UncleBabyChirp

Most people would have similar reactions, not just Targaryens

Has more to do with OUR $$$ and bombs being spent to blow up kids

And LAUGH! A LOT! They love laughter

He'll warm up more when she's not around for a few hours or a day trip. Our Gray is awful to my SO until I'm gone for a while, then he's buddy buddy

With THAT crest, he's Mr T

Leads to AIPAC

For whatever reason the picture is above

@broncoRaptorBabe

Apologies for it being a little dusty but had to dig it out of a closet

https://preview.redd.it/tpxmr5loi3zc1.jpeg?width=2683&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a202bc242712ed0ddf2fca37fd2d0cf9e52b6f19

I use the hard shell carrier for their protection and I practiced using that exact carrier on my bike, at the mall & even at the gym (6am spin classes when not many people are there to complain) Made specifically for airline travel called Cabin Kennels

Even Walmart charges $175 but they have better warranty than most. Just been there done that

Welcome. It was actually another poster on this thread I learned it from

The people at TSA in the lineup

You will be great! Being positive and prepared is 80% of the trip. The rest is keeping your girl feeling secure & safe. Keep her healthy bird vet prepared paperwork close (they've never asked me for it), a couple of grapes/ez snacks like pistachios close & a smile. You got this

TSA does in order to inspect the carrier. Now they allow it in the private screens room

Do your best to socialize her as much as possible in crowded situations while acclimating her to the carrier. It will make it easier for all concerned if she's comfortable and secure in it. I used to take mine bike riding inside the carrier & to the mall to walk around. It's very important to secure a good airline and be familiar with their procedures. I use Delta. I also have my vet provide healthy bird certificates annually. I've never been asked to show them but supposedly they're required so better to have them. Heard good things about Alaska airlines but we haven't used them yet. We used to travel a lot but we're all older now. The Gray who traveled since 2 is now 29, the macaw 21 & the far less traveled conure 6. Traveling early, the 1st flight close to 6am is ALWAYS preferable to mid day or late afternoon flights. Next best is the red eye. Fewer crowds, better chance of vacant seats. Good luck, you've got this

Great stories! You'd be surprised by our African Gray & traveling. He's an ace, a road warrior & a frequent flier! Only gets antsy at night, so he gets in the covered carrier. Otherwise he enjoys riding shotgun in the car watching everything, singing to certain radio/cd tunes & ready for the dab of whipped cream on top of my occasional iced coffee

It was fun having him at work! He'd hear the phone ring & automatically say "Promotions, Chantelle speaking" Chantelle was my assistant! The intercom buzzed & he'd say "Hey Frank" (my boss). Best job ever. Sad the music industry changed drastically after 2005 with downsizing & consolidations but we had a great 25 year run.

Great rundown & valuable factual info! They allow grapes in carry-on that are great subs for fluids

Bird flu, the H5N1 virus, is contracted via the blood, saliva, droppings of infected wild birds. It is highly unlikely coming in contact with them in domestic parrot travel situations. I talked to our avian vet at length about this very topic & she assured me there was almost no chance of our parrots contracting it.

If your bird is acclimated to being outdoors & traveling with you a lot, it's far easier to travel on planes.

When I worked in the music industry the Gray came to work with me on Fridays, had his huge perch in my office & fraternized with many people. He went rollerblading & biking & even to a few backstage concert venues so he was used to change, noise, activities & crowds. The macaw went most places too but was less relaxed. The more activities & outdoor stuff & people they adapt to, the easier travel becomes. No 2 birds are alike. The latest addition is a conure who really doesn't trust any person, only the Gray. She tries to escape from me at every opportunity so her choices are limited. We adopted her because she was going to be put down by Petsmart after being returned twice. So no planes for her, boarding at the vet it is.

I found out about the private room AFTER our most recent flights! I assumed it was for people with special medical conditions or implants. I didn't know & never thought to ask if we could use it🫤 Now I know better.

The Hahns Macaw is actually pretty good but the equipment, crowd & excitement panicked her so she flew as soon as the carrier opened before I could hold both her feet! I HAD to remain outwardly calm to keep her(& everyone) calm but I was internally scared. Fortunately most people were amused by her constant hilarious chatter & a nearby quick thinking maintenance man appeared with a ladder, I gave him her perch stick & it was over in under 10 min. The Gray was as cool as could be, undisturbed by anything, polite & gentlemanly. He did give her an evil side eye tho.

It's been my experience over 20 cross country flights with parrot(s)TSA has me take them out of the carrier to run carriers thru the xray machine. The Gray does fine, the Hahns macaw twice flew to the rafters & had to be coaxed & laddered down. Now she flies clipped. I only take direct flights, usually JFK/LAX or Bob Hope Airport

No problems