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 warrick |
Anyone flown cross country w/Boo ? |
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Posts: 156 05/28/2009 21:30 |
Has anyone recently flown on SW Airlines carrying a long rod? Do you know if they are allowed as carry on's, and
if so what length is permissible for overhead baggage?
Need to go from east coast to west coast and back, and wondering about the safest way to ship a favorite rod (or not!). Rick |
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 Marty |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 179 05/28/2009 21:49 |
I have taken 9' 3 piecers many times but never a 2 piece. Last fall was the last time and the 2 37" tubes were not a problem. I have a few times
when extending a business trip fed ex'd a couple boxes and rods so I wouldn't have to schlepp the extra week's worth of stuff. I just took a pre
done fed ex label and re taped the box and asked the lodge to drop it off for me.
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ttrotter |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 1099 05/29/2009 20:13 Moderator |
All depends on what mood the TSA folks are in on the day you fly! I've not had a problem so far, but some of my friends have, There is no rhyme nor reason.
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pvansch1 |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 4637 05/29/2009 21:37 Moderator |
I took an 8' 2/2 on Sothewest from CT to FL, no problem just stashed it along side me and the cabin. It also got stuck on the floor across the row in front
of me. Three seats wide.
Pete
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Trouter2.thebasspond |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 54 05/30/2009 16:07 |
Dont try to bring an aluminum tube thru TSA they wont let it on the aircraft as carry on, have flown east-west coast many times and I have never had a problem
with multi-piece rods. depends on the size of the overhead luggage compartment. Alot of the flight attendants will stow the rod for you ...I like Continental
airlines, very user friendly for flyfisherman ....... Paul
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lstshkr |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 251 05/30/2009 23:06 |
The only time I've flown with a rod was last year when I went to Colorado on NorthWest. I made a rod tube out of pvc tubing, and it worked perfect. I
carried it on and stowed it overhead with no problems. There were no issues going through security. But this year, I'm taking three rods and am trying to
come up with a tube that will accommodate two 7 1/2 footers and an 8 1/2 footer. I still plan on carrying the rods on the plane.
Dean
"I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."
Last Edited By: lstshkr 06/02/2009 01:20.
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gmflyfish |
Traveling with Bamboo | #6 | ||
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Posts: 1177 05/31/2009 08:53 |
Get a gun case. Put four rods in it - lock the case with TSA approved locks. Label the case with your name. Get a rider on your home owners to cover the cost
of the replacement. Do not trust TSA
Gregg |
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bobbeegee |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 2742 06/02/2009 21:07 |
Yeah, I flew from Jellystone Park to the Great Smoky Mountains with Boo Boo about 50 years ago.
Sincerely, Yogi Bear 
Go Heels!!! |
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Arctic Grayling.fiberglassflyro... |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 46 06/03/2009 13:39 |
I flew from Anchorage to Minneapolis and back in May on Alaska Airlines carrying on fly fishing gear. I carried on three four piece graphite rods, seven reels
with lines, and six fly boxes in one of the Orvis carry it all on rod and reel carriers. I didn't have any problems with the TSA or the airline personnel.
I wanted to take a bamboo rod or two, but didn't have any that would fit in the carrier and did not want to check them. I also checked the Fishpond Chinook
bag that will hold four rods in their tubes in the bottom. I had two more fiberglass rods in that bag along with two of the empty rod tubes for the graphite
rods and the rest of my fishing gear.
The TSA personnel in both the Anchorage and Minneapolis airports could not have been any nicer. As soon as they saw that I had fly fishing gear they wanted to know all about where I was going to fish or how I had done. They didn't question any of my gear at all. |
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16 pmd |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 699 06/03/2009 14:17 |
Have flown many times with rods, bamboo and graphite. With TSA it's Russian roulette - sometimes no problem, especially in airports that see a lot of
anglers, other times TSA or airline employees will go by the book and refuse to let the rods on. The real problem is that you don't know which it's
going to be. If you assume you can carry on, but then have to check your rods, you may have to go back to the baggage counter (a real pain) or at least your
rods need to be packed well enough to withstand the baggage handlers and piles of heavy bags they may sit under.
