Anyone had experience(s) flying American Airlines with fishing rods. I read the website and they allow a total of 126" (L + W + D). I'm under this on a 5" tube that's 90" long. Weight is about 10 lbs I'd guess.

They gonna make an issue with this? Exorbitant charging? Suggestions? Good or bad experiences?

I've shipped my rods beforehand in the past via USPS.

I�ve only flown rods with AA on international flights. As I recall, their rules were a bit more flexible on those flights. I brought several rods that were 7�6�, and had no issues. Stupid TSA broke the tip of one rod when they pulled them out to inspect, but no issues with the airline itself.

The biggest problem I've had is not with the airlines, but with the TSA inspections. I take the rod carrier to the TSA dropoff, request to witness the search, and make sure that they repack it correctly.

If you have the ability to take Alaska Airlines, they're much more flexible on their fishing tackle/luggage policies. They simply charge for a checked bag, rather than any kind of oversize fees.

The one drawback I ran into a few years ago with shipping my fishing rods was that they didn't get delivered to my destination until we'd been there for a couple days.

When you get to baggage claim , the rod won't come out on the conveyor. You will have to
check with attendant ( good luck finding one ) to find the correct area for pick up.
This has been my experience , your mileage may vary.

good luck

MO

Always worth a phone call or email to the airline before you go.

I've called but these people seem clueless as I was and I can hear them searching the AA website, same as I did and reading it almost word for word.

Yes, I'm worried about TSA. Maybe I'll wire tie the whole group together so they go in and out as one (9 rods, some with rod sox with butts opposite .... spinning (4) butts together and casting (5) butts together. I think I'll make em come out as one bunch with the wire ties. Thanks, I hadn't thought of the TSA goons.

Destination is Bangor, Me.. Connecting thru Philly.

Good luck. Philly has the most apathetic airport employees in the world. They couldn�t care less.

I did it on Southwest and it counted as one of my checked bags. Had no issues. Had to pick it up from the oversize luggage area as opposed to the luggage carousel.

Use Southwest. No charge and no problems.

4 - 5 airlines maybe 15 - 20 trips - never any issues

That's a bold statement. As a whole, the airport employees and specifically TSA are at the very top of the apathy scale. To say Philly ranks higher than Love field...

I hate having to wrangle a rod tube through airports and Delta once lost $900 worth of rods on me

I bought three travel rods that come in a small case that you can carry-on or put in checked baggage

I have both TFO and Daiwa rods and they perform very well

Insure it. Buddy lost a couple of g. Loomis rods. Sine he was traveling space A, airline would not make it right.

Take pictures of the rods and tube before packing it all together.

Tickets been bought since April. SW flies to Portland, Me but that adds 2 hours drivetime to my drive into NB, Canada. Bangor, Me is the destination. I have the American Airlines Advantage Credit Card that gives my 4 checked bags free.

I like SWA.

I'm scared, very scared now. I'm wearing this through the airport:

This should garner me lots of respect and my rods will get top notch treatment.