Lobsters
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I understand the concern about the dry ice, and also that customs regs might be less than favorable, but a bunch of you have expressed concern that the lobsters "shouldn't be allowed" in the cabin luggage. Can you explain your concerns? I was unaware that lobsters were considered hazmats.
Paxing All Over The World
My concern is from the perspective of a PAX who has no desire to see a creature made to exist in an alien atmosphere. To be cought, trapped, tied down and then subject to changes in air pressure, water and every other aspect that it has known strikes me as cruelty in the extreme.
I may not be able top prevent people behaving in such a callous fashion but I do not wish to be in their presence, or the captured creature that I would not be able to assist.
I think that transport of live animals (land or sea dwelling) should be stopped. Please note that I am not vegetarian but this forced transport under these conditions shows humans to be a base creature.
I may not be able top prevent people behaving in such a callous fashion but I do not wish to be in their presence, or the captured creature that I would not be able to assist.
I think that transport of live animals (land or sea dwelling) should be stopped. Please note that I am not vegetarian but this forced transport under these conditions shows humans to be a base creature.
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Forgot I posted this, thanks for the responses.
Miraz - that's exactly what I used to do out of Boston!
PAXboy
What like fellow passengers!
Come on it's a lobster, many animals are freighted on a daily basis without ill effect, admittedly most don't end up in the pot.
Miraz - that's exactly what I used to do out of Boston!
PAXboy
My concern is from the perspective of a PAX who has no desire to see a creature made to exist in an alien atmosphere. To be cought, trapped, tied down and then subject to changes in air pressure, water and every other aspect that it has known strikes me as cruelty in the extreme.
Come on it's a lobster, many animals are freighted on a daily basis without ill effect, admittedly most don't end up in the pot.
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Paxing All Over The World
candoo May I presume that you understand the fact that SLF are Self Loading and make this choice [of boarding an a/c] of their own volition?
obgraham As far as my school biology lessons explained it, wheat has no central nervous system, further when it is transported, it is already dead as it has been harvested. The fact that much foodstuff is transported alive is no reason to wish to reduce that and to support those who do so.
obgraham As far as my school biology lessons explained it, wheat has no central nervous system, further when it is transported, it is already dead as it has been harvested. The fact that much foodstuff is transported alive is no reason to wish to reduce that and to support those who do so.
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Paxboy,
You try eating a lobster that has been 'dead' at time of purchase then transported for goodness knows how long on an aircraft, then into your car and back to your home.. I doubt you'd eat lobster again!!! Lobsters and Crabs 'spoil' easily and therefore have to be transported live or Frozen and indeed if you do buy them dead (From the Fishmongers for instance) you must cook them soon after purchase i.e. within a few hours. Not only for hygeine and health reasons, but also for flavour. Sorry, but it's the truth.
You try eating a lobster that has been 'dead' at time of purchase then transported for goodness knows how long on an aircraft, then into your car and back to your home.. I doubt you'd eat lobster again!!! Lobsters and Crabs 'spoil' easily and therefore have to be transported live or Frozen and indeed if you do buy them dead (From the Fishmongers for instance) you must cook them soon after purchase i.e. within a few hours. Not only for hygeine and health reasons, but also for flavour. Sorry, but it's the truth.
Paxing All Over The World
Before the thread gets canned (pun intended) I will make one last statement to those that asked why some objected. [hint to mods: it weren't me that started the thread slide, guv, honest!]
If lobster needs to be 'fresh' then eaither eat it frozen, or only eat it when you are near to where it is caught. Since this will be less often, it should improve your enjoyment by rarity.
Miraz I think that your comment highlights the exact point that I am making.
obgraham I know that you think it is amusing to say "So pax, your position is the lobster should have an equal vote on its itinerary and seat assignment?" but I am actually saying that, since it does not have a choice, we should not put it through such an experience. It's the kind of reasoning and consideration that human beings like to take unto themselves when they refer to themselves as being part of 'the higher mammals'. Which is not how we treat these (and all too many other) creatures.
garthicus "I doubt you'd eat lobster again" That is simple, I never have eaten this animal and never will.
If lobster needs to be 'fresh' then eaither eat it frozen, or only eat it when you are near to where it is caught. Since this will be less often, it should improve your enjoyment by rarity.
Miraz I think that your comment highlights the exact point that I am making.
obgraham I know that you think it is amusing to say "So pax, your position is the lobster should have an equal vote on its itinerary and seat assignment?" but I am actually saying that, since it does not have a choice, we should not put it through such an experience. It's the kind of reasoning and consideration that human beings like to take unto themselves when they refer to themselves as being part of 'the higher mammals'. Which is not how we treat these (and all too many other) creatures.
garthicus "I doubt you'd eat lobster again" That is simple, I never have eaten this animal and never will.
