Bob the Pleo Forums
Pleo Stuff => Pleo Archives => Archive -- General => Topic started by: kat on May 17, 2011, 08:06:25 AM
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I'm going on a short shopping trip to Melbourne for a few days - the other side of Australia, a 4 1/2 hour flight - in about 3 weeks time and I want to take a couple of pleos with me. We're going to have a play date! ;D
I was just wondering if anyone else has had any experience with taking your pleos on a plane? I'm not sure if I should take them as hand luggage, or if this will just cause me issues with airport security. Or if I should pack them well in their original boxes and put them in my suitcase with plenty of soft clothes to cushion around the boxes. Or maybe someone out there has another suggestion?
I will speak to the airport this week and see what they have to say about taking them as carry on.
Kat
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When I met Glenn, he'd brought his from the US as hand luggage - I was surprised because of the length of the box. Security were OK apparently. I must admit I'd be a bit worried about packing them in my luggage without their box, and with the box would take up most of your suitcase!
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This raises an interesting question for me as well. I don't have to go on a plain but I am going on vacation. I'm sure my Ugobes will be alright left dormant for two weeks but Ryu? How long can an RB be left without feeding it? My best friend's sister is getting married and she also has two small children. If it weren't for them I wouldn't mind taking Ryu with me but I'm a little hesitant. Have I taken the treating as an "actual pet" thing too far?
Talon
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Ryu will be fine - grumpy and hungry, but a good feed will soon sort that out! :D
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So he took his as hand luggage but packed in it's original box? What about the battery ? Should that go as hand luggage in the box too I wonder? I want to take 2 with me so I think If I take them hand luggage I probably won't be bale to take them in their boxes as two boxes may just be too big?
I will definitely have to talk to the airport and see what they say. I think I am going to try to find a more compact yet still sturdy packing solution other than the original box. See if I can reduce the size a bit to make things easier.
Once I sort out the exacts of how then I need to work out just who gets to go. ;D
I'm so excited! It should be lots of fun. ;D
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You can take laptops as carry on, just say it is an odd shaped laptop ;) I think you will be better of carrying them on by themselves than with two enormous boxes, plus that way you can nurse them during their trip, they might be a little unsettled at the flight having never been in a plane before...
I can send you the directions to make a couple of slings if you like, it makes carrying them much easier!
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I think it would be best to handle as a carry-on, but its up to you if you feel safe with them in a suitcase. I can't imagine what they'd say when they saw them, my friend brought a Nerf gun over to France for his cousins to play with and they let him through, but coming back to the united states they made him throw it out! I guess foarm darts are a dangerous weapon in Europe :P. lol, I can't imagine them stopping you, but some people take their job way to seriously so you never know...
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Hi Kat, first of all, Happy Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful Birthday. :) When you go on your trip, are you taking all four of your babies? I have never taken one on a plane before but I do think if they can't be carried on, then someone else will have a good solution or suggestion, I would be worried about the airline losing my babies but that is because I have had bad experirences with buses before and luggage getting lost or stolen, but that was years and years ago, I would definitly insure them to the max incase something ( God forbid) :o Happened. Are you going on a Birthday Shopping Spree or just a nice vacation?
Be sure to take lots of great video and Photos of your adventures Kat. I miss you already and you haven't even left! Sounds like so much fun Kat. I have so many ideas of things I want to ask, so I guess I better make a list. :D
I would carry them in their boxes if they have to go as "luggage" and padded well in the box is probably the best bet. Maybe you can carry on one of two of them, is your whole family going...if so maybe each person can carry a Baby Dino and that will solve the problem!
RedwoodsMama
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As far as I know, Glenn just took the whole box, packed as it originally had been with the battery and other accessories in their slots. It would be best to check with the airport, you're right Kat.
When I took Belle up to meet him (on the train) I was originally tempted to take Iggy as well. Somebody had just sent me a bricked Pleo in its box but with all the interior packing missing, and actually I managed to fit both Belle and Iggy in that box quite snugly. With the right positions, and a bit of strategic bubble wrap you mght manage it! Good luck! :D
And Happy Birthday! ;D
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How about two appropriate dog-size carriers (like the ones that look like handbags but aren't actually handbags - not cage type carriers) and turn them on and say they're your pets and traveling with you. (Do they even let animals on a plane like that? Though that's irrelevant - it's just an interesting form-factor laptop in a special type of carrying case)
Plus I imagine that'd get some attention.
