Shipping bird via airlines

An old family friend has a Senegal Parrot who is a total sweetie but hates being in cars. Unfortunately her father's company has him relocating to a small town in Texas. They currently live in Ohio.....

She's stuck between driving with him in the car or shipping him via Delta Airlines.

It's an almost 19 hour drive from her town in Ohio to Texas, but only about a 2.5 hour nonstop flight. Her father who would be heading to Texas earlier the week before, would pick her bird up. She talked to the airline and they assured her everything would be 'fine' as long as she had the proper carrier and the bird has vet clearance. She was also told the bird was to 'big' to be a Carry On if she chose to fly with him.

I would be terrified to ship a bird!! But I'm also not sure if 18+ hours in a car is a good idea. Her vet recommends shipping but she's nervous. And so am I.

What's your opinion? Any experience ?

I have no experience shipping my birds, but an opinion derived from working within the airline industry. My biggest concern is the chain-of-custody at two points: The departure from the planeside terminal to the aircraft until it is boarded inside the cargo pit, and the deplaning process until the crate arrives inside the holding area at destination. Primary concern is temperature outside the aircraft, and the short period between boarding until the engines are started and cool air is distributed. The airborne aspect is normally uneventful as modern cargo pits are pressurized and climate controlled much as in the cabin. I am surprised your friend was informed a Senegal is too large for the cabin as carry-on, as it should fit inside a carrier sized to fit below the seat in the row ahead.

All of that said, the majority opinion will suggest flying a bird as cargo is safe, particularly on Delta. I'll just summarize it is reasonably safe, but temperature at origin and destination is critical. Many airlines have temperature limitations for acceptance.

Hi. I'm not sure why someone would tell your friend the bird is too big to fly with her, should she decide to carry bird on plane with her. If the airline permits a bird in a carrier in the main cabin, your friend sould have no problem fitting a senegal in a comfortable and safe "airline approved" carrier. I fly with my Blue-Crowned Coure. And when Pritti was alive, I flew with him, a Cherry-Headed Conure. As far as I know, a BCC is several inches longer than a senegal, but about the same body size. I use a hard-sided carrier that I've seen in most bird shops -- brick & mortar, and online. It has spots to affix a perch, food and water dishes, and space for toys. It fits fine on floor in front of my feet or on my lap. If there is any way your friend can choose to fly, that would be my first choice if it were me. Delta offers some kind of special care service for birds, so in an extreme situation, I would resort to that if the bird truly can't spend the time in the car, and if your friend can't fly.

I'm having a difficult time believing that a senegal wouldn't fit into a carrier small enough to be a carry on. Perhaps the airline employee was confused as to the size of a senegal?

There are specialist pet moving companies, albeit mostly it is dogs but could be worth the time to research this?

Flying with Pets | Travelling with Pets | Virgin Atlantic

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/tazine/0810/moving-overseas-with-pets.shtml

As a general statement, all States allow 'PET' Parrot transport. That said, there are a few States that disallow specific species. Check the State of Texas for any Parrots that they are not currently allowing.

Micro Chip, Band, or Tattoo: If the Parrot has any of these physical identification items, assure that they are clearly noted and clearly provide any specific numbers or design on the Avian Vet documents.

YES, Avian Vet! Most all States request that a Parrot have a complete Well Parrot examination within a specific time period prior to the arrival. Normally, this is with in 2 - 4 weeks of arrival and would include a full spectrum blood test and any additional tests that would be specific to the State you are leaving from, going to, or going though. As hinted above, the majority of States will state that the Documents are signed by a Certified Avian Vet.

Shipping with Documents: Ensure that you make several copies of the documents. Include two complete set with the Parrot /Carrier including all shipping documents and full contact information on both ends of the flight (if the Parrot is lost in Shipment!). The goal is that regardless of what happens, the Parrot and Carrier have all documents included. Place them inside a protective flexiable plastic cover and using shipping tape, tape them to the inside bottom and outside bottom of the Carrier (Yes, clearly over kill, but stuff happens!).