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Well Paxboy, you have certainly missed out - lobsters, particularly the cold water kind, are wonderful.
I can say from personal experience that it is fine to transport cooked lobsters in the hold as checked baggage in normal suitcases, even for long haul flights of 12 hours or more, where the hold temperature is far lower than that in the cabin. After which, you can enjoy the delicious, plump little creatures with potato salad, mayonnaise and a glass of sauvignon blanc.
Quite apart from having to run the gauntlet of hungry security staff, I can imagine what might happen if they were transported live in the cabin and the dry ice evaporated, or leaked. With a cabin temperature of 24c or so, I would not want to be sitting anywhere near the things!
I can say from personal experience that it is fine to transport cooked lobsters in the hold as checked baggage in normal suitcases, even for long haul flights of 12 hours or more, where the hold temperature is far lower than that in the cabin. After which, you can enjoy the delicious, plump little creatures with potato salad, mayonnaise and a glass of sauvignon blanc.
Quite apart from having to run the gauntlet of hungry security staff, I can imagine what might happen if they were transported live in the cabin and the dry ice evaporated, or leaked. With a cabin temperature of 24c or so, I would not want to be sitting anywhere near the things!
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I didn't think for one moment that this thread would evoke such strong emotions.
IMO there are several things worthy of discussion, though not in this forum! I have no idea how to transfer a thread so if you're around Tightslot please move appropriately.
Lobsters do not have feelings, only to the extent they feel themselves around with them tentacly things.
A live lobster does survive for up to 48 hours out of the water. Some of you should look into how crayfish imported from the USA are decimating some of our natural fresh water varieties.
Lobsters bear no malice upon their executioners, they will not fight their way out of the hold/overhead luggage and engage in a full out claws snapping fight in the aisles.
Lobsters only really taste good when shoved alive in the pot and thereafter smothered in a nice buttery sauce, made to your own taste.
Next someone will no doubt claim I am a heathen for enjoying the live oysters when in Maine.
Candoo
IMO there are several things worthy of discussion, though not in this forum! I have no idea how to transfer a thread so if you're around Tightslot please move appropriately.
Lobsters do not have feelings, only to the extent they feel themselves around with them tentacly things.
A live lobster does survive for up to 48 hours out of the water. Some of you should look into how crayfish imported from the USA are decimating some of our natural fresh water varieties.
Lobsters bear no malice upon their executioners, they will not fight their way out of the hold/overhead luggage and engage in a full out claws snapping fight in the aisles.
Lobsters only really taste good when shoved alive in the pot and thereafter smothered in a nice buttery sauce, made to your own taste.
Next someone will no doubt claim I am a heathen for enjoying the live oysters when in Maine.
Candoo
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Well, I wasn't planning to move it - in fact I'm developing quite a fondness for it! It enlivens the day to day routine of moderating moans and grumbles as I wonder where it will go next.
Everyone is making intellgent points politely, so let's keep it going and see where we go... I for one, never suspected PAXboy could get so passionate about crustaceans, but his point as always is well made and considered, so more power to him.
Over to you...
Everyone is making intellgent points politely, so let's keep it going and see where we go... I for one, never suspected PAXboy could get so passionate about crustaceans, but his point as always is well made and considered, so more power to him.
Over to you...
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Fair play Tightslot, good to hear.
Agree Paxboy's comments are well made.
However the thrust of my OP remains unanswered, have tried to contact BA about their regulations, alas no response.
If I were a farmer I could import all sorts of livelystock, ergo Ostriches, emus, Bison or whatever took my fancy - purely for the slaughter or enrichment of current stock.
My small mind, probably equivalent to a lobsters, does not equate cold blooded crustaceans feelings equible to mammalian requirements.
One shall enquire if I can reserve a seat for my dinner, that way everyone is happy!
Agree Paxboy's comments are well made.
However the thrust of my OP remains unanswered, have tried to contact BA about their regulations, alas no response.
If I were a farmer I could import all sorts of livelystock, ergo Ostriches, emus, Bison or whatever took my fancy - purely for the slaughter or enrichment of current stock.
My small mind, probably equivalent to a lobsters, does not equate cold blooded crustaceans feelings equible to mammalian requirements.
One shall enquire if I can reserve a seat for my dinner, that way everyone is happy!
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All this talk of lobsters has driven me to arrange a repeat of the shipment I mentioned above for next week.
