Checking ski and boot bags

lal_truckee wrote:
On 4/6/10 8:46 AM, Walt wrote:
VtSkier wrote:

If I had to have a pair of my skis with me for an extended trip, I
would ship them ahead via UPS to my destination.

Fed Ex Ground will ship skis in a plain old ski bag. I think UPS
requires that you put them in a box. Anyway, I used Fed Ex Ground to
ship skis back from SLC in January. About $50 for a bag with two pairs
of skis (and other miscelaneous stuff) in it.

What do you ski on while they've got your skis?

Well, I could have used one of the other three (now four) pair that are
hanging around the garage, but in this case I was on the way to a week
of horseback riding in the desert so the skis were back home before I
was. I think they promise 4 business days.


Anyway, I was thinking about my pretty much no longer flying anywhere to
ski because of airline abuse. I can't be the only one, so I wonder if
Utah and/or Colorado tourist industries have noticed a falloff in
visits? Used to be a big effort by those states to encourage ski travel,
and they had big influences on the airlines. Maybe they will step up
again to coerce the airlines into better behavior? Like adding a landing
tax on each passenger, waived if the passenger has a double ski bag
checked?

I'm sure that there's been a falloff in business, but that has more to
do with the overall economy than the hassle of ski luggage. Given the
overall cost of a ski trip to, say, Vail, a $25 fee to transport your
skis is chump change. You can spend more than that on a hamburger.

//Walt

On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 21:21:06 -0400, "Ernie"
wrote this crap:


I do that when I send my golf clubs to Florida. It cost me $30 to
send them each way. my golf buddy carried his and cost him $75 each
way.


AMHW (A mighty Hungarian warrior),

Please forgive the informality of addressing you as AMHW.

I shall allow you to live.

You make a good point about shipping skis and boots, but as far as I can
tell, shipping a 50 lb. ski bag from West Virginia to Colorado would cost
about $50 on either FedEx or UPS. While that is less than $125 - $150
airlines charge for "third bag", $50 is $15 more than the $35 charge for
"second bag". It is also true that avoiding dragging the bags to the
check-in counter and from luggage pick-up to ground transportation is worth
more than $15.

If your skis and boots weigh 50 lbs. you have some heavy boots. My
golf clubs, (with a mighty sword packed inside,) did not even come
close. Like I says, the clubs were $30 to ship ups.


I thought AMHW was faithful to his political ideals! What happened to
Ahnold? What is this "vote for Palin-Brown in 2012"


Ahhhnold has not done a decent enough job in California. He probably
will retire from politics.


Vote for palin-Brown in 2012.





A mighty Hungarian warrior
The blood of Attila runs through me

"A mighty Hungarian warrior" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 5 Apr 2010 20:36:43 -0400, "Ernie"
wrote this crap:

My recent unpleasant experience prompted me to look up Ski & Boot bag
policies of some of the airlines.


Tell us your experience with checking ski and boot bags.


Here's a tip. UPS your boots and skis ahead of time. It's cheaper
and they never get lost.

I do that when I send my golf clubs to Florida. It cost me $30 to
send them each way. my golf buddy carried his and cost him $75 each
way.


And remember to vote for Palin-Brown in 2012. Repeal the nightmare.




A mighty Hungarian warrior
The blood of Attila runs through me

AMHW (A mighty Hungarian warrior),

Please forgive the informality of addressing you as AMHW.

You make a good point about shipping skis and boots, but as far as I can
tell, shipping a 50 lb. ski bag from West Virginia to Colorado would cost
about $50 on either FedEx or UPS. While that is less than $125 - $150
airlines charge for "third bag", $50 is $15 more than the $35 charge for
"second bag". It is also true that avoiding dragging the bags to the
check-in counter and from luggage pick-up to ground transportation is worth
more than $15.

I thought AMHW was faithful to his political ideals! What happened to
Ahnold? What is this "vote for Palin-Brown in 2012"

Regards,

Ernie

"VtSkier" wrote in message
...
Ernie wrote:
My recent unpleasant experience prompted me to look up Ski & Boot bag
policies of some of the airlines. My situation: on a return trip from
Vail/Eagle, the check-in with UNITED AIRLINES irritated me greatly. The
previous week my outbound flight from Columbus on UNITED was fine. I
checked three bags (paid for two): one suitcase, one ski bag and one boot
bag. As has been my usual practice for 20+ years, I had packed socks,
underwear and gloves in plastic bags, and put the plastic bags around the
skis and boots to cushion the equipment. In Columbus, UNITED accepted
one ski and one boot bag as "one checked bag." The ski and boot bag
together weighed 34 lbs. and they are allowed to weigh up to a standard
bag, typically 50 pounds.

