Flying with Frags

Tennsquire · Nov 23, 2013

I'm sitting in a terminal at FLL waiting for a plane back to Nashville. I can see my luggage on the tarmac, wherein are two thermoses carrying frags from a local shop. They're well insulated and in individual bags, and have been in there since about 11 this morning. I've had good luck bringing frags home this way (haven't lost one yet), but you never know. It's overcast, with a light rain. I was wondering if anyone else has brought them on a plane this way before. I thought about trying wrap them in wet newspaper, and then re-bagging them after getting through security (with saltwater stored in 3 different 3 ounce bottles since there's 3 of us), but didn't want to risk having something happen at the security checkpoint. It's SO very cool being in a city that has numerous saltwater shops....

cee · Nov 23, 2013

You can legally carry them through security in water since they are live animals and require water for their survival. The trick is convincing TSA that they are alive. I've brought fish through security before with no problems. I've also brought small frags through in small bottles <1.5 oz or whatever the limit is. Back in the day, before the liquid rule, I used to bring lots of frags and colonies back from CA and Dallas as carry-on. They should be fine in your luggage; the flight is surely shorter than a FedEx trip.

pickupman66 · Nov 23, 2013

If they are zoas you can wrap them up in a wet paper towel and put in a plastic bag. I carried some back thru Boston Logan like this in September. Breezed thru security.

Tennsquire · Nov 24, 2013

I'd be worried if the TSA wouldn't accept my explanation that they were animals. I've tried to take them in the cabin before, and was told conflicting things when I called ahead of time (from it's okay, to "no saltwater anywhere on the plane"). I rented a car and drove back from FL about 5 years ago because I got turned away at the gate. In any event, it looks like all 5 frags made it with minimum damage and are adjusting to the quarentine tank.