skis, poles, etc., as checked luggage

This was just discussed on Madnorski's email list. Although ski bags
get thrown around by loaders on some or most airlines, a good quality
ski bag with clothes and towels tied around at least tips and tails and
midpoints of skis and poles has worked for me several times. Foam
tubes from the hardware store also help protect poles. Putting a
strip or two of "Fragile" tape around the bag doesn't hurt, just as
long as it doesn't prevent security from opening it. Theft (lock) is
apparently not a common problem with cross country gear, since there's
not much of a market for it and if airport personnel even know
what it is, they aren't likely to be interested. For me, an important
consideration has been the choice of airline. For a Twin Cities
company, it's amazing how much trouble Northwest is re weight and
number of bags (until one looks at their other practices). I've found
most other airlines to be more receptive of skiers. To minimize
hassles, check the bag on the sidewalk, if possible, and tip the
attendant.

Gene

umegafx02@sneakemail.com wrote:

> Does anyone have any tips regarding travelling with skis, poles, etc.
> as checked luggage on the airlines? Do you recommend a hard-shell
> case or soft bag? Have your skis or poles ever been damaged or
> broken? Any packing tips?
>
> Thanks

Gene Goldenfeld wrote:
.....For me, an important
> consideration has been the choice of airline. For a Twin Cities
> company, it's amazing how much trouble Northwest is re weight and
> number of bags (until one looks at their other practices). I've found
> most other airlines to be more receptive of skiers. To minimize
> hassles, check the bag on the sidewalk, if possible, and tip the
> attendant.

Gene (and all): nowadays do you really think different airlines are
more likely to accept overweight or excess # of bags without charging
you?

I've found that since 9-11, and the later change from 70 to 50 lbs,
that every airline I've dealt with has been much more rigid in both
weight and # of checked bags.

I personally don't think it had anything to do with 9-11 except it gave
the airlines a PR opportunity to become much more rigid seemingly
because of security, not $$.

But bottom line is - it was often ("usually" but not "always") possible
to check an extra bag (total of 3) without charge if there was sports
gear involved. I rarely got charged for the ski bag, golf bag, rod
case, gun case, etc. in the past. Sometimes, yes, but very, very
rarely.

In the past few years, I have not encountered one single airline, nor
one single instance that they let a 3rd checked bag go through without
charging.

The only time it works is if you have a maximum size carry on (e.g. a
large-ish rolling carryon bag) and they have to gate check it. I've
used that strategy: Check two bags (one being a gun or skis or such)
and pack the maximum amount of stuff into the largest bag that can
plausibly be viewed as a carryon. Then when I get to the gate or
plane, I ask them to gate check it because "I can't find a place on the
plane it will fit". I have a rolling carryon that holds a lot - but is
theoretically within the size limits. If I over pack it (it's
expandable), it still appears to be a legitimate carry on, but won't
fit under the seat or in overhead. I then can gate check it with
impunity and not have to schlep it through airports when I change
planes. (I also carry my purse.. er, backpack...for the stuff I need to
keep with me.

You may be right about the bags - and do have a good idea. I took
American and America West last season and didn't have problems. I
just recall that when all the other majors and minors were welcoming ski
bags + two others, NW was hassling about it.

Gene

"Camilo" <campascualm> wrote:

>
> Gene Goldenfeld wrote:
> ....For me, an important
> > consideration has been the choice of airline. For a Twin Cities
> > company, it's amazing how much trouble Northwest is re weight and
> > number of bags (until one looks at their other practices). I've
> > found most other airlines to be more receptive of skiers. To
> > minimize hassles, check the bag on the sidewalk, if possible, and
> > tip the attendant.
>
> Gene (and all): nowadays do you really think different airlines are
> more likely to accept overweight or excess # of bags without charging
> you?
>
> I've found that since 9-11, and the later change from 70 to 50 lbs,
> that every airline I've dealt with has been much more rigid in both
> weight and # of checked bags.
>
> I personally don't think it had anything to do with 9-11 except it
> gave the airlines a PR opportunity to become much more rigid seemingly
> because of security, not $$.
>
> But bottom line is - it was often ("usually" but not "always")
> possible to check an extra bag (total of 3) without charge if there
> was sports gear involved. I rarely got charged for the ski bag, golf
> bag, rod case, gun case, etc. in the past. Sometimes, yes, but very,
> very rarely.
>
> In the past few years, I have not encountered one single airline, nor
> one single instance that they let a 3rd checked bag go through without
> charging.
>
> The only time it works is if you have a maximum size carry on (e.g. a
> large-ish rolling carryon bag) and they have to gate check it. I've
> used that strategy: Check two bags (one being a gun or skis or such)
> and pack the maximum amount of stuff into the largest bag that can
> plausibly be viewed as a carryon. Then when I get to the gate or
> plane, I ask them to gate check it because "I can't find a place on
> the plane it will fit". I have a rolling carryon that holds a lot -
> but is theoretically within the size limits. If I over pack it (it's
> expandable), it still appears to be a legitimate carry on, but won't
> fit under the seat or in overhead. I then can gate check it with
> impunity and not have to schlep it through airports when I change
> planes. (I also carry my purse.. er, backpack...for the stuff I need
> to keep with me.
>

There's some good advice on the Cross Country Ski World website,
especially about avoiding any volatile hydrocarbon ski wax remover
residue on skis, bags, and tuning equipment, which is detected by the
screening sensors as a possible explosive or incindiary substance.
Also good info there about labeling ski waxes with manufacturer product
info sheets, packing skis, tips regarding specific airlines, etc.

Randy