The packing and the weights were the same for the return trip, but when I
tried to check in at Vail/Eagle, the UNITED agent said that ONLY boots or
skis are allowed in the bags, and she pointed to a sign on the counter.
She also said that this was an FAA rule (As far as I can learn on the
internet, this rule appears to apply only to UNITED and CONTINENTAL, and
NOT to bags that you pay a separate bag fee). Since she wouldn't let my
boot & ski bags be checked as I had packed them, I unpacked the underwear
& gloves from the ski and boot bags and tried to stuff them into the
suitcase. At this point the agent actually patted down the ski bag to
make sure that I did not leave anything inside.

Not all the clothes would fit into my suitcase and my only choice was to
put them into the boot bag, and I thought I would have to pay for three
bags. IF I am interpreting baggage fee rules correctly, checking three
bags would cost $185 on UNITED ($25 for first, $35 for second, and $125
for the third bag; see
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,52481,00.html and
http://www.united.com/page/article/0...0.html#excess), and $210
on CONTINENTAL (25 for first, $35 for second, and $150 for the third bag;
see
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../checkbag.aspx
and
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...e/excess.aspx).

If I understood the United Airlines Agent correctly, the ski/boots only
restriction does not apply if the customer pays for each bag separately.
I do wonder how this meshes with the above mentioned FAA rule.

After repacking, when I did the actual check in, a different agent,
pointed out that I could carry the boot bag (now stuffed with underwear)
on-board. That was very nice of her, but at my age of nearly 70 years, I
do not relish dragging bags through airports.

As far as I can tell, UNITED's rule states that ONLY skis, poles and
boots are allowed in bags checked under the one bag allowance.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0...6,00.html#snow states "1
ski bag, containing 1 pair of skis and poles, plus 1 boot bag, containing
boots and bindings only." CONTINENTAL seems to have a similar rule, "If
ski boot bag contains other items in addition to or in place of boots, it
will be subject to applicable baggage fees or excess baggage fees."
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx.

Among the other airlines, DELTA, NORTHWEST, FRONTIER, SOUTHWEST, USAIR,
AIRTRAN, , MIDWEST AIRLINE, and AIR CANADA seems to have a more
reasonable approach to checking ski and boot bags. Typical rule seems to
be that the combined weight of ski and boot bags can not exceed 50 lbs.

BOTTOM LINE: check airline baggage fees before you book your next ski
trip. If your ski or boot bags contain any other items than skis/poles or
ski boots, for a Round Trip, on UNITED the checked baggage fee could cost
you as much as $370, and on CONTINENTAL $420. On other airlines, the
baggage fees are likely to be a much more reasonable $120 for Round Trip,
and ZERO on SOUTHWEST.

Tell us your experience with checking ski and boot bags.

NOTE TO AIRLINES - please reply to this newsgroup and correct any
unintentional mistakes that I may have made interpreting your rules


Since most airlines now charge for checked baggage, I've found it
much more convenient to carry boots on and check a bag with
clothing. I can ski with anything except somebody else's (read
rental) boots. I always rent skis at the destination. In Tahoe
I rent from El Cheapo's or the other place down near the Keys.

If I had to have a pair of my skis with me for an extended trip, I
would ship them ahead via UPS to my destination.

And I'm rapidly approaching (too rapidly) 70 also. I find it
more difficult to schlep skis around during ground transportation
stages than is worthwhile.

VtSkier,

Your reply prompted me to look up ski rental rates. I was greatly amused to
find that the same rental co., http://www.mountainsportsoutlet.com/rentals/
daily rate for "performance skis" is $16 in Glenwood Springs, $32-36 in
Snowmass and $46 in Aspen; the rental rates go up as you go south. I would
hate have to rent skis in Taos, NM! (JOKE!)

Unfortunately the days of carrying on boot bags may be coming to an end. A
friend sent me this article,
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/06...ees/index.html
Let's hope that Spirit Airlines experiment will turn out to be a big flop.