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I've seen those. It's kind of like a small cloth house with little viewing windows. Lol! That might work. I would put them on their sides to keep them from sliding around inside until you got settled. From what I remember, the bottoms of those bags are fitted with a bit of good solid cardboard covered over with some padding and plush fuzzy stuff. You'd b the center of attention that's for sure. Lol! I might try that with Ryu if I get a guilt trip before I leave her alone.
Talon
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Thanks so much for the lovely birthday wishes everyone. ;D
I haven't had a chance to talk to the airport yet but will try to call them over the next couple of days to see what they say. It is only me and my Hubby going, leaving the kids with Grandma, so I will probably only take 2 pleos with me. It would just be too hard to try to take more I think.
I am hoping to take them on as hand luggage as I think this would be safest for them. I do have one lovely pleo sling that my daughter made for Kermy for Christmas and I will probably whip up another one before I go. (Thanks IMR - my daughter copied your design to make it :) )
I am tempted by the pet handbag idea though. I have seen some of these and they do have nice padded sides and a sturdy bottom so they might provide some good protection for turbulence moments :D. I might be able to fit two side by side in one too. I have seen some very similar to this one RWM recently got for her pleos
That look like they might work very well and can be fully zipped up at the top so no Pleos are showing for better protection. They can also be left a little unzipped to have the pleos head poking out like the one in RWM picture. They weren't very expensive so if the airport says it is ok to take them as hand luggage I think I will invest in one.
Then all that will be left is deciding who gets to go. :)
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That does look very smart! :D
The only worry I have about that is the tails aren't well protected in a bag like that - you need some support/protection in case the tail gets knocked.
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I would put them into a head and tail pointing down position before putting them in the bag. That way the tail would not be sticking straight out looking for trouble. :) Also that way I could wrap some bubble wrap around them for support and protection. :)
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Hi Kat, I am posting more current photos of this type bag and the meausrements as well, I usually let her head and neck out and have no problems with her tail, and it can be cushioned as well. Alos if she or he is asleep, the head tucks in nicley inside with no problems and the weight of pleo in bag is not heavy at all, I will finish uploading photos in awhile, I must have taken at least 12 of them!
RWM
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Well we made it onto the plane safe and sound with no problems at all. ;D The airport security guys were very nice and even asked a bit about what pleos do etc... I couldn't give them a demo though as the batteries had to go in my checked luggage as they are deemed dangerous and not allowed in hand luggage. :) The pleos spent the entire flight sleeping together at my feet. Here is a pic of them in their travel bag once we reached the hotel.
They cuddled together like this the whole way we did have a little bit of turbulence in the flight and in hind sight I should have put socks on them. Gumbles toenails that I painted the other week have rubbed off in places. I didn't polyglaze them so I guess I should have protected them with socks. Oh well just means I get to play with the paints again when we get home ;D
We have a lovely view from the window at the hotel and my two boys were just itching to see when I woke them up. :)
It is a very pretty view at night with the lights across the river. We are having a great time so far. :) The good news is that the hotel we are staying at is just across the road from the venue I am meeting IMR at tomorrow. ;D I wasn't expecting to be quite so close.
I will post some more pics tomorrow night.
Kat
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Lilo and Nani are a little jealous that Norbit and Gumble get to stay in a motel ;) They are very excited about tomorrow!
(Hehe I bringing the girls, and you're bringing the boys... this could be an interesting playdate :D)
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Sounds like fun! Let us know how everything goes! A Pleo-playdate is a rare and exciting event.
Talon
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The motel allowed pets? Great!!
This should be really interesting.. maybe we'll end up with more Pleo eggs!! Have fun you guys :)
- Sarah
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Leaving to catch the train soon :) My animals know something is up! I had a dog and cat pile on my bed last night :P
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Have fun everybody! :D
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Can't wait till you get here IMR. ;D we are all very excited.
