What airline did you fly on your trip to Utah. I am jumping on Southwest on Wednesday to go spend a few days drifting down the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam (now that the river has been opened back up following the Mustang Ridge fire). I have never not been able to carry the 3-4 piece rods I have, but always check the rest of my gear thru. Thanks, Roger ----- Original Message ----- From: rderedfield Sent: Monday, July 08, 2002 10:27 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: travel w/fly rods and the budget AK rod tube I just returned from a trip to Utah, and:
1) I sat next to a guy that attempted to carry on his 3 piece and 4 piece
rods, and was required to check them. Apparently there is concern the rod
tubes could conceivably be used as clubs. However, on the return flight, I
noticed another guy strolling towards a flight gate with a 4 piece tube and
a 3 piece rod tube sticking out of his backpack. The policy appears to have
some ambiguity.
2) My 4 piece XP was stored in my duffle bag, along with my 30 pound
vest, fly reel, waders, and wading boots. I've flown on a number of trips
in the past 8 months where the likelihood was I could not carry on my flies
and reels. When I flew to Puerto Vallarta last Thanksgiving, I was not
allowed to carry-on my fly reels, lines, flies/hooks, etc., like I had been
able to prior to 9/11. And, I found this out at the check-in counter, so it
was a scramble to get the tackle bag all locked and set up for checked
baggage as opposed to carry-on. So, to me, when in doubt, toss the stuff in
checked baggage. You know you'll never have a problem.
3) I have also fabricated and used the rod tubes Kent described, but I
don't use them anymore other than for rod storage at home. Although cheap
and simple to make, in my opinion they have a huge down side to them in they
can't be locked. I've known guys who have arrived at their destination to
find their now-empty PVC rod tube arrive. Sure, you can put strapping tape
over the cap to deter theft, but the tape isn't much of a deterrent. A more
viable considerationJust off the cuff, Plano and Flambeau make similar type
(4" round plastic) rod carriers that telescope in and out to accommodate the
rod length (so it you can adjust it to accommodate multi-piece rods, two
piece rods, spinning rods, etc.) PLUS they accommodate locks. Sorry, Kent,
I know you like to save a couple of bucks, but the extra $30 for the Plano
or Flambeau is worth it to protect my rods that are worth many times the
cost of the tube. And, the tube will likely (hopefully!) be used in the
future. Amortize that $40-$50 cost over a 3 trips, and each rod, and it's
pretty cheap insurance.
My $0.02.
Richard
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kent Lufkin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 3:48 PM
Subject: Re: travel w/fly rods
> I'm headed to Alaska in a couple weeks and plan on taking all my rods
> in an 'Alaska fishing rod case' - a 48" piece of 4" I.D. Schedule 40
> PVC pipe (1/4 inch wall thickness) with a cap glued on one and and a
> threaded cap secured by duct tape on the other. Checked as baggage,
> it's tough as nails and not particularly attractive to potential
> thieves. I leave each rod in its cloth bag and stuff foam in the ends
> and the middle to keep 'em from rattling around. Since it's
> oversized, it shows up in a separate part of the baggage claim area
> along with skis, golf bags, gun cases, etc.
>
> Kent Lufkin
>
> >Now that we are living in the post-911 world I've found that Alaska
> >at least doesn't allow fishing rods to be taken as carry on any
> >longer. I'm heading to San Diego next week and need to take a rod
> >along and really no luggage holds a 9' 3-piece rod. I could pack up
> >my Sage 3-rod holder with one rod but that seems overkill and
> >advertising for a theft, I've never checked the thing before. Are
> >all the airlines now following this or is Alaska an exception? I
> >could see where a fly rod in tube is equivalent to a baseball bat
> >which aren't allowed on flights either. Makes me re-consider
> >buying a 5-piece next time I get a rod, at least I can tuck it in my
> >luggage somewhere.
> >
> >Tim
>
>
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