Can I bring Hornworms on Southwest Airplane?

[v639dragoon]

I'm traveling from southern CA to northern CA tomorrow and I want to bring my brother all these extra hornworms (maybe 25 of them) i have that are to big for my cham to eat. I tried calling the airlines but no one knows, and they keep transferring me to different people.

Would I get screwed for bringing them in a checked bag or in a carry on?
I was thinking of putting them in a ziplock bag in my pocket and walking through the checkpoint, than placing them in a container in my carry on. Any have any experience or tips with bringing insects on a plane lol?

 

[Montium]

Tough call, I tend to have a low opinion of most airline rules so I operate under the " what they don't know won't hinder me " set of rules

 

[CNorton]

Put them in your carry-on somewhere not immediately visible. They will most likely be mistaken for Cheetoh Puffs and then you're safe!! Really, if you carry-on you shouldn't have any problems whatsoever.

 

[AJA]

I would put them in my carry on in a tub so they don't get squished in the roomy compartments on the plane..

If TSA checks, tell them they are your pets. I dont' see why they would have a hissy fit. You are not importing an invasive species, they probably would die on the plane eventually if they got out and they are non threatening to human life.

Just got a *spark*...((movie voice))

You thought they were cool
You thought they were food for you chameleon
You thought they were safe....

You thoght wrong {{{dramatic music starts }}}



WORMS ON PLANES !!!!!

I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

 

[Clifford]

you should be asking Southwest. It likely depends on where you are flying from and to

 

[Carlton]

Actually, if they find them they could be confiscated...hornworms ARE an agricultural pest. For most airlines the only live organisms allowed in the cabin are fish, a cat or small dog, or a small pet bird. What about putting them in a rigid container in your checked luggage (great, here I am suggesting ways to smuggle pest species)? For that short a trip the temps may not be a problem and the baggage holds are supposedly pressurized.

 

[v639dragoon]

I never got a distinct answer from them, between getting put on hold constantly and transferred like 5 times between people to ask them, none of them had an answer. I think I am just going to put them in my pocket in a small ziplock and than transfer them to a little bin in my carry on. I'm flying from one city in california to another in california.

 

[summoner12]

I thnk you'll be fine. TSA is gonna look at you like "WTF is that?!" as long as you don't play with them on the plane the airline won't know.

Cameron B. on the forum flew to our SBCK meeting and back home, he took some HWs home with him... He had no issue. He flew from norcal to socal and back...

 

[v639dragoon]

Hornworms dont have any sort of skeleton that will show up on xray do they?

 

[CNorton]

No man! Why would we be feeding worms with bones to our chams!

 

[summoner12]

No man! Why would we be feeding worms with bones to our chams!

LOL!!!!!!

It won't matter dude. just take them on the plane... it won't end up like 'snakes on a plane'

 

[PantherVeileD]

I would put them in a rubber condom. Tie it and swallow the condom. Then when I get off the plane I'll take a number 2.

 

[AJA]

Actually, if they find them they could be confiscated...hornworms ARE an agricultural pest. .

This is true, however, he isn't transporting an ag pest to any area that doesn't already have them, therefore they can't be more of a pest then they already are. Hornworm = Tomato worm.

Dude, don't forget they are in your pocket then sit down!

 

[Dinky]

yea panther good idea but ur stomach will dissolve the rubber so bust out the lube and amsterdam style them onto the plane

 

[Chameleon Company]

I would not volunteer that you have them, and not waste time talking to SW, as your problem will be TSA anyway. Maybe as some possible insurance, print out a bug person's care sheet on them, and have it with you, should TSA notice and maybe you can nip that beaurocratic hissy fit in the bud.

Otherwise, so long as you don't pack them with the blasting caps and dynamite, I think you will be OK.