I will say that if you can just plan for the extra fees it makes it a lot less painful. Most hunts the extra fees are minimal compared to the cost of the hunt (less than 10%).
I ship all my meat back and make sure I weight them first. I have been fortunate never to have a problem.
I usually fly Delta.
Southwest Airlines is the best for hunters IMO - generally cool people and 3 free bags.
As far as antlers, there are too many horror stories to cause me not to bring them home in my checked baggage - record book be damned.
Not looking like a hunter is a good idea as well. Pat's article mentions packing bows in hard-sided golf cases and mentions roller duffels in the last sentance. Parallel limb bows don't fit golf cases as well as older styles, so keep the roller duffel in mind.
Always, always, always print out and carry a copy of the airline's policies (available online on the Airlines' web site). I have found that for uncommon items such as archery gear, many airline Ee's don't know the policies and may make incorrect decisions. Having a copy of the policy to which you can direct them may help.
Rewind to my Utah Cat hunt last March. After an unsuccessful cat hunt I headed to the airport with a matched set of 360 inch Elk sheds my guide and I found while chasing cats. The tines were individually wrapped with foam and the two sides were twined together. Ticket agent told me then that antlers were no longer acceptable with United. I had to Fed Ex them home for $350.
So you see, I am done flying to my hunts. From now on I leave a couple days early and drive.
Back in September my daughter killed a nice Antelope in Wyoming and when I brought my cooler to the ticket counter and was turned away I was not happy, I called my friend to come back to the airport and he took the head back to Missouri (his home) and shipped them to me. I learned a valuable lesson, so I will plan hunts to end on a weekday so I can ship the trophys back myself whenever possible.
If I might add anything to what Pat said it would be to make arrangements to end hunts on weekdays or stay until Monday to be able to ship things back. Mike
My last elk trip, my wife and I went together, NH to Spokane WA (ID hunt) by way of Minneapolis/St. Paul. We missed our connection due to lightning at in MN, had to divert to another air field to refuel, long story short, ended up taking a bus from the smaller air field to St. Paul and mised the last flight out.
Anyway, in the mad rush to customer service, we waited in line and watched pissed off person after person yell, scream, demand managers etc. And get nothing except free coupons for other flights. Before we went up we decided to do the unexpected: smile, laugh, explain, ask nicely. The starting story was "best we can do is get you on the next open seat, leaving tomorrow at 5 PM" We smiled, explained we were on a vacation trip of a lifetime to a remote desitnation, not Spokan and if we didn't get in by early after noon at the latest, we'd totally loose the first day of a 7 day vacation. Is there any way to get on an earlier flight? We smiled, were quiet etc. Suddenly we were on the flight that left at 8:00 in the morning, had dinner coupons and told where to be when to get a matteress for the night. When I thanked him and asked how we got onto a full flight, he smiled and said "don't ask, just make sure you checkin early"
Next morning we checked in early (actually slept at the gate) just before boarding they announced they were overbooked by two people and looking for volunteers to go on a later flight :-)
We made it to the outfitter and had a good hunt@!
This statement is HUGE.
Airlines (all of them) got hit with the perfect storm. 9/11 and TSA cost them billions. The security rules in place have much more to do with making people 'feel' safe than in actually making air travel safer. There is a segment of the flying public that does not want to fly unless they think everyone is strip searched and all possible hazardous materials are off a plane.
The fuel cost fiasco of last year hit most of them very hard. Airlines buy contracts for fuel months in advance and then fill in on the spot market. Fuel speculators drove the cost of fuel past the tipping point for them.
The reduction in business travel is hitting them hard. Most companies have drastically cut travel budgets. Airline's bread and butter is business travel. Recreational and personal travel is only icing on the cake.
Union contracts are strangling the airlines as well. Many contracts call for automatic raises in salary and benefits. All drastically reduce the ability of any airline to adapt quickly to market changes. As such their labor costs are now higher as a percentage than they were just a few years ago. Higher cost with less revenue = not good.
I state these 'issues' to bring up this next point.
All airlines run 'yield management' system. These are very sophisticated computer programs designed to maximize profit. These are the programs that allow a seat to sell one day for $200 the next it is $450 and then the next $175. They track business use, personal use, car rental options, baggage use, etc.
Airline policy is set by yield management. They have the mindset that they will nickle and dime the passengers to the point that the passengers won't take anymore. That is why you keep seeing the add-ons. People are still flying.
Until a policy hurts the bottom line as shown by these systems the policy will not change.
