Airline Fencing Bag Question

[Cerian]

I was looking to book a flight with delta and noticed that their baggage policy charges 150 dollars for a bag exceeding a combined l/w/h of 63 inches. I have a two compartment linea rollbag. I don't have the exact measurements but the equivalent Leon Paul bag sums to 65.5 inches, which does not bode well (though a light packing might be able to knock off 3 inches of height). I was wondering if anyone had any experience either getting hit with or avoiding such an oversized bag charge - I was already worrying about making sure to avoid the 50 lb+ charge, but potentially getting hit with an oversize charge over 2/3s of the flight ticket price is... unappealing.

If airlines start taking up baggage policies that are going to potentially charge us $230 dollars (delta, for ex, does 80 for over 50 pounds and 150 for over 63 inches) each way for a fencing bag, I imagine a lot of people simply won't travel for fencing... SKB golf cases have interior dimensions of over 62 inches, and weigh 25 lbs unpacked... not very promising as far as this baggage policy goes. Anyways, any ideas or suggestions would be great.

[fresfisher929]

I think there's an exception for sporting equipment, specifically golf club bags. There's also a weight requirement for that.

Over the summer I was flying back to school with delta and tried to fill a fencing bag with extra stuff, I would have been fine, but it was over the weight requirement, so instead of paying 60 dollars I had my parents ship it to me. Obviously not an option for a tournament.

So I don't think you have to worry about the oversize bag charge, just make sure to keep your bag light, and only have fencing stuff in there. I would call there company and ask before you fly...

[Cerian]

Ah, yes, after further investigation it appears they let golf bags through (though still subject to the weight limit). Now it's just a matter if they'll accept a soft case fencing bag as a golf bag.

[Phrogger]

Two ideas, I'm sure have been suggested before:

1. Put your stuff in a hardcase golf bag, let them think it's golfing equipment.
2. Pack everything but the weapons in suitcases, then either tape your soft-sided bag down to a reasonable size or put the weapons in a smaller bag.

I haven't taken my gear on a plane in quite a while, and I'm not looking forward to doing it with today's baggage policies. How much would FedEx cost to ship it?

[FreshPrinceofEWU]

I just flew my gear across the state last month for Christmas vacation. I have a SKB golf case (about 14 lbs. empty) which i filled with 3 foil's, 2 epee's, full clothing kit, mask, shoes, and various misc. items. I think it came out to about 40 lbs. when they weighed it. I flew Alaska and they charge $25 for a second checked bag so $50 total wasn't too bad.

Just make sure you know that they will probably open your case for "security" reasons.

[counterattack]

There are some long and detailed threads on this already, however a summary would be:

1) You MIGHT get charged.
2) Some airlines (e.g. Frontier) call out fencing equipment as covered in their sporting equipment size waiver (but not weight, so keep it under 55lbs)
3) Other airlines may allow it as golf equipment but the rules actually specify exactly what is allowed in a golf bag (clubs, cleats, balls tees) so if it comes down to quoting rules, you will lose. Try and be nice, try not to draw attention to it not actually being golf equipment, and hope that they don't get prickly.

Really you should read the exact rules for the airline and have a plan for what to do if they are going to try charge you the $125 extra each way. Also, you should patronize Frontier and any other airline that allows fencing bags explicitly and let them know that is why you chose them.

-philip

[Phrogger]

Just make sure you know that they will probably open your case for "security" reasons.

Yes but I'm thinking that all of the money changes hands at the front desk. All the baggage "inspectors" are looking for is contraband, am I right?

I'm not saying to flat out lie, just say it's "sporting equipment" and let them think what they think.

[wahrman]

Yep. It's always worked for me. I don't lie but I don't volunteer info either.

Once I even got a little hand written note on the TSA flyer they put in my bag. It said "Good Luck!" heh.

Yes but I'm thinking that all of the money changes hands at the front desk. All the baggage "inspectors" are looking for is contraband, am I right?

I'm not saying to flat out lie, just say it's "sporting equipment" and let them think what they think.

[formerfencer]

I have the exact same bag and have never had it classified as oversized -- United, Continental, Delta, Frontier, American. That being said, it is still worth knowing the regulations. I always say it's sports equipment when I'm asked. If they ask what kind, I tell them. No one's ever had an issue with it and I've had some great conversations.

Also, you should patronize Frontier...

Frontier managed to lose my fencing bag coming home from Colorado Springs. After two weeks of leaving messages, being promised returned calls and status with no follow-up until Dec 30th and spending a good portion of new years eve waiting for the bag to be delivered, Frontier will no longer get my fencing bag or my money.

[Phincer]

And here's good news for fencers that can use Laguardia-Southwest is applying for gate space there and Rumor Control has it this might come to pass this year, perhaps as early as this spring. I think they're trying to get in via their old travel partner ATA's (?) gates.

It was announced in November, but I haven't heard anything more. Anyone else hear anything?

Southwest allows two checked bags free, and we've never had a problem with the fencing or ski gear as long as the weight was o.k.

[tkexi991]

I mostly fly Delta, and have rarely had a problem with an LP roller bag. Most handlers assume its a golf bag, and I am usually in too much of a hurry to argue.

[telkanuru]

I usually fly Delta/NWA, and have so far not had an issue with my 2-compartment fnet rollbag.

