Well, I thought I was smart and savvy several months ago when I purchased two SKB double bow cases and assumed at the time that they'd be no problem to fly with. Wrong, according to the regulations, anything over a total measurement of 62" is considered oversize and is an additional $200 to carry. Those SKB cases measure 71" total, which is length + width + height.
Just wondering, does everyone just pay that extra cost or is there an alternative method I'm overlooking? Saving the extra money sure would be nice and it could be spent on other costs related to the trip.
Today someone at work mentioned that the luggage could be classified as 'sporting equipment' and that reduces the cost considerably. I will call Delta tomorrow and ask.
Thanks
The above equipment should not be tagged as "Firearms". To be tagged as "Firearms" is incorrect and you will be spending unnecessary time in the "popo office" in Africa because you luggage was improperly tagged at origin.
They could have cared less that there was a bow in my luggage or that it was over 62" and charged me the $25 regular baggage fee.
I've been running my regular bowcase inside of a soft golf cover bag for a while now.
After taking out everything I didn't think I needed I was at 41 pounds. And after hunting for a few days realized I had packed way too much crap even after minimizing everything.
For our clothing, gear, and arrow tubes I bought us each a pretty nice backpack/roller bag, Made by Granite Gear, 32" long, and a lower compartment for the arrow tubes, boots, etc. I haven't tried putting the bows into that compartment yet, will give Delta a call tomorrow.
Thanks again for helping a rookie out
I flew American last Sept and for the first time in my life was charged oversized for my bowcase. It was not charged when I left on the trip, in fact the personnel said something to the effect it was exempt under sporting goods......two weeks later It was charged leaving phoenix, $150 on top of the second bag charge. At the time their website said archery equipment had a special waiver but had to be 50 lbs or under, but when they printed up the page at the airport there was fine print that said the bag still had to meet the 62" combined measurement.
That is no waiver, those were the exact same rules as any checked bag. Where was the exemption also stated on the page I asked? At the time they DID waive golf clubs, my bowcase was smaller than most of the golf clubs we had stacked around us. They were pretty bad about it, the managers were pricks. Told me to quit bowhunting or find a smaller bow. I was spitting nails.
I wrote them with a complaint and the first time wasn't answered. Had to finally call and got the name of another party to at least make a clear statement on their policy. I was referred to the NEW web page..... NO exemption for archery gear and if over 62" it was now $200 for oversize..... on top of normal baggage charges. EACH WAY. Golf bags still exempt from oversize.... BUT a big notice they will search the bag and if not golf equipment inside it will be charged as oversize if over 62". Hell will be iced over before I ever fly American again.
Went over to United and their policy exempts archery gear from oversize, same as golf clubs. "United accepts one item of archery equipment per customer as checked baggage. All items must be properly encased in a suitable container. An item of archery equipment consists of:
One bow case containing bows One quiver with arrows Maintenance kit of sufficient strength to protect items from accidental damage.
First or second checked bag service charges may apply. Archery equipment carried in addition to the baggage allowance will be assessed at the current excess baggage charge.
United is not liable for damage to archery equipment that is not contained in a hard-sided case."
Pretty much the same statement WRT Golf clubs. Interestingly enough, they ALSO made an effort to state that if you have anything else but golf clubs in the golf case..... "Golfing equipment containers measuring over 62 (158 cm) total linear inches (L + H + W) that contain other items in addition to or in place of appropriate golf equipment will not be subject to an oversize checked baggage service charge." They don't care, all the same to them, just ship it Shirley..... Whatever your thoughts of United (Pat....) they had a fair policy WRT archery gear and other sporting goods.
I have checked Alaskan and was a bit surprised..... they state archery cases over 62" will be charged oversize, but their oversize fee is $75, same as their 3rd bag charge. Sigh.... golf clubs are exempt. They didn't say anything about inspecting the golf cases though....
Those are the only ones I have checked so far, Southwest doesn't fly here. I'm looking at other options, but if I recall even the badlands was technically oversize. I'm looking into options, but to get under 62" is near impossible. Found a couple golf club cases that were actually pretty cool. We will see.
