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Both Airborne Express and UPS clearly state that they do not accept live snake shipments. Both companies know live reptiles, snakes included, are being shipped through them (scanning "suspicious" packages is a standard practice after 9/11). What this is telling me is that they don't want to be responsible for the shipment if something happens (e.g. a snake escapes) but they still want your business.
Shipping via air cargo is prohibitive for the average herp enthusiast, charges are approxiamtely $80. A $80 dollar reptile suddenly doubles it's price once it is shipped. Not all the people that start in this hobby are willing to pay that much for shipping.
Recognized breeders (that are verified shippers with airlines) will still benefit in the medium and long term from other honest, smaller scale businesses that use less expensive means of transportation (after all they are among their customers). Thousands of herps (and dollars) are moved per year, generating business for the carriers as well as enthusiasm among new herp fans. They might not buy their first snake from large breeders, but that might be their next step.
In short IMHO we have to look at the big picture. If shipping via AE or UPS was to be completely banned, I believe this might have a negative impact on the sales of those that are verified shippers with airlines. There is room for both.
Best regards,
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