airline travel tips

wiseguy2 · Since 22 Feb 2009 89 Posts

I'm off to mexico for a bit of kiteboarding soon. Does anyone have any airline travel tips. (Should I buy travel bag for my gear? Are the airlines more or less inclined to charge extra if I just pack my board in a box? etc.)

-msl

shred_da_gorge · Sat Dec 05, 09 9:10 am

You can find lots of info by searching for this previously-visited subject, but it often depends on the airport, airline, and your gear (and even attitude with the baggage handler). I use a snowboard bag for twin tips and have never been charged; ship the bigger stuff when I'm staying any length of time. Got my 7/10/14 Rebels into the 14m bag with room for light clothes. Also look into laundry facilities at your destination.

I flew to/from Padre recently with a large group of kiters and everyone had 'golf' bags - coincidentally we flew in with a collegiate golf team! The problem with some 'golf' bags is their size, though, and several people had overpacked them and got charged because they were too heavy and/or unwieldy.

The trick is to go someplace warm so you don't have to pack clothes or wetsuits... Wink

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

One good thing to do is show up early. I mean be the 1st person to check bags for your flight. The counter person will be more inclined to overlook things if they havent had a chance to get stressed out yet.

And pay attention to the weight limits. Pack like a mad scientist.

I have a mystic ammobox and I really like it.

Bailey · Since 13 Apr 2008 87 Posts

If you use vacuum bags you should be able to get two kites in your carry on. I get two in my carry on and one (7m) in my lap top case Shocked

strapless101 · Since 17 Aug 2009 82 Posts gorge

3have never had a problem with my golf bag. Once overweight, the woman told me to pull something out to get it under 50#'s. When I asked her what was i supposed to do with it, she suggested I just stuff it back in the golf bag between ticketing and security! Did it, no problems. Thanks Alaska.

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

Since the bag weight guidelines have gotten so crazy recently, I always take a bunch of heavy stuff out of my bag and carry it in another bag till I get checked in. Then I stuff it all back in my bag when they ask me to take the bag to the security scan place around the corner. This works well at PDX as they have you take your own bag to the security drop point. No overweight fees for me! Laughing