Traveling with frags?

[ndz98]

I'm in Florida right now and I know of this one pretty good lfs that has a ton of frags and good deals. I'm leaving to go back home tomorrow and for the past few days I was thinking of buying some and bringing them back with me on the plane. Obviously they will have to be in a checked bag since it will exceed the liquid limit. I've checked the tsa rules and it looks to me like it shouldn't be a problem to put in my bag. My idea was that I can get them from the lfs and then put the plastic bags of coral in a styrofoam box then into my bag. I estimate that the coral will only be in the box for maybe 5-6 hours tops. Does it sound like a feasible plan or does it just sound crazy? Any of you ever tried this?

 

[thenanoreef]

From my knowledge of traveling and airplanes, you face a few problems. First, TSA will probably not be too happy with you. They will definitely want to inspect your bag before it even goes on to the luggage guys. This could result in the TSA confiscating the package or at least messing up the contents of the suitcase pretty badly. Secondly, To my knowledge, the cargo section of planes is not pressurized (some one correct me if I'm wrong) The issue is not of being in the air at a high altitude, but the decent which could cause some pressurization issues (this is a possibility, just make sure the coral bags are clamped close. A rubber band definitely won't cut it). With all this said, many major coral dealers ship all across the United States everyday, I would just double and triple check the packaging to make sure all is well. Good Luck!

 

[pugcrush]

My idea was that I can get them from the lfs and then put the plastic bags of coral in a styrofoam box then into my bag. I estimate that the coral will only be in the box for maybe 5-6 hours tops. Does it sound like a feasible plan or does it just sound crazy? Any of you ever tried this?

Yes, that's all I do. Remember, even a flight across the country is much shorter than an 'overnight' shipment to your house. I'd just ask them to double bag, etc just like it was shipped.

 

[ndz98]

From my knowledge of traveling and airplanes, you face a few problems. First, TSA will probably not be too happy with you. They will definitely want to inspect your bag before it even goes on to the luggage guys. This could result in the TSA confiscating the package or at least messing up the contents of the suitcase pretty badly. Secondly, To my knowledge, the cargo section of planes is not pressurized (some one correct me if I'm wrong) The issue is not of being in the air at a high altitude, but the decent which could cause some pressurization issues (this is a possibility, just make sure the coral bags are clamped close. A rubber band definitely won't cut it). With all this said, many major coral dealers ship all across the United States everyday, I would just double and triple check the packaging to make sure all is well. Good Luck!

Yea that was one risk I thought of. I figured out good ol friends at the tsa would probably want to check it out. The pressurization thing though actually is a good point. Maybe others have something to say about that? I don't plan on spending a crazy amount of coral. This would be more of a test run. If all is good when I get home I'll probably buy more next time I'm in Florida.

 

[ndz98]

Yes, that's all I do. Remember, even a flight across the country is much shorter than an 'overnight' shipment to your house. I'd just ask them to double bag, etc just like it was shipped.

I think I'm more worried about the tsa because atleast when companies ship coral it probably says something like live animals or something along the lines of that. I'm just going to have a plain styrofoam box so I feel like they might think it's suspicious.

 

[Tegridy Reef]

I've done and first I checked with my airlines mine was frontier and they for some reason didn't allow strofoam. So I bought a thermos worked like a charm and all I did was put bags in and stuffed with newspaper. And the thermos kept the temp
So if going to buy from store I'd just ask them to pack it like they were shipping it to u or u can things to looks for is the temp changing so possibly put heat packs in but if the store ships they could def help u out with that and I check it with my luggage in my suitcase I did and had no problems

 

[ndz98]

I've done and first I checked with my airlines mine was frontier and they for some reason didn't allow strofoam. So I bought a thermos worked like a charm and all I did was put bags in and stuffed with newspaper. And the thermos kept the temp
So if going to buy from store I'd just ask them to pack it like they were shipping it to u or u can things to looks for is the temp changing so possibly put heat packs in but if the store ships they could def help u out with that and I check it with my luggage in my suitcase I did and had no problems

Didn't allow styrofoam? Lol that's weird. I was thinking heat packs but didn't want it to get too hot.

 

[Tegridy Reef]

Didn't allow styrofoam? Lol that's weird. I was thinking heat packs but didn't want it to get too hot.

