Any airline pilots with crew bypass experience?

[grtlakes]

Hi guys this is a shot in the dark. I'm on the road a lot and thinking of bringing some gear with me. Does anyone have experience bringing gear with them through the crew bypass line? In particular within NA and caribbean? I figure if it fits through the X-ray machine it should be OK.
Thanks.

[The Captain]

Really, what is the worst that is going to happen...they kick you out to line up with the rest of the cattle?

[grtlakes]

Nope worst thing is they go into self important mode declare the items a security risk and try to sieze items. The problem with operating as crew is that because you don't have a boarding pass you can't check bags. Anyhow, just wondering if anyone has any recent experience or if its not worth the hassle.

[Flyfish]

I'm not airlines, but have plenty buddies that are. One of my buddies who was based in Miami with a legacy says he saw a guy that keeps his gear in the crew lounge and takes it with all the time.
If I had to fly the line, it's the only way I could do it: International with gear in hand.

[flygirl7576]

I can't believe you guys started this thread just when i needed it! I was wondering the same thing. I am getting ready to start kiteboarding. I have been paragliding for a while and take a small speed flying wing with me for kiting on the beach (ground handling practice), but I fly a lot of places where I could kiteboard...AMS. DUB, SFO, BCN. So, I am going to learn this spring. I don't even have equipment yet. Do you guys take your board and kite with you? Or do you rent when you get there? Is there a special backpack or something? I always get the "are you moving?" comment when I bring my PG harness and wing....Any advice would be appreciated!

[Adventure Logs]

Get a split board, nobile has good bags that are great to travel with as well.

=Jason-

[Flyfish]

Yea, split board and foil kite (no pump). Good to go!
You can paraglide "the Dumps" at SFO. The dumps is about 10 mins from the airport. take Bart to Colma station then bus to Skyline Dr and Palmetto Ave. super short walk to launch from there. Pretty much all Summer long.
Learning to Kite at SFO not so good. 3rd Ave is great once your solid, but while learning only place would be Alameda across the bay. Tougher to get to. Bart to Fruitvale and maybe Uber to Alameda.

[Bushflyr]

No issues. KCM doesn't give a crap about what you take within reason. Twintip and a kite or two is no problem.

Getting it on the plane, OTOH, can be a bit of hassle of it's not your own airline. Usually, though, most of them are really good about gate checking golf bag sized stuff.