"NO SNAKES OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED ON A PLANE. SNAKES ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all pythons, boas, rattlesnakes, vipers, mambas, adders, and other known species of snakes.
Exception: some limited amounts of snakes may be allowed if Samuel L. Jackson is traveling; licensed snake charmers are allowed to have snakes in their check in baggage only if the name on the snake charming license matches the one passenger’s ticket; people who'se name is Snake will be allowed on board but only after full body cavity search
* Snakes purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
* Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.
Some measures will not be visible to the public. In light of the elevated threat level, the Federal Snake Marshals Service (FSMS) will provide expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United States."
Link to "Snake Threat Level Change for the Aviation Sector." (Thanks, Luke)
Previously: Liquids on a Plane
Reader comment: The Lizardman says,
I enjoyed the entry, and thought I might note that the TSA has actually banned snakes from planes for some time now. Back in 2002, I was looking into bringing along a snake I use in performances on a flight from Texas to Florida. The snake in question was an absolutely harmless rough green snake about 18 inches long – physically incapable of even biting a finger! When I called the airline I was told not to bring the snake and further referred to a local TSA contact who told me that if I even brought the snake to the airport it would cause a security shutdown of the terminal and I would be arrested. No explanation was given nor were alternatives suggested. In the end I drove to Florida for the gig and I have since found that some package carriers will transport for snakes under certain conditions – I guess their planes aren't afraid of snakes.
Here's an image of the snake during the performance: jpeg link.