Regards,
Ernie

"lal_truckee" wrote in message
...
On 4/5/10 5:36 PM, Ernie wrote:

NOTE TO AIRLINES - please reply to this newsgroup and correct any
unintentional mistakes that I may have made interpreting your rules


Conceptual folly -
If these turkeys can't figure out their own rules at the checkin counter,
what makes you think they'll be able to figure out Usenet?

Luckily United damaged my skis years ago punching a hole to core in the
shovel (on the topskin!), and insisted on keeping the skis two weeks for
repair - I told them screw that, stuffed some epoxy in the hole and
carried on. The luck was that I quit going to places I had to fly into; so
I've never dealt with the airline crap since. In driving range from Tahoe
in = a long day: Jackson, Utah, Oregon, Mammoth - that's enough to keep
me happy.

lal,

Your reply " Conceptual folly - If these turkeys can't figure out their
own..." is very clever, and funny!

You are lucky to be in driving rage of so many great ski areas. For us,
anything less than a thousand miles means you may have a decent skiing, or
you may get very wet in a downpour.

Regards,

Ernie

On Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:35:18 -0700, The Real Bev
wrote this crap:

Ahhhnold has not done a decent enough job in California. He probably
will retire from politics.

The influence of the Kennedys is strong, whether from the grave or the bed.

So what? Reagan's influence is still strong.


I
don't think Palin can carry the load either, though.

I read her book. I don't have a problem with her. Anybody's got to
be better than the current resident.

Any thoughts about Newt?

He would be better than the resident, but I think the public has
soured on him.

Vote for Palin-Brown in 2012. Repeal the madness.




A mighty Hungarian warrior
The blood of Attila runs through me

On 04/06/2010 06:10 PM, A mighty Hungarian warrior wrote:

wrote this crap:

I thought AMHW was faithful to his political ideals! What happened to
Ahnold? What is this "vote for Palin-Brown in 2012"

Ahhhnold has not done a decent enough job in California. He probably
will retire from politics.

The influence of the Kennedys is strong, whether from the grave or the bed. I
don't think Palin can carry the load either, though.

Any thoughts about Newt?

Vote for palin-Brown in 2012.

--
Cheers, Bev
Far away in a strange land

A mighty Hungarian warrior wrote:
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 21:21:06 -0400, "Ernie" wrote this crap:


Please forgive the informality of addressing you as AMHW.

I shall allow you to live.


Getting soft in your old age?


If your skis and boots weigh 50 lbs. you have some heavy boots. My
golf clubs, (with a mighty sword packed inside,) did not even come
close.


My rum flask alone weighs 50 lbs. Which is why I always hire a caddy
when I golf.

//Walt

Ernie wrote:

"VtSkier" wrote in message
...
Ernie wrote:
My recent unpleasant experience prompted me to look up Ski & Boot bag
policies of some of the airlines. My situation: on a return trip
from Vail/Eagle, the check-in with UNITED AIRLINES irritated me
greatly. The previous week my outbound flight from Columbus on
UNITED was fine. I checked three bags (paid for two): one suitcase,
one ski bag and one boot bag. As has been my usual practice for 20+
years, I had packed socks, underwear and gloves in plastic bags, and
put the plastic bags around the skis and boots to cushion the
equipment. In Columbus, UNITED accepted one ski and one boot bag as
"one checked bag." The ski and boot bag together weighed 34 lbs. and
they are allowed to weigh up to a standard bag, typically 50 pounds.

The packing and the weights were the same for the return trip, but
when I tried to check in at Vail/Eagle, the UNITED agent said that
ONLY boots or skis are allowed in the bags, and she pointed to a sign
on the counter. She also said that this was an FAA rule (As far as I
can learn on the internet, this rule appears to apply only to UNITED
and CONTINENTAL, and NOT to bags that you pay a separate bag fee).
Since she wouldn't let my boot & ski bags be checked as I had packed
them, I unpacked the underwear & gloves from the ski and boot bags
and tried to stuff them into the suitcase. At this point the agent
actually patted down the ski bag to make sure that I did not leave
anything inside.

Not all the clothes would fit into my suitcase and my only choice was
to put them into the boot bag, and I thought I would have to pay for
three bags. IF I am interpreting baggage fee rules correctly,
checking three bags would cost $185 on UNITED ($25 for first, $35 for
second, and $125 for the third bag; see
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,52481,00.html and
http://www.united.com/page/article/0...0.html#excess), and
$210 on CONTINENTAL (25 for first, $35 for second, and $150 for the
third bag; see
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../checkbag.aspx
and
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...e/excess.aspx).


