Power Kite Forum

Flying a Blokart?

pokitetrash - 30-8-2011 at 11:06 AM

Anyone ever taken a Blokart in its travel bag on an airline? Looking at Delta, it looks like I'll get zapped with extra bag, overweight bag and oversize bag fees all on top of each other or does it not work that way? I can buy a used blokart for the round trip price! I might look into shipping it to my destination...

The good news I can stuff a few kites into the Blokart bag and maybe even some underwear and make it my only bag....

indigo_wolf - 30-8-2011 at 11:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by pokitetrash
Anyone ever take a Blokart in its travel bag on an airline? Looking at Delta, it looks like I'll get zapped with extra bag, overweight bag and oversize bag fees all on top of each other or does it not work that way? I can buy a used blokart for the round trip price! I might look into shipping it to my destination...


If they are stacking charges, I can see it being cheaper to ship.

Quote:
Originally posted by pokitetrash
The good news I can stuff a few kites into the Blokart bag and maybe even some underwear and make it my only bag....


I am so biting my tongue on this.

Cheaper still (in the very long run :rolleyes: ).... buy more gear and keep gear caches at places you repeatedly visit.

Partially tongue in cheek, but I have often thought about stowing some gear at my sister's to cut down on the hassles of travelling with gear.... especially when the transit weather sucks.

Triple post?!?! No operating heavy machinery for you today!!! :lol:

ATB,
Sam

pokitetrash - 30-8-2011 at 11:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by indigo_wolf
Triple post?!?! No operating heavy machinery for you today!!! :lol:

ATB,
Sam


Yea, I've been having concentration problems all day. I think I'm having a weed flashback from .....college. Is it possible for it to catch up all at once?

No? And crabs cant jump from a toilet seat either???

arkay - 30-8-2011 at 11:53 AM

can you get it in 1 or 2 golf style bags like the nsi deceiver? curb side check-in and look presentable and they have never charged me... :D

pokitetrash - 30-8-2011 at 12:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by arkay
can you get it in 1 or 2 golf style bags like the nsi deceiver? curb side check-in and look presentable and they have never charged me... :D




Here's what they pack up into:

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About 60 -70 lbs I think including a large sail. The main frame is welded into a rough trapezoid that is the size and shape of the carry bag so it's gonna be large with or without adding the wheels on the outside. The wheels can pack inside but they def make it easier to carry with them on the outside. .

Drewculous - 30-8-2011 at 12:30 PM

The golf thing bugs me... Its cool for this popular sport... But your odd bag that may weigh less, im going to charge you extra.... BS!!

Fedex is your homie

pokitetrash - 23-11-2011 at 05:59 AM

So, planning to go to NABX, I'm trying to get a handle on shipping one or both of my Blokarts to NABX. Not gonna ship a buggy cause I'm gonna steal one from someone when their back is turned out there -- BeamerBob keep your butt in your buggy. :ninja:

Figuring rough weight at around 70 lbs packed plus the carton size --I figure on using a bicycle carton-- the best price so far was $250 ish! ONE FREAKIN' WAY!!!

So I'm gonna pack it down into its carry bag with the wheels on the outside and take it to the local airport and see for sure how they will handle it as luggage/price/oversize/overweight/stickitupmyasswithoutakiss price...

If I can get it reasonable, I'll pack it full of undies and kites and bring a carry on. Wear 4 days of clothing at once on the plane!:lol:

bigkahuna - 23-11-2011 at 06:15 AM

Flying just plain sux now-a-days. Just no way to candy coat that turd. I just flew to Calif with US Air and couldn't even take my carry on bag with me, I had to check it (and yes, it was well within the size / weight restrictions). Plus if your bag is lost or damaged you have to deal with the airlines and -hope- they pay your claim. (My wife's leather jacket was completely ruined when a UA stewardess dropped a stack of trays on it. The airlines gave her a $25 discount coupon for her next flight, which we never used nor ever flew with them again.)

And by the way, US Air flights don't offer meals any more (unless you buy a puny cheese and cracker plate for $9) and no more movies or audio enroute either. Not to mention that the seating is so tight you couldn't eat your meal without elbowing your neighbors. They've truly redefined the term "cattle car". Delta's almost as bad. I flew to Hawaii with them last year.

I say ship it with UPS (not the USPS) or FEDEX (although I've had problems with FEDEX) and that way you -know- it will get there on time and -know- if it's lost or damaged you'll get your money.

g00fba11 - 23-11-2011 at 06:49 AM

The major airlines like Delta really stick it to you unless you are in their Platinum FFQ group.

