Checking on a kitebag on a plane

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

Here is continental baggage policy..seems to more good luck with the ticket person cause I would like to see anyones gear regardless of contents meet this qualification

Oversized Baggage
Checked baggage exceeding 62 linear inches (157 cm)(total length + width + height) will be charged at the rate of $80.00 per piece.
These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or overweight baggage.
Baggage measuring more than 115 in/292 cm (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Continental charged me for a golf bag on the way down to Costa Rica. They asked what was in it, and I said beach gear. Dude then got out a tape measure and said it was way bigger than a standard golf bag. This was the first (and only) time I have ever been sweated with a golf bag.

Mr Madleg · Since 13 May 2005 10 Posts Portland, OR

I've tried to travel 3 times with kiteboards so far:

1st time - I tried to convince Continental that kiteboards are the same size as snowboards (which are free) or smaller. Talked to some customer service guy for about 45 minutes. He very much understood and, I think, agreed with my logic, but he was so geared to the rules that for the most part, he told me "we don't want you to bring them". He gave in one time during the entire call, but it was important... he said, "why don't you just get a snowboard bag, then, and call it a snowboard?" Ok, will do. I was headed to Cancun. Why would I need a snowboard? For sandboarding, of course! So I went down to US outdoor store, bought a $20 snowboard bag, packed a crappy old snowboard with bindings and my kiteboard without bindings. I'm a bad liar, so I wanted to be able to say it was a snowboard. The whole thing went through without a problem. It was spring, so I have a feeling the ticket agents were used to snowboard/ski gear from the winter.

2nd time - August - went to Kauai on Hawaiian airlines. I figured I could do without the snowboard this time. I packed the kiteboard only. (I always pack it with pipe insulation all the way around the edges) This time it didn't work. Delta was contracted by Hawaiian to do the baggage checking so there was a Delta inspection guy who had a job to do. And do it well he did. He asked us what it was. "Why, a waterski of course, sir", said I. Without opening the bag, he asked his Delta buddy what the policy was on wakeboards. Wakeboards? I said water ski's! It was over. No way of getting through these guys, they knew too much. And no, Hawaiian doesn't take wakeboards, either. ("board" is a bad word). Luckily, I was able to give the board back to the nice person who dropped me off - no kiteboarding with me in Kauai. I did have my kites, though, just in case I found a board somewhere. I always pack kites in one suitcase and boards in another.

3rd time - December - went to Cabo on America West. I brought the snowboard (for sandboarding) this time again. "What's in the bag?" "A snowboard." Ticket printed and placed around bag's handles. Yes! The lady askes very gruffly (yes, that's a word), "Why would you need a snowboard in Cabo?" .... ticket already printed ... no answer.... bag flies to Cabo ... Kiteboarding here we come!
On the way back, the customs bag searchers are right in front of the ticket counter. They open the bags and find stuff they've never seen before. They don't speak well enough English to try to talk to us, they just talk to each other and end up making kiteboarding gestures to eachother. The ticket guy took the bag no problem.

The three airlines I travelled had identical policies in that they disallowed kiteboards and wakeboards - they were placed in the windsurfing and surfing category. $80 to $100. Skis and snowboards were allowed for free on all airlines. It sure would be nice if they understood what kiteboards were and put them into the ski and snowboard category. I think it would be a long uphill battle to get the airlines to change considering they all have very similar policies. But to me, that should be our end goal. If skis and snowboards are free, so should be kiteboards (and wakeboards, for that matter). Put a length restriction on it if you want, but don't just be mean to us kiters. Crying or Very sad

azazello · Since 11 Jun 2005 60 Posts Seattle

http://www.continental.com/travel/policies/baggage/sports.asp

Boogie board is just about the only similar item on the list of things that can pass as a regular baggage item with no additional charges.
Kiteboards are specifically mentioned though as a $80 one-way thing Sad

Continental is out then as an airline for kiting trips.

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

i fly to the mainland lots a nsi deciever pro golf bag will carry a 2 boards under 157 a couple kite and all the mis golfing here is big and ive never been asked anything even back from portland if you have more stuff then check in a big plastic storage contianer like tupperware they can beat on them no problem good for pumps wetsuits ect never say'" board" thats a red flag and a charge some golf bags could house a small family and there free........the deciever is about 125.00 if it works once its paid for plus its a good all around bag good luck Idea

NaishUSA · Since 07 Jul 2005 53 Posts HR OR

I travel with gear frequently (within the US/Canada/Mexico and Hawaii) and generally dont get charged (knock on wood) My strategy:

I use a regular ProLimit Coffin bag that is 130cm and always weighed to be under 50#. When the ticket agent asks what is in the bag I say 'kites'. If they ask 'kites?' with a puzzled look on their face I say: 'Yeah, you know kites, like you fly in the air <look up into the sky and mimic flying a kite>'.

They generally respond 'oh, ok'...

If they do ask if there is a board in there I say 'yeah, its like a boogie board'.

Seem to work pretty well without having to lug golf clubs around Smile

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

check american's policy and scroll down to the table at the bottom of the page.

http://www.aa.com/content/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jhtml#Sports%20Equipment

You'll notice that:
Kiteboard and Kitesurf are listed seperately.
Besides Golf bags,Snowboards, Skis, Water Skis, Oars and boogie boards are free.

Though we weren't charged going or coming to Cozumel on American, we had a ticket agent in pdx who was itching to charge Phil and then 30 min later I came though and she asked if my bag had a kiteboard inside. I pointed at the ProGolf logo and she muttered a comment then weighed it/tagged it and sent it through.

I've haven't had a problem with Hawaiian Air last 2 years using an NSI golf along with a regular golf bag.

chrisf · Since 06 Jan 2006 17 Posts White Salmon

I just got back from Puerto Vallarta yesterday and the NSI deceiver worked great. I flew Continental and I put 4 golf clubs in with my 2 kites and a board when asked what was in the bag I said "golf Stuff" they never asked another question. Very Happy

Bokeh · Since 07 Feb 2008 104 Posts Vancouver, WA Stoked

Reviving the thread...

A question for our Canadian friends - how does your favorite airline treat kiteboarders? I am going to travel from Caribbean to Toronto (with overnight layover) and Toronto to PDX soon. If AC tends to nickle and dime fake golfers I'm potentially looking for the fee to check in my board twice.

bdc8622 · Since 31 May 2005 74 Posts PDX

Continental are a bunch of assholes. Always a problem. Fly SW in the U.S. as they are way forgiving.

Bokeh · Since 07 Feb 2008 104 Posts Vancouver, WA Stoked

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

I use to worry about this when going to Hawaii. Every time I tried to deceive the agent (Hawaiian), it cost me $100 each way and a pain in the ass. Then I would sit in my coach seat steaming pissed, and would have to walk to the back to get my drinks, only to have the flight attendants flip me attitude because I wanted to buy another shitty $5.00 drink. My wife said she was going to stop flying with me if I kept it up.

Last year I gave in, I put all my stuff in my big ass North kite bag and upgraded to first class at the desk ($200). My kite bag and my other luggage flew free, I got a big seat, bloody mary when sat down that never became empty the whole flight. It was great. When you think about the 5 hours over, the bag fees, the extra room, it has become totally worth it. Yeah it is $400 extra round trip, but I don't have to worry about it and I am relaxed and calm when I get to the island.

Just my $.02

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1488 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Did you make your wife sit in coach?

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1488 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Did you make your wife sit in coach?