But I'm all for spreading the word about American's attitude towards bowhunters. Never been on social media much..... maybe now I have a cause.....
1. If relying on a GPS to fly to an airport you have never been to before be sure to take a map so you end up at the correct airport.
2. Have as little as connecting flights as possible. It sucks how you can never be in Chicago but have 1 layover in Seattle and when you land in Alaska your bow case and gear end up in Chicago.
3. If they do lose your gear they have so many days to get it to you so when that time expires tell them you have thousands of dollars in equipment and gear and you will be overnighting it from cabelas at 1 minute after their allotted time to get you your lost luggage to you. Amazingly your gear will show up on the very next flight in.
I suppose you could always run into an agent that wants to make an issue about it. I will admit that I always fly southwest or United when I can.
A friend flying to Mexico to hunt Coues this January had to leave one bow and a bunch of gear behind in Phoenix due to new restrictions down there. He missed his flight, had to scramble around and find a bow case they would allow on the plane. Finally got to his hunt a couple days late.
What was their reason for taking you quivers?
Here's the Granite Gear bag we bought for our trips.
It is true, much depends on who you get at the counter. If they decide to be difficult, even the badlands duffel is oversize, if I remember it came out to 67". Really like the Sitka duffle too, but it's even a bit larger at 72"
American in Phoenix had a lady with a cloth tape measure going down the line of folks waiting and was measuring ALL the bigger bags and pulling those people out of line with oversize and going to another line on the side. I though at first it was just special handling issues..... then I figured out it was so the rest of the passengers would not hear the screams of the damned........
Buffalo1's Link
Negative on both. Scale and tape measure at home pre-determines that
We will probably take our SKB double bow cases and roll the dice at the curb with Skycap.
SKB makes some cases that look like just make the 62". Nice thing is you could throw in a firearm as well and be good flying with it.
I know my Impulse 34 won't fit in the one I had. Cnelk got mine out of that quandary and used it on his Alaska trip this past fall. I'm back to square one.
TD, that's a pretty F'ed up story. If you want to start a thread to get bowsighters to post negative reviews on American's Facebook page, I'll support it. If we can get several dozen one star reviews, stating that we will not use their airline for any business or pleasure travel, and that we will be spreading the word, it should make an impression.
Good Luck
**I'm talking axel to axel...Definitely makes a difference what cams you have, but I've found most 34" Axel to Axel bows just don't work in a Terra Glide.
If those are going through on a regular basis, then mine have just a good of a chance. Either way, everyone seems to be rolling the dice?
thanks Shot, did you check it inside or with skycap?
Here's a question: To follow up on Tom's question...How many guys here have been hit with oversize charges with ANY of these three?
I have found that airlines are really more concerned with overweight than oversize. I have traveled with numerous bow cases, duffle bags and back packs. I only deal with counter attendants and would not dare deal with a skycap especially on an international flight. I know my trip destination labels and make sure my luggage is properly labeled with the correct tag before it is put on the outgoing conveyor belt for loading.
The times are changing..... with the newer pay per checked bag game, comparing fares and online booking..... they are going to push to see what they can get. But that doesn't mean I/we have to sit down, shut up and take it. Competition is what's keeping the price of flying down, sometimes WAY down. We used to have several companies in the HI market, when down to the last two and Hawaiian basically bought out Aloha.... prices doubled and more in just months. It's $200-300 for a round trip interisland now on the jets, I've found round trips to the mainland 2500 miles away in the $350-400 range.
If they are made aware people are now shopping with luggage policy and charges in mind as well.... competition is a good thing.
Thanks Dooner! If I get this facebook thing figured out...... that's likely a good avenue. =D
If I remember something similar happened several years ago, could have been American too. They started charging big fees for bows (and firearms too I think) There was a big deal on bowsite,Pat was pushing it and lots of folks wrote and called the airline and they backed down. A good deal of it was the other airlines didn't follow suit. If they can now start getting away with it with little protest..... you can count on the other airlines to follow.....