As I type, the little dears are being selected, going through a rigorous regime of testing and measurement in a small enclave tucked away in a Norwegian Fjord. The fittest and plumpest 20 will be boiled on this coming Sunday morning, cooled in fresh Norwegian air and packed, before transport to the airport. As described, they will be first wrapped in paper, to avoid leakeage, then carried as checked luggage in ordinary suitcases. At the other end, a chauffeur driven limousine (more for the speed and efficient aircon than for crustacean comfort) will meet them at Suvarnabhumi airport and, all going well, we will have a lobster party in Bangkok on Monday night. I'll let you know how it goes.
As I type, the little dears are being selected, going through a rigorous regime of testing and measurement in a small enclave tucked away in a Norwegian Fjord. The fittest and plumpest 20 will be boiled on this coming Sunday morning, cooled in fresh Norwegian air and packed, before transport to the airport. As described, they will be first wrapped in paper, to avoid leakeage, then carried as checked luggage in ordinary suitcases. At the other end, a chauffeur driven limousine (more for the speed and efficient aircon than for crustacean comfort) will meet them at Suvarnabhumi airport and, all going well, we will have a lobster party in Bangkok on Monday night. I'll let you know how it goes.
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still think you should ship them live - best served straight from the grill or the pot onto the plate....refridgerating them in between destroys so much of the flavour and texture.
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^^ Correct, thus transporting them live in your hand luggage.
And another point, Emirates allow live Falcons in the cabin. So I think a lobster with it's claws elasticated shut, in a box, in the overhead bin poses far less a threat than a bird of prey!!
And another point, Emirates allow live Falcons in the cabin. So I think a lobster with it's claws elasticated shut, in a box, in the overhead bin poses far less a threat than a bird of prey!!
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Monday night was lobster night here.
Sixteen of the most gorgeously plump and tender critters made the grade in the fishing town of Egersund and were duly boiled in true Norwegian tradition on Sunday morning, before being cooled and packed. Packing consisted of wrapping in newspaper, then laying in polystyrene boxes, together with a couple of those plastic water-filled freezer slabs to keep them cool and then inside standard suitcases. Then off to Stavanger airport for the trip, via CPH.
They arrived on SK973 on Monday afternoon, where Suvarnabhumi's finest customs officers customarily ignored the suitcases and they were whisked downtown.
All arrived in delicious condition.
Sixteen of the most gorgeously plump and tender critters made the grade in the fishing town of Egersund and were duly boiled in true Norwegian tradition on Sunday morning, before being cooled and packed. Packing consisted of wrapping in newspaper, then laying in polystyrene boxes, together with a couple of those plastic water-filled freezer slabs to keep them cool and then inside standard suitcases. Then off to Stavanger airport for the trip, via CPH.
They arrived on SK973 on Monday afternoon, where Suvarnabhumi's finest customs officers customarily ignored the suitcases and they were whisked downtown.
All arrived in delicious condition.
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Some years ago had a marvellous trip to Islay – an island off the west coast of Scotland. Took the family up in my trusty Aztruck and stayed at Port Askaig Hotel right next door to a rather special distillery called Caol Ila. (the finest of the magnificent seven)
Fisherman were landing fresh lobster every day and we purchased a fine specimen from the Sound of Islay (Caol Ila) It was a good size - about 3kg and although a mere midget compared with 20kg monsters found in North Atlantic – it was enough to create a sense of apprehension when I announced we would be taking it back – alive to Teesside. It was captured at about 150’ and as any diver will tell you – the pressure at 30 metres is for the specially trained (PADI Advanced Open Water or higher). We planned for FL90 on the return trip and I was concerned about the pressure differentials.
Would the beast survive?
Pas de problème! The cephalothorax remained intact and the creature took the whole journey in its stride.
Much discussion on arrival home about what parts could be eaten and how the coup de grace should be inflicted. The green bits looked most unappetising but a local expert advised that this was the part the connoisseurs enjoyed most.
Yer lobby is a tough critter, a good feast and resilient traveller.
Fisherman were landing fresh lobster every day and we purchased a fine specimen from the Sound of Islay (Caol Ila) It was a good size - about 3kg and although a mere midget compared with 20kg monsters found in North Atlantic – it was enough to create a sense of apprehension when I announced we would be taking it back – alive to Teesside. It was captured at about 150’ and as any diver will tell you – the pressure at 30 metres is for the specially trained (PADI Advanced Open Water or higher). We planned for FL90 on the return trip and I was concerned about the pressure differentials.
Would the beast survive?
Pas de problème! The cephalothorax remained intact and the creature took the whole journey in its stride.
Much discussion on arrival home about what parts could be eaten and how the coup de grace should be inflicted. The green bits looked most unappetising but a local expert advised that this was the part the connoisseurs enjoyed most.
Yer lobby is a tough critter, a good feast and resilient traveller.