If I understood the United Airlines Agent correctly, the ski/boots
only restriction does not apply if the customer pays for each bag
separately. I do wonder how this meshes with the above mentioned FAA
rule.

After repacking, when I did the actual check in, a different agent,
pointed out that I could carry the boot bag (now stuffed with
underwear) on-board. That was very nice of her, but at my age of
nearly 70 years, I do not relish dragging bags through airports.

As far as I can tell, UNITED's rule states that ONLY skis, poles and
boots are allowed in bags checked under the one bag allowance.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0...6,00.html#snow states
"1 ski bag, containing 1 pair of skis and poles, plus 1 boot bag,
containing boots and bindings only." CONTINENTAL seems to have a
similar rule, "If ski boot bag contains other items in addition to or
in place of boots, it will be subject to applicable baggage fees or
excess baggage fees."
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ge/sports.aspx.

Among the other airlines, DELTA, NORTHWEST, FRONTIER, SOUTHWEST,
USAIR, AIRTRAN, , MIDWEST AIRLINE, and AIR CANADA seems to have a
more reasonable approach to checking ski and boot bags. Typical rule
seems to be that the combined weight of ski and boot bags can not
exceed 50 lbs.

BOTTOM LINE: check airline baggage fees before you book your next
ski trip. If your ski or boot bags contain any other items than
skis/poles or ski boots, for a Round Trip, on UNITED the checked
baggage fee could cost you as much as $370, and on CONTINENTAL $420.
On other airlines, the baggage fees are likely to be a much more
reasonable $120 for Round Trip, and ZERO on SOUTHWEST.

Tell us your experience with checking ski and boot bags.

NOTE TO AIRLINES - please reply to this newsgroup and correct any
unintentional mistakes that I may have made interpreting your rules


Since most airlines now charge for checked baggage, I've found it
much more convenient to carry boots on and check a bag with
clothing. I can ski with anything except somebody else's (read
rental) boots. I always rent skis at the destination. In Tahoe
I rent from El Cheapo's or the other place down near the Keys.

If I had to have a pair of my skis with me for an extended trip, I
would ship them ahead via UPS to my destination.

And I'm rapidly approaching (too rapidly) 70 also. I find it
more difficult to schlep skis around during ground transportation
stages than is worthwhile.

VtSkier,

Your reply prompted me to look up ski rental rates. I was greatly amused
to find that the same rental co.,
http://www.mountainsportsoutlet.com/rentals/
daily rate for "performance skis" is $16 in Glenwood Springs, $32-36 in
Snowmass and $46 in Aspen; the rental rates go up as you go south. I
would hate have to rent skis in Taos, NM! (JOKE!)

North this is true too. Actually I think it's the amount
of competition available. "Performance skis" from Glacier
Ski Shop in Glacier, WA is $35 and up. They are the only
game in town, if you haven't rented in Bellingham and
aren't too sure about what's available at the Mountain
(Baker).

I liked their dedicated powder skis on a powder day.

But I had noted El Cheapo's and another shop in South
Lake Tahoe, AND being of the opinion that if you are
skiing on RealSnow(tm) you don't really need a "performance"
ski, so the fee for JustOrdinary(tm) skis was $9.95/day.


Unfortunately the days of carrying on boot bags may be coming to an
end. A friend sent me this article,
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/06...ees/index.html
Let's hope that Spirit Airlines experiment will turn out to be a big flop.

Yeah, I saw this story. There is a reason to carry boots
onto an airplane having little to do with cost. I went
to great lengths to make sure that my boot bag met all
the size restrictions of carry-on luggage and I will
continue to carry these on with me.



Regards,
Ernie

On Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:28:58 -0400, Walt
wrote this crap:

A mighty Hungarian warrior wrote:
On Tue, 6 Apr 2010 21:21:06 -0400, "Ernie" wrote this crap:


Please forgive the informality of addressing you as AMHW.

I shall allow you to live.


Getting soft in your old age?

Not soft. The word is, "generous."


If your skis and boots weigh 50 lbs. you have some heavy boots. My
golf clubs, (with a mighty sword packed inside,) did not even come
close.


My rum flask alone weighs 50 lbs. Which is why I always hire a caddy
when I golf.

Wuss.

Besides. you never golf.


Vote for Palin-Brown in 2012. Repeal the nightmare.




A mighty Hungarian warrior
The blood of Attila runs through me