Flying with gear
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 19:59
At the end of October I am flying (Continental) down to South Padre for a kite trip. I have never flown with my gear before and I was wondering if anyone has any helpful tips. First of all, I do not have a board bag, so if anyone has one for sale, I am very interested. Secondly, I am aware that people tend to run into trouble with extra oversize bag fees... what, if anything, can I do to avoid this situation? Should I look into those golf-board bags? Are there any bags that I can put all my gear, board, kite, etc. in?
Any advice/tips is much appreciated, thanks.
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 07:39
#1
I've flown on Jetblue and
I've flown on Jetblue and American with ridiculously large Mystic 150 cm golf bags with no problems or extra charges. (I kept the weight below 50 lbs-2 kites, 2 boards.) Last time on Jetblue, the lady asked how many golf clubs were in there, but she didn't make me open it to check.
I have heard that Continental is more restrictive, so you may want to at least put a club in the bag and keep to a smaller size golf bag that is not curved in the shape of a board. Its worth doing curb checkin and giving the skycap $20 if that is an option. They got my wife's 70 pound bag on with no extra charge.
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 08:57
#2
Im heading down to FL the end
Im heading down to FL the end of OCT. I was thinking of just shipping 2 kites 1 board down, will cost around 50bucks or so. Dont feel like bothering with the airport baggage system. The last thing I need is a TSA agent pulling both kites out and then stuffing them back in there bags.
Sat, 10/03/2009 - 20:55
#3
I have the Dakine BTS
I have the Dakine BTS Boardbag and it rocks: http://www.dakine.com/kite/bags/board-bags/bts-bag/
It zips apart into 2 seperate bags when you check in, so you avoid the overweight charges of one gigantic bag. I belive it accomodates up to a 140, and I can comfortbably fit my 3 kite quiver, board, harness, wetsuit, etc. If they ask what's inside, just say "beach equipment". If you say anything with the word "board" in it, they will charge you extra.
Sat, 10/03/2009 - 22:13
#4
we went to Coco Beach FL last
we went to Coco Beach FL last winter and I shipped my board, wet suit and harness, I think $35.00 OR $50.00, but totaly worth every penny. Shipped it a week early and did not have to drag it to the airport, check in, pick up ect.
Mon, 10/05/2009 - 07:36
#5
Shipping
First of all, how are you guys shipping your stuff? Rail, truck, UPS, or Fedex? Has anyone ever used DSL or Uship? As to the golf bag, I'm taking one to Florida early in November with Jet Blue, Is 50 lbs the limit before they charge? How about size? I want to take a windsurfing board and possibly sails.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 11:48
#6
Dakine Kicker bag?
Does anyone have any experience with the Dakine Kicker bag? http://www.dakine.com/kite/bags/board-bags/kicker-bag/ It seems like it would hold all my gear, and about half the price of a golf bag. I will be traveling to Florida and Singapore this winter, so I am planning on investing in a reliable way to take my gear with me. Any input on other bags that work well on planes would also be very helpful. Thanks guys.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 15:37
#7
Golf Bag
I like Mystics golf bag. Says GOLF all over it. Buy your airline tag BEFORE you hit the airport cheaper and they may be less apt to say anything. Make sure you are under 50lb on a bathroom scale!! Remember to dry your gear before. Get out sand. Wet gear is way heavier! If you decide to ship then ground is 100 bucks. 1 day is 300 bucks for a 50lb golf bag fed-ex. Fed Ex is closed SAT and SUN!
I know thank you again Lou Wainman for finding me in Maui and getting me out on your gear lol 
Lastly, make sure you buy a bag that is light and under 155cm. I have seen a bag that hold an extra kite and harness be the same weight as the last bag I used. features and padding ect is just weight. The mystic was good the Liquid Force weighed extra 7lb thats no good. Should say golf.
When they ask what is it.. say "its a golf bag" well it is sorta... if they catch you then give them your reasoning of the bag says golf.. Either way it can be hit or miss you WILL NOT be able to ensure, call, or do anything other than what I have suggested and roll the dice. Worst case its 75-150 as a surfboard. But trust you cannot call or check. Even if the person on teh phone understands and says ok after your trip or on the way you are on your own there.
Tue, 10/27/2009 - 16:33
#8
1st print out a list of there
1st print out a list of there permissible and restricted items... If the list does not mention kites, theirs nothing they can do. They can get you on the board though as Surf boards are on the list and carry a 75$+ fee. I shipped my board and stuffed 2 kites into a golf bag. price for shipping the board 30bucks each way. golf bag on airline 15$. ( Lady at the JAX airport gave me shit, telling me that only golf clubs were supposed to be in a golf bag.... played dumb, she let it go.) Logan didnt even try to weigh it.
Wed, 10/28/2009 - 07:24
#9
How are you shipping?
Once again, I ask the question, how are you shipping your gear when you aren't taking it on the plane with you?
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 12:20
#10
Traveled with gear recently
I recently returned from a trip with my gear. I used the NSI deciever travel bag.
http://www.inlandsea.com/p-81-nsi-deciever-golf-bag.aspx
I was able to fit the following into it:
1-145 Cabrinha Rival board,
1-9M Omega,
1-12M Switchblade,
1-bar,
1-pump,
1-harness shorts,
1-booties,
1-NPX float vest
1-shorty,
This came to 47 pounds.
I flew American and had no issues. I checked it both ways with a regular suitcase (that my wife and I shared). I was not charged extra and was not specifically asked what was in the bag. Folks assumed golf clubs and I did not correct them. I was asked to unlock it before I checked it though. I know it was opened by someone after I checked it because the zipper was not fully engaged. I made sure the kites were on the top so the board was not in view.
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 13:14
#11
Good to hear
This is good to hear! I just bought a used NSI bag and will be flying to Florida Friday and Singapore in January.... was wondering if it was still going to work! I'm flying Jet Blue this week so hopefully my experience will be the same.
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 16:54
#12
No worries mate, you'll be
No worries mate, you'll be apples.
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 20:18
#13
When I shipped my gear to FL
When I shipped my gear to FL I used UPS, I think it was $50.00 and the best part was I didn't have to drag it all over it was there when I got there, then the UPS store was only half a mile away to mail it back
Sun, 04/03/2011 - 21:21
#14
how was your experience?
how was your experience?
I wanna fly to Puerto Rico with jetblue and take my boardbag as only baggage, but it's bigger than their allowance...
and it's a normal bag, not a golf one....
hope they are mild on me
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 07:22
#15
Jet Blue
I just flew them to DR and had no issues with size. I used a 155 cm deceiver type bag which falls outside of their size limits. They asked me what was in the bag and they had no issue with it not being golf clubs. I weighed it at home and had my scale come in a 48.5#. On the way down they did not weigh it ( curb side, they don't use the scale at Logan). Same stuff in the bag at Punta Cana weighed 50.5# according to their scale. I took a bar out and put it in one of my other bags and was good to go.
So my guess is that you will be fine with Jet Blue. Also, these days, it seems trendy to trash airline service. I have nothing but good things to say about their service.
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 14:45
#16
Board Bag
I have used the "Golf" bag , a large one and it not only looks wrong, it feels wrong once packed with gear and stuff. I have switched over to using my snowboard bag. It can fit a large light wind board, looks and feels like a snowboard when packed and much easier to transport and can be checked for free on most airlines.
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:07
#17
Perfect, thanks for your
Perfect, thanks for your replies!!
Sounds good, I think i will just go for it!!
Then only the wind has to be there 
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 10:01
#18
Anybody ever seen a split
Anybody ever seen a split board in action? I have this fantasy of loading everything into one backpack.