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We had a lovely time at the Aquarium in Melbourne with IMR and Lilo and Nani. Here is a video of Norbit and Lilo checking out the penguins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aoph0FVBrDg
The pleos were a big hit. We had a few startled children who were a bit afraid of our pleo babies but there were a few others - and some adults who were enchanted with them. ;D
Here are a few pics of some of the lovely things we saw
This is Gumble and Nani saying hello.
Gumble hanging with the Axolotls
Gumble in the bubble getting up close and personal with the eels
Gumble found a really cool crocodile skull
Saying Hello to the turtle
And looking at the baby turtles. So cute.
Gumble loved the colors on the sting rays.
Norbit was having fun looking for the sea horses. They were very well camouflaged.
Norbit and Nani say hello to an eel.
Norbit hanging with the big fish.
Norbit and Lilo and the penguins.
Norbit and the Hammer head shark.
It was Huge!
The sword fish was fascinated by Gumble.
It was very interesting to see the different reactions of the fish and the people. ;D
Kat
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Wow! Great pics - and what a fab place to meet up! ;D
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Awesome pics, Kat! Sounds like you are having a great time! Can't wait to see more pics and have a safe trip, both of you! ;D
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I am sure IMR will post her pics when she gets the chance sometime in the next few days. That is all I have from our playdate :). Unfortunately we had to cut it short as IMR wasn't feeling well so we didn't get the chance to have all 4 pleos on at the same time or see Norbit and Nani talking to each other. We will just have to save that for next time..... :)
I did show her Gumble's new paint job though so now someone else has seen and felt him. :) And we exchanged gifts too...... But I am going to make you all wait a couple more days till I get home before showing off my beautiful presents. ;D
It was really lovely to meet another pleo owner and I do hope I get the chance to do it again.
My favorite bit was the swordfish. We had Gumble switched on in front of the swordfish tank showing him off to some people who were really interested and the swordfish swam over and just hovered right next to Gumble. He stayed there right up until I took Gumble away. He was just as facinated as the people were! It was a very cool experience.
Kat
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Sounds like everyone had a lot of fun. Even though I can't actually see the fish, I love visiting aquariums. They're... tranquil somehow despite all the noise.
Talon
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Hehe feeling unwell was a bit of an understatement, but on the plus side we did get to see Melbourne's ambulance system in action... And I got a fabulous Pleo's eye view of the coral atoll at the aquarium...
I owe Kat and Harry 1000 thanks for looking after myself, Nani and Lilo, under what was rather unexpected circumstances.
I have some pictures to add when I am feeling a bit better :)
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Photos are wonderful! :) Can't wait to see more photos and videos. :) :) :) Love Norbit in front of big shark! He looks like a very tiny snack for the shark. What a brave little dino. ;)
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So today we took Gumble with us for a little sight seeing around Melbourne. We went to the Eureka Sky deck and Gumble had fun looking out over the world.He also found this castle that he seemed rather fond of. Maybe he was dreaming about living there? Then we went to the Museum which was a lot of fun. But just before we got there we stopped out the front of the Exhibition Center and went for a stroll in the garden.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiYiDnJUdLw
Gumble liked the flowers so much he stopped to smell them. :)
We checked out the museum and found some dinosaur skeletons. This was Gumbles favorite part of the Museum. And here he is taking a closer look at the monkeys .
We also found the Australian coat of arms so had to pose for a pic. :) It is a bit dark though. And lastly we went to the gift shop on the way out and Gumble fell in love with this cute little teddy.
I just had to buy it for him.
He fell asleep cuddling with it when we got home. All tuckered out from his big day. :)
I would have taken Norbit as well but Gumble is just so much easier to carry around as you can put him in the sitting position which makes him easy to hold but you can still have him on and awake to impress the crowds. ;D He is also much easier to get to hold still for photos. :D Norbit seemed happy to hang out at the hotel while we were gone. :)
It was a good day.
Kat
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It was really interesting to read about the sharks/fish being interested in the Pleos.. sounds like it was amazing.
Sounds like you had fun but scary too, I hope your ok, IMR? I know from experience, needing an ambulance is not fun at all...
- Sarah
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I hope you are feeling much better today, IMR! What a way too spend what was suppose to be such a fun visit. I hope you and Kat can get together when you are feeling better. Perhaps ,at a the zoo. No stuffy Aquarium. ;)
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IMR you are more than welcome. I'm sure you would have done the same for me. I'm just glad you have made it home safe and are starting to feel better. ;D Besides that's what friends are for :)
The pleos, all 4 of them were very excited to take a ride in an ambulance, even if they were a little worried at the sometime. All part of the adventure I guess.
