Info on Flying w/snowboards as Checked Baggage - Page 2 - Snowboarding Forum

Triple8Sol · 12-27-2009, 07:29 PM

Everytime I've checked a board bag since 9/11, as well as friends, TSA has opened it up for inspection. They leave you a little paper tag inside to let you know they did so. Not a big deal so far, since everything has been in the same place I put it originally.

Locking your checked luggage is pointless imo. If you use a random lock, they'll just break it to get inside. Even if you use a TSA approved lock, from what I've heard, they usually don't know or care and end up breaking it anyways.

As far as the accuracy of my list, feel free to let me know if anything is incorrect, but make sure you know what you're talking about. I updated all the info. the day I posted it up, so it's current.

c_mack9 · 12-27-2009, 07:53 PM

is it a good or bad idea to put 4 snowboards in 1 bag to save the fees of checking extra bags?

Mosquitobug · 12-27-2009, 08:02 PM

I think its a good idea as long as a) you secure them so that they dont bash each other apart, and b) you have plenty of room in other luggage for bindings, boots, etc.

The last 2 posts remind me of 2 things:

1. TSA will be going through your bag. Keep all small items secured together in small bags or otherwise contained. I stuff my goggles into my boots, my gloves into my bindings, and my wax kit + tools all go into a zipped bag. You dont want something to fall out and not make it back in. Regardless of blame, this can be a huge inconvenience.

2. I keep the big flat boxes that my snowboards are shipped in when I buy them. I cut each end off, about 18" from the end. I slip these over the tip and tail of my board before strapping it down in the bag. This protects the ends of course, but also helps to keep the board from sliding around longways or sideways.

EDIT - one last thing, I wrap my jacket around my helmet to try to protect it from any hits during transport.

david_z · 12-27-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_mack9

is it a good or bad idea to put 4 snowboards in 1 bag to save the fees of checking extra bags?

Yes and no. You're going to have to worry about weight restrictions. Even if you only check one bag, they'll charge you extra if it exceeds a certain weight. I think the limit is 50 lbs per bag on most airlines.

yusoweird · 12-28-2009, 02:07 PM

I just flew continental. On my way to the slope, I was charged regular bag price. On my way back home, I was charged $100 for oversized bag. I think it is stupid since there was another guy that had golf club bag about twice my size and he didn't get charged oversized bag. The person at the counter said that I am only suppose to have snowboard, binding, boots. If I even put a pencil in the bag, it will be charged oversized bag because it is not COMPLETELY snowboarding equipment. WTF~! I had helmet, impact shorts, wrist guard, knee pads, which added few lbs and practically no size. They don't considered those item as equipments. I am already disputing this right now. My bag only weighted 37lbs. I think their rules are unfair and I have never encountered this problem before, even with continental. Southwest and Delta is always great.

So basicly if my bag was 49.9lbs but with only snowboard equipment in it. it would be considered a regular bag??? that's kind of retarded because my bag would be the same size but weighted more... why do they really care what else is in my bag as long as I meet the 50lbs requirement?

david_z · 12-28-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yusoweird

I just flew continental. On my way to the slope, I was charged regular bag price. On my way back home, I was charged $100 for oversized bag. I think it is stupid since there was another guy that had golf club bag about twice my size and he didn't get charged oversized bag. The person at the counter said that I am only suppose to have snowboard, binding, boots. If I even put a pencil in the bag, it will be charged oversized bag because it is not COMPLETELY snowboarding equipment. WTF~! I had helmet, impact shorts, wrist guard, knee pads, which added few lbs and practically no size. They don't considered those item as equipments. I am already disputing this right now. My bag only weighted 37lbs. I think their rules are unfair and I have never encountered this problem before, even with continental. Southwest and Delta is always great.

So basicly if my bag was 49.9lbs but with only snowboard equipment in it. it would be considered a regular bag??? that's kind of retarded because my bag would be the same size but weighted more... why do they really care what else is in my bag as long as I meet the 50lbs requirement?

Sons of bitches they are! Seems ridonculously petty of them, good luck with your dispute.

Reede · 12-28-2009, 02:30 PM

Sounds like you got a stupid person behind the counter.

Every time I am dealing with weight limits it depends on how serious the person behind the counter is, 90% of the time they will let it slide if you are slightly over but there are some people that will pin you for it every time.

yusoweird · 01-01-2010, 12:21 AM

Ok, I've been calling continental to dispute my charge and all they did was play the phone game of transferring me to other people. 4 Hours on the phone and end up with nothing. No one seems to know anything about baggage refunds. The refund department claims they can only refund tickets and not baggage? It is total BS. I can't believe they are doing this.

If you are thinking about traveling continental, think again. Not only was I over charged, I was double charged. I already paid $15 my 1st check in bag online, then again $100 at the counter and it will not be refunded.

