Standup Zone Forum

Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: Seattle-Wind on November 09, 2012, 02:38:18 PM

Title: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: Seattle-Wind on November 09, 2012, 02:38:18 PM: I'll be flying from Seattle to Kahului in a few weeks and I really want to bring my Ke Nalu along - I want to avoid Hawaiian Air's $100 oversized baggage charge. Has anyone checked their paddle with HA without being charged extra?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: Dwight (DW) on November 09, 2012, 02:59:59 PM: Check the policy on fishing rods. Most airlines let them go free. Remove the blade if needed. Get rod cover for it.
Title: Re: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: Weeble on November 09, 2012, 04:48:03 PM: A friend of mine flew to Hawaii a couple of weeks ago. She checked her new QB. Apparently, TSA inspected it, realized the shaft was hollow and forced/ broke off the handle to look inside. She didn't inspect it fully until she went to paddle and the handle fell out. She was more than pissed. Be careful, and inspect it fully when you get there. Although, in your case, you can heat it up and pull the handle out before packing it so they can inspect and not break it. Then, reset it before paddling
Title: Re: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: Cardiff Sweeper on November 09, 2012, 05:19:15 PM: ^
That's sad. TSA could have just put it through the x-ray scanner. I wrapped mine in a bed sheet and taped around it. Threw it in the board bag and no issues.
Title: Re: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: Easy Rider on November 10, 2012, 09:43:08 AM: Go to Bass Pro Shops and buy a couple fishing related crests and sew on your paddle bag.

I have never "told" them it was a fishing rod - they see the patches and just assume.

This was after being charged $50. for "oversize" on my paddle / bag and extra bubble wrap. Total weight on their scale = 2.8 lbs.
Title: Re: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: tautologies on November 10, 2012, 03:11:31 PM: well this HIGHLY depends on how you meet at the counter. Some of the guys at Hawaiian are assholes over here. I am really sad about it, but they go after baggage like...well let us say that they aren't exactly cupping...it is much much more like a squeeze.
Title: Re: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: Dwight (DW) on November 10, 2012, 05:57:53 PM: http://ncpaddlesurfer.blogspot.com/2009/02/forget-about-3-piece-travel-paddles.html (http://ncpaddlesurfer.blogspot.com/2009/02/forget-about-3-piece-travel-paddles.html)

Proof it worked for us back in 2009 flying from Oahu
Title: Re: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: PonoBill on November 10, 2012, 06:24:50 PM: I've found that checking in with the porters at the curb solves all kinds of problems (like not waiting in line). Twenty bucks spent there and you sail on through. they rarely charge for any oversize, I'd say never, but I don't know that for sure, all I know is that they have never charged me for anything, and you you head straight for the security line to get groped.
Title: Re: Checking Paddle on Hawaiian Air
Post by: Dwight (DW) on November 11, 2012, 05:18:32 AM: $20 curb side worked for me once too. Just like bill said. Personal escort. No waiting, no fees.