At 12:48 PM 2/4/2002, Michael Lachowski wrote: >I don't know how many of you had airline flights out to AZ and back. I'd like >to hear what your experience was with luggage checkin, etc. I'm flying >out to AZ at the end of the month for the F3b contest in Eloy. Of course >I will be carrying a bit more equipment than you TD guys carry.
I flew out of Midway in Chicago via Southwest. I did not carry on any of my model equipment, all was checked in. I had one flight box, the original shipping box for an Icon which I packed carefully on the inside, and I took a regular piece of luggage and placed my tx box and other necessary tools in that bag, again checked in. So the only piece of luggage that drew any attention was my Icon box, and in Chicago at checkin the manager came right to the counter as soon as I stepped up and asked if I had measured the length of my box because if it exceeded 80" I couldn't take it. I quickly responded that the box was shorter than my pair of skis I normally take on the airline and she quickly agreed. Then she mentioned if they were skis she wouldn't have to charge me extra, but for the model airplane she would because it is not sporting equipment. My wife started to argue the point that it was sporting equipment, and I could see the manager was not looking for any arguments so I just cut everything off and said just charge me. After much confusion on what they should charge me they decided on $45. It seemed very arbitrary. All things made it safely to Phoenix. On the way back, same airline, they made me sign a waiver that they were not responsible for breaking it, but did not charge me any extra. Again, everything made it safely without a problem. I did hear some interesting stories about guys who did carry on their tx box and got pulled to the side for the through security check. Jim Downers Grove, IL Member of the Chicago SOAR club, AMA 592537 LSF 7560 Level III ICQ 6997780 R/C Soaring Page at www.jimbacus.net RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