If you don't mind a stop and a transfer check Frontier airlines (directv onboard) or SouthWest.

On Frontier that bag would cost you a single fee of $75 bucks each way. I don't know how that compares to FedEx for something that size.

It also only counts as one bag.

If you get on of their Classic (label) tickets you get one free bag. Classic Plus 2 free bags. Many times booking online the Classic Plus ticket is the same price as economy. You get front of the bus seating, a free adult beverage, nice stretch seating and priority boarding......

The downside to Frontier is most of the time you have to fly through Denver and change planes..... I have never found that a big deal as they move my bags for me and the Chop House restaurant is a yummy place to grab a beer and a burger....

So on Frontier if you do a classic plus ticket you can check 2 free bags..... pay $75 bucks for the blokart have a personally carry on and a regular carry on......

You can really haul the stuff when you fly with these guys......

bigkid - 23-11-2011 at 06:55 AM

I just sent 2 blokarts to DBBB from Seattle the other day in there bag, one way for both with sails and a few extras was $169.00 with FedEx. And they were fully insured.
FedEx is the only shipper I think that does not require you to box it up. Use a bit of bubble wrap on the mast sections and put some cardboard in the corners to cover the axle holes of the case.
Air lines charge extra for the weight over 50lbs, easier to ship and pick it up at the FedEx office.

pokitetrash - 23-11-2011 at 07:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigkid
I just sent 2 blokarts to DBBB from Seattle the other day in there bag, one way for both with sails and a few extras was $169.00


Was that for BOTH Blokarts or $169 each? The in-the-bag option is good. Let me know if they arrive intact. The bag seems pretty tough.

bigkid - 23-11-2011 at 07:22 AM

Yep, both. Arrived OK.
Also, cut a piece of heavy card board the shape of the cover to help protect the insides.

lad - 23-11-2011 at 07:46 AM

What about good ole Greyhound (Trailways...er..Peter Pan)... see how old I'm getting?

rocfighter - 23-11-2011 at 06:00 PM

Chris why are you not driving the Kite Fort? If mine wasn't 40yrs old I'd be running it all the way!!
Good luck figuring it out. Talk to you soon.

dman - 24-11-2011 at 07:25 AM

Lad is on to something. I have shipped several large items on Greyhound at a fraction of the cost of UPS or Fed Ex. Every time my deliveries were picked up from the depot safe and sound.

rocfighter - 24-11-2011 at 08:07 AM

BTW Chris I thought by the title you had gotten a HOOJ sail and were trying to "FLY your blowcart:wee: Enjoy NABX

pokitetrash - 24-11-2011 at 08:36 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rocfighter
Chris why are you not driving the Kite Fort? If mine wasn't 40yrs old I'd be running it all the way!!
Good luck figuring it out. Talk to you soon.


Thought about it before figuring the gas. 7 mpg! Estimated about $3000+ round trip!
Plus 2 weeks vacation burned.

rocfighter - 24-11-2011 at 09:09 AM

Dude it's only time and money, The world is ending in 2012 any way:lol:. You can't take it with you or so I'm told :shocked2:

BeamerBob - 24-11-2011 at 09:27 AM

You could make the drive in your truck for about $750 RT. 35 hours drive time. Then stay at Buffalo Bills for $26 a night with clean sheets and hot showers. Haul stuff for others coming to offset the cost. Driving your truck also is convenient once you get here too.

doublespeed360 - 26-11-2011 at 08:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rocfighter
Dude it's only time and money, The world is ending in 2012 any way:lol:. You can't take it with you or so I'm told :shocked2:


they have blokarts ,buggys and kgb's up in heaven, with best conditions for riding and jumping and talk about some long reaches...... "you be in heaven man."

pokitetrash - 14-3-2012 at 01:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigkid
I just sent 2 blokarts to DBBB from Seattle the other day in there bag, one way for both with sails and a few extras was $169.00 with FedEx. And they were fully insured.
FedEx is the only shipper I think that does not require you to box it up. Use a bit of bubble wrap on the mast sections and put some cardboard in the corners to cover the axle holes of the case.
Air lines charge extra for the weight over 50lbs, easier to ship and pick it up at the FedEx office.


Hey Big Kid, did you ship the mast/sails rolled as a seperate package or stuffed into the BK bag? I havent tried to get the 5.5 that small to put it in the bag.

bigkid - 14-3-2012 at 02:53 PM

Yep, it all went inside the bag. You can put both the 5.5 and the 4 in there. Just be sure to pad the frame and stuff with lots of cardboard. Mast was included also.