Extra Documents: Have a complete set with the individual delivering and picking-up the Parrot. NOTE: Although not required, Strongly Recommend that recent pictures of the Parrot are part of this set. Helps to prove that you are providing /picking-up this specific Parrot. On the Arrival Side this can be a major problem if the person picking-up the parrot is not someone they know well. Most all Pets, after this ordeal, are high vocal when they see their Human!

A thick towel on the inside bottom of the carrier should control any Bird Poop. Also, providing open water for during shipping is a waste of time, since it will be spilled before the Parrot gets out of the Processing Area! Provide a couple of half Apples or like nature hard casing fruit in place of the Water.

Make a Dry Run at the take-off and arrival Airports! KNOW exactly where to bring and pickup the Parrot BEFORE hand. Since it is very rarely the same place Humans use. This will save major amounts of time and confusion if you just show-up and then have to find it. Commonly, its the Freight Terminal. Do a test run so you know for sure and double check separately with the specific Airport. Dry Runs Save Lots of Time!

As stated above, there are very specific temperature ranges that nearly all Airlines will not ship during. Commonly Mid-Fall to Mid-Spring are safe period. Late-Spring to Early Fall can have temperature that would not allow shipments. Summer, well in Texas, that an issue all Summer. Far too many Lawsuits involving dead Pets that the industry are really watching temperature.

Hope this helps!

She was told the cage had to be able to 'fit under the seat in front of her'. But they don't think a carrier big enough to be comfortable would fit. She also made sure Senegal were allowed in the state. @BeatriceC, I'm wondering the same...

I told her maybe she should go in to the airport with photos and her carrier to book the flight so they can actually see how big Bean is. This way they KNOW what she's looking at shipping. She was told it would be best to ship on a Monday, something about less people travelling. They would board Bean on a nonstop flight straight to the airport in Texas where Bean would be unloaded first then taken to the pickup spot. She was told it was strongly recommended that her father be there 20 minutes before the flight is set to arrive and have proof of ownership, a copy of the vet papers, photos, his Driver's License, and a copy of the ticket stub just in case he is asked for it to be sure no stranger picks her up.

I've personally never been to Texas but I can only imagine it's hot! They are planning on leaving for end of September/beginning of October. She has some time to make sure everything is right. I'll give her the info everyone has shared!! THANK YOU ALL!! @ SAILBOAT- that all helps tremendously!

I'm hoping it's a miscommunication and she can fly with Bean. Bean is a baby and everyone, especially Cassie, would be devastated if something happened. She wants the best for her little 'Green Bean' .

Thank you all,
From Cassie D. and Bean!

I think I would call back and speak to a different agent, then make it clear that a Senegal can comfortably travel in a carrier about half the size of a small cat carrier (for a short time, anyway). My guess is that the agent heard "parrot" and thought about amazons and/or macaws, not realizing that parrots come in all kinds of sizes. Many people don't know that.

Just concerning temperatures here in Texas, It's still going to be about in the high 80's low 90's that time of year, and much hotter on the tarmac.

CherylCali

Oh yes, Texas is hot and humid in the summer! Let me relate a personal example of why I have concerns with shipping animals as freight:

Two summers ago I was pre-flighting my aircraft at a large Texas airport, and noticed a small dog in carrier sitting on the tarmac next to the baggage belt-loader. I asked the ramp-loader how long the carrier had been waiting. I'll never forget his reply: "If I can be out here, the dog can be out here." Whoa - he has access to fluids and an a/c breakroom as specified by his contract and OSHA. I took the carrier and placed it in the cockpit to cool off, and began to investigate. (carriers are supposed to be in air-conditioned vehicles staged near the terminals and boarded shortly before departure.) No clear answer to my question of time, but dog was panting and had little water. Ramp services eventually came up to place the dog in the aft cargo pit, however the cockpit indicator indicated the pit was 105F. I knew it would take a very long time during taxi and initial climb to reduce to a hospitable temperature. I refused and made a phone call to cut through the red tape. Had to get special permission to place the carrier travelling as cargo (owner was not on board) in the passenger cabin. Thankfully the carrier was sufficiently small to fit below a seat and the flight was not full. Well, the dog did not make it beyond the first-class cabin as folks clamored to baby-sit!