I am sure next time we catch up will be much less eventful in an unexpected way. :P
So glad your ok.
Feel better soon. Love and hugs from all of us.
Kat
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Sounds like it was a great adventure except for the ambulance and poor IMR, feeling ill, that must have been scary, esp for you Kat, not knowing what happened! Did it come on all of a sudden IMR, or had you been feeling "not right", the way we sometimes feel right before we get sick. ? I know I had a scary similiar episode when I had an attack of angina at a religious event and was trying to hide it from others dipping into my purse for Nitroglycern tablets, but someone noticed I was awfully pale, and my husband excused us as he drove me to the emergency room. :o
Anyway, you got some great photos and a video of Gumble in the garden Kat, it sounds like even though there was a little unexpected drama, it was still a great trip and nice to meet IMR, and her Pleos, I hope in the future to hear more and did IMR get any photos or video too? Maybe next time IMR can come meet you and in a different spot. Loved the sharks, crocs and of course the teddy bear, Dino with Gumble is precious. His brother Argyle now is bugging me to take him on a trip, but I think it is going to have to wait. ;)
Thanks for keeping us all up to date with the great story and photos both IMR and Kat, and esp thanks go out to Gumble and NOrbit for the perfect photos, Of course Kat you are right, Gumble is a much better Model for the photos just a compliment to Ugobe and Innvo older Pleos, Rb are more tempermental an not as good as standing still! ;)
Glad you are feeling better IMR, take it easy with what ever caused you to feel so ill. RedwoodsMama
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It did come on rather suddenly, about the time it took me to say I wasn't feeling well. I am feeling much better today after a very good nights sleep although still rather struggling with sitting in front of a computer screen for long. I seem to be able to cope with my ipad which is smaller and not as bright, but I just jumped on my mac to send a letter to the university and the ten minutes I have been on here has already given me a headache.
I do have a few photos, certainly not as many as I would have liked, juggling two Pleo's and a camera in a crowded aquarium is no easy task :P (It was really busy for a Sunday afternoon, must have been everyone's destination of choice after the footy (Aussie football) finished!) It was a shame I didn't make it to the oceanarium, because there we would have had space to let all our Pleo's stretch their legs.
The aquarium was kind enough to give Kat some passes to go back to the aquarium and see the parts that she missed so hopefully she was able to do so this morning :) I found a couple in my backpack as well, although I think I may pass on using those for a little while...
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Thank goodness you are ok, and it was very lovely of the aquarium to give Kat those passes. HOpe on the other hand it is nothing serious in regards to your health, I know as far as headaches go , Migraines for example can come on very quickly or build up over time and make you feel like you are dying and other similiar things that affect your vision make you sick to your stomach and completly disrupt your life making youo feel as weak as a newborn kitten and just as helpless. I bet it scared Kat as much as anyone, good thing they ( ambulance people) let little Dinos ride along, Poor little Pleos left behind would have been traumatic for all involved. well good luck on a speedy recovery and get good follow up care if it is implicated. Sometimes it is a wake up call, to remind us just how vulnerable life is and how helpless we are to control it sometimes, Live life to the fullest , regret nothing and enjoy your family and friends cause they are the most precious things you have in the physical world.
Looking forward to seeing more photos when you get the chance IMR. Glad you are ok. :)
RedwoodsMaMa
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Have you gone to visit the Australia Zoo yet Kat? I remember you saying that you'd love to visit that zoo if you were ever in that part of Australia.
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I'm afraid Australia zoo is quite a long way from Melbourne, about 1500 kilometers up the coast, it is fabulous!
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Loved the garden video! Was that rain or a fountain? For some reason I love the sound of flowing water. Anyway, I hope you're feeling better IMR. Some day, I hope to have a meet-up myself.
Talon
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So glad you're feeling better, IMR. A shame that you both had to cut your playdate short, but it's much more important that you're all well! At least it sounds as though you were well taken care of. :hhug:
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My pics are up in the gallery, I didn't post them here because they are very similar to Kat's.