~Troy
It can cost a bit more but the peace of mind of hassle free is worth it.
I did this recently on an antelope hunt in Wyo. I spent an extra day in Casper, got the meat, head and cape packed up, and shipped 2nd day. No issues. Was it the least expensive option? Probably not, but as mentioned the peace of mind was worth it to me.
i'm sure i wasn't the only hunter that had this plan. when i went to WalMart, there was slim pickens for styrofoam coolers. i wound up buying some of the plastic storage bins for $4 each, that fit nicely in a cardboard box.
i agree, driving to/from is the best option.
again...fly southwest.
I used No. 15 picking up a squirrel dog from Alabama a few years ago. Flew down and drove a rental back. One of the best traveling experiences I've had. The bigger the critter, the more that will be a reality for me.
I have to give kudos to SW airlines, Air Canada and to NW airlines. Thus far, they have been fair to wonderful for my crew. Northwest is pretty anal about their fees but they are professional and have let a few weights slide well above the limit. We had an Air Canada ticket agent waive all excess baggage fees BECAUSE we were bear hunters. I could have kissed that lady because we got hammered by Northwest on the same trip.
One final kudos to Pat. This is the kind of feature content that makes Bowsite the premiere archery site. IMO, much more relevant to the logistical concerns of the average hunter than the umpteenth broadhead test. Very good stuff.
One of the biggest sources of issues is TIME - if you don't give yourself enough time, you will be agitated, the likelyhood of issues is greater, and your ability to get them resolved greatly reduced.
I'm fortunate in the fact that my main airport (Denver) is fairly knowlegable about handling weapons, though the drill can vary from trip to trip. I have had no issues with Frontier, but United usually is a hassel. If flying direct, I haven't had much problem.
I definately follow a couple of Pat's rules - Never fly United, and don't fly with meat. . . cost us $500 at the airport for extra weight on the last caribou hunt, and almost cost us missing our flights.
BTW, if going to Canada, don't pack fishing lures (including flies) in your carry-on. US TSA usually doesn't raise an issue with them, but I've had to dump a couple hundred dollars worth of flies in canada before. I guess a size 16 Elkhair Caddis is considered a deadly weapon to the Kanuks.
;0)
I drive everywhere I go now to hunt or guide (except the final hop into caribou camp by bush plane). It's a lot easier to just follow the highway and with my 2500 HD GMC diesel I am never limited on weight or space.
Having my own vehicle, I decide what I feel like doing whenever I feel like doing it. I am on my own schedule and not at anyones mercy. It is also like having your home with you.
I have crossed Canada so many times that I have lost count and have also visited several states. As far as I am concerned there is no place in North America that is too far.
Like Bigdan, if I want a trouble free trip I simply drive leaving enough space to bring back everything I want to bring back. Me and my brother-in-law got into this discussion when we hunted Moose in NFLD. I drove up from Kansas pulling a trailer with a larger cooler and he flew up. We had a beautiful trip on the drive up and back and he had nothing but problems.
If the cost is not the problem, I would simply suggest that you need to box it properly and ship it to your home UPS. If it is meat, you just about have to process it and freeze it and ship it next day air.
Understand the posters stating that driving is easier for them but if flying is more convenient, vote with your wallet.
I think the original article could be enhanced with the results of a questionaire along the lines of "which airlines do you find most hunter-friendly?" or even a review of different policies of each airline to rank them.
FWIW, it would be interesting to compare the results of such an analysis to where that airline is based. SW and Continental are based out of Texas. United is based out of Chicago. I'm not sure if AA claims to be out of Chicago or Dallas now, but they have a strong influence from Chicago.
For those who've not been scorned by the airlines pay close attention to what Pat has offered as options. For those of us who have, we certainly can share horror stories.
I personally, absolutely, without a doubt hate United Airlines. I haven't flown with them since my Alberta debacle, and never will again.
Bigdan - Nice rig!
Hope you don't mind, I forwarded customer relations at United the link to this article. I also informed them that henceforth I would be avoiding booking them for the summer tours I take groups of students to Japan with,as well as any other professional use of their company.
Don't know what good that will do, but I have brought a reasonable sum of business to them over the years that I can easily take elsewhere in the future.
dg
I am right there with you. Flying saves me time which is important given my limited paid time off (I only get 5.5 weeks a year ;-). In most years, fying rather than driving translates to me being able to sneak in one more hunt.
