Traveling w/ golf bag ?

B · Since 29 Apr 2008 18 Posts Hood River

Hi,

Quick Question. Going to SPI tomorrow, and just packed my Golf Bag(140cm). With 1 twin-tip, 3 Kites, Harness, Shorty, 2 bars and lines, pump and Impact vest, it already weighs 57 lbs., and theres still room.
1. Does overweight cost more than surf gear?
2. Do golf clubs really weigh less than 50 lbs?

Any info would be great. Thanks, Bob

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Apr 26, 10 1:39 pm

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B · Since 29 Apr 2008 18 Posts Hood River

Thanks!

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1862 Posts XTreme Poster

If you are overweight you get checked, then possibly charged for overweight AND an additional sports gear charge. Keep it under 50 for sure.

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

I agree... to be safe, try and get it under 50 is always better and easier to negotiate.

If you decide one of your bags needs to be overweight, try and make it your clothes bag that doesn't look like gear. You can shed weight from the Golf bag by putting fins, bars, harness etc in clothes bag. Also leaving kite bags at home, or packing separate from kites (clothes bag/carry on) will reduce weight.

Also, many airlines allow a carry on 1 bag + a computer case, so really 2 bags- if you get a decent computer pack that can take a bunch of stuff. Very easy to carry on one kite or even 2 rolled tight together in 1 kite bag. They stuff easily into the overhead.

Doing some of this will make your golf bag lighter than the 50lb max and having it soft and a bit limp since it's not bulging full of stuff makes it seam like there's not much to it. Really all you're trying to do is keep it under 50lbs and keep it from looking like a board is in there.

I have once heard of someone having issues taking on both kite and bar and lines, ( too similar to a parachute/terrorist escape method) so I always pack the bars in the checked bags and just carry kites and kite bags carry on.

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

I also fly southwest now as much as I can. they let you ahve 50lbs, many only let you have 40 domestic now. They let you ahve 2 bags free, where most are now charging for every bag. They have no policy against kiteboarding.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Apr 26, 10 3:20 pm

curbside check in. $20 in hand.

Faster, easier, and spreads the love around. You'll notice that the majority of curbsiders don't even have a scale.

If you have to be over, take the heaviest thing out and set it aside until after your bags are checked. then put it back in when you take your bag over to the security scan station.

B · Since 29 Apr 2008 18 Posts Hood River

Thanks, Looks like I've got some re-packing to do

kiteboardinglife · Since 20 Jul 2009 46 Posts portland or.

I heard the airlines are catching on to the golf bag trick
is that true? have the air lines been checking golf bags?
or asking more questions about whats in the bag?

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1862 Posts XTreme Poster

My experience has been:

Alaska Airlines: Totally cool. Go out of there way to NOT charge you extra.

Northwest Very chill, but don't ask/don't tell applies.

Continental: A little picky. Had to talk my golf bag onto the plane for no extra charge.

US Airways: Yuck! Desk folks must be on commission for fees. Hateful. Never fly again if at all possible.

I try to fly Alaska when possible, mainly because how helpful the counter folks have been.

Results may vary...

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Apr 27, 10 8:09 am

I think Eric nailed it. AK airlines has always been cool. Delta desk clerks belong in the third reich. Bottom line it depends allot on the current situation and your attitude. Never utter the world surfboard and try to be organized and poilte--especially when its busy. If ever bag you have is stuffed to the gills with crap and you have allot of bags and a screaming kid and a bitchy wife, your going to pay.

People are just people.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Each airlines has it's own policies on kiteboarding equipment. I assume you have internet access since you asked the question here on the forum. Go to whatever airline's website you are flying and click on baggage or day of flight, then click baggage allowance. Some of the airlines actually list kiteboarding equipment as allowed checked bags. Print off a copy of the rules and highlight the kiteboarding section. Keep the printout in your carry-on so you can show it to the counter people if there is any discrepancy.

For the most part 5o lbs is the max weight and 62 linear inches in the max length for all the airlines no matter what is in the bag.

Nick · Wed Apr 28, 10 3:24 pm

In the Portland Airport:

Continental is the worst from my experience. My last trip $260 for 2 golf bags that where under 50 lbs. The guy then bragged to me about charging another kiteboarder $800 for excess baggage fees. I would avoid them like the plague.

United is always good to me.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Fed-Ex Ground is an even better solution. Box up your gear, send it Fed-Ex and carry on your clothes in a small suitcase. I sent 2 large boxes and a twintip for $55 to SPI.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

fyi if you plan on taking your 6' board

http://www.surfline.com/travel/boardbag_charges.cfm?id=15425

shred_da_gorge · Thu Apr 29, 10 11:49 pm

Continental SUCKS!! They screwed my friend out of a ticket refund on a technicality on a trip to Padre so we all fly Southwest exclusively now.

Yes, the airlines are catching on to golf bags but it really depends on who you get and their mood. Kinda like a speeding ticket. I use a snowboard bag and ALWAYS keep it under 50 pounds. Two boards, three kites, one wetsuit, few clothes. Never had a problem. Went to Padre last November with a HUGE group and many of them got charged with golf bags over 50 lbs. The irony is that we flew in from Houston alongside an entire collegiate golf team...

Baggage claim was a nightmare. And yeah, learn to keep a straight face when you're in Texas telling them you're carrying a snowboard.

Sol-flyer · Fri Apr 30, 10 6:20 am

I had no hassles flying to SPI, golf bag was 50.5 pnds and was only charged for the checked baggage fee ($25.00) and this was with American Airlines which I always thought was one of the worst.

A lot of airlines have kiteboards listed in there sporting good section of check in baggage. Be sure to check out the airline website for there rules & regs. Most it seems allow at least one board at no charge (given you dont go over the weight & oversize)