Airline experiences with reels?

[hatidua]

Anyone have any experience in the past few weeks with taking reels (loaded with line - all spectra) as carry-on on airline flights?

I have a flight from Denver to Cabo on Saturday and would really prefer to handcarry all my reels if at all possible.

Input welcome, thanks.

[fishaholic 1]

No way just went to cabo had to put reels in cooler and duct tape it shut . you can carry them on with out line . good luck

[baja tailhunter]

check with the airline, delta charged me $100.00 for my 7'4" rod tube on the way down to la paz and nothing for it on the way home.if your bag is 51 to 70lb the cost is $25 over 70lb it is $100.00 cash at check in.

putting reels in the cooled is fine for going down but if the cooler is full of fish on the way home you will need to put them in your check in bag.i put a reel bag in my lugage add lock it with a cable tie after it is checked on way home. take only rods and reels that you will not miss if thay are lost or stolen
.

[hatidua]

Originally Posted by baja tailhunter

take only rods and reels that you will not miss if thay are lost or stolen

I can't think of a reel or rod I own that I wouldn't miss and that my insurance agent wouldn't pass out if they were told what they cost.

[JiGGZ]

Scared to DEATH every time I fly with my gear. Rod tubes and reel cases stand out like sore thumbs. I put my reels in a roll-on and kept them with me. Insure the SHIT out of the rod tube MAX it all out!! Some will make you show contents but custom rods are obviouse and I have never had them flip when I tell then how much they cost. I have lost too much stuff since 9-11 but mostly electronics. I check NOTHING anymore except a Rod Tube.

[jmacallister]

I've been doing this twice a month for the past 8 years. Here's what I've learned:
1. Unless you're connecting through Mexico City, there's not much chance of loosing gear unless your idea of luggage is a Ralph's grocery sack.
2. To avoid the problem of a gear-loaded ice chest going down and fish-loaded ice chest coming back, bring some big rubber bands and wrap as many of your shorts/t-shirts as possible around the rods in your holder. Then put the tackle in your checked bag. For a half-n-half (careful there), bring a 3 mil trash back and mix gear and fish.
3. As someone else said, reel cases are a magnet for trouble - not thievery, just rough treatment. They're heavy and our friends would rather throw them then carry 'em. Dents and dings are common.
4. Do not trust TSA to have a consistent point of view about carry-on tackle of any sort. You'd be better off believing in the tooth fairy.
5. It's worse on the Baja-US leg; it's better to bury your stuff under a layer of fish then try to guess what the Baja-TSA is going to do. (Aside to smokers: like the new TSA rules on lighters? Don't bet that the folks in SJD, Loreto, MZT, or PVR are going to have read the new rules. So far, I'm out a Zippo and two BICs.)

Short course: tuck it all under the plane and have a beer.

John MacAllister

[Mr. Len]

Called Alaska today, reels w/line no problem carry on.
Love the shorts and shirts in the rod tube. Great idea.

[okie man]

i've flown with reels, rods and firearms a dozen times in the last 4-5 years and have had no problems at all. look up the airlines rules and print them out , do it how they say and bring a copy with you when you check in and if they give any problems show them the paper and say i did as the rules say and you will be fine . as far as the fear of them lossing your stuff ihave never had a airline lose anything of mine. pack what you need and nothing more , it sucks trying to make a connection running through the airport with a ton of shit. take old clothes that you can pitch in the dumpster and just bring your gear and fish back without paying for a . over weight baggage fee. i allmost forgot the most important part. relax and have fun.

[simidude]

Just got back from Punta Colorada via Los Cabos airport, flew with American and carried on all reels w/spectra no problems. Again check with your airline (on-line) to insure this policy, print it out and take it to the airport with you. Good luck!

[reytigre]

I just went to Loreto last month. I flew from SFO to LAX - LAX to Loreto. The TSA guy in SFO told me as I went through security check that I could have taken the reels on the plane, BUT the four time I called the TSA they quoted the web site"reels are expensive and should be checked with luggage." SO, I did not carry them on but this dude said I could. I did not want to have to hassle at security check with reels so I packed them. Shit, I used to carry on all my reels and lures. Just more BS to have to go through.

Rey

[Sirena]

Haven't had any problems on the LAX-LAP trip in a over a year. I wrap my reels in some bubble tape and rubberband this print out from the TSA website around one of them. Highlighting the part that is pertinent helps speed things along if they question you.....

TSA: Traveling with Special Items

Tackle Equipment - Fishing equipment should be placed in your checked baggage. Some tackle equipment can be considered sharp and dangerous. Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as fly's should be packed in your carry-on baggage.

[BOB MARLIN]

It's hit and miss with the rules. It does not matter what the rules on the website say.
It's more the luck of the draw who is going through your carry on. The bad thing is,
if you get told you can't take them on when they are inspecting your carry on, your
luggage is already gone and they actually put the in a plastic bag and put them
with the the rest of the luggage. It's happened to me. Call you home owners insurance. Mine actually covers lost luggage.