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[monsterx]

They were labelled as "biological specimens" but think that might be one reason the airline doesn't like to have those things sitting in the passenger compartment.  Who wants to sit next to the the "biological specimens?", whatever those might be.  Makes you think of the 12 Monkeys movie.   Could it be a deadly new virus involved somehow in a secret terrorist plot?  An ancient perfectly preserved frozen dinosaur about to come to life and attack the passengers when the scientist carrying it accidentally loosens the lid and it begins to thaw?  The frozen remains of an alien taken from a crashed UFO?  None of her samples are dangerous, but the imagination runs wild with the potential for gory CGI imagery.   No doubt most people would be disappointed to find out how conventional and dull the things in the shipper really are.   

The dry shipper does look like a very serious piece of equipment, although it is completely safe if used as directed.

[inthelab]

They were labelled as "biological specimens" but think that might be one reason the airline doesn't like to have those things sitting in the passenger compartment.  Who wants to sit next to the the "biological specimens?", whatever those might be. 

Buy it a window seat and have spouse sit in the middle.  That way only spouse has to sit next to it.

[profxfiles]

They were labelled as "biological specimens" but think that might be one reason the airline doesn't like to have those things sitting in the passenger compartment.  Who wants to sit next to the the "biological specimens?", whatever those might be. 

Buy it a window seat and have spouse sit in the middle.  That way only spouse has to sit next to it.

And, as an added bonus, the samples get to look out the window and wave goodbye!

[magistra]

In general, airlines prefer to have passengers in seats.  I've heard this happening for musical instruments too (e.g. a very old cello, which the airline lost.)  I'd get documentation that you tried to buy a seat and it wasn't allowed.

It sounds as though what can be on the outside of the container is very precise, but is there any way to put an letter to customs in an envelope outside the case?  A brief description with some photos and business card, plus any university contact information, might make someone who's just curious stop.

[inthelab]

In general, airlines prefer to have passengers in seats.  I've heard this happening for musical instruments too (e.g. a very old cello, which the airline lost.)  I'd get documentation that you tried to buy a seat and it wasn't allowed.

I thought airlines just preferred to have money for the seats.  Whether occupied by a Strad, cello, dog, or specimens doesn't matter as long as they have $$ for the seat.

[monsterx]

I thought airlines just preferred to have money for the seats.  Whether occupied by a Strad, cello, dog, or specimens doesn't matter as long as they have $$ for the seat.

I'd have thought so to, but I guess not. 

[doctor_torrseal]

I thought airlines just preferred to have money for the seats.  Whether occupied by a Strad, cello, dog, or specimens doesn't matter as long as they have $$ for the seat.

I'd have thought so to, but I guess not. 

There are a bunch of regulations about cargo occupying seats in the passenger compartment, which have to do with safety or the appearance of safety.  For obvious reasons, cargo can't ride in a seat where someone would have to climb around it to get out, but the regulations go on to be more restrictive than that.  For example, see http://www.cello.org/Newsletter/Articles/flying.html.  There's a bunch of other rules for pets in the passenger compartment, by the way.

I don't know whether baggage or customs people will read notes that are taped to the box, but it probably doesn't hurt.  I used to travel with a piece of hand-carried mystery equipment and usually tried to carry a letter on university stationery saying what it was and that it was university property, the latter also intended to deter Customs from charging duty on it.

[inthelab]

YoYo Ma does not check his cello, according to an interview I read recently.  So he gets the bulkhead seat and straps it in.  Looks like that the rule, and that's how you travel with cargo too precious to check.