A friend of mine said the airlines he checked with are charging $50 "over-size" baggage each way for fishing rod cases that exceed 62" when the length, width, and height are summed. With that standard, only my 9' rods will make it. A 9 1/2' 2-piece rod case is more than 62" (L+W+H), although not by much.

What has your experience been, and with which airlines?

I bought a 3" diameter by 56" long case at Sportco that I can stuff 3 fly rods in, hoping I can check it as regular baggage.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

What airline was that? We went to Mexico on Alaska Airlines a few months ago and took 4 rods transported in a Flambeau Bazuka and had no problem. Id check with your own airline to see what their policy is on oversize luggage.

Which airline are we talking about? Be sure to do your own research also, the agents may not be familiar with fishing rod cases.

From their website:

"Northwest accepts one set of fishing equipment consisting of two rods, one reel, net, and boots and one sealed or locked tackle box as checked luggage only. Your fishing equipment will count as one piece of your free luggage allowance. Fishing pole containers must not exceed 160 inches. Passengers will be required to sign a liability release form. Normal excess luggage charges will apply if you exceed your free luggage allowance."

This must have been written before all the "heightened security"

This must have been written before all the "heightened security"

I too used the Bazuka Tube with Alaska Airline and Horizon with no problem.

Each airline is different, and the gate agents are often clueless. Check the specific airline's website for their "Contract of Carriage". They usually have a specific section which covers sporting goods including skis and fishing rods. It's not always easy to find, use the website's search feature. I know for a fact that American has a ridiculously strict baggage policy, and Southwest is very generous.

Dan

I had my 4 piece travel rod as a carry-on last summer flying on Westjet ( a big Canadian airline) from Abbottsford BC to Calgary and the security guy almost wouldn't let me on the plane with it. I guess he was worried that I'd snag a fellow passenger. He let me on with the warning that the next security screener might not be as lenient as he. So I guess checking your gear is the only answer.

I made a tub out of 6" PVC that holds six 10-1/2 foot mooching rods (2 piece) that is obviously over 62" that I take on Alaska Airlines with no problems. At least not for the last 4 summers.

Beezer

My experience flying with Alaska or Southwest is that my rod tube has ended up in the closet in First Class, where a flight attendant hands it to me on the way out the door...or I have had someone come out of a mysterious door at baggage claim and hand it over a counter to me if the flight attendant didn't hand it to me.

Oh, yeah, my rod tube is seven feet long, made of six inch PVC with a big ol' strap on it...never had a problem...yet.

Good luck, Salmo...

Fish on...

Todd

Mine have also gone in the First class closet on AK Air.

As Todd indicated eariler, Alaska once allowed my "big 62 x 6 inch plus" tube to be hung (npi) in a closet in the back of the plane; the trick/requirement was to be able to have an appartus to hang it vertically; they would not just put it in the closet and lean it to the side; it had to have an actual hanging device to make it vertical. Thank god for zip ties and duck tape! That being said that was pre-911 and since they have only accepted it as one of my two allowable check-in bags.

Beezer

Beezer