Airline Information

Quick Links (in order of preference):

Detailed Airline Information    

Southwest Airlines

This airline works by far the best of all from PBI . I have concluded that it is a combination of quality employees and general hub structure. The only limitations are the number of locations they fly to. They do not have bookings and probably don't need them. They will take shipments within one hour of flight time and sometimes less depending on how the morning is going. They have never failed my business and have gone out of their way to help me on several occasions. I like their web site and schedule format. Their prices are by far the best in the industry for the top quality of service they provide.

Here is a list of their freight houses and the locations they serve: SW Cargo

This airline was my first and has proven very reliable. The only problems are the very high prices, limited hub in Atlanta, and turnover in employees. They are kinda like the IBM of the industry and reflect this in their efforts. If they say they can do it then question it. They usually don't seem to know much about shipping fish in particular, despite the fact that they do it all the time. 'Dash' and standard cargo rates are available from this carrier. As of Feb. 2010 Delta will be officially merged with North West Airlines and I hope they can still do the Canadian shipments. The old NW rates are gone.

Delta's hub is Atlanta (ATL)

US Airways: This is the old stand by that once had many of the advantages of Southwest (before the minimum rate hike for tropical fish in January 2005), but they fly to more locations than SW. *The minimum rate is set at 136 pounds (7 or 8 boxes) and $60+ maybe $75 (Priority freight) but we can tape 2 or maybe 3 boxes together and fly the fish at (Premier Pack), one hour lead time, guaranteed rates for about the same price. *They require two hours lead time with Priority freight and are lazy enough to enforce this to the letter. They also require four hours between flights and are lazy enough to enforce this internal regulation strictly. It is a good idea to allow for this in their somewhat unreliable schedule, the booking department always does. They do not have telephone contacts and you will obey their rules! If the flight is pre booked then it puts everyone in the light of having to maybe do their jobs. Along with this poor management, they do have a challenge with their few northern hubs in the winter time. The WEBSITE has made considerable improvements lately that do not run well on Compuserve. If there is a clear choice between US Airways and Southwest for your live fish shipment, then Southwest is the clear winner.

United Airlines has the same schedules and people at PBI as the US Airways.* As soon as I convince their booking department that the Tropical Fish are not shipped as animals then maybe I can start using them. *United has very poor communications but I have no reason to think they could not somehow get the job done, just because I have never been able to use them in the past.

US Airways' and United's hubs are Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL), Washington DC (DCA), and Pittsburgh (PIT).

Typical 10 to 20 lb or 1 box costs $100 to $200. UPS 24 hr ground within Florida = $20.00 for 20 lb. UPS requires us to charge the customer shipping charges prior to shipping the fish. You have the option of forgoing this by creating a UPS account for yourself. You can sign up for a UPS account here.

Discounted & large fish should NOT go UPS. Shipments that go out before 5:30 pm EST typically arrive before noon of the destination time zone. Unlike airlines UPS does not offer insurance on fish shipments.

These people go everywhere and their prices are not bad. The only problem is the fact that PBI doesn't have a freight house for them. Ft Lauderdale (FLL) (40 miles south of PBI) located in the Delta freight house is much better than the Miami MIA hell (4 hours of standing in line and "cover your ass" union employees to deal with). 'Priority' and standard cargo rates are available from this carrier.

AA's hubs are Chicago O-Hare (ORD) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)

This is a small company out of Oak Creek Wisconsin and half owned by Northwest airline. They are doing a great job out of FLL for me at the Delta freight house. I think they have patterned their management style somewhat after Southwest airline with a best of the best approach. If anybody has a chance of making it big then these are the people. If I was going to invest into an upstart airline then this would probably be the one. I am surprised but I just hope the fuel costs don't put them down. I sure wish they had something in West Palm Beach. Please say a small prayer.

Here is a list of their freight houses and the locations they serve: Facility