[Shoe]

I spent the last few nights gathering my toys for the trip out West.
Do to the variance of climate between Phoenix and Page I'm forced to bring both warm and cold-weather gear.
I started loading the Double bottom duffle with waders, a couple of rods, vest, net, tippets and other replaceable items (in case they loose it ) and filled the top portion with clothes, including a fleece, rain jacket, thermals and even some shorts.

Off to the scale... 51.7 pounds OK, let's weed it out. I removed a pack rod and the camera and it's close and should fly..lol


When did they decrease the weight? On my trip to Anchorage I could swear it was 70. Even that was tight on the way home. We each had a box of fish.

Have any of you experienced problems with bringing 4pc rods on board? How about flies? (after all they are sharp objects )

[mcfly]

[SmallieKiller]

As far as I know, you can take almost anything on a plane that will be stored beneath the cabin. It's the carryon that is not allowed to have all the clippers and what-not. As long as your rods and stuff are packed in your suitcase, you'll be fine.

As for the 50 lbs, it was like that in September of 02 when I flew to Mexico, so I'm not sure when if ever it was 70. I'm not an authority on that stuff though, only been on a plane twice in my life!

[Shoe]

After some additional research, it looks like flies would have to be checked and can't be brought into the cabin.
Like I'm gonna cast them or something... Now that's scary

This really burns my ass. If they loose my shit, I'm out of hundreds of hours on the vise.

[Carlin]

Yea, that hook thing is lame. Like you're going to take someone hostage with a size 18 zug bug.

Anyway, everytime I have flown into Anchorage for the past several years there has always been several people with rod tubes in their hands. However, I have read on other boards where folks were forced to check their tubes after getting to security.

From what I've seen, I'd say you have a really good chance of getting through with a tube, but there is always the possibility...

[Graham]

Hey Shoe,

I have an Orvis bag that holds four 4-pc rods and several reels, never had a problem taking this on board a plane. Easilly fits in the overhead compartment. I pack my flies in a bag that is checked in. I took a trip to the Adirondacks last summer on American Airlines and they charged me $40 extra when I checked in for a case that was too heavy, 55 lbs. Apparently they recently changes the limit from 70 to 50. I had a bunch of tying stuff and a vise on a marble base, wont do that again.

I have found Southwest to be the least restrictive about weight issues, also the cheapest tickets. My annual LRB trip cost $99 each way from Burbank airport to Buffalo.

[Bamboo]

Shoe-

Flies are a definite no-no. You could put someone's eye out!

Rod tubes seem to be at the discretion of the security people. I've never had a problem but you don't have to look far to find those that have. I've also heard of people not being able to take their reels in carry on - you could choke someone with the line!

Last time I went out west, I shipped things ahead using UPS. I just arranged it with a local flyshop so they were expecting it and it was there waiting.

-Bamboo

[Peddler]

Shoe, 50# it is and don't go over! The good part is if you do they will just charge you more... a LOT more! Now you have to consider if the additional charge is worth it to you.
I shipped ahead too. This way I know at least some of the stuff I DIDN'T carry on made it through. If it didn't I bought extra insurance.
When we flew out west last August they allowed rod tubes as a carry-on as long as they were PVC. I took 4 rods in one of those Orvis square rod cases with no problem. My understanding is the rules change all the time to keep the bad guys off balance and prevent them from figuring out a sure-fire way to perform gutless acts.

[Graham]

Shoe, You might want to call the airline for more specific details. I think you are allowed to check in two bags without paying extra but I'm not sure if the 50# is per bag or combined weight. I think it might be for each bag, perhaps different airlines have different rules?

[jmmccutc]

ok fellas and gals, here's the skinny, errr, i mean heavy, on the bag restriction...

when calculating the Maximum Gross Take Off Weight, MTOW, the airlines uses "average" weights, the problem is that many airlines use different weights as the average...you're lucky they let you take 50# of baggage...most use a number arround half that to calculate the weight

Here's an example, Mesaba's (Northwest Express) standard pax weight is 175 in the winter and 170 in the summer (may 1-oct 31)...and the standard checked bag was recently raised to 28 pounds, and most carry ons are estimaded to be 10-15lbs (not even close to the 50lbs mentioned before, but,honestly when was the last time you all had a 10lb. carry on?)...all of these weights vary depending on the airline...

A 1999 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association put the average weight of American men at 187.2 pounds, and women at 151.3 pounds...this would mean that most FAA standards are way off...

now i don't wanna scare anyone, but think about that next time you get told you can't have a bag over 50# i mean i bet they are already underestimating the MTOW by at least 800-900lbs...

with all the stuff that i fly i have to manually calculate the weight and ballance...so that make it more precise, but every airplane by regulation has to have a 20% allowance in MTOW (someone correct me if i'm wrong)...let's use the plane in my avatar for an example...MTOW is 1760, so the airplane must preform with a weight upto 2112lbs...but it is my job as the pilot in command of the flight to make sure that the plane is at 1760 upon take off...

that's the deal on bags and weights hope that clarified why you have a 50# restriction...

AND