Bringing back fish on Air Canada - a question

[trilinearmipmap]

OK I have e-mailed Air Canada and I will see if their reply makes any sense, I am expecting a form letter shutting me down. Seems like a good way for them to charge more for shipping "freight". If only WestJet flew to my town.

Here is my e-mail to Air Canada and I will post their reply if I receive one.

Customer (xxxxxxx xxxxxxx) - 01/01/2008 11:51 AM
I have read that Air Canada no longer accepts pets as checked luggage.

For many years I have brought live aquarium fish and live corals back from Vancouver to Prince Rupert as checked luggage on Air Canada. These fish and corals are kept in waterproof containers inside an insulated shipping box.

I would like to know if I am able to bring an insulated container containing live fish or corals back as checked luggage on Air Canada.

I understand the reasons behind your "no pets" policy, but since live fish and corals require no care during the flight and can survive 48 hours in transit, and temperature is not an issue due to the insulated container, and luggage space is not an issue as the checked container simply replaces one of my normal two pieces of checked luggage, l hope Air Canada will allow these items as checked luggage.

Regards,

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx

Question Reference #xxxxxx-xxxxxx

[justinl]

eh, i have little faith in the reliability of airlines in this matter. i know people have had success by mailing the livestock to themselves over the border and then just meeting the package at home.

[Slipstream]

Heres hoping they decide that they wanna KEEP customers instead of losing more..

[Nicole8ca]

Hmm, I'll be curious to know the answer. You're allowed to bring seafood for consumption....

[trilinearmipmap]

Originally Posted by Nicole8ca

Hmm, I'll be curious to know the answer. You're allowed to bring seafood for consumption....

Are you allowed to bring back live seafood for consumption such as lobsters?

[Nicole8ca]

Here's what their website says. It doesn't specify live or cooked.

Seafood (brine)
Brine spillage from fish and seafood is corrosive. Lobsters, mussels, oysters etc. must be packaged in leak proof containers and then be packed in plastic bags inside *waxed* cartons. Perishable items require that a limited release form be signed at check-in.

[mildcustom2]

I travel all over the world with Air Canada for work quite a bit. 60,000 miles a year by plane. When ever I go to halifax I always buy a case of lobster at the airport to bring back. They pack it in a styro box lined with news paper wich is then placed in a plastic bag then in a box. I have taken small boxes with me on the plane (carry on) and bigger boxes I check in. I have never signed a perishable goods release form and have never been questioned about it because everyone does it. All you see is people walking through the airport with their lobster.

I don't see why it would be a problem taking fish back as long as they are packed correctly ( until one bad egg ruins it for everyone ). Just the other week there was a lady in Ocean Aquatics having 2 boxes of fish and sps corals packed to take back with her to the east coast. From my understanding she was traveling Air Canada. Keeping in mind and they probably will not admit it but those travelling Executive or are Air Canada Elite, Super Elite members do get preferential treatment.