'm not sure if your choice of airline would make a difference but I would say not, as TSA is there to offer equal hassle to every airline carrier without prejudice. (LOL)
The reason I traveled with a small insulated cooler was to help keep the temperature stable for my inhabitants. Since it was cold outside I picked up disposable hand warmers at Walmart and used newspaper from my hotel to wrap the warmers in and put them in the bottom with a wads of newspaper around the empty spaces to keep everything stable and insulated well.
Hopefully the TSA agent you encounter will be having a good day. Just keep your cool, bite your tongue (I had to chew mine off when the agent held up the first coral and announced "who knew corals were living creatures...wow?"....only the rest of the world you moron....is what I wanted to say....but I just smiled), and know everything you can about what you are traveling with and tell/educate the agent on what it is. My agent thought my corals were awesome....well....until he started asking how much they cost....then he lost interest pretty quickly...LOL. Probably best that I saved the hobby from someone that didn't even know the sea had living corals...LOL
Best of luck in your travels!
QUOTE="Artimusclyde1974, post: 7114163, member: 138316"]
I have to go to Cali for a funeral I would like to look at getting some coral or fish while there is it possible to take that on a flight with me? Does any one know it would save me a lot on shipping
It’s only a few hours flight I could probably get it boxed and insulated and check it as a bag? I just don’t know how they would feel about the liquid factor
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