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Help! Flying with gear?

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Dag88
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Help! Flying with gear?

Postby Dag88 » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:36 pm

Has anyone traveled with kite gear and board? Im heading to Thailand in Nov and have one of those Prolimit "GolfBags" but ive been reading bag limits and it says it has to be under 158cm (L+W+H) and im getting 213cm and the airline is saying it will be $150 extra if its over soooooo not real sure how people do it any suggestions?

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Re: HELP! Flying with gear???

Postby PVITfrumBYRAM » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:45 pm

You really have to talk to the counter people. Sometimes misdirection helps, other times, confusing them. If you wrap your gear in your kite, you can pretend it's a demo/sales tent, and place a putter on top. Tell them you are sales rep for this brand of putters and this is your sales gear.

I flew jet blu once with a big golf bag, definitely oversized but just under the weight limit. The lady asked what it was and I explained it was a kiteboard. She was confused and said, "so there's a surfboard in this bag?" I said no, it is like a surfboard but smaller. We basically repeated our conversation until she was all confused and busy and she just said bring over to the ski/snowboard/golf bag area. I didn't get charged. I would just bring or expect the 150$ and if you squeak by, awesome!

Dag88
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Re: HELP! Flying with gear???

Postby Dag88 » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:47 pm

sounds like a good plan to go with just hope i dont get charged it both ways haha thanks for the help

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Re: Help! Flying with gear?

Postby Toby » Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:08 pm

it could work, but also not.
Call your luck.

Which airline?

Have a look at Oman air...I heard sportsbag fly for free...good price, and awesome planes/service...

Dag88
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Re: Help! Flying with gear?

Postby Dag88 » Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:12 pm

Right now im looking at China Eastern Airlines out of Tokyo

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Re: HELP! Flying with gear???

Postby Dave_5280 » Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:13 pm

On my golf bag, I make it shorter with an external strap looped up through the handle at the end and then tighten it down. My board isn't long enough to go to the end so there is room. I've never had anyone measure my bag, even though it is over the limit even after folding it down some while traveling in the U.S. I think making it even a little shorter helps avoid getting their attention. But the weight is always checked on a scale so I make sure I'm under that limit.

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Re: Help! Flying with gear?

Postby vladeto » Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:41 pm

Hey,
I am flying every year with gear that exceeds the limits way beyond so here are some advices:
First of all if you wish not to pay - do not call them! The operator is picking up your data and may inform the counter attendants so they can be prepared and there will be no escape! Everything is written on the website of the airline.
Second, at the airport and if there are more counters open for your flight, make a choice - rule 1: If you are a man go to a woman attendant and viceversa; 2 rule: Pick up the one that is in good mood and smiling - she/he is the one that will just forget about policy; 3 rule: make sure you are not late and stay on the line so that a lot of people are behind you - this way the attendant will be busy and under pressure - so less prone to delay so many people with your problem!
At the counter: Be cool and smily, try to make good impression and don't be nervous - act as if your luggage was just normal. When they are weihging it, don't put it full lenght on the line - this way they will not see the real size and weight. You can also hold it with your hand on the handle at the top of your golf bag so weight will be minimized even more :)
If all of this doesn't work, have a plan B with super cool explanation. Hope you will succeed because plan C is a scandal in front of the crowd hahahahahahha
Few flight attendants are tough enough to go throuh all of this but still there is a chance you will have to pay them. Otherwise it feels so good going to the gate :)
Good luck

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Re: Help! Flying with gear?

Postby magic%20Ed » Sat Oct 05, 2013 3:58 pm

My holiday starts when I pack my bag. Usually the fees are not to bad and saves a lot of hassle, so I pay and have a quiet and pleasant flight.

Dag88
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Re: Help! Flying with gear?

Postby Dag88 » Sat Oct 05, 2013 5:23 pm

Thanks for all the advice guys i think ill just try the "act cool" method and see how it goes!

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Re: Help! Flying with gear?

Postby RideLow » Sat Oct 05, 2013 7:33 pm

or be super late on the check in so you get escorted to the gate by a running operator, no time to weigh or check luggage.. everyone stressed out and running.. works like a charm.. sometimes :P

If it dont work and you miss your flight home.. more vacation.. its a win/win!
(ps, might not work so well on your way to vacation..)


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