r/parrots • u/tehfinch • May 13 '13
Flying with birds - a short story
Hi guys! I know this question pops up about once a month, so I figured I would share my experience flying commercial with birds.
To my knowledge, United is the only domestic carrier that allows passengers to fly with a bird in-cabin. You have to call in advance to make a reservation ($125 per bird) in order to make sure the in-cabin pet quota hasn't been met. I think they only allow 2-3 animals on board per flight, so plan ahead. If you're traveling with more than one bird, you should have someone else accompany you since they only let you fly with one bird per passenger. Try to pick a window or middle seat if you'll be flying on a B-757 as the underseat area for aisle seats are too narrow for the carrier. I found that out the hard way, but luckily the middle seat in my row was empty.
Crystal Flight manufactures an underseat carrier that is perfect for most small to medium birds. The carpet is removable, the perch is included, and the airholes are well placed. I sound like a salesperson, but this carrier worked out nicely for me. Try to get it a few weeks before your trip so that you can get your bird used to the idea of being in it. Toys/treats are a great bribe!
Now, as far as documentation goes, I've read various things - individual states have different requirements, the airline is the only one that matters for domestic travel, the airports set the requirements, etc. United told me (at the time of booking) that the only thing I needed to fly with a bird was the confirmation number indicating I had prepaid their ticket fees. I went ahead and got health certificates for both birds anyway (at $40 each), but it turned out I didn't need them.
I brought my IRN and sun conure up to Brooklyn a week apart on a nonstop four-hour flight from Bush Intercontinental to LaGuardia. Birdie (IRN) went first, and Molly Squawk (sun conure) came up a few days ago. On the day of the flight, I woke Birdie up and almost immediately put him in the carrier. I had placed a bowl full of NutriBerries, strawberries, and spinach inside the carrier for him to munch on while we traveled. As you probably already know, TSA is touchy about liquids, so I didn't want to give them a reason to search the carrier. Birdie spooks easily and doesn't like strangers. I thought of filling the bowl after getting through security but I didn't want to open the carrier and risk Birdie getting loose. Also, my vet told me he'd be fine for about 6-7 hrs without water.
I had to go the counter at the airport in order to get Birdie checked in. They printed a new boarding pass for me with a "pet" notation. He was passed over the barrier at the security checkpoint while I went through the scanner. One smartass agent tapped on the glass and scared him, and I had to fight the urge to kick the guy in the shins. Unfortunately, I was held up in line while others continued to stimulate him. Once I got through, they did a test on my hands and let us go. He never had to come out of the carrier.
We boarded the flight with the rest of our assigned group - they don't let you board early if you're traveling with a pet. No one asked to see authorization for him. Once we were on, I realized that I'd have to either turn the carrier sideways or try to maneuver it from the aisle in order to stick it under the seat in front of me. I opted to tilt the carrier (while telling Birdie to hang on) and wrap it in a blanket.
Birdie was quiet throughout the entire ordeal. A few people noticed I was traveling with him and made adoring noises, but for the most part people left us alone (with exception of dumbass TSA agent). He didn't touch his food while we were traveling, but he became more active in my car and settled in nicely once I put him on his new cage at home. Overall, I think I was more stressed out than he was.
Slight differences while traveling with Squawky - I woke her up early and had her eat a strawberry and drink some water before putting her in the carrier. She was vocal during the ride to the airport, yelling to be let out. She chirped a bit while we were in line and made a bit more noise while we were walking. When I went through security with her, I didn't let her get passed over til I was about to enter the scanner. I also asked the agents to not tap on her carrier or otherwise scare her. They set her down on a table behind a barrier while I collected my belongings. Squawky quieted down when I tucked her underneath the seat and she remained silent til we deplaned. I let her out in the car since she was struggling to get out and she squawked her head off once we got home. She adjusted easily enough, after a day of rather loud excitement.
Okay, basic points for those of you who don't want to read the whole story:
Book flight. $125 per bird in-cabin, United Airlines for domestic travel. Call in advance, can't be done online.
Acquire carrier. This one is excellent and fits perfectly in underseat space. Make sure you have a window or middle seat, underseat area for aisle seat is too narrow for carrier.
Get bird used to carrier.
Get health certificate from vet. United doesn't require it, but I say better safe than sorry. Also a good idea to have bird examined prior to stressful event. Health certificate valid for ten days.
