Has anyone been busted by an airline?
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 17:11
Next week I'm flying to Cancun on Continental. If a Continental employee decides to check my "golf" bag, the cost of bringing my gear will go from $0 to $200. For the trip I'm taking, it is not worth the $200.
Does anyone have any experience with Continental? Or flying with golf bags in general...how often do people get busted?
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 17:16
#1
As long as under 50lbs and
As long as under 50lbs and looks like golf bag. (I have the NRS Deceiver) Says NRS GOLF.. Your good.. I know there are oversized kitebags that are blatantly not golf clubs. Always helps wearing your masters polo shirt, titleist hat, and golf shoes and talk about how far you drive the ball. 
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 17:55
#2
Just Once
I have never been busted flying out of Logan, Miami, Lauderdale, Cleveland, or Singapore. I was busted returning form San Francisco and it cost me $100. I have the NSI deceiver. You can curbside and leave a big tip if you are worried. As was mentioned- make sure you are below 50 lbs.
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 17:57
#3
I too
have a NSI Deseiver Golf bag. I have traveled on US Air, AA and Jet Blue and 50 lbs seems to be where you get questioned. Keep it under 50 and you should be good.
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 18:03
#4
Keep it under 50lb Mystic has
Keep it under 50lb
Mystic has a 140cm bag its smaller than some beefy 150cm+ bags. Bring a 135cm NOT a big 140cm+ board. (Assume you have a bag if not I have one left)
Then careful drying your gear on way back
You WONT get an answer... If you call airline you will get a different person in a diff state and the next person will not care what anyone said to you. Just like customs regardless those people make the call and regardless of what a site/their site said. You will have to just go down and do it. I have paid an extra fee 1 out of 10 times. So this trip is NOT worth $200. Instead weigh and average for you career kiting. You will pay 1or2 times out of 10. The rules are not clear and there is no way to verify, call, or get more advice.
Best advice is 1 out of 10 and go.
"Whats this?"
say "Its a golf bag" at least if they open it you can say you only said it was a golf bag not whats in it Remind if it was golf gear it would weigh ALLOT more!
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 20:00
#5
Curbside checkin is key..
throw the guy ten bucks and off you
Learned it from Howudoin Haley.
Too bad I ride surfstyle and get hosed anyway I go!!
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 20:05
#6
A few things
Be friendly, not hard since you are either going on vacation or getting back from one.
Curbside check-in
Cough up a 10 spot
Keep the weight under 50 lbs, the guys up front curbside take heat for not catching over weight bags.
I am 6 for 6 on check ins with the NSI golf bag.
Mon, 02/14/2011 - 21:55
#7
Good one I have heard that
Crap right I forgot... Drop with curbside skycap and tip that guy! I have not done this but much better idea.
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 10:15
#9
cubside helps
If you checkin with curbside person remember that were you are going they may not have the service and you can get double charge if your bag is over weight 
It may not happen but if does will be some xtra $$$$
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 10:13
#10
Now is part of luggage policy "Kiteboard"
Most of arlines now accept Kiting equipment and don't tell them that you have golf clubs because they are checking a lot bags. My last 2 trip they asked to open my gof bag.
As long the bag is whitin the company weight limitation no extra charge will apply
Here is some content right from Continental website:
https://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/sports.aspx
Kiteboard:
Continental Airlines will accept one kiteboard or one bag containing equipment used in kiteboarding as checked baggage.
If the kiteboard/kiteboard container is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + 
, a $100 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply, but first or second bag charges do not apply.
If the kiteboard/kiteboard container is under 50 lbs (23kg) and 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + , the $100 service charge does not apply each way, but, if applicable, the first or second bag fee applies.
The board must be well padded or the entire board must be encased in a suitable container to avoid scratching. Continental Airlines shall not be liable for damage to a kiteboard or kiteboard equipment.
Excess Valuation may not be purchased for a kiteboard or kiteboard equipment.
Note: On Continental Airlines flights, kiteboards over 115 inches (292 cm) in length will not be accepted as checked baggage. On Continental Express* or Continental Connection flights, kiteboards over 80 inches (203 cm) in length will not be accepted as checked baggage.
Kiteboards will be transported subject to load capacities of the aircraft on any itinerary involving a Continental Express* or Continental Connection flight.
Kiteboards are not allowed during excess baggage embargo periods when no excess baggage is allowed. Kiteboards will be accepted to Costa Rica during an embargo period.
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 12:27
#11
AA's policy
That was helpful - I just googled 'american airlines kiteboard' and found this, sounds similar:
http://www.aa.com/intl/ch/travelInformation/baggage/sport.jsp#
Kiteboard
Maximum size and weight: 126in / 320cm and 32kgs / 70lbs.
