Flying with sport equipment

[cliveanne]

I have been told that if you take sports equipment on holiday with you (Which can weigh a lot), you should notify the check-in counter, then that equipment will go free, not as part of your baggage allowance. Has anyone come across this before?

[clickerati]

I actually looked into this for my flight with BA in a fortnight. They said archery equipment (or skis, etc) would be considered one of the two pieces of allowed checked baggage.

[MrFish]

I don't think that's going to work with a full set of scuba gear though unfortunately. Even discounting a tank which I'd never try and fly with, the rest of it is neither compact nor light

[Thunk]

Originally Posted by MrFish

I don't think that's going to work with a full set of scuba gear though unfortunately. Even discounting a tank which I'd never try and fly with, the rest of it is neither compact nor light

I didn't think fish needed scuba gear...! There's a cue for one of you artists out there - a haddock with all the kit! (Even a mackerel with one of those bent snorkel things would do...)

Sorry. I'm not well, and tucked up in bed. Bored stupid. My sense of humour, questionable at the best of times, takes a turn for the worse at times like this!

[cliveanne]

Originally Posted by MrFish

I don't think that's going to work with a full set of scuba gear though unfortunately. Even discounting a tank which I'd never try and fly with, the rest of it is neither compact nor light

This conversation took place in tenerife with a couple, whose son uses SCUBA equipment, although I doubt he would have taken his tank(s), but the demand valve etc that he knows & trusts, I imagine would have been going with him.
It was this conversation which led me to ask my question.

[MrFish]

I don't know of any hard and fast rules. What little I know applies to cycles in that fall outside accepted luggage dimensions (which I guess some bow cases could too, especially longbow ones) and then it seems to be at the check-in/awkward luggage counter's discretion and even then different airlines will have different rules.

Best bet would be to check airline/travel agent's websites prior to booking/travelling I guess

[clickerati]

Originally Posted by thunk

I didn't think fish needed scuba gear...! There's a cue for one of you artists out there - a haddock with all the kit! (Even a mackerel with one of those bent snorkel things would do...)

Sorry. I'm not well, and tucked up in bed. Bored stupid. My sense of humour, questionable at the best of times, takes a turn for the worse at times like this!

you said it so we didn't have to!



p.s. feel better

[whisky]

If you are talking about archery equipment I have never had problems taking mine abroad through Manchester. I always pack it in a hard suitcase amongst my clothing - for extra padding. At check in I declare it and they ask me to take it to the security counter where they xray it. Sometimes I just have to point out whats what on the scanner. I never give advance notice. As for whether they class sports equipment as part of your allownace or not, I think is down to the airline policy.

[cliveanne]

Go to Spain,Tenerife etc, you will see a lot of golfers with their equipment, big bulky & heavy. Anyone know a golfer who takes his/her gear over there? Might get some info from them. (Thought : Do they pack their clothing etc in the bottom of their golf bags?)

[Tuck]

I take my archery gear to spain every year as 'sports equipment' in addition to my normal baggage allowance.

It is packed in a locked abs case and sent separately from the 'bulky luggage' gate and xrayed.

You are allowed 10kg extra.

Sometimes it takes some persuasion with the airline - especially with low cost ones - that it qualifies as it isnt skis or golf clubs, but I have always managed!

See the websites of airlines for details.

Dave