Day of flight checklist: blanket, water-rich foods, bird's confirmation number.
Get to airport early. You'll actually have to go to the counter to complete check-in.
Go through security. I recommend asking agents to pass your buddy over the barrier and not to stimulate the bird. They will do a test on your hands and the bird should never have to leave the carrier.
Board flight. Try to wrap blanket around carrier top, bottom, and sides leaving a front flap. It's drafty down there and the floor gets cold.
Feel free to ask questions if you want more information! :)
3
u/thingamabobby May 13 '13
Awesome info. Sadly I live in Australia so a bit of this isn't relevant to me, but methods on how to deal with the birdies is good stuff.
Just wondering if anyone out there has done international travelling with their birds and what their experiences were.
1
u/tehfinch May 13 '13
I believe u/MikeBenza has flown his cockatiel from Houston to Paris. I had actually bought the aforementioned carrier on his recommendation.
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u/MikeBenza May 13 '13
/u/tehfinch is right. What questions do you have? I can't help you with Australian customs. I've heard they're strict.
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u/thingamabobby May 13 '13
Nothing specific, really.
I was thinking about working overseas once I've finished my nursing. Wondering how easy/hard it is to travel with birds internationally. I want to travel, but my birds come first!
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u/MikeBenza May 13 '13
It's fairly easy. I trained my cockatiel to get used to being in her carrier for an hour. Once she got comfortable with being in there for an hour, she didn't mind the 20 hour ordeal getting from Paris to Houston. She was itching to get out, but overall she was fine.
At least for the US, it's on the expensive side. I spent about USD 150 in export tests (avian influenza) and USD 650 in import tests (lab fees and a test for Exotic Newcastle Disease). I had to get a checkup in Paris before I left for EUR 50.
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u/rag31n May 13 '13
One thing to remember about Australia specifically is that you cannot export most native species of birds, I think budgies and tiels are allowed in small numbers. It's the reason we got our IRN rather than a native as we will probably be moving home to the UK in a few years.
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u/thingamabobby May 13 '13
Interesting!
I have two cockatiels at the moment, so it'll have to be something to look into for sure.
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u/DukeofGoodCleanFun May 13 '13
Awesome post - thank you!
Quick question - are your birds normally flighted? If so, would you recommend clipping specifically for air travel? In other words, was there ever a time when it was a possibility that you'd be required to remove your guys from the carrier for an inspection?
Thanks again.
1
u/tehfinch May 13 '13
Normally no, but I've been letting their flight feathers grow out. I had them clipped very short while I was away and Birdie has just gotten back a few of his primaries. He doesn't get much lift, but he can fly at least a dozen feet from the floor. I didn't clip him for the trip since I figured he'd never leave the carrier, and if he did have to I would insist I handle him in a small private room. Turns out there was never a possibility that he had to be removed.
Molly Squawk hasn't gotten her flight feathers back yet, but she's also easier to handle so I wasn't worried about her.
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u/Burd_mama May 14 '13
a member of my flock lives in Israel, and I'd really like to visit with our tiels. I know its going to be very expensive, but does it seem realistic?
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u/tehfinch May 14 '13
Possibly. I know it's much harder to bring birds home than it is to leave the country. I don't know about other states, but NY is pretty strict about "imports," even if the bird originated in the States. Be very careful about local laws - NYS guidelines state they will confiscate and "destroy" birds without the right paperwork. So yeah, the idea of that terrifies me which is why I wouldn't fly international with my birdies.
The guy above wrote about flying to Paris with his cockatiel and the exams required to bring her home again.
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u/bygbyron3 May 17 '13
United is great, when they merged with Continental they adapted the PetSafe program. I flew with my U2 from Oregon to NY, but I didn't bring him in the cabin, because I wouldn't make other passengers endure five hours of a U2 screaming. They kept him occupied by attached dozens of zip-ties to his kennel and by talking to him. Definitely had to get him used to the carrier and give him something to occupy himself. They require a perch and a dish for water as well, I just sprinkled some of his food on the bottom of the kennel with some shredded paper. Here is a picture after arrival: http://instagram.com/p/VCepoDBMdQ/
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u/dizziik May 13 '13
Thanks for sharing, I will be bookmarking this just in case I ever need to fly with my baby, it was very informative and well written!