People has been upfront with TSA in the past so frogs don't go through the X-ray. If I remember correctly, the person told the TSA agent "
They told me to show you these
live harmless tropical frogs so they don't go through the xray." The italic are the key words in the sentence. "They" could be anyone, from airline agents to TSA supervisors. Leave at that.
Here is the thread:
http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/general-discussion/36832-carry-frog-luggage.html
I just wanted to update this thread with my first hand experience. Here is how it went:
I had frogs in ziplock food storage containers inside one of my two carry on bags. I put everything on the Xray belt, then asked the TSA agent that I wanted one of my bags hand-inspected. She replied:
- "
The entire bag or just one item?"
- "
Just a couple of items."
- "
What are they?"
- "
Harmless tropical frogs that I don't want to send through the Xray machine."
- "
Oh yeah... you don't want to do that. It would kill them. Let me have them."
Lady behind me in line tries to peek over my shoulders to see them as I take the containers out of my bag. She asks:
- "
What are they?"
Me:
- "
Frogs.
mad

", while handling the containers to the TSA agent.
TSA:
- "
Oh, I see them! So tiny and cute!!! Let me get someone to check them for you."
Agent calls someone while walking along with me until the remainder of my belongings go through the Xray machine. She hands over the frogs to another TSA agent. I go through the body scanner.
New TSA agent:
- "
Please follow me. I will check these containers with you.", as he leads me to a "sniff machine" just beyond the xray line.
The agent wipes my hands and the containers for any traces of explosives, then focus once again on the frogs.
Me:
- "
Do you need to open the containers? If you do, please be very careful as the frogs may jump out."
- "
I just need to peek inside."
The agent carefully removes the tapes securing the lids shut, peeks inside, then closes them back. In the meantime, more TSA agents (about 5) are gathering to see the frogs.
Random TSA agents:
- "
What is it?"
- "
How many are there?"
- "
I can't see any."
- "
Here it is, look how pretty!"
- "
What is it?"
- "
Tropical frogs... I LOVE frogs!"
- yada, yada.
By this time, my other bags are already out of the Xray so the agent tells me I can go retrieve them. I put my shoes back on, get my bags, and go back for the frogs.
TSA:
- "
All clear. Here are your frogs. Have a nice trip."
- "
Thank you.", as I put the frogs back in my bag.
Once inside the plane, I put the bag under the seat and 6 hours later they were home safe and sound.
Moral of the story: Security check took only a couple of minutes longer than usual, the frogs did not have to go through harmful Xray machines, TSA agents were very nice and mesmerized about the frogs (probably the highlight of their day

), and the airline never knew I was carrying live frogs in their plane.