So, I get the way it works. Golf clubs usually travel free, stuff your kite kit into a golf bag and the kite gear flies free BUT is it that simple? I know each airline is likely different and I'll check the policies (and costs) but I can't help but wonder how, as the bag goes through the xray and there is no real sign of "clubs" in there that it doesn't get flagged.

IF it's this simple.......anyone in BC (or Alberta or Sask) have a deceiver bag I can borrow in April for a trip to Maui? :blink: :blink:

I've been advised to bring the 9 and 11 if I can - he'll hook me up with a board or three for my stay. Just need to get the kites there and would rather not have to check them both ways and pay the extra bag fee.

Check that - WestJet only waives any overweight fees if it's a set of clubs. If it passes as clubs I only pay the additional bag fee of $20 each way. There's no way I'll be over 50lbs with two kites so I'm good. I'll leave the thread up for discussion and info for others. No need for bag borrowing but thanks - I know someone here would have come through for me and would come through for any other PKFer.

No, it's not that easy, at least not any more. The airlines are on to those "deceiver" bags, so don't bother. You may get away with it on the mainland, but in Hawaii they know all about those things. Bring just your kites and rent a board when you get to Maui. That's what I did when I went to Oahu Oct. '10, worked perfectly. I bought a plastic storage tub at Walmart ($5), a "vacuum storage bag set" ($8), and a roll of duct tape ($3). I was able to fit 3 kites (10m, 13m and 16m) plus a pump no problem. Just be sure the tub you buy is within the size limitations for the airlines. It's usually posted on their website. Threw my harness and bar in my carry on bag. Rented a board for $75 for the week. No worries, no hassles and those tubs are super durable. Really protects the kites nicely.

Incidentally, I never needed my 16m and I weigh 240 lbs. and that was Oahu. If you've never been to Maui before, you'll probably just need your smaller kites. 7m and 9m are the norm there.

Flying Southworst they let you bring a skibag for free plus 2 free checked bags.

I hauled 3 kites in my ski bag with my boots and skis. Worked great.

@Feyd - How long ago was that? Might want to double check with the airlines, they've changed their baggage restrictions this year. Plus it sounds like he's heading to Maui, a set of skiis might not be what he's planning on bringing. Another thing to consider is that just about every flight to or from Hawaii is almost always booked solid, which means you may not be allowed to take a carry on bag. That happened to my on my last flight to California. The last dozen rows of passengers (including me) were told there wasn't any more room for carry on luggage. All the more reason to ship it in a plastic tub. And, if worse comes to worst, you can ship the tub to Hawaii and/or back home by mail. I shipped a couple dozen plastic tubs from Hawaii by regular mail when I moved to the mainland. Turned out to be thousands of $$ cheaper than using a moving company. Can you tell I'm a big fan of plastic storage tubs? :D

Kelly,

You know I've got one if you change your mind.

At one time WestJet used to just pass the "golf" type bags right through with all other oversize items but now they actually x-ray the bag. On a recent trip to Phoenix I used mine for clubs and shoes and found that they don't bother to weigh these oversize items.

I've heard from a couple of people who have been successful including a half set of clubs and Sunday bag in with their kites.

That was last spring. I just checked the SW site to see if there are any changes.

Off Southwest's site....


"Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free Checked Baggage allowance for each Passenger at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight or 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess weight and size charges may apply."

"Snow ski equipment, including skis or snowboards, ski boots, and ski poles. Effective March 1, 2012: including one pair of skis or one snowboard, one set of poles, and one pair of ski/snowboard boots encased in a container(s) acceptable to Carrier. When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, Southwest Airlines allows up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately. "

So they changed it slightly. Probably not gonna help on a trip to Hawaii tho.:dunno:

Still, a hell of a lot cheaper than some other airlines.

Full page of what you can bring on board....
http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/speci...