While this may be an anomaly, if it happens once it can happen again. Just my opinion, but I concede the majority of travelling pets are safely handled.

^^ That would be my worst fear. Thank you for being so kind to the dog. You might have saved his life that day. Also on the part of the ramp loader, was he covered in hair or locked in a plastic box? Not even close to the same.

CherylCali

Scott that would be my fear! I live near Pittsburgh and during those months usually it's fall weather. But mother nature is a witch anymore :/

I wonder if she could place a Frozen water bottle in the towel in the carrier? This way it's something cool to rest against and Bean could lick the condensation?

She's going to the airport later in the week with photos and a carrier to show Beans size to see if she ready is 'too big' to fly with her in the bacon cabin. I told her I'd upgrade her ticket to First Class if they allow it

The carrier *HAS* to be airline approved. Not only airline approved, but made safe, too. It's also a good idea to have two dishes in the cage, one with water, the other with food (especially some fresh fruit!) and maybe an extra bag of food taped to the carrier, just in case. For a short flight, it might not be necessary, but it doesn't hurt to have it!


Charlie came to me about a 3-4 hour drive (with good traffic) away. It was no problem to pick him up and bring him home!


Jayde on the other hand was shipped from Ohio to Nevada. She had to have a health certificate (aka "vet clearance"), and the front of her carrier (cheapo cat carrier from Walmart?) had extra wire installed. She had two dishes and a bag of Nutriberries taped to the top.








I arrived 24 hours before she did, at the airport.... turns out, she got stuck in Texas! Because it was too hot to ship her! Her total travel time was only supposed to be 12 hours.... it ended up being 36 or 37 hours... and she came into the airport screaming her head off! Got some funny looks and questions as we were leaving... lol but she arrived no worse for wear!




If the sennie doesn't do well in cars, maybe it would help to give him some ginger slices or ginger tea a couple of hours prior to his trip? And maybe some slices during?

The key question is what does he do in the car? What makes her/you say that he "hates" it?

You can reliably expect him to act the same way on the plane as he does in the car. The confinement, vibration, and noise is what upsets the animal and makes it a poor traveler; if it doesn't like being jostled around in a cage in a car, it won't like being jostled around in a cage on a plane, train, or boat either.

So if he screams bloody murder nonstop in the car, taking him as a carry-on is not an option. They wouldn't allow that level of noise and disturbance on the plane, so she would be delayed and they would probably make her put him in the cargo hold anyway. If it is something else, that might be a workable option. If he just freaks out she might have to decide whether she wants to drive him so that she can be with him in case she's needed.

If the vet recommends shipping him then he must consider that the best option for the bird under the circumstances. She should look into what time the plane will land if she is concerned about the heat. Perhaps he could go on an evening or early morning flight.

I've had 4 dogs and 4 birds shipped to us over the years. The airlines have strict regulations regarding tarmac temperatures. If it's 85+ degrees, they won't ship.

None of my dogs or birds were traumatized in the least. Delta did great by them and I would highly recommend considering this option as needed.

LoveMyConlan said:

Scott that would be my fear! I live near Pittsburgh and during those months usually it's fall weather. But mother nature is a witch anymore :/

I wonder if she could place a Frozen water bottle in the towel in the carrier? This way it's something cool to rest against and Bean could lick the condensation?

She's going to the airport later in the week with photos and a carrier to show Beans size to see if she ready is 'too big' to fly with her in the bacon cabin. I told her I'd upgrade her ticket to First Class if they allow it

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I'd be careful with a frozen water bottle for two reasons: One is the potential for harm should moderate or greater turbulence be experienced. Anything not tightly secured could be a dangerous projectile. Second, the contents of sealed containers tend to expand in flight, because of the pressure differential. Most airliner pressure vessels (includes the passenger cabin and cargo pits) are pressurized to an altitude of between 6000' and 8000'. Not sea level!! There would be potential for the container to burst, especially if previously frozen.

