RE: [Paddlewise] Paddles in Airports

From: Peter Rattenbury <ratten_at_uow.edu.au>
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 10:11:49 +1100
It is the INCONSISTENCY by airlines which I find most annoying when travelling with paddlegear. I have carried my two piece paddle as cabin baggage [wrapped in bubble wrap], having insisted that the paddle is too fragile to be left to the tender mercies of baggage handlers. One trip I stowed it in the overhead lockers; one trip it travelled with the suits in the firstclass wardrobe while its owner slummed it in economy...

I have travel with my Klepper and despite the worst attentions of the handlers, it has survived, but only because I have packed everything in bubble wrap AND padded and taped each end of the Klepper bags. Even so, they have managed to punch holes in the bags...
I can't do much about the long frame bag [ I just pretend its a big golf bag ],BUT the hull I pack in a suitcase,which gives it the best protection.  Also saves having to explain that yes, it IS a boat....

Every time I travel I get a different story from the airline [s].  It all seems very subjective, and the rules seem to change with the seasons, the pertaining security level,  and the latest bit of cost-cutting...  a bit like the lottery of dealing with over-weight luggage, and camping gear in general. 
PeterR 

-----Original Message-----
From: Joyce Family
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paddles in Airports

Rob:

I packed my Greenland paddles in 4" PVC inside my ski bag when I went to
Alaska.  People in Alaska who noticed it would ask me nonchalantly, "Gun or
fishing rod?"  The ski bag took a beating somewhere between Juneau and
O'Hare but the PVC did its job.

Tom
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Received on Thu Jan 27 2005 - 14:27:13 PST

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