RA>Sorry to jump in to your message but I need to resolve a problem.
RA>I own 2 african greys and will be moving to Florida next year. I am 
hinkin
RA>about sending the birds down to florida via a plane ride. Any thoughts?
Shouldn't be a problem. Where are you coming from, and where in Fla will
you be going to?
You will need to make sure there is a nearby airport with flights coming
in from the airline you want to use.
Will you be flying on the same plane as the birds or at different times?
If you will be accompanying them, I think they can go in cargo in a
carrying kennel, like a cat carrier, and it should cost as little as $50
in addition to your ticket.
If travelling seperately, you would need to either be here in Fl to pick
them up or arrange for a friend or whatever to pick them up and keep
them or board them til you get here. Same with delivery from point of
origin. Birds usually need to be at the airport an hour early to get on
the plane. I use US Air mostly, but I hear Delta is good. Cargo, not
necessarily climate and pressure controlled is about $64. Counter to
counter service and supposedly climate controlled (often ride up with
the pilot I hear) is about $96. The aim is to find a flight that is
direct and does not have a layover if possible, or that has a short a
layover as possible. The animals often are out on the tarmac when the
cargo is being transferred from plane to plane during layover or are
outside in a covered cargo bay (still exposed to heat if in summer or
cool if in winter). Therefore you have to keep an eye on the weather at
both point of origin and the place you are shipping to. Here it is often
hot during the day well into November, and as Christmas approaches it
can be pretty cold. During extremes airlines will recommend that you
either do not ship birds or do not ship any method but counter to
counter (US Air's is called PDQ).
Most airlines require a health certificate. This was really done for
cats and dogs, but they have gotten where they sometimes want to see
them on the birds. I hear Delta is strict about it. And they are more
likely to ask for one or check for one on flights where there might be
an inspection during a layover. You can get away without having one, but
you never know. Greys are a hot item smuggled sometimes outta Mexico
(apparently they are brought out of Africa to Mexico then smuggled over
the border as if they were bought legally in Texas) so it might be safer
to have a vets certificate or statement of ownership depending on where
you are flying in from. And Fla does have a licensing requirement for
birds. Fla Freshwater Fish and Game requires people owning one to 11
birds to pay $5 and get a license and those with over 11 pay $25.
Put paper, dry seed and pellets, millet, and cut fruit and veggies in
the carrier with the birds. They will get moisture from the fruits
especially and the veggies while in transit.
The birds should be ready for pickup within an hour after landing.
Hope this helps!
I am in north Fl near Jacksonville. I know US AIR goes to JIA airport
and also to Gainesville, I think, and most likely to Orlando and
elsewhere. Their hub for layovers is Charlotte I think.
RA>roy@superlink.net RA>--- RA> * PW * del *.*
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