Hopefully someone can help me out here with a little advice.

 

I've been transferred (work) to South Australia (Woomera). Leaving in 4 weeks. Charley's coming with me on the plane. I know he is transported as air cargo.

 

Question 1: Where do I purchase the travelling "box" for him (I presume some air cargo place?).

Question 2: Do I go to airport as normal and hand him over at checkin counter? : :doh:

Question 2: How do I transport his (rather largish!) cage.. do I wrap it? box it? or just let it be "a cage" and juggle it along with my suitcases?

Question 3: When do I put Charley in the "box".. do I get it beforehand and take it home? or do I transport him in

cage to the airport and then transfer him over?

Question 4: I have to change planes at Adelaide, do I have to "move" Charley from one plane to the other if its the same airline (Qantas)?

 

These may seem like silly questions but I am totally confused as to how it all works when one moves a budgie from one state to another, especially when going to a rather remote area. (employer pays for the move so cost is not the issue, just my Charley's welfare!!)

 

Anybody out there who can give me some idea on how this all works? Perhaps someone has had to do a similar kind of move at some stage??

 

I would REALLY appreciate some advice as believe it or not, of ALL the hard work involved in moving from one state to another... forget the packing, the furniture, the car, the belongings...... my main focus is one small budge and cage!!

 

I know I can phone the airline for advice but lets not forget to them Charley is merely a little bird!!! Thought I'd get some advice first from fellow, more understanding budgie-holics!! :laughter:

 

PS. Maxie is untame, freaks out at human contact, is a very stressful type of girl so I am not even going to try to put her through all this. She is going to live with a good friend of mine where I know she will be well looked after!

Edited March 8, 200916 yr by thk

Hopefully someone can help me out here with a little advice.

 

I've been transferred (work) to South Australia (Woomera). Leaving in 4 weeks. Charley's coming with me on the plane. I know he is transported as air cargo.

 

Question 1: Where do I purchase the travelling "box" for him (I presume some air cargo place?).

Question 2: Do I go to airport as normal and hand him over at checkin counter? : :doh:

Question 2: How do I transport his (rather largish!) cage.. do I wrap it? box it? or just let it be "a cage" and juggle it along with my suitcases?

Question 3: When do I put Charley in the "box".. do I get it beforehand and take it home? or do I transport him in

cage to the airport and then transfer him over?

Question 4: I have to change planes at Adelaide, do I have to "move" Charley from one plane to the other if its the same airline (Qantas)?

 

These may seem like silly questions but I am totally confused as to how it all works when one moves a budgie from one state to another, especially when going to a rather remote area. (employer pays for the move so cost is not the issue, just my Charley's welfare!!)

 

Anybody out there who can give me some idea on how this all works? Perhaps someone has had to do a similar kind of move at some stage??

 

I would REALLY appreciate some advice as believe it or not, of ALL the hard work involved in moving from one state to another... forget the packing, the furniture, the car, the belongings...... my main focus is one small budge and cage!!

 

I know I can phone the airline for advice but lets not forget to them Charley is merely a little bird!!! Thought I'd get some advice first from fellow, more understanding budgie-holics!! :laughter:

 

PS. Maxie is untame, freaks out at human contact, is a very stressful type of girl so I am not even going to try to put her through all this. She is going to live with a good friend of mine where I know she will be well looked after!

 

Question 1: Where do I purchase the travelling "box" for him (I presume some air cargo place?).

These travel boxes are often available from bird dealers who import birds from other states of australia...prices vary from $15 to $30. Not available at air express cargo places. Wooden box, the smaller the better as it reduces injury. Doors to be screwed shut. If you cant get one, they are available here for $18 and I can get you one and post it to you

Question 2: Do I go to airport as normal and hand him over at checkin counter? : :doh:

You have to arrive at the air express depot about an hour/hour and a half before your flight and hand him in there. They arrange to get him on the plane. The depot is usually right next to the airport.

Question 2: How do I transport his (rather largish!) cage.. do I wrap it? box it? or just let it be "a cage" and juggle it along with my suitcases?

You will be best packing his cage into a carton. If it disassembles then do that as well.

Question 3: When do I put Charley in the "box".. Before you leave home.

do I get it beforehand and take it home? YES

or do I transport him in

cage to the airport and then transfer him over? NO.

 

 

Question 4: I have to change planes at Adelaide, do I have to "move" Charley from one plane to the other if its the same airline (Qantas)?

NO...the air express people make sure Charlie arrives at his destination where you will collect him from their depot up to 45 mins after you arrive.

Edited March 8, 200916 yr by KAZ

I agree with everything that Kaz says

 

Sounds really exciting. WOOT another member in SA :laughter:

Wow thanks Kaz and Liv. You guys are awesome. Thats great information and I feel much better. I had no idea where to start!!!

 

I guess I'll google for a box and see if I can find one here in Brisbane or otherwise have one sent to me. I have 4 weeks before I go, so I'm glad I brought it up now!!!

 

I had in my head that the airlines would supply a little cardboard box with air holes!! :rofl:

 

I feel so much better knowing they're wooden!! (and solid!!)