Just wanted everyone to know I received this email from Cassie!!

"Just wanted to let you know that I took my crate and a picture and measurement of Bean to the airport and talked to the front desk. After showing them her photos and the crate, and then seeing how small she is, they agreed that the person I talked to on the phone was thinking of the wrong bird. BEANS IS SMALL ENOUGH TO FLY WITH ME! Now that we know what is expected we can get everything ready. Bean goes in to the vet a few days before for her clearance check. And I was told to have a copy with me on the flight as well.

I have to fly back the next morning to help Mom finish and drive down with the trucks, but Bean will be safe with dad at the new house and settled! Dad is taking her cage with him and Bean will stay in her older smaller cage until we get to the new house.

The vet said to start her on AviCalm 2 weeks before and said the ginger idea that the person from that site recommended was a great idea! Bean will have to sit under the seat in front of me until take off but then I'm allowed to put the crate on my lap. Hopefully she'll stay calm. She's normally quiet in the car, just stresses, so I'm hoping she will stay silent. The vet said no water out food on the flight in case she gets sick from the stress.

But I'm so relieved that age can fly with me. Dad wasn't too happy to see the bill for it all, with Bean flying and me having to fly back, but he knows it's best. My girl can arrive safe the woman at the desk gave me the weirdest look when I ask but fell on the floor in happiness! Looked like a total dork!

Please tell everyone on that Parrot site I said thank you from the bottom of my heart. And tell them Bean sends her thanks!

Thanks for your help,
Cass and Bean"

I received this yesterday evening and had to share! Thank you everyone!! I'm happy she can fly with little Bean you all are amazing. You made a horrible day a hopeful one for my friend and her fid!

So happy to know Beans will fit in an underseat carrier!! Far better than shipping as freight, despite the high odds of success.

Even though it is acceptable to hold the carrier on a lap,* my advice is to place Beans underneath the seat if significant turbulence is experienced. Unexpected moderate or worse turbulence could send the carrier flying against people and aircraft structure!

*Every airline has their procedure for stowing large carry on objects. Definitely during takeoff/landing. At mine the threshold is to allow above 10,000 feet. You have no way of knowing this, but announcements are made as needed.

We moved from New Mexico to Ohio. I drove the U-Haul plus towed car, while wife drove our second car with parrot. We simply had too many concerns about shipping, temperature uncertainty, hazardous fumes, careless handlong etc dtc. It was a harrowing trip for her moreso than for me but it ended safely.

LoveMyConlan said:

An old family friend has a Senegal Parrot who is a total sweetie but hates being in cars. Unfortunately her father's company has him relocating to a small town in Texas. They currently live in Ohio.....

She's stuck between driving with him in the car or shipping him via Delta Airlines.

It's an almost 19 hour drive from her town in Ohio to Texas, but only about a 2.5 hour nonstop flight. Her father who would be heading to Texas earlier the week before, would pick her bird up. She talked to the airline and they assured her everything would be 'fine' as long as she had the proper carrier and the bird has vet clearance. She was also told the bird was to 'big' to be a Carry On if she chose to fly with him.

I would be terrified to ship a bird!! But I'm also not sure if 18+ hours in a car is a good idea. Her vet recommends shipping but she's nervous. And so am I.

What's your opinion? Any experience ?

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Hey, I think you can give this work to experience holders. There are many pet shipping companies in US. All you need is little bit of research to find correct company for your bird. Company must have proper knowledge of shipping birds, their runners must be friendly with birds. and they know who to safely ship them whether in car or airlines.
I know a bird shipping company through which my friend shipped his bird once. He go for Citizenshipper pet delivery service to ship his birds. He was also very concern about shipping. He shipped after proper researching on different forums.
So you can consider them once