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 Boolover |
Anyone have carry-on problems? |
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Posts: 84 06/06/2008 18:06 |
I will be flying (United) to Montana and want to carry my rods on the aircraft with me. I am planning on taking a number of cased rods in an LL Bean carrying
case that is 53" long by 4" diameter. Are the airlines giving anyone trouble carrying rods on board these days? Are they giving any trouble if you
are carrying aboard such multi-rod carrying cases?
Dave |
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czkid |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 3478 06/06/2008 20:42 Moderator |
As long as the case is not metal... should be no problem... for some reason they figure that a metal tube could be a weapon.
Ralph |
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firehole |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 3311 06/06/2008 21:00 Local user |
Dave,
Hope your not coming out here shortly since the runnoff is in full swing with lot more snow to come down. It's been snowing again today in Yellowstone country. Rivers aren't expected to go back down until the end of June. The Missouri below Holter was running 9000cfs a few days ago. Dennis |
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16 pmd |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 530 06/06/2008 21:38 |
I travel a lot, often with rods. Three or four piece rods are ordinarily no problem but two piece 9-footers are challenged more often. The problem is,
especially when taking multi-leg flights, all it takes is one gate agent on one flight that insists on your checking your rods to screw up your plans. It's
the airline agents, much more often than the TSA inspectors, that cause the problems. They are looking at size regulations while the TSA is concerned about
cases usable as clubs and other such nonsense. In places that are used to seeing a lot of rods, you're very unlikely to have a problem. As mentioned above,
don't take metal tubes - likely to cause TSA problems and not strong enough if you're forced to check them. Missouri is at 15,000+. All of northern
Rockies have lots of snowmelt yet to come. Spring creeks, lakes and some tailwaters are the only games in town.
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Boolover |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 85 06/07/2008 08:42 |
I'm not going until September, to Big Sky, and had thought of taking three or four metal rod tubes with two-piece 8" rods. I thought I would carry
the tubed rods in the plastic, codoba covered travel case that measures 53" x 4" diameter. The only problem I had to date was transfering between
flights in Amsterdam's Schipol Airport with a four-piece 9' rod in a platic case. Dutch security said I would have to check it, but the flight crew
said "No problem." In this case I am flying from Washington Dulles through Chicago O'Hare to Bozeman.
I sent an email to United explaining my plans and got the following, not too encouraging, response that totally evaded the question of whether cased rods may be carried aboard. "please allow me to apprise you that fishing rods are accepted as a checked baggage. You may carry 2 Rods- 1 pair boots,1 reel, 1 tackle box, 1 landing net. Rods are check as fragile and a signed limited. (sic) Excess charges of $85 will apply if in addition to free allowance." I am beginning to grow pessimistic. Dave |
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gmflyfish |
Traveling with Rods | #5 | ||
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Posts: 1037 06/07/2008 09:29 |
TSA is fickle to say the least and every airport is a challenge to our patience and our Ability to understand the changing regulations. My way of traveling
with bamboo is to use my padded gun case laying four rods and tubes in the hard sided case and checking them. Yes there is some trepidation, but such is life.
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bobbeegee |
Ship ahead | #6 | ||
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Posts: 1711 06/07/2008 11:00 |
I always ship via, USPS Priority, my rods, reels, and all other gear well ahead of my arrival in Montana.
I know it's there waiting for me and makes for a much more pleasurable flight! Of course I have family there. I still think you have plenty of time to make arrangements for shipping ahead. Bob |
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16 pmd |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 531 06/07/2008 11:54 |
Though TSA can keep you from carrying your rod on, it's airline gate agents who are usually the problem. Once you get through security once on a trip, TSA
is no longer an issue. Any of the gate agents on any leg of a multi-flight trip, however, can keep you from carrying your rod any further. They can invoke size
regulations which technically rule out any two piece rod tubes. Every airline has its own policy. You can look them up in one place at: www.ifly.com/carry-on
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RPL |
Have Rod Will Travel | #8 | ||
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Posts: 59 06/07/2008 12:51 |
I recall that, in a previous thread, a forum member had advised that traveling flyfishers print out and carry with them a copy of the TSA website page that
advises that fishing rods are permitted as carry-on luggage. I have printed out and placed a copy of this page in my rod case as a talisman and have never
been challenged.
My hunch is that the more the rod case looks like a rod case -- friendly color, modest dimensions, with luggage-like handles -- and not like a bazooka, the more likely you will have no problem with airline employees. Might also help to wear a fly fishing vest to create the right impression. It also helps if you are traveling through airports that fisherpersons regularly transit. There are no guarantees, however, so you ultimately have to be prepared with a Plan B in case you encounter a piscaphobe at one of those check points. |
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Berry Point |
Length might be an issue | #9 | ||
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Posts: 304 06/07/2008 13:10 |
16 pmd has it right. You can meet all the TSA regs and restrictions and still be foiled by the airline gate agent or on-board crew. I've flown repeatedly
without problems packing 3 piece and short 2 piece rods in courdura covered pvc tubes packed together in a 41 inch canvas rod bag with handles and a strap.
