Traveling with Fly Rods. (Tips/Advice welcome)

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Carlos V.

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Aug 12, 2013, 10:45:43 AM8/12/13
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I'm going up to Michigan for vacation and plan on doing some fly fishing. I have an 8wt 9ft. rod in a reel and rod tube I want to take. How much of a pain is it to take this with you on air travel? Can it be brought on as a carry on, or does it need to be checked?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Carlos V.

Scott Stankus

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Aug 12, 2013, 11:17:10 AM8/12/13
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Flew to and from Wisconsin in July and carried on several rod tubes taped together (including one for a 2-piece rod). Not a problem at all. 

--Scott


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Jeffrey Silvan

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Aug 12, 2013, 11:20:19 AM8/12/13
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I've been a bit curious about the same thing. Scott, did you carry on a regular bag as well? 


Dobrozsi, Jeff

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Aug 12, 2013, 11:32:07 AM8/12/13
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Just flew back from Montana.  I took apart a big cardboard box and then re-cut and taped together a box for my 2-piece rod cases.  Put it through as checked baggage – no problem.  I was told that I couldn’t carry-on the rods because of size

 

Had to sign a waiver because the United doesn’t believe a cardboard container as permanent.  Didn’t matter to me as I packed the rod tubes and had extra duct tape.

 

Lots of FF in the airport and all were carrying 4 piece rod tubes

Bryan Lanier

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Aug 12, 2013, 11:37:51 AM8/12/13
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I fly into Colorado Springs earlier this summer. I didn't want to check any of my gear. I bought a small wheelie douffle (carry on size) and was able to fit my reels, boots, waders and sling pack in. I was able to get a 4 weight and 6 weight rod in one tube. Their was no way I was going to check my gear. I can afford to lose a couple hundred bucks in clothes but not my fishing stuff!

No problems either way. security didn't even give me a hard time about the floatant in the carry-on.. The rod tube really doesn't take up any space in the overhead.

I did put a couple of knives in my checked bag. 

Hope this helps.

Bryan




Bryan Lanier

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Aug 12, 2013, 11:56:45 AM8/12/13
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Replace "fly" with "flew." The spellchecker doesn't make up for proofreading. i sometimes forget that.

Michael Smith

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Aug 12, 2013, 12:12:01 PM8/12/13
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In Missoula, if you DON'T have a 4-piece flyrod tube in your carry-on, TSA searches you because you hate freedom.



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Scott Stankus

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Aug 12, 2013, 12:27:57 PM8/12/13
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Yes, I had a backpack and the rods, one of which I suppose was my "personal item."


On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 11:20 AM, Jeffrey Silvan <jeffre...@gmail.com> wrote:

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Timothy Murphy

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Aug 12, 2013, 12:48:59 PM8/12/13
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I just flew back from Alaska on Saturday. I flew there with a four piece and back with the same four piece and a cheepo 2 piece since I managed to break my 4 piece. Both as carry ons with no problems at TSA.

Bryan Lanier

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Aug 12, 2013, 1:12:47 PM8/12/13
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Dan pointed me to the TSA website. http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/hunting-and-fishing-equipment

Their advise is below.

Airlines don't seem to have a problem with fly rods as carryons or personal items. Any sharp items go in your checked bags. The only thing that I worried about were the knives. Flies don't count as sharp or dangerous.

Fishing

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.

Spear Guns

Spear guns are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners.

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.



Jeffrey Silvan

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Aug 12, 2013, 1:21:08 PM8/12/13
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I think the interesting thing of note in the TSA regulations is the following: "...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."

The tubes definitely wouldn't fit into the bag sizer since they're too long, so I guess falls on how strict the person running the gate will be. Given how many guitars I've seen brought on board as carry on items, I can't imagine they would give you that hard of a time for a rod tube that will likely fit on top of any bags in the overhead. 


Howard A

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Aug 12, 2013, 1:57:22 PM8/12/13
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I flew back from South Africa yesterday, and was told at the gate that I needed to check my bag with fishing rods in it, specifically because of the fishing rods.  I managed to convince the guy to let me keep the bag but it wasn't easy. 

As everyone else has noted, I doubt you will have any trouble domestically.