A few tips: PVC tubes, especially cloth-covered ones, get through more often than aluminum; aluminum is also too weak for checked baggage; the shorter the tube the better your chances, but the stricter airlines limit you to 21" length, which is shorter than even 4-piece rods; rods will often come into the odd-size luggage area, not the regular baggage carousel; don't count on airline's insurance to come close to covering the value of lost/broken rods - it's based on weight; second-best to carrying on is checking them at the plane (not counter) - those items usually go on last and come off first, at planeside (like strollers, etc.); telling them you're on the way back and had no problems going to your destination sometimes works, but not that often; always pack your carry-on rods with the assumption that you'll be forced to check them. Good luck. It's a crapshoot. |
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RPL |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 204 06/04/2009 12:53 |
Have flown from Washington DC on short hops, cross country, and overseas many times with (knock on cane) no problem with rods on United, Northwest, US Airways,
Southwest, Alaska Air and others. TSA should not present a problem because fishing rods themselves are permitted as baggage according to the TSA website. The
metal tube could be a problem for TSA (or the airlines) so the Cordura-covered pvc is highly recommended for air travel. Even if you pass the TSA checkpoint,
airline employees can be somewhat arbitrary in what they allow, so I think that's where the challenge lies. Rules I've followed: -- limit the rod
tube(s) to 35 inches; -- use Cordura covered pvc tubes; -- carry a copy of the TSP web page that states that fishing rods are permissible baggage, just in
case; -- limit additional carry-on to one small briefcase or small backpack. Even with my rods, I have less carry-on baggage compared to most travelers. (I
suppose, if you are really clever, you could get behind someone with conspicuously more baggage that you as you go through the final ticket check before
boarding.) Last time I flew, I pushed my luck and put my 3-piece, 10 1/2 footer in a 45 inch squared-off cordura-covered pvc Abel tube. No problem. The flight
attendant helped me slide it behind the last row of seats, though it would fit in most overhead compartments. The shorter 35 inch rod case will easily fit in
the overhead. I agree, however, that there are no guarantees, and you must be prepared psychologically and physically to check the rod tube(s) if requested. So
have handy those small plastic straps or wire twisties to secure the zippers, and make sure your rod tube has an up-to-date ID tag. Happy landings!
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Arctic Grayling.fiberglassflyro... |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 50 06/04/2009 14:29 |
Alaska Airlines carry on baggage policy actually states that they will allow fishing rods to be carried on. I took copies from websites of both the TSA
policies and the Alaska Airline policies.
In addition to my rod and reel carrier I carrying on a briefcase that was within the limits for the allowable personal item. I do have both the Abel and the Fishpond rod cases for three piece rods. If I were to take bamboo rods on a fishing trip I would use one of those. I would probably have to put my reels in the checked baggage unless they would fit in my briefcase. One thing that I did notice was that they seem to be making the luggage bins smaller on the new planes. And because of the charges for checked bags people seem to be carrying on larger bags. I watched many people cramming those bags in the luggage bins on my flights. If a rod case is in the back of the bin those bags will not fit unless they are turned sideways. I tried to board the plane as early as possible so I could get my rod bag stowed, but I wouldn't be surprised if a flight attendant would want to move it to get more bags stowed on a full flight. |
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gmflyfish |
Travaeling with Bamboo | #12 | ||
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Posts: 1179 06/05/2009 10:30 |
Three years ago I picked up a bamboo rod in the quad cities of Iowa and Illinois. When I attempted to carry the rod on to the flight the TSA agent refused and
told me point blank I would not be allowed on the airplane with the rod. I asked him to show me the regulation, which he could not produce. The rod made it
to Montana fine. One flying out of my home airport Bozeman Montana on Sunday I made it point to bring the rules of now allowing rods on the airplane to the
attention of the TSA Supervirsor at the Bozeman airport. She appologized and assured me there was no regulation prohibiting the transportation of fly rods on
the airplane. I have stated before, now the rods go in a gun case, locked and checked and it does make it a little more difficult for the baggage handlers to
damage the rods. Plus the new Regional Jets leave something to be desired for overhead space.
Gregg |
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RPL |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 207 06/05/2009 11:57 |
FYI - Here is a copy of TSA regs under the section on "Fishing". (No spear guns, please, in your carry-on bags!) TSA even recommends you take your
reels and flies (note TSA spelling) as carry on baggage.