Flying can be a PITA. Don't despair or avoid the airlines like the plague - be smart, learn the rules, and play the game. Articles like Pat's are a great tool in the tool box.
And I would like to boycott United but that's going to be tough, they are the major player in our market. And like Pat said, you REALLY need to stay with one carrier on the trip. Switching carriers is asking, begging for trouble. United is one of the few I can go pretty much anywhere and not switch carriers.
I've been very lucky, in 30+ years of many many flights I've had only one case of lost luggage. It had more to do with a canceled flight and an airport closing due to weather. They delivered my bags to me the next day. Knock on wood.
Great article. Couple things I'd like to add is #1 make sure you get to the airport WAY ahead of time, 2 hours minimum IMO. And I like to schedule any plane changes for at least a one hour layover, two is better. 20 minutes between flights may not get your luggage on your plane.
#2 is know the airport abbreviations of all the airports you will be at and double check that your bags have been checked to go to your destination. Twice over the years I had luggage improperly tagged at the counter and just happened to catch it. The agent didn't check it all the way through to the final destination. Two years ago that exact thing happened to one of our elk partners and cost us a day getting his bags.
#3 this is the first time I've done it but it was handy as heck. Take a small digital scale for weighing your luggage. We weighted out everyone's coolers and bags this year and breezed through the airport. It's the same scale I'm using on my draw board, only a few oz and very small, weighs up to 110 lbs. And I got it on a recommendation from, ta da, the Bowsite!
But, like I said, I've been lucky. OTOH I've had much more problems with car rental places thinking they can change you over to any ol vehicle when you reserved a truck or suv. Cost us most of the day in Boise this year and wasn't the first time, happened in several places. I always cross my fingers walking up to the rental car counter.
I fly with a wheeled bowcase, my bow won't fit in golf cases or rolling duffels. The bow arrow case, tool case and most of my clothes go in it. Second bag is a cooler with camping gear. Electronics, optics, etc. go in my backpack carryon. Cooler goes on top of rolling bowcase, backpack carryon over my shoulder and away through the airport we go.
If we tag out we mail our equipment back and use the coolers for frozen meat. Elk racks got split and mailed back too last hunt. I can get 30 or 40 lb of frozen meat in my carryon. If needed I'll buy another cheap cooler at wallyworld or whatever and mail my bow case back too. You don't need a very big one to hold less than 50 lbs of meat. Still much cheaper than paying for extra baggage or (gasp) oversize. And a lot easier to deal with at the airport.
I won't even subject my family to the incredible amounts of time spent sitting. Waiting. And sitting some more.
I figured out that with the arrival to the airport 90 minutes before boarding, security issues, the cattle-car feeling in-flight, the long layovers between flights,the apathetic airline employees, the lack of desire to accomodate even the smallest of requests, and the brazen "too bad, so sad" responses when all that goes astray - it's just not worth it! I can drive there, stop when I want, enjoy a meal of my choosing. See a bit more of the country. It's all so much more enjoyable to drive.
Sheesh! I need a beer...
iowaPete
United banned antlers a while back i tagged out in wy this sept called united and they said no way ,,,went to ups ,, one must be prepared for everything when hunting away from home ,,,
I never had a problem with antihunters at airlines it seems outside NY everbody hunts ,, and are very helpful.
plus wearng camo at airports isnt that a redneck thing to do ....
United has been terrible to me and my bows since the early 1990s. Even traveling in suit and tie on business with a bright colored 3D bow in a black case. Everything from an idiot agent claiming I couldn't have arrows in the bow case 'cause they were 'ammunition' to refusing to accept the case w/o a damage wavier. That means they can grind my equipment up into little bits and not owe me a thing as long as they give me the bits back.
I've avoided United as much as possible for 20 years now.
I have used hard golf bag cases for several trips. I will now add stickers to them!
Yes, be courteous. However, in 08 on the way back from Colorado I had two issues with United. First, I had a handgun. Never a problem before. This time, the front line person could not speak english! They double billed me for baggage charges, which I eventually recovered. It was super fristrating in a anxious time anyhow, but add in the person who was of apparent African descent that could not comprehend english was maddening.
Then at our layover flight, my son & I heard the boarding call while in the bathroom about 150 feet from the terminal. We got out & ran to the gate as they announced final boarding call to find out that the gate was closed! They had over sold the plane and given our seats away.... We took a flight 3 hours later adn my buddy wasknid enough to return to the airport to pick us up (a 1 hour drive each way for him). Then when we landed, it turns out that my golf bag came on the second flight, not the first. I barely figured that one out and almost left the airport with it riding around on the conveyor.