Bruce Mathews

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Aug 12, 2013, 2:55:55 PM8/12/13
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I go to Grand Cayman about twice a year and I can carry on the case with two fly rods and a spinning rod going down but the Brits make me check the case on the return trip.  My gear goes in a rectangular Orvis case that fits nicely in the very back of the overhead but the Brits must think four piece rods are weapons.  They should ask the fish I chase and they would know the are harmless.  I am uneasy about checking it so we generally take some US stuff down in a checked duffel and the rod case rides it (checked) in on the way home.  Even though I lock the rod case, a small case with Orvis all over the outside looks like low hanging fruit to me in the checked bag system.  You can buy clothes all over the world but if your toys don't get there you are probably out of luck.

 
Bruce Mathews
703.772.7167


From: Howard A <howard_a...@yahoo.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 1:57 PM
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Traveling with Fly Rods. (Tips/Advice welcome)

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Carlos V.

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Aug 12, 2013, 5:15:13 PM8/12/13
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Thanks for the tips guys. Hoping my fly rod arrives with me in one piece.


On Monday, August 12, 2013 10:45:43 AM UTC-4, Carlos V. wrote:

Sardman

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Aug 12, 2013, 5:24:20 PM8/12/13
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I just went to San Diego with United and brought my 6wt 3 pcs in the tube (is the type that also carries the reel). I had no problem taking it with me, along with the fly box.
M.
 
 

Cary Pugh

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Aug 13, 2013, 7:45:52 AM8/13/13
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It does depend on the airline, the airport and the TSA. I have an Abel 3 piece rod case that I use. Most of the time I have no problem taking it as a carry on. Likewise reels (it is a good way to identify TSA fishermen, as I did in Miami). I am careful not to carry on wire leader, knives, or really large salt water hooks. Some planes do not have overhead bins large enough to hold the 3 or 2 piece rods, esp the intl route aircraft. Usually I am able to get flight attendants to put in a closet but one must be mindful not to forget the case in the closet. The case does count as a second carry on. The backpack with holder for rod tube worked well for my cousin. I also have checked rods in tubes inside duffle bags. I have been made to check my rod tube on the way back from brazil - they said t wasn't permitted. But not from other countries so far. In the us I have only had overhead storage constraints but the closet has worked out.

Brendan

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Aug 13, 2013, 8:54:05 AM8/13/13
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haven't had a problem in years on domestic flights. international flights are hit and miss. 

Ship

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Aug 13, 2013, 10:26:43 AM8/13/13
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Generally fly rods and 2 piece spin rods are allowed. When you try to fly with single piece rods is when you get into trouble.
 
JetBlue:
I flew to Puerto Rico on Jet Blue with a PVC spin rod holder in excess of 7 ft. They allowed it with out any issues. The fly rods were carried on using their metal tubes taped together.
 
US Airways:
I tied flying to Fort Lauderdale with the same 7+ ft PVC rod holder and was told that it exceed their baggage requirements.  I was told I could pay $175 dollars to bring it on.
Their website statements are vague.
"Fishing equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. One item of fishing equipment consists of: 2 rods, 1 reel, 1 landing net, 1 pair of waders (properly encased), 1 tackle box"  What they failed to tell me is that the rod case must be 62" and less. I decided not to pay the excessive fee and had to return home and rebook my flight for the next day without the PVC rod holder.
I spent months afterwards talking to US Airways Representatives to get the words "total length must not exceed 62" under the fishing section. They wouldn't do it and havn't since.
 
Jason
 
 
 
 

On Monday, August 12, 2013 11:20:19 AM UTC-4, Jeff Silvan wrote:
I've been a bit curious about the same thing. Scott, did you carry on a regular bag as well? 
On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 11:17 AM, Scott Stankus <ssta...@gmail.com> wrote:
Flew to and from Wisconsin in July and carried on several rod tubes taped together (including one for a 2-piece rod). Not a problem at all. 

--Scott
On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 10:45 AM, Carlos V. <cval...@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm going up to Michigan for vacation and plan on doing some fly fishing. I have an 8wt 9ft. rod in a reel and rod tube I want to take. How much of a pain is it to take this with you on air travel? Can it be brought on as a carry on, or does it need to be checked?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Carlos V.

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