[counterattack]

Frontier managed to lose my fencing bag coming home from Colorado Springs. After two weeks of leaving messages, being promised returned calls and status with no follow-up until Dec 30th and spending a good portion of new years eve waiting for the bag to be delivered, Frontier will no longer get my fencing bag or my money.

If you measure airlines by their low water mark then you will not have many options if you fly much.

As for "I have flown and never had a problem", there is a phrase that is in vogue right now that covers that: "It works until it doesn't." I have only really been hassled once and it was American Airlines returning home from Dallas (I hadn't had a problem on the in bound flight). If I hadn't had a sudden "wow, they are right, I'd better kiss butt" change of heart in the middle of the exchange I might have had a hefty fee to pay. This was BEFORE airlines started getting picky (maybe 2005?) and with the same Uhlmann Jumbo I have had all along. The lady in Dallas called me on the rules, I didn't know the rules and thought I was okay since I had flown with it over and over. Out came the manual (she showed me the rule) and out came the measuring tape (she showed me I was 10 inches in violation of the rule) and I proceed to apologize, apologize, apologize, and beg. I got through with just a "warning". These days, with the airline employees worrying about losing their jobs and retirement funds, they might get religion about bag fees at any moment. You should have a plan for what to do in the case they try and add $125 each way to a ticket that was only $160 round trip. Remember, "airlines" do not take your bags, "one individual who works for the airline" takes your bags. They might be having a bad day, they might have had an ex who fenced, they might not like your face. If you are on the wrong side of the regulations they might stick you.

The only plan that is solid for travel with fencing bags is:
1) Know your airline's rules.
2) Know where you stand in relation to the rules (how heavy and what is the total dimension).
3) Have a plan to avoid $250 or more in extra fees.
4) Hope they just take the gear as golf gear and don't hassle you.


-philip (who still sometimes rolls the dice on his bags also, but will have no one to blame but himself when they stick him) (but will still probably blame the airlines and their money grubbing, fencing slighting, BS policy)

[oiuyt]

AirTran in Atlanta decided to enforce the rule around the NAC there last January. No one I heard of had any issues with their in-bound flights. A number of people got tagged with the fee ($75?) for an oversize bag on their return. Temple was originally told that we would need to pay it (for the dozen or so fencing bags we had) but fortunately eventually managed to talk our way through without having to pay.

-B

[AndrewH]

AirTran in Atlanta decided to enforce the rule around the NAC there last January. No one I heard of had any issues with their in-bound flights. A number of people got tagged with the fee ($75?) for an oversize bag on their return. Temple was originally told that we would need to pay it (for the dozen or so fencing bags we had) but fortunately eventually managed to talk our way through without having to pay.

-B

The thing was, I was told that if I had golf equipment in my golf case, it would be free. But since I had fencing equipment in my golf case, it would cost me. That and the fact that it was arbitrarily applied made it all the more ridiculous.

I had no choice but to pay and get on my flight. Never flying AirTran again, and neither should any other fencers.

Now when agents ask what I have in the bag, I say "it's a golf case". Which is true.

[Phincer]

We are now printing out the airline's baggage policies relating to fencing equipment and taking them with us.

Most fencing bags and golf cases are above the airline's 62" total measurement, but fall within the "properly packed sporting equipment" guidelines. You just can't take all your fencing gear AND your street clothes in the same bag-legally.

My son just puts his clothes in the bottom and fencing gear on top, and stops when he reaches the weight limit.

I think there was another thread on this subject and someone did a nice job of listing airlines with specific fencing bag policies...sorry, too much in a rush this a.m. to link.

[Montoya]

For the Colorado Springs NAC, I tacked on a side trip to Salt Lake City. All three legs of the trip were on Delta.

Washington - Colorado Springs

Checked Uhlmann roller bag with weapons and regular clothes (including ski clothes/helmet) and toiletries; carry-on with computer, mask, uniform, shoes. Bag just under 50 lb weight limit. No problem


Colorado Springs - Salt Lake

Uhlmann roller bag had weapons, fencing gear, toiletries; under 50 lb weight limit. Carry-on had regular clothes, ski clothes, and computer. No problem.

Salt Lake - Washington

Same packing strategy as COS-SLC. Weight slightly less (left my ski gear in Utah). This time, the tape measure came out and I was told that my bag was oversized and I would be charged $150. Successfully argued that a)the bag had flown twice in the last 3 days without additional fees and b)that it was, for all intents and purposes, just like a golf bag. She consulted with a colleague, and after much talk,and with some reluctance, let me through without paying.

[Montoya]

It would be very helpful if the USFA (perhaps with USOC back-up) would lobby the airlines to include fencing bags explicitly under the policies that govern ski/snowboard bags and golf bags.

If airlines start tacking on $300 in additional fees for a round-trip ticket, that would make many less likely to fly to NACs and Nationals.

[Mergs]

Hmmm. Know the rules. What a concept!

Remember that with the "economic crisis" and lowered profits due to the high price of oil, etc. everyone is going to be pressured to maximize their bottom line, so watch out for 'enforcement' practices.

A recommendation is to go with hard golf carriers. Most likely they won't think twice.

But then again...............

[hello?]

Oil prices have gone down.