Just another carry on. But 53 inches might be viewed as a bit much. Too long for many overhead bins (particularly on B-737 or Air Bus 319 or 320), and too
tall to fit in some hanging closets. Yes, it can fit under the seats lengthwise, but at that length it will "interfere" with the passenger in front
of you. The TSA regs printed, or tatooed on your forehead won't help you there.
I'd suggest you either get yourself a 48" case and pray, or take the safe route and ship 'em UPS or FedEx to your hotel/motel a few days before your trip and reverse the process on your way home. Safe travels and great fishing |
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Boolover |
Thanks to all | #10 | ||
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Posts: 86 06/07/2008 14:16 |
I went to LL Bean and looked at that carrying case - - it is definitely too large. I think I'll take the good advice offered here and ship the rods ahead
of time. Thanks to all.
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 rgsiii |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 38 06/07/2008 16:06 |
I had troubles when my carry on was not permitted on board for the final connection to Montana. I was forced to have it put into "Late Check in"
luggage. It was lost for three days and because it was "Late Check IN," it was not forwarded to me. I had to drive from Livingston to Bozeman to get
it. The airline types can give you fits and you will not win. I know several people who have travelled extensively and have had no problems with their carry on
rods. However, my experience has convinced me to put them into my check in baggage. Shipping by UPS or some other method might be a good option. BTW, did I
mention that it was Continental?
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czkid |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 3481 06/07/2008 22:49 Moderator |
It does help if you are a High Level Frequent Flier on that particular airline. I'm a Million Miler/Platinum on Delta... never a problem, but put me on
another airline... watch out!!!
Ralph |
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levertonhatches |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 527 06/08/2008 15:12 |
Sometime ago, in a similar thread, I suggested carrying the rod in a plastic tube you were willing to part with. Later on I took my own advice, and it worked.
When security at London Gatwick refused to let me carry my 8' 3pc rod through in its plastic tube, I threw the tube away and carried the rod on in its
canvas bag.
Another issue: Many airlines now permit you to carry on only one item. A lady's purse, for example, is her one item. A rod would be a second item, and would be required to be checked unless you could cram it in your carry on. The rules vary so widely that prediction is impossible. The most recent time I needed to travel with a rod I took a 7' 3pc (which makes a very short lever) and packed it in my checked luggage. Were I taking longer rods, I'd think about shipping them ahead, but in that case aren't they going to fly as freight -- much as if they'd been checked as luggage? The "friendly skies" simply aren't friendly to the long rod. |
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firehole |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 3320 06/08/2008 15:29 Local user |
I don't screw with taking them on board with me since there are too many scenarios which can cause me grief. When I go to NZ or Alaska I carry 3 pc.
7'9' bamboo or 4 pc 8' which can fit easily into my drop bottom luggage. No problem so far but then again I'm only making two connections.
Dennis |
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mmorris236 |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 188 06/09/2008 08:49 |
The added advantage to UPS/FedEX or even Express mail is relatively cheap insurance. Heaven forbid but the airline cap their losses at something like 20$ a
pound for checked luggage (Yes, they calculate loss on weight, apparently far too many lost bags in the past belonged to people who were carrying the hope
diamond). Seems to me that a lost or busted Bamboo rod might not fetch much from the airlines.
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spruce grouse |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 1050 06/09/2008 10:33 |
I recently flew to Milwaukee with some rods (PVC tubes in a leather and canvas case) without any problems. Coming home, though, the Airtran person at the
counter said I wouldn't be able to take the case on the plane. I told her I'd never had a problem before and that in fact I'd flown with it on her
airline three days before. She said nope. I informed her that TSA said I could. She said I'd have to go talk to the TSA guy. Well, the TSA guy was
summoned over, asked me what was in the case and when I told him fishing rods he said I could take them on board.
It's funny (funny weird, not funny ha-ha) that the only time I've ever had to take the rods out of their tubes for inspection before boarding was in Missoula, like they'd never seen a person carrying rods before. |
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dl6603 |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 28 06/09/2008 21:31 |
Summer of '02, I flew from Oklahoma City to Key West, connecting in Miami with my wife, two middle-school age daughters, and a 3 piece Sage in metal tube.
I was searched at each connection, swabbed for explosive residue, and my carry on bag opened and searched. Never once did they ask about the 3' metal tube.
One security agent set it aside to thoroughly search my bag and swab my shoes. When I asked if he had looked into the case, he replied " I couldn't
figure out how to open it." I showed him how to unscrew the lid and asked if he wanted to see the rod?, He replied, " It doesn't matter, if you
want to show it to me".
In Miami, the agents went over my stuff again while I held the tube through the entire process. In Key West, the guy only wanted to talk about fishing. Heading to Belize in July with my wife, one high-school daughter, one college sophomore daughter, three rods and one college sophomore daughter's boyfriend. Have printed regs from TSA and Continental. Plan on carrying on in plastic tubes inside Fishpond 43" bag with handles. Hope all goes well. Don |
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reckless |
Carry on in Australia | #18 | ||
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Posts: 7 07/21/2008 04:25 |
You cant take any fishing gear on board in Australia. I travel with Hardy Smugglers and cant take them. I am about to visit Texas and am very worried about
bringing over any cane at all as it will have to be checked and I have had too much luggage damaged by Qantas. Another thing does anyone know if the extreme
(low) temp in the hold of an aircraft damages cane rods?
Neil |
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