Lobster
 

I am in Maine right now. I am looking to buy live lobsters and take them home on the plane. Does anyone know how long they will stay alive? I have asked some places that sell them and you get different answers.

Re: Lobster
 

Uh....why not just mail them to yourself? It would be a lot easier, and would be certain not to stink up everybody's luggage.

Re: Lobster
 

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Uh....why not just mail them to yourself? It would be a lot easier, and would be certain not to stink up everybody's luggage.

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Lobsters are a real bitch to move, if you put them in a styrofoam cooler with ice and seaweed you should be alright for 24 hours or so. If you wrap them like this they shouldn't really produce much of an odor. My advice, go out and buy them the morning before you fly out, carry the cooler onboard (I personally wouldn't check it) and put them in the fridge wrapped in a wet cloth as soon as you get home. They won't last more than a few days. If they die in transport or storage the meat start going bad very quickly (even if refridgerated) and could make you a little sick if you eat it. You should probably get hardshells, they're hardier and have more meat per weight/volume, but have slightly more stringy meat.

As an alternative, you might try going to the market and getting a quantity of precooked and shelled lobster meat. It will be easier to transport, wont spoil (any easier than other meats) and should still taste pretty good once you get a chance to eat it.

Shipping them to yourself is another alternative, I don't think i'd do it though. After you pay overnight shipping for a box full of lobster + ice + seaweed, your margins might start looking pretty slim compared with just buying some out of the tank at your local supermarket. Also the box will be subject to more jarring, shaking and being upside down than if you handle them yourself.

Re: Lobster
 

How long is the plane ride?

Re: Lobster
 

Cockroaches of the sea.

Re: Lobster
 

Plane trip is about 6 hours all together.

Re: Lobster
 

This is not a great idea. Get your fill while you are up there.

Re: Lobster
 

Pack them on ice, don't let them drown (fresh water is bad for them).

They will be fine for a few days. You will see them move slower and slower.

Re: Lobster
 

What is the point of the seaweed?

rJ

Re: Lobster
 

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What is the point of the seaweed?

rJ

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To make the lobsters feel at home. Lobster are emotionally fragile, and if they are not happy, they will flail about and fight with each other. The resulting exercise will cause their meat with become tough and stringy, much like a poorly raised veal calf.