Airline Rod Case

[Pepe]

Airline rod carrier

We we are headed to El Salto in Mexico tomorrow and going by a different airline. We tried using the lodge's rods but weren't real impressed so we are bringing our own. We know to expect that TSA will open it. 

Anyone here traveled recently with one of the black Plano airline rod carriers with the wheels ? If so, did you have any problems and did they charge you extra for it?

[Muddler4]

Do a google search on your airline + “baggage fees”.  Southwest has checked bags fly free.  Most every other is $25 per checked bag each way.  Typically extra fees for bags over 50 lbs or dimensions that exceed L x W x H greater than about 68 inches.  So if you have a rod case that is say 54” x 10” x  4” you are ok on United for example, otherwise extra fees apply.  I put 4 piece travel rod tubes (20 to 30 inches) inside checked luggage and have not seen evidence that it was messed with.  I suspect the x-ray can see through to the rod and guides and it’s obvious.

[kjackson]

I've also carried six-foot rods on without a case--just scooting them along the overhead bins.  And I've used the Plano big tubes that you describe, and they haven't failed. Flambeau also makes a bomb-proof rod case.

[Al Agnew]

The problem is that you never know what will happen when you try to carry rods on, unless they are travel rods that will easily fit in overheads.  Technically, any two piece or one piece rod is not going to fit the guidelines for carry-on luggage.  So if you run afoul of somebody at the gate or on the plane that is a stickler for the rules, you'll have to gate check it.  In that case, I don't know whether they'd charge you with oversize fees.

I guess it's too late for Pepe, since he said he was leaving yesterday.  But if I wanted to bring several bass rods on an airline trip, I'd first look into shipping them ahead of time to the hotel or resort, and shipping them back home at the end of the trip.  Alternatively, several companies make some pretty nice 4 piece travel rods, both spinning and casting--I've always used Cabelas travel rods.  They will it in a decent size suitcase in your checked baggage, or you can strap them to your carry-on so that it's all one piece, and probably have no problem getting them on.

[Muddler4]

I used to carry a lot of noncompliant rods on airplanes in the past but after 9/11 they really started cracking down and the consequences can be bad.  If the gate agent makes you check it at the gate your rod tube will be thrown (and I mean thrown) in the cargo hold and on top of that the handlers at your destination don't know that a rod tube is in there.  They are looking for luggage and your rod tube may end up on it's way to Dallas or wherever the plane goes next.

[Al Agnew]

I didn't really notice much difference after 9/11 if I was going to a known fishing destination.  But now they are cracking down a lot more on stuff like that because they want to charge you for extra carry ons and anything else they can.