The following transportation charge applies to kiteboards over 62in / 157 cm (length + height + width): $150.
Kiteboards are exempt from oversize / overweight fees. If you are checking in a kiteboard and two bags or more, an excess baggage fee will apply in addition to the transportation charge. The three pieces as described above count as one piece for the purpose of excess baggage.
Kite Surfing Equipment
Maximum size and weight: 126in / 320cm and 32kgs / 70lbs.
Transportation charge: $150.
Kite surfing equipment is exempt from oversize / overweight fees. If you are checking in kite surfing equipment and two bags or more, an excess baggage fee will apply in addition to the transportation charge. The three pieces as described above count as one piece for the purpose of excess baggage.
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 13:15
#12
How generous!
It's really nice of the airlines not to charge for bags under 157 cm. That must exclude about 90% of all kiteboards.
Thu, 02/17/2011 - 08:51
#13
Actually, that's 157cm total
Actually, that's 157cm total length + height + width. I think that is nearly impossible. Lucky, if it's about the length of golf clubs and under 50lbs, they are usually cool.
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 11:31
#14
Flying JetBlue to Florida
Flying JetBlue to Florida tomorrow. Their policy: $50 each way. I will pay it.
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 12:42
#15
Just took my 3 kites back to
Just took my 3 kites back to France for Christmas in my slingshot Golf bag. You have any problem if you keep it under 50 lbs and you wear your callaway Hat.
On the way back I was over those 50 lbs and I paid 100 euros.
Good luck and tell us how is works for you.
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 15:32
#16
Ok on Jet Blue...
Jean, I just flew to Barbados A few weeks ago on JetBlue. I used the bottom half of a Dakine BTS bag (not a golf deceiver style bag). It weighed less than 50 lbs, though was oversize by the Jet Blue (and others) standards. The check-in guy at Logan asked if the bag contained golf clubs, so I said yes. On the way back check-in girl didn't say anything. No charge either way. Curb side wasn't available - not sure if it ever is for Jet Blue.
I did buy a brand new NSI Deceiver bag for this trip, but when I filled it with my gear it looked gargantuan. It actually measures out larger than their supposed maximum bag size (80"), so at the last minute I decided to use the BTS. Maybe next time I'll go with the golf bag, seems everyone is okay with it. I will definitely also be putting a few clubs in the bag next time, just in case they want to check. Good luck.
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 18:18
#17
don't foprget to dry the kite
I went to FL last fall... going down not a big deal but coming back I had a heavy bag. Turns out that my wet kites put me over the 50lbs. don't forget to dry them as best you can. I had no choice it dropped in the drink hours before my flight.
Sat, 04/27/2013 - 03:41
#18
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Wed, 02/16/2011 - 13:08
#19
I've been using the Dakine
I've been using the Dakine BTS for a few years now and can't say enough about it. The best thing about it is the fact it splits into 2 bags. I can pack 2 kites, board, harness, wetsuit, and random shit all in the roller section of the bag and still come in under 50 lbs so I've never actually used the full bag before. I've flown with it a ton and never had an issue.
I also don't lie and say it's golf clubs or something. If they ever ask I just say it's power kites. Key is never say the word 'board.' As soon as you do that they start to think surfboard and you could get dinged.
Just my ยข.02...
Thu, 02/17/2011 - 09:16
#20
Ditto
I've got the same bag and it rocks. You can literally take 100lbs worth of gear with no extra charges. Big engough that I can throw other random shit in their too...like my wive's 10 pairs of sandals & shoes, beach towels, etcetera, etcetera.
Tue, 02/15/2011 - 23:46
#21
I only weigh 145 lbs, I
I only weigh 145 lbs, I wonder if they will take that under consideration... 
Wed, 02/16/2011 - 13:52
#22
throw a few old golf clubs in
throw a few old golf clubs in the bag with your kites - that way when they ask you if its a golf bag you don't have to lie.
Wed, 02/16/2011 - 23:30
#23
kudos to JetBlue, they asked
kudos to JetBlue, they asked what it was, I said kiteboard, and they check it for no extra charge - my kind of airline.
Sat, 04/27/2013 - 09:43
#24
I throw a couple of my kids kiddie golf clubs in
My kids have some old kiddie clubs and I throw a couple in. They are real golf clubs, about 2-3 ft long each. A little rusted.
Seems to work.
Hey great feedback everybody...thanks so much for the quick replies. I'm going with a smaller bag and will tip the skycap handsomely...I'm talking like $15.
Now I just need to know what kind of sacrifices are preferred by the Mayan wind gods.