I drove recently to Ontario for a deer hunt. Thinking I may do that for future hunts. By the way, my sons elk cost me $1,000.... $325 for processing at the locker in Craig, then $646 for Fed Ex next day air shipment for 2 boxes of meat! GULP!!
Driving is looking much better these days!
>>>>-------------->
Oh yeah, they wanted to pay me $25 per day for my trouble. That is if I would send them all kinds of paperwork. The $25 per day doesn't quite cover a 6 day $3K elk hunt. Yes, I was ticked.
Ha Tim I was thinking the same thing....must be the "Rebel" in us huh!
When you fly out of places like Little Rock,Memphis usually workers are high fiving ya wishing they were going with you.
Canada has been much different though.
I usually drive if my schedule at all permits.
It sets the tone for me and gives me a better total experience.
Delta (Northwest): http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/fragile_bulky/antlers/index.jsp
Antlers
You can bring that trophy home. We will accept animal racks/antlers, although they are not included as part of the regular baggage allowance. A fee of $175 per animal rack/antler will apply for travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico; and a fee of $300 per animal rack/antler will apply for travel outside the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Current Fees for Tickets purchased in Brazil and purchased in Japan for travel to / from Brazil is $75.
The following restrictions apply:
* Antlers will be accepted on Delta Connection flights only if space is available. * Antlers must be free of residue and the skull must be wrapped and the tips protected. * Linear dimensions must not exceed 120 inches (305cms). Any animal rack/antler that exceeds 120 linear inches cannot be accepted.
Because space can be limited, we can't always get the antlers on the same plane with you. If we don't, we'll hold them at your destination for you to pick up when you can or you can have them delivered for a charge.
United: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,1035,00.html
Antlers & animal horns United Airlines does not accept antlers or animal horns as checked or carry-on baggage on any flights.
US Air: http://www2.usairways.com/en-EU/travel_information/baggage_policies/special_items.html
Antlers Antlers will be accepted as checked baggage for a charge of $100 per direction. Antlers are not included as part of the passenger's normal baggage allowance. The following conditions of acceptance apply:
* Dimension (H + W + L) must not exceed 120 inches/305 cm o On the CRJ aircraft the largest dimension cannot exceed 33 inches/84 cm and the overall dimensions cannot exceed 99/252 cm inches o On the Dash 8 aircraft the largest dimension cannot exceed 50 inches/127 cm * Head/skull must be completely clean and free of residue * Points must be covered and protected * One rack per ticketed customer * Can’t combine or cradle 2 or more racks
American Airlines
Item Allowance/ Requirements Cost Maximum Size and Weight Additional Information Antlers Must be as free of residue as possible. The skull must be wrapped and tips protected. $100 in addition to the applicable checked baggage charge, based on the number of checked bags. 70 lbs 115 inches - Acceptance conditional on aircraft size and load conditions - Passengers must make all arrangements and assume full responsibility for complying with any applicable laws, customs, and/or other governmental regulations, requirements or restrictions of the county, state, or territory to/from which the antlers are being transported.
Alaska Airlines: http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/help/faqs/CheckedBaggage.asp#maindiv
# Perishable and Trophy Items It is your responsibility to properly package all perishable items and these items are checked at your own risk for spoilage. We recommend that you package raw meat and seafood so it is able to withstand a minimum of 48 hours in transit without refrigeration.
Fish and raw game meat may be accepted as baggage only if packaged in a leak-proof container (Styrofoam not accepted). Gel ice is recommended, but up to 5.5 pounds of dry ice is acceptable. Items containing dry ice must be declared at check-in and labeled on the package. Wet ice is not allowed. Freeze or chill meat and seafood thoroughly before packaging for optimal final destination temperature.
Antlers and horns are only accepted as checked baggage if they are properly packaged and meet normal size and weight restrictions.
* Antlers must be in a hard-sided container (e.g., box or crate). * Antler tips must be padded to prevent punctures. * Antlers must be free of raw meat, blood, or noticeable odors. * Linear dimensions must not exceed 120 inches (305cms). Any animal rack/antler that exceeds 120 linear inches cannot be accepted. * Maximum allowable dimensions are 38 inches deep by 34 inches wide and 70 inches length/height.
Items that are oversized or overweight must be shipped via Air Cargo. Please keep in mind this will require additional time as the Air Cargo offices may not be near the departure terminal in some cities.