Yeah that was that company of course and I'm sure if I would of put it in my suitcase they wouldn't of said anything but yeah was surprised by that to and only put heat packs if we're u r coming from or going to is cold in my opion they also can't be packed to tight they need oxygen to heat up

 

[pugcrush]

Didn't allow styrofoam? Lol that's weird. I was thinking heat packs but didn't want it to get too hot.

I was going to add, I use small insulated coolers (like lunch bags). There's some flexible ones out there so I end up double/triple bagging them. Then just pack clothing around it doesn't bounce around at all. As the previous post said, thermos work really well also & that'll be leak proof (space can be limited though depending on what they're in). If you're buying day of travel, you don't need much water though. Also, as far as marking 'live animals', I think the airlines folks freak out if anything. If you mention it to the airline that you got some coral, that's an easy way for them to double charge you for your luggage, so keep quiet (read about this many times from first timers).

If I go to a swap, I'll just leave some of the goodie bag handouts in there & they'll see its all fish stuff anyways. I really wouldn't worry about it. I always check my luggage after landing just to be sure.

 

[ndz98]

I was going to add, I use small insulated coolers (like lunch bags). There's some flexible ones out there so I end up double/triple bagging them. Then just pack clothing around it doesn't bounce around at all. As the previous post said, thermos work really well also & that'll be leak proof (space can be limited though depending on what they're in). If you're buying day of travel, you don't need much water though. Also, as far as marking 'live animals', I think the airlines folks freak out if anything. If you mention it to the airline that you got some coral, that's an easy way for them to double charge you for your luggage, so keep quiet (read about this many times from first timers).

If I go to a swap, I'll just leave some of the goodie bag handouts in there & they'll see its all fish stuff anyways. I really wouldn't worry about it. I always check my luggage after landing just to be sure.

I like the lunchbox idea. I might try that. I'm not going to be too worried about if something goes wrong because like I said this is going to be like a test run for me. If the water leaks or something like that what's the worst that happens? I have some wet clothes lol. I am going to try my best though to make sure they get there alive without any problems.

 

[ndz98]

I do appreciate all the replies and suggestions so far!

 

[JimSWreef]

I traveled from virginia to alaska with over $600 in coral. They all made it. Just had them double bag and not overfill with oxygen. Placed heat pads in box and put fragile stickers all over the box. They made it fine. I checked it under the plane.

 

[ndz98]

I traveled from virginia to alaska with over $600 in coral. They all made it. Just had them double bag and not overfill with oxygen. Placed heat pads in box and put fragile stickers all over the box. They made it fine. I checked it under the plane.

Did you tell them not to overfill with oxygen because of the pressure change?

 

[JimSWreef]

Did you tell them not to overfill with oxygen because of the pressure change?

Yes actually... I was afraid the bags would over pressurize and pop. Worked out well!

 

[Eric G]

Ive been to the last 8 or so MACNAS and brought coral home every time, never had any problems. Every time tho the tsa opened the styrofoam cooler in my checked bag.

 

[ndz98]

Ive been to the last 8 or so MACNAS and brought coral home every time, never had any problems. Every time tho the tsa opened the styrofoam cooler in my checked bag.

I made it easy for them. I only have a few clothes around them. Nothing clunky in there for them to mess up or have trouble with.

 

[Mark3]

If you got time, go to a sporting goods store, like Bass Pro or something you can buy a large box for about $20 and they have smaller, that are Styrofoam lined. Airlines take them every day. Then it is insulated and water tight...they fly them everyday.

P.S. This box was checked luggage that is stamped LAX to Tampa Florida....give you an idea of where I live.
Airlines won't take just a Styrofoam box, as it would crush and break up, must be inside a cardboard box.

 

[ndz98]

If you got time, go to a sporting goods store, like Bass Pro or something you can buy a large box for about $20 and they have smaller, that are Styrofoam lined. Airlines take them every day. Then it is insulated and water tight...they fly them everyday.

P.S. This box was checked luggage that is stamped LAX to Tampa Florida....give you an idea of where I live.
Airlines won't take just a Styrofoam box, as it would crush and break up, must be inside a cardboard box.

I see what you're saying there. I actually just left Tampa lol. I only got one frag so I used a lunchbox and surrounded it by clothes. You must have had a ton of coral in the thing though man!

 

[ndz98]

I see what you're saying there. I actually just left Tampa lol. I only got one frag so I used a lunchbox and surrounded it by clothes. You must have had a ton of coral in the thing though man!

Actually just left as in a few hours ago haha

 

[Mark3]

Great, it sounds like all must of worked out OK then.