------------------------------------------------ "Fishing Fishing Rods / Poles - Fishing Rods are permitted as carry-on and checked baggage. However, please check with your air carrier to confirm that it fits within their size limitations for carry-on items. Ultimately, it is the carrier's decision as to whether or not it can be transported as carry-on baggage. Spear Guns - Spear guns are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. Tackle Equipment - Fishing equipment should be placed in your checked baggage. Some tackle equipment can be considered sharp and dangerous. Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as fly's should be packed in your carry-on baggage." |
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wiscoy |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 17 06/06/2009 11:00 |
RPL wrote:yeah and a couple weeks ago, after I said that when my gear was stopped at screening and I offered to show him the web page, a supervising TSA agent said he didn't care, the web site is wrong. Then he walked away from me with my gear and and put the gear down outside the security area in a high traffic area- so leave it there and hope it doesn't get walked off with while I argue? (lossing battle with these people) or hurry back to the airline counter, check it and still make the plane. The airlines had no issues with the gear, the same rod bag had been through the same airport a week earlier with no issues from TSA. And on the four legs of the flight only one (returning to the USA) gave me not only trouble but a very rude attitude. There is little standard to the TSA reaction for anything not handled day to day, (due to in my opinion, a lack of training in regs and customer service along with big power in small minds), and unless you have lots of time to ask for and deal with levels of supervision who may not be any better trained, there is little recourse. I have flown a lot more lately both business and fun, my approach has been, follow the rules, but leave time for and expect them not to be followed by them. Everything got home in one piece, thats what counts in the end. By the way, when I asked what the issue was, I was told the flies where dangerous weapons, as I went to check the bag, my wife asked the original agent who stopped us what the issue was, she was told it was because the "poles" could be used as swords and spears. Who is that says "you can't fix stupid" 
Last Edited By: wiscoy 06/06/2009 11:07.
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wb4tjh |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 507 06/07/2009 11:47 |
With some of those so called "security" people, a gunshot wound to the the head would result in a huge inrush of air to fill the vacuum between their
ears. I have never met a more brainless group of idiots with authority in my life. Because of my fear of a scene with them, I don't travel with my bamboo
rods. I only take an old Fenwick Voyager 4 piece glass flyrod in a plastic case with me anymore if I have to fly. I can't imagine a nightmare like not
being able to get on a plane with an expensive bamboo rod. I even had one airport idiot suggest I cut my rod in two to make it more packable. I've seen dog
feces with more brains.
Bill Anderson, Sarsota, Fl. "Bamboo is the Benchmark in flyrods". |
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levertonhatches |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 573 06/08/2009 08:01 |
Some successful strategies I've used:
-- get to the airport early to give yourself time to deal with rod issues. -- never had a problem carrying on reels, even with lines (some folks have had troubles, however) but I do check my flies. -- use PVC not metal tubes -- checking round rod tubes: they can roll off the baggage conveyors; that's how they get lost and sometimes damaged. Two or three rods, very securely bundled, won't roll. Lately I've been bundling 3 rods-in-tubes and checking them in a duffel bag that contains other stuff; it would take a terrific bending force to damage the bundle of three. -- once, when a pvc-tubed 3-pc rod was refused as a carryon (at London Gatwick), I took the rod out of the tube, threw away the tube, and was allowed to carry on the rod. Gotta admit that I've simply stopped trying to fly with 2-pc rods. To me, it's just not worth the hassle. I suppose if I simply had to take a 2-pc rod with me, I would not count on being able to carry it on (altho I'd try; might get lucky) and, in anticipation of having to check the thing, use my bundling strategy (which of course requires at least 2 rods). Have fun, (t.o.) Martin |
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Finn |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 41 06/08/2009 20:39 |
I have twice been made to pack my reels with my checked baggage by Air Canada. The line can be a garrote don't you know. I only carry 4 pcs graphite on a
trips and pack them in my checked baggage also. Why hassle? At least they inform you at the check in.
I am going back to the Glen's Falls Area in early September and would love to take a couple of Bamboo rods with me but hesitate going through Newark with them. |
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BruceHandley |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 1224 06/08/2009 21:36 Crusty Old Fart
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Finn, if your talking about Glens Falls N.Y. I live about a 2 hr. drive north of there, in the Plattsburg area. If you want you could ship your rods to my
place, pick them up and go do your thing. Then when your ready to return home (where ever that is) you can drop them off and I'll ship them out for you.
But keep in mind that I leave for Cape Breton around the 20th of Sept. and will be gone for 3 weeks. But could ship them once I return from N.S., its just a
thought.
Bruce |
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Finn |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 42 06/09/2009 00:15 |
Bruce
That is very kind of you. I have an old friend who wants to attend his 50th Class reunion the first part of September but doesn't want to fly across country by himself. I thought it might be a nice chance to fish the Battenkill and some of the other rivers around there while he visits his old classmates. |
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pmag |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 422 06/09/2009 07:47 |
I did know a woman that flew across the country on a broom. I dunno, maybe "boo" would work.
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