For additional information, contact our Air Cargo office at 1-800-225-2752.
Because space can be limited, we can't always get the antlers on the same plane with you. If we don't, we'll hold them at your destination for you to pick up when you can or you can have them delivered for a charge.
Continental Airlines: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/fragile.aspx
Antlers
Antlers are subject to a $100 service charge per item. One service charge applies when smaller antlers are nestled inside larger antlers and strapped together. This charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply.
Continental Airlines will accept antlers retained as hunting trophies, for travel to/from the U.S. and Canada, provided the following conditions are met:
* Aircraft size and load conditions permit * Antlers must be as free of residue as possible * Skull must be wrapped and tips protected * Antler linear dimensions (L+W+H) must not exceed 120 inches.
Excess Valuation may not be purchased for antlers.
I suggest putting musical stickers on your bow case. When checking in I am constantly asked what's in the case and most people are good with instruments. So at least the bag handlers might treat it better.
Didja read the whole article?
The last two times I traveled with my rifle, when I got to my destination, I found the rifle loose or not the way I packed it. There was that little TSA postcard saying they got into your stuff for an inspection. The first time it happened I just got to Kodiak (started at Reagan National) and found the rifle loose in the particular case I used. Of course the rifle had to be resighted up there. The next time I used a different case and the rifle had the strap pressed against the scope when I opened it up. It seems the TSA bubbas like to play with your gun and not put it back the way they found it. Grrrr..... You also have to use TSA locks. If your case requires 2 padlocks, you must have two on there. I suspect the TSA folks might get into bow cases too. Jerks me off a little they don't respect your stuff.....and this coming from a guy who works in the same dept (DHS)!!
The other tip I would offer is when flying thru Anchorage and you have to spend the night, they have freezer storage there in the terminal for your boxed fish or meat. It's pretty cheap and worth it in my opinion. On Kodiak, the local Walmart has the waxed, insulated shipping boxes for sale. They will hold about 50lbs of fish, not sure about how much meat. Great deal!!!
Alaska Airlines is hunter friendly unless you try to get slick and load a 70+ inch, unpacked moose rack as checked baggage. It's got to go freight. I watched a guy get in a pissing match with the Alaska Airlines counter agent who wouldn't let him check in his un-packaged monster moose rack as checked baggage. He spends big bucks on a guided moose hunt, smokes a big one, then quibbles about having to pay a couple extra bucks to put the loose rack in freight!!??? Moral of the story.....plan ahead and use a little common sense....ask questions...know before you go.
From e-newsletter from the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
United Hears Sportsmen, Antlers to be Allowed on Flights
12/16/09
The voices of sportsmen were heard loud and clear by United Airlines as the company made the decision to change a new policy that would have banned antlers from being allowed onto any flight.
As previously reported, sportsmen from coast to coast were enraged as it became known United Airlines had quietly initiated a policy preventing passengers from carrying on or checking antlers or animal horns of any kind.
After receiving thousands of complaints from sportsmen, who were informed by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA), through Bowsite.com, and from many other concerned organizations, United Airlines has reconsidered this policy. In a message sent to the USSA and other organizations, United stated:
“As you have recently contacted us, I wanted you to be the first to know that we have heard our customers’ feedback about our Antler and Animal Horn policy, and are responding. Soon we will begin accepting Antlers and Animal Horns as checked baggage again.
As many of you may recall or have seen on our web site, in October 2008 we stopped accepting Antlers and Animal Horns because of the damage the tips caused to the cargo section of the aircraft and to the luggage belonging to our other guests.
We will soon publish new requirements – and ones we previously did not have – about packaging and cleaning Antlers and Animal Horns to ensure their safe, clean transport. These travel requirements will also provide information on the size of Antlers and Animal Horns we can accept based on the type of aircraft being flown (i.e., traditional jet vs. a regional jet) and the special handling fee, which we previously had in place and is similar to other items that require special care.
Stay tuned for further updates on the baggage section of united.com
“United proved that just because you make a mess doesn’t mean you have to stay in it,” said Pat Lefemine, the developer of the nation’s leading bow hunting website, www.bowsite.com and one of the first to sound the alarm over the anti-hunting policy. “It also proved again that when sportsmen unite behind an issue, their voices will be heard.”
The USSA echoed Lefemine’s sentiments.
“We’re glad that United has considered the views of sportsmen and hope the new rules will reflect our concerns,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “Regardless, the USSA plans to examine these new policies to be sure that they are fair to sportsmen.”
Pat
