Flying with Skis
 

My daughter is packing to go to college for the first time and I'm
wondering what experience people have had flying Delta with skis. She's
flying from Fairbanks to Albany (FAI to SEA on Alaska and the rest of
the way on Delta). She has a fairly small quiver of skis for a
collegiate skier (4 pr skis & 4 pr poles), but I'm concerned about the 1
pr skis, 1 pr poles, 1 pr boots rule and the size of her bag. She's
flown out of Fairbanks on Alaska a number of times and never had a
problem, but never connecting with another airline. Delta doesn't have
the 1 pr ski rule, but states "One item of skiing equipment is defined
as one ski/pole bag and one boot bag which combined must meet standard
free baggage allowances" which to me is ambiguous so I phoned them.
They indicated if the dimensions (L+W+H) of the ski bag are over 62" she
would be charged $100 and it wouldn't be accepted if over 80". I
haven't measured her ski bag but I imagine it's over 80" when full and
of course she has lots of clothing packed in the ski bag to protect the
skis. I know what actually happens depends upon the agent when checking
the baggage. I suspect she may be able get by without being charged
extra flying out on Alaska, but what about coming back at Christmas time
on Delta out of Albany? By the way, she'll be attending Williams
College. Thanks for any advice.
Carol

Carol-
She should be fine- most bags are within the size limit. I have
traveled with Junior Olympic teams for many years and have never had a
problem. I will be glad to cheer for your daughter at the carnival
races- my daughter skis for Bowdoin College. Good luck to you and her.

Joe Ricci

what not to do - volunteer information:
"what's in the bag?"
"four pairs of skis."

"skis." is a better response.

i would always leave my previous baggage claim attached to my ski bag
when i brought it up to the counter so it was obvious that i had flown
with it before. no idea if that helped, but i did it anyway. the only
times i've been harrassed were when my bag was bursting with 10 pr of
skis and approaching 50 pounds.

ah, williams. the carleton of the east.

-phil

Flying out of Alaska is no problem, connecting isn't a problem if you check
your bags all the way through.

Coming back, I have had some problems, mostly "why is the bag so big?" I
simply say " I have seen how people treat the baggage unloading and loading
and I don't want my skis broken"
Just watch the weight and there shouldn't be a problem.

Mark Strabel

wrote in message
oups.com...
what not to do - volunteer information:
"what's in the bag?"
"four pairs of skis."

"skis." is a better response.

i would always leave my previous baggage claim attached to my ski bag
when i brought it up to the counter so it was obvious that i had flown
with it before. no idea if that helped, but i did it anyway. the only
times i've been harrassed were when my bag was bursting with 10 pr of
skis and approaching 50 pounds.

ah, williams. the carleton of the east.

-phil

I have 210cm skis and have never had problems with Delta, only
Northwest. Wrapping t-shirts around tips and tails is a good idea, and
one time I wrapped "Fragile" tape around the bag. That's a little
trickier now with inspections.

Gene

Carol Haas wrote:

My daughter is packing to go to college for the first time and I'm
wondering what experience people have had flying Delta with skis. She's
flying from Fairbanks to Albany (FAI to SEA on Alaska and the rest of
the way on Delta). She has a fairly small quiver of skis for a
collegiate skier (4 pr skis & 4 pr poles), but I'm concerned about the 1
pr skis, 1 pr poles, 1 pr boots rule and the size of her bag. She's
flown out of Fairbanks on Alaska a number of times and never had a
problem, but never connecting with another airline. Delta doesn't have
the 1 pr ski rule, but states "One item of skiing equipment is defined
as one ski/pole bag and one boot bag which combined must meet standard
free baggage allowances" which to me is ambiguous so I phoned them.
They indicated if the dimensions (L+W+H) of the ski bag are over 62" she
would be charged $100 and it wouldn't be accepted if over 80". I
haven't measured her ski bag but I imagine it's over 80" when full and
of course she has lots of clothing packed in the ski bag to protect the
skis. I know what actually happens depends upon the agent when checking
the baggage. I suspect she may be able get by without being charged
extra flying out on Alaska, but what about coming back at Christmas time
on Delta out of Albany? By the way, she'll be attending Williams
College. Thanks for any advice.
Carol

Perhaps you can consider one of the hardsided ski-tube type carriers.
This would minimize impact effects on the skis.

For checking large bags, I often find that curbside checkin can be
easier and involve less questions. I make sure to give the curbside
person a generous tip, and have never had problems.

Jonathan

Thanks for everyone's input on this. I don't think she will actually
have a problem, but I wanted to hear from some people who have flown
Delta with skis. Other than items being overweight, it seems that the
airlines are fairly lenient in interpreting baggage rules. One just
hope one doesn't get a ticket agent who follows the rules to the letter.
Carol

I have flown with my skiies a couple of times. Then I get up, brush the
snow off, and get back on the trax. no problem about checking the skiies
either.

Carol Haas wrote:

Thanks for everyone's input on this. I don't think she will actually
have a problem, but I wanted to hear from some people who have flown
Delta with skis. Other than items being overweight, it seems that the
airlines are fairly lenient in interpreting baggage rules. One just
hope one doesn't get a ticket agent who follows the rules to the letter.
Carol

Very good advice about curbside check-in, if available. The folks,
usually guys, out front seem to have a lot more freedom of action and
rarely hassle anyone over such things.

GG

Jonathan Scheuch wrote:

Perhaps you can consider one of the hardsided ski-tube type carriers.
This would minimize impact effects on the skis.

For checking large bags, I often find that curbside checkin can be
easier and involve less questions. I make sure to give the curbside
person a generous tip, and have never had problems.

Jonathan

Carol Haas wrote:
Thanks for everyone's input on this. I don't think she will actually
have a problem, but I wanted to hear from some people who have flown
Delta with skis. Other than items being overweight, it seems that the
airlines are fairly lenient in interpreting baggage rules. One just
hope one doesn't get a ticket agent who follows the rules to the letter.
Carol


Carol,

I use a Glissade bag made for jumping skis; never had a problem with
Delta or any other carrier. And, yes, I carry 4 pairs of skis, poles
and some boots in it.

Congratulations on Williams! Great school. I know it well.