Hi- this appeared on rec.boats.paddle several months ago, and I finally decided maybe I should post it here. e Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1999 11:57:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Edward Hasbrouck <ehasbrouck_at_igc.apc.org> Newsgroups: rec.boats.paddle Subject: Re: folding sea kayak? With respect to airline travel with folding kayaks, its important to realize that for international air travel there are two completely different systems for calculating the amount of allowable free baggage: the piece system and the weight system. The "piece" rule applies to flights to, from, and within North America (the USA and Canada); on other flights included in through fares to or from North America; and in a few other countries. Under the piece rule, each passenger is allowed two pieces of free checked baggage. Size and weight limits are set by individual airlines, but the weight limit is usually 70 pounds (32 kg) per piece. On flights covered by the piece rule, excess baggage is generally charged per piece, with the same weight limit (usually 70 pounds) per piece, and with a typical charge of US $100-150 for a transoceanic flight. The "weight" rule, the international default, applies to all other flights in the rest of the world (except where overridden by specific local or airline rules to the contrary). Under the weight rule, each coach/economy/3rd class passenger is allowed a maximum of 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of free baggage, including all checked and carry on baggage, regardless of the total number of pieces. Business class passengers are allowed 30 kg each, and first class passngers 40 kg each. On flights covered by the weight rule, the default charge for excess baggage is one percent of the full unrestricted first-class fare per kilogram of excess baggage (even for coach passengers). Under both the piece and weight rules, passengers traveling together are explicitly permitted to pool their baggage, as long as each piece is within the relevant limits per piece, and as long as the total number of pieces or weight is within the total permitted for that many passengers. Many airlines have their own specific rules for certain kinds of excess or oversized baggage, including in particular "sporting equipment". Where such rules exist, they are almost always more favorable than the default rules applicable to other excess, oversized, or overweight baggage. Sometimes there is a relatively small charge for the nuisance value of handling oversize or overweight sporting equipment, sometimes not. (These rules also affect bicycles, surfboards, golf bags, skis, etc.) What does this mean for air travelers with folding kayaks? Under the piece rule, someone traveling alone with a single kayak or two people traveling together with a double kayak (and pooling their total free allotment of four 70-pound bags) might just be able to come within the free baggage limits, particularly if the airline allows one or more of the bags to be oversize and/or overweight under a special rule for sporting equipment. Under the weight limit, even the most spartan kayaker or pair is almost certain to be over the free baggage limit unless the airline makes some special exception for their sort of gear. It's thus crucial to figure out in advance whether any flights you might take outside North America will all be included in a through fare to or from North America. If they are ticketed separately, or at a separate fare, they will be subject to the weight rule. Per-kilogram excess baggage charges on a 70-pound kayak bag for even a short flight ticketed separately within Europe or wherever could be surprisingly high. Happy paddling, Edward ---------------- Edward Hasbrouck <ehasbrouck_at_igc.apc.org> travel consultant, AirTreks.com <http://www.airtreks.com> author of "The Practical Nomad: How To Travel Around The World" <http://www.practicalnomad.com> 1130 Treat Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110, USA telephone/fax +1-415-824-0214 FAQ on airfares <http://www.moon.com/links/airtips.html> *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Then there was this one. e Date: 13 Aug 1999 01:43:26 GMT From: EldridgeMP <eldridgemp_at_aol.com> Newsgroups: rec.boats.paddle Subject: Re: Airlines that fly boats ? American Airlines recently initiated a policy of carrying kayaks with your baggage for a $75 fee. Excellent service at baggage check in and no hassels. No restrictions on size. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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