For some reason my last new post does not want to be so here is another. Whats the best way to fly with your gear? Alot of airlines are charging for bags now so is it better just to carry a rod on or can you even do that?

Fly Southwest. At least they have great ads!

I have always carried my rod on, or at least stuffed it into my backpack. Seems crazy but I never got questioned or anything about carrying on a 24" metal tube

I fly with my gear 4,5, 6 times a month. Carrying stuff on kinda depends on what you pack your flies, reels, and other junk in. I use a Simms waist pack, so not real big. It fits in my carry on bag.

I have waders and boots in several places so I don't usually have to fly with them, but when I do, I check 1 bag with all the stuff. My 2 piece rods and tube are too long to fit in the overhead, so on American Airlines flights, they usually let me put the rod tube in the front closet. When I fly Southwest I usually check everything through since its free.

If you are carrying stuff on to the plane make sure you don't have something stupid in your fly vest/back pack/waist pack, like a knife (speaking from experience :D)

BHR

BHR, I don't envy you that many flights in a month. I haven't been on that many air trips total since I've had my current job, but my old job sounds like yours with regard to travel by air. I love to fly, I just hate the airport and everyone in it!

I always figured they would find some way to panic about hooks. Are there no TSA regs against them?

Hooks haven't been a problem for me on my way through security. One TSA agent did make me open up my rod case to take a look at this little doohickey I have to tie nail knots.

Although I don't fly nearly as much as I did even a year ago, this is one reason why I strongly prefer 4-piece rods. You can pack 'em in a carry on sized case, and life is good.

Go to this page, and print it out and take it with you:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1188.shtm

notice the last sentence:



They won't argue with their own rules.

BTW, 2-piece rod tubes WITHOUT reels fit in most standard overheads, but many smaller planes they do not. I only carry 4-piece rods on now to deal with that. If you want to chance it, gate check is your friend. They'll tell you on your way down to the plane "that won't fit" and you can say "yeah, I've fit it before, it just works" and if it doesn't they'll check it at the plane door which basically guarantees that your rods won't be lost because they got crosswise on a conveyor belt somewhere.

I only check my gear about 50% of the time anymore and that has to do with how the rest of my clothes/baggage is shaping up and where I'm fishing and who with.

Ok so I will be flying Contientinental so the free bags thing wont be happining. Dave thanks for the link that is golden. The problem is I am heading for Miami and the sharks and barracuda will be wanting the 8wt which is a two peice. I have a case for it, but it is a case with a reel. I would be able to carry that on and check it up front right?

Screw the sharks they gots Bonefish and Peacock Bass in them their waters!

You should be able to carry it on.

Build yourself a rod case out of PVC pipe and viola, problem solved.

A quick reminder: remember to drill a couple of small holes in the pipe so that it doesn't become hermetically sealed due to air pressure differences between where you are and where you're going.

Ok I have not flown in a long while and I could be called biased on my opinion. If it were me and I had the option to ship my long/big gear ahead via UPS to my destination I would. 99.9% chance it will be there waiting on me. I of course would insure it 2X or 3x over to cover the stress of replacing if it got lost/damaged. That is me and your mileage will vary.

Oh man, that would suuuck. Good tip.

Well, all you'd have to do is drill or cut a hole to relieve the pressure, but it could also blow the caps off when they opened the door on the aircraft, resulting in an all expenses paid trip to Cuba where you'd have your own copy of your choice of religious reading materials and the latest in orange coverall apparel.

Oh you do not know how many home made rod tubes like that I have seen that just no longer wanted to open after traveling all the way to Alaska.

As for the reason of this thread, I strongly suggest carrying everything on or sending it ahead as deckhand said insure it to the hilt and x 2 or 3 Usually it's no problem, but if any of you head for Canada or Alaska and will be doing a lot of small planes Quality four or five piece rods are the way to go and definitely carry them with you.