Looks like Southwest and Delta (maybe other airlines) will be my only traveling airline for future snowboarding trips.

Mosquitobug · 01-01-2010, 11:27 AM

Maybe deny the credit card charge through the card company ?

Id be pissed too!

romaniaK · 01-03-2010, 04:13 PM

I bought a board from Austria and I will be returning to the US soon .... I already have two huge suitcases that I will be checking in ... do they accept boards as the 3rd bag? Im not worried about price, I just dont know if they accept the 3 bags on international flights. Anybody done this before?

12-27-2009, 07:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
Triple8Sol Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,686 Blog Entries: 1	Everytime I've checked a board bag since 9/11, as well as friends, TSA has opened it up for inspection. They leave you a little paper tag inside to let you know they did so. Not a big deal so far, since everything has been in the same place I put it originally. Locking your checked luggage is pointless imo. If you use a random lock, they'll just break it to get inside. Even if you use a TSA approved lock, from what I've heard, they usually don't know or care and end up breaking it anyways. As far as the accuracy of my list, feel free to let me know if anything is incorrect, but make sure you know what you're talking about. I updated all the info. the day I posted it up, so it's current. __________________ 14 NeverSummer Proto HD . 13 Never Summer Cobra . 12 Gnu Rider's Choice C2PTX 13 Now IPO . 12 K2 Formula . 11 K2 Formula 13 NB x 686 580

12-28-2009, 02:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
yusoweird Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 508	I just flew continental. On my way to the slope, I was charged regular bag price. On my way back home, I was charged $100 for oversized bag. I think it is stupid since there was another guy that had golf club bag about twice my size and he didn't get charged oversized bag. The person at the counter said that I am only suppose to have snowboard, binding, boots. If I even put a pencil in the bag, it will be charged oversized bag because it is not COMPLETELY snowboarding equipment. WTF~! I had helmet, impact shorts, wrist guard, knee pads, which added few lbs and practically no size. They don't considered those item as equipments. I am already disputing this right now. My bag only weighted 37lbs. I think their rules are unfair and I have never encountered this problem before, even with continental. Southwest and Delta is always great. So basicly if my bag was 49.9lbs but with only snowboard equipment in it. it would be considered a regular bag??? that's kind of retarded because my bag would be the same size but weighted more... why do they really care what else is in my bag as long as I meet the 50lbs requirement? Last edited by yusoweird; 12-28-2009 at 02:18 PM.

01-01-2010, 12:21 AM	#18 (permalink)
yusoweird Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 508	Ok, I've been calling continental to dispute my charge and all they did was play the phone game of transferring me to other people. 4 Hours on the phone and end up with nothing. No one seems to know anything about baggage refunds. The refund department claims they can only refund tickets and not baggage? It is total BS. I can't believe they are doing this. If you are thinking about traveling continental, think again. Not only was I over charged, I was double charged. I already paid $15 my 1st check in bag online, then again $100 at the counter and it will not be refunded. Looks like Southwest and Delta (maybe other airlines) will be my only traveling airline for future snowboarding trips. Last edited by yusoweird; 01-01-2010 at 12:25 AM.

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12-27-2009, 07:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
c_mack9 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: western KY Posts: 543	is it a good or bad idea to put 4 snowboards in 1 bag to save the fees of checking extra bags?

12-27-2009, 08:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mosquitobug Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 44	I think its a good idea as long as a) you secure them so that they dont bash each other apart, and b) you have plenty of room in other luggage for bindings, boots, etc. The last 2 posts remind me of 2 things: 1. TSA will be going through your bag. Keep all small items secured together in small bags or otherwise contained. I stuff my goggles into my boots, my gloves into my bindings, and my wax kit + tools all go into a zipped bag. You dont want something to fall out and not make it back in. Regardless of blame, this can be a huge inconvenience. 2. I keep the big flat boxes that my snowboards are shipped in when I buy them. I cut each end off, about 18" from the end. I slip these over the tip and tail of my board before strapping it down in the bag. This protects the ends of course, but also helps to keep the board from sliding around longways or sideways. EDIT - one last thing, I wrap my jacket around my helmet to try to protect it from any hits during transport.

12-28-2009, 02:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
Reede Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 398	Sounds like you got a stupid person behind the counter. Every time I am dealing with weight limits it depends on how serious the person behind the counter is, 90% of the time they will let it slide if you are slightly over but there are some people that will pin you for it every time.

01-01-2010, 11:27 AM	#19 (permalink)
Mosquitobug Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 44	Maybe deny the credit card charge through the card company ? Id be pissed too!

01-03-2010, 04:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
romaniaK Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 304 Posts: 115	I bought a board from Austria and I will be returning to the US soon .... I already have two huge suitcases that I will be checking in ... do they accept boards as the 3rd bag? Im not worried about price, I just dont know if they accept the 3 bags on international flights. Anybody done this before?