Air Shipping a Macaw? Poll Question

[Bagsjr]

Just curious. I'm going to buy a bird soon and I wonder if I should only look at local breeders. I'm leaning that direction. Do Macaws travel well by air? I'd think it would be traumatic for bird. On the other hand, for dogs it works pretty well. I've actually worked in airport cargo facilities and have noticed that the employees tend to always be genuinely concerned over the welfare of the animals. Giving water and petting them, etc.

What do you all think? Poll question Yes or No on shipping birds.


Thanks!

[sassie]

My severe macaw was shipped to me. We had no issues, other then she was a sticky orange coated mess when I picked her up!!! She loooooves oranges :)

[catschair]

I have shipped my pets cargo on flights I was on, and by themselves. Only time I have had "problems" are when the cargo handlers have put them aside so they would not be upset by the hustle and bustle or weather --- and those were short delays and I got birds or cats who were grumpy but healthy and not traumatized in the least!

[Birdsmile]

We have only used Delta Pets First
Jack

[sparkysmom]

I am against it. Probably just my paranoid nature.

[Ashling]

I only ever used an animal organisation to fly mine. Those flights were only 2 hour ones. I've heard they don't have controlled air conditioning or anything in freight which could stress a bird?

[birdsnreps]

ive shipped tons of birds and never had probs. they have special rooms that the birds stay in during delays or waiting periods for connecting flights.

[Lori~D]

I had Charlie (My Rescued CAG) shipped here by Continental Pet Safe and was very happy. He was fine and talking to us in the terminal. The Other end of the deal the shipper said she had no trouble at all either. I Chose Continental Pet Safe because unlike Delta they didnt have any restrictions on outdoor Temps for shipping as they always keep them in temp controlled rooms and vehicles and temp controlled cargo pet areas only. They are a little bit more expensive but the temp thing tells me allot about them. If Delta has restrictions on temps - where are they putting my bird? Out on the tarmac with all the fumes?? Regular Cargo?? I mean, yes Im sure my bird was outside at times but only to be put from one vehicle to the next. Just things to think about. The people who handled him were friendly and seemed like they knew what they were doing.

[Savery]

Originally Posted by Ashling

I only ever used an animal organisation to fly mine. Those flights were only 2 hour ones. I've heard they don't have controlled air conditioning or anything in freight which could stress a bird?

Not true. depending on the aircraft, there may be only certain bins which are approved for live animals. An airliner is nothing more than an aluminum tube that is pressurized. The whole airplane gets the same air.

Most airlines have policies dictating when pets can and can't fly depending on the weather as well.

remember that car travel isn't nessicarily a stress free experience, either.

[Savery]

Originally Posted by huntress

I had Charlie (My Rescued CAG) shipped here by Continental Pet Safe and was very happy. He was fine and talking to us in the terminal. The Other end of the deal the shipper said she had no trouble at all either. I Chose Continental Pet Safe because unlike Delta they didnt have any restrictions on outdoor Temps for shipping as they always keep them in temp controlled rooms and vehicles and temp controlled cargo pet areas only. They are a little bit more expensive but the temp thing tells me allot about them. If Delta has restrictions on temps - where are they putting my bird? Out on the tarmac with all the fumes?? Regular Cargo?? I mean, yes Im sure my bird was outside at times but only to be put from one vehicle to the next. Just things to think about. The people who handled him were friendly and seemed like they knew what they were doing.

While the majority of the waiting time is spent in an office, the animals do have to spend some time outside, esp. when waiting for the aircraft, etc. A lot of people are put off by the fact that pets are handled as "freight," however a LOT of important stuff is handled that way. Human tissues, blood, and especially human remains are all handled that way. You might not think that human remains make a lot of difference, but believe you and me if someone screws up an HR shipment, you DO NOT want to be there. I used to work for a contractor that handled services for Delta, American, Continental, and Northwest at Richmond International Airport. I've seen first hand how these animals are handled, and they're generally the center of attention.