 

Someone at work suggested I put something in there with my smell on it (e.g. a sock? ) so that he has something of "me" in there (he's very attached to me... but .. i dont know about my socks!! he hasnt had much to do with them!!) ... but I thought that might be more a cat/dog thing! I did think of one of his favourite little latticed balls or do you think that might fly around and hit him in the head??

 

He seems to travel quite well, I've taken him in his cage to the vet in the front seat of my car (seatbelt around the cage!).. and he sits and chatters away, even looks around out the window so I think he should be fine.

 

I thought of getting the box a few weeks beforehand if possible, and putting him in it for short spells, perhaps with a toy and/or a sprig of millet.. so he gets used to it before the day. Would that be a good idea?

The best way they travel is in smaller area, small container...no toys to act as missiles and injure him.

some seed scattered on the floor of the cage....no water dishes or they spill. They can handle that for the duration of the trip as they get moisture from the seed. Some people put a piece of celery in there too for water content.

 

Cardboard box ?? :rofl: budgies cant chew through cardboard can they :rofl:

 

PS no need for practice runs in the box...as the box is small and the only light comes in the mesh at the front...it just makes them want to shut down and nap.

Edited March 9, 200916 yr by KAZ

you're right.. "cardboard box"?? when they chew through their branch perches???? :rofl:

 

Have you heard of a company called Pet Carriers International? I just found them when I googled for a transport box. Aparently they pick up, supply a "cage" (container), organise to take him to the plane, pick up from plane and deliver at the other end (although I doubt they would deliver in Woomera... its in the outback... ...but I think I could pick him up from the airport nearby.)

 

Not sure how much they charge but cost is no issue long as my baby arrives safely and comfortably.

you're right.. "cardboard box"?? when they chew through their branch perches???? :rofl:

 

Have you heard of a company called Pet Carriers International? I just found them when I googled for a transport box. Aparently they pick up, supply a "cage" (container), organise to take him to the plane, pick up from plane and deliver at the other end (although I doubt they would deliver in Woomera... its in the outback... ...but I think I could pick him up from the airport nearby.)

 

Not sure how much they charge but cost is no issue long as my baby arrives safely and comfortably.

 

Those "pet transport" companies are quite $$$ - i wouldn't do it and you are putting your faith in someone else...

He will be flying on the same flight you are, so you just drop him off 90 mins before your flight at Australia Air Express. Its too easy really :rofl:

 

Make sure when you book your flight, you book his too.

 

Travel boxes are really simple

This is what my 19 birds from WA traveled home in

 

Yours could be a quater that size easy.

Edited March 9, 200916 yr by **Liv**

I am buying a travel box for our Dave McMinn's birds in the next couple of days at our local bird supply place. Let me know if you want one. I will price postage up for you.

Edited March 9, 200916 yr by KAZ

I am buying a travel box for our Dave McMinn's birds in the next couple of days at our local bird supply place. Let me know if you want one. I will price postage up for you.

Yes PLEASE!!! That would solve my problem Kaz!! Let me know how much, and how to pay you and I would be most grateful!!...and Liv is right I guess. Relying on someone else when I can just take him with me and see him delivered safely would be better than paying out heaps for someone to merely transport him to/from the plane!! (after all thats REALLY all they do isnt it!!) I will just need to take my kids and grandkids with me to help me carry Charley's box, his not very small cage, my suitcases, laptop, handbag etc. I'm sure they'll do that for me.

 

Kaz isnt Dave in Brisbane???? I could arrange to pick it up from him if you just sent him an extra one if that would suit??? I dont think I'm far from him from memory.... (or am I thinking of DAZ????)

Edited March 9, 200916 yr by thk

The boxes were $18, but I will have to find out postage costs to you, that is unless you can get one local to you.ACTUALLY.............PM Daz first....he made a very good one and sent me birds in it. Ask him how much for one...he is over your way :rofl:

Kaz isnt Dave in Brisbane???? I could arrange to pick it up from him if you just sent him an extra one if that would suit??? I dont think I'm far from him from memory.... (or am I thinking of DAZ????)

Dave is in sydney........PM Daz :rofl:

Edited March 9, 200916 yr by KAZ

okay will PM Daz (not Dave :rofl: ).. and see what he can do!! Thanks so much for your help Kaz!

It is strange to watch a thread take place and have people talk about you in that thred, but not be part of the conversation, as in a contributor. Kind of like an out of body experience -

It is strange to watch a thread take place and have people talk about you in that thred, but not be part of the conversation, as in a contributor. Kind of like an out of body experience - :rofl:

 

Yes.. how funny that I should get you mixed up with DAZ.. understandable though.... because you both start with "D"..

There is a group call http://www.jetpets.com.au/ they can organise a loan cage for you and I have not found them to cost that much more then doing a straight drop off.

 

A friend of mine used them to go from Melbourne to Perth. She picked up the box a few days before hand, gave them all her flight details and dropped the bird off to them. When she got off her flight then she picked him up the other end. She had 3 days to return the box (she ended up moving the bird to his own cage for the car trip and running the box straight back in. Might be worth looking into.

Edited March 9, 200916 yr by KAZ
edited "nird" to bird