Airlining with your gear

[Av8nBill]

Getting ready for a two week jaunt in Alaska and just curious how hard is it to carry your rods on aircraft these days? The reels will be in my carry-on bag.

I'm sure that the rod case will count as one of my personal carry on items, but not sure about whether they'd fit in the typical overhead bin. Since we'll be doing some stream fishing during the silver salmon run I would like to take a couple of heavier rods, but they're about 3'8" broken down so getting close to 4' in a case. Anyone have any experience, good or bad, to pass on? Thanks in advance.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Airlining with your gear

2 piece rod are the way to go, not sure about the size of the overhead though... you should call the airline about that.

They may not let you carry your reels on if they have line on them (garrote). I carried my reels on a few years back in the U.S. to Canada and nothing was said, but when I boarded the plane in Canada to come back they took them away from me... but gave them back when we were leaving the plane. You should also check about your reels when you call about the rods.

Have fun, catch lots of big fish, and don't let the skeeters get ya!

Let us know how you did when you get back.

 

[JB]

Re: Airlining with your gear

Many years ago I used to carry break down rods and get treated like a customer by airlines..

Today I will not go anywhere to which I can't drive.

 

[ngt]

Re: Airlining with your gear

4ft carry-ons? most likely isn't getting on. Check the airline's website and they'll most likely have measurements for you, but usually they have that little metal frame by the gate where your bag needs to fit in. I've never seen one 4ft wide.

 

[starcraftkid]

Re: Airlining with your gear

I don't think any airline will allow rods as carry on these days. I'm sure it would be seen as a potential weapon. The same for reels or fishing line. Your best bet would be mail them ahead of your trip so they will meet you there. Its probably cheaper than the luggage fee anyhow.
I go to FL and the Keys twice a year and just ship my rods and reels a few days before so they're there waiting for me. I then ship them home or to my next destination when I leave.
I've done the same with my luggage too, it sure beats finding out that you arrived in Key West only to find out your luggage went to Albuquerque.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Airlining with your gear

I was planning to put the reels in my checked baggage anyway, and had never thought about the line being an issue - I'd make a lousy terrorist, I guess.

I can't mail the rods since we are airlining to ANC to spend first week on the Kenai peninsula, then hopping a flight over to JNU and taking the ferry to Gustavus to kayak the West Arm of Glacier Bay for five days. We're hoping to supplement all the dehydrated meals with some fresh fish. On the way back we're taking a prop job back to JNU and I asked them about the rods since I thought they'd be the sticking point since it's such a small plane, but they said they do it all the time and are fine with it.

I see carry on items that don't fit the size-wise template all the time and just figured a two rod case could fit in the very back of the bin behind all the roll aboards if the compartments are long enough. If I were younger, I'd just sweet talk the Flight Attendant into putting it in the closet but that quit working a few miles back...

The only breakdown or telescoping rods we have are too small for what we're hoping to catch but I guess I could look for some heftier ones before we head out. Was just wondering if anyone had any recent experiences to pass on.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Airlining with your gear

The only breakdown or telescoping rods we have are too small for what we're hoping to catch but I guess I could look for some heftier ones before we head out. Was just wondering if anyone had any recent experiences to pass on.

I fly 40-50 times a year. No sweet talking anyone. You are not getting past security with oversized carry-on. You will have to check them thru to your destination.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Airlining with your gear

OK, finally found this on the TSA website:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1188.shtm


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.
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. (italics are mine)

This is from AnglerAdventures.com:

As a travel agency specializing in international fishing travel, we?re regularly asked how to travel with fishing tackle. We recommend 100% of the time that traveling anglers pack expensive reels and flies in their carry on luggage to avoid them being delayed, lost or stolen while in route to your fishing destination. (again, italics are mine)Also, despite not fitting into the airline usual ?carry on requirements?, most airlines are allowing small cases of 3, 4 or 5 piece fly rods as carry-ons, as long as they fit in the overhead compartment (please check with your individual airline for their specific policies). Metal objects (such as pliers, scissors, snips, pocket knives, screwdrivers, etc) that could be considered dangerous, should be packed in your checked luggage to avoid delays and possible confiscation at security checkpoints.


So now it's about as clear as mud and sounds like it's up to whoever you're dealing with at the airport that particular day. Unless I can get an e-mail or letter from a supervisor at the airlines we're flying on I guess I'll end up taking my chances with checking everything. I guess if it comes up missing, I'll have an excuse to buy some new, over-priced gear up there.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Airlining with your gear

Just got back from trip and thought I'd update info.

I brought two rod cases with me, one was about 43" long, the other about 29". Flew on a total of 5 flights from a Boeing 757 down to a Cessna 207. Had no problems with any of the flights. Cases fit into the overhead bins on all the big planes and regional jets (on top of, or behind all the other rollaboards). Everything went in the baggage compartment on the Cessna.

I was prepared to "gate-check" the cases if I had to, but none of the gate agents or flight attendants even gave me a second look. I kept our reels in the checked baggage and they survived just fine. Here is Alaska Airlines policy on fishing gear: One piece of fishing equipment is defined as two rods, two reels, and one tackle box. Fishing equipment may exceed 62 linear inches, but no more than 115 linear inches, without incurring an oversize fee.