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Don Monnot wrote:Anybody ever feel guilty about lying to the baggage check-in guy when he asks you "what's in the bag" and you say "golf clubs"? I think it's the former Catholic in me that makes me pack two golf clubs in the bag along with my kites. The kites and board then just become "padding" for the clubs. Silly, I know. It's just an honest way to be dishonest, but I'm OK with being dishonest since what difference does it make what I'm packing in the bag, as long as the weight and dimensions are the same.

Don

I've never been asked what was in the bag... If I was I would tell them the truth...
When asked how many bags I am checking I say two suitcases and two golf bags... technically not lying.... They know whats in the bags, they are not stupid, all you have to do is give them a reason to
1. not be nasty... if you are happy and polite their days is much more fun...
2. do as little as possible... People are generally lazy and would rather just go along with the story unless you have already pissed them off or they are having a bad day...
When was the last time you saw someone looking to make their own day difficult?
It is not like they get a reward for being a stickler.

I've got the NSI bag and on my second trip from Chicago to Miami, American Airlines managed to break the plastic that the wheels are mounted in.

Scott

Holy crap Scott did they start hitting your bag with a mallet? Sorry to hear about that as the NSI bag ain't cheap!

James

Where's that pic from the guy who's golf bag got dragged by the airlines so badly that it went through the bag and into the wood of the board inside!

That's my nightmare! Show up to the baggage claim and find my bag gnawed in half by a conveyor belt........ or taco'ed from some unruly baggage handler.

I have had good luck with Dakine's Airwagon bag. I do now have the Dakine kiter's duffle too. I might take that to Aruba to save some weight as it doesn't have wheels. I've been fully wrapping my board in heavy duty bubble wrap and foam padding the edges of the board. So far no issues. Everytime I get home the friendly little letter from TSA is inside saying they inspected the bag.
Traveling internationally with kite gear is nerve racking.........one bag can have $7k worth of gear in it!
Protect it!

POACHER wrote:...
Traveling internationally with kite gear is nerve racking.........one bag can have $7k worth of gear in it!
Protect it!

Damn I never added it up before - you are right! Now I'll be a wreck every time I take it with me.
Wait I have replacement value insurance. Please please please steal my 2 Bandit 3s & my ancient flightdeck -- but only on my way home