After losing nearly all my chicks last week to an unfortunate incident with a fox, I've ordered new pullets to be shipped tomorrow. So I was quite concerned when I read that tomorrow is the day North West Airlines intends to discontinue accepting chicks as mail. I contacted Ideal, and they assure me that NWA isn't the carrier they'll be using, but they are concerned that other airlines might follow suit. If you go to their site, or McMurray's, they have a very easy form to fill out and they will make a letter for you to print and send to your representatives!!

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), August 14, 2001

Answers

I put a thread on this earlier, they told me that it wouldn't go into effect til Feb.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), August 14, 2001.

Hi Cindy, I did remember that you had posted on this already, but when I read that NorthWest was adopting this policy immediately, I thought I'd mention it again.

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), August 14, 2001.

Well i am sure happy that you got your order in and they will be shipping so quickly! I have received some updates from McMurray's where I filled out the form to send to my reps. Hope all your chicks are healthy!!!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), August 14, 2001.

They told me this morning, that they'd for sure be shipping through Oct. They're optimistic and proceeding as normal.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), August 15, 2001.

hi Cindy, 2 or 3 people over on the Poultry Forum say they've gotten a letter from Northwest Airlines on this, and a copy of the letter is posted there. What company are you talking to on this? As far as I know, it is only NWA, for now, that has the policy change, and other airlines that carry mail will still be carrying them. Have you heard differently on NWA?

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), August 15, 2001.

Sorry McMurry told me this morning NWA is going through with their threat. They're going to use Continental for now. They're afraid other airlines will do as NWA

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), August 15, 2001.

Thought you might like to see a copy of the e-mail people are saying they got from Northwest Airlines. As you might imagine, most of us are not buying their story:

Thank you for your email. Northwest Airlines' new policy effective Aug. 15, 2001 of carrying day-old poultry as cargo rather than as U.S. mail is based on the welfare of the animals. Northwest has received boxes of crushed poultry and shipments that do not meet our temperature standards via the U.S. mail system which have resulted in dead birds. Sending the chicks via cargo gives Northwest better control over the shipments and helps to ensure the health of the poultry. Northwest's cargo rates for these shipments are competitive with Priority and Express Mail services and in most cases the cargo service provides same day delivery (airport to airport).

Again, thank you for your comments Ms. Sheen. We will continue to make every effort to serve our customers well.

Sincerely,

Eric McGowen Supervisor, Customer Relations Northwest/KLM Airlines"

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), August 15, 2001.