Question for the mile high club?

[RJ_Daley]

So many of our regulars are serial golf travellers, and I wonder if there are any new tricks of the trade when it comes to air travel and schlepping the golf clubs through airports with the increased security checks.  

I last flew with clubs last October to Lincoln NE, and it wasn't any different than usual.  But, they didn't even have the TSA hired in place yet in Lincoln.  Nor, were they doing the check-in baggage screening to the standard they are now.

My question is if anyone is experiencing new baggage fees for clubs, and do you no longer put a lock on the bag carrier.   I have a coffin sort of lockable soft case that has various shoe and clothes zippered extra compartments, all of which wheels.  But, as I understand it, one can no longer put locks on the zippers.  Is that correct?  It seems to me with the stringent security, once you turn over your clubs in their case to the check-in airline personnel, it gets screened, and NO ONE without security clearance should be able to touch your bags until they come out the luggage shoot at your destination.  Wouldn't/shouldn't that by definition be a highly assured prevention of theft and reduce the worry that you equipment would be stolen?  By that standard, one would think that the airlines would stand behind any theft, since only their authorized airport personnel could even touch them under strict security FAA TSA requirements?  Or, is that being too naive?

[Scott_Burroughs]

I haven't had any problems the 5 times I've flown with my clubs since December.  Will be flying with them 2 more times this year.  Not locking anything doesn't bother me.  My travel cover bag is ragged-looking enough not to be a target.

[Doug Wright]

Dick,

I haven't had any problems the few times I've flown this year except my soft sided bag cover was torn to shreds a couple months ago   and I had to get a new one. I don't lock my bag--if somebody wants the crappy clubs and shoes in there they can have 'em! Looks like from the info below TSA will sometimes break a lock to check inside.

I did hear that some airline(s) (Delta?) were requiring you to have hard-sided covers or otherwise you disclaim liability but can't confirm that--check with the airline.

I post info from the TSA website below:

"Unlocking Checked Bags

TSA suggests that you help prevent the need to break your locks by keeping your bags unlocked.  In some cases screeners will have to open your baggage as part of the screening process.  If your bag is unlocked then TSA will simply open the bag and screen the bag.  However if the bag is locked and TSA needs to open your bag then locks may have to be broken.  You may keep your bag locked if you choose but TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes.  If you are transporting a firearm please refer to the on "Transporting Firearms and Ammunition" section at the bottom of this page for directions on locking your bag.

If TSA screeners open your bag during the screening procedure they will close it with a tamper evident seal and place a notice in your bag alerting you to the fact that TSA screeners opened your bag for inspection.

Missing Contents

TSA screeners exercise great care during the screening process to ensure that your contents are returned to your bag every time a bag needs to be opened.  TSA will assess on an individual basis any loss or damage claims made to TSA.  You may call the TSA Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 if you have questions."

Regards,

Doug



 

[Tommy_Naccarato]

Dick, I too have one of those Bag Boy coffin cases that handles clubs and bag/clothes/shoes etc. and so far this year (I got it last year and never used it until NY in June.) I have now used it three times and all, so far, so good.

They have opened it up each time, and they have their little blue locking tag where the lock should go on the bag, as well as the little note from the TSA saying they have looked inside.

So far nothing has been missing.

[Texas_Three_Putt]

Last time I flew (out of DFW) with my clubs, I had to take every single item out of my bag (balls, tees, scorecards from 5 years ago, etc). Had to take all the clubs out and then the screener shook the bag upside down. Took about 20 minutes. When the screener was done, he left and I had to reassemble everything  

The other side of the story is, never, ever book a one way flight the day before the flight. I got searched every step of the way. I thought they were going to follow me into the bathroom

[Patrick_Mucci]

RJDaley,

Fed-X them or use some other service to ship them from your house to the Pro shop, with the return ticket back from the pro shop to your house, or to the hotel you're staying at.

When one has to travel to a destination requiring plane changes, etc., etc., it can be a breeze.

The airlines lost my clubs from Pittsburgh to Indianopolis, and that did it for me.

I pack all my golf clothes and equipment, ship them in advance, and it's no hassle.

I also place four (4) one (1) inch dowls, 48 inches long in my bag to prevent the heads on the metal woods from being snapped off.  Experience is a great teacher.

I don't travel any great distance that much, but when I do, that's my MO.

Good Luck

[RJ_Daley]

Thanks for the info gents.  Fortunately, I have booked my return flight, so hopefully that all works out OK  I no longer travel with any firearms either  I've only flown with golf clubs about 5-6 times in last few years.  Thanks Doug for the TSA info.  You know GolfClubAtlas is being overused when guys like me get too lazy to look this stuff up, and use GCA like an "ask Jeeves" or Google:

Co-incidentally, CNBC just had a report on Travel and Leisure magazines best destination resorts as voted by their readers.  Not too many surprises there, although interesting enough to have a look...

http://www.travelandleisure.com/tlgolf/worldsbest/

Just think of the impact on the resort golf industry if the airlines would really get pissy with golf travellers and make it near impossible to travel with your equipment!  I would be so concerned with this prospect, that if I were someone in the golf resort-travel industry, I'd put a big thinking little man on it!  

[Doug Wright]

Dick,

I forgot to mention that for me it's not much of a problem these days--I just take my Lear...Bandon is coming around to a longer runway thanks to my discussions with Mike Keiser, and Dick Youngscap's thinking about it out there on the Nebraska prairie. If he does it, I'll come by and pick you up.

All The Best,

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

Delta will accept Club Glove Bag Covers.

[cary lichtenstein]

As a suggestion, my golf bag was stolen last year. It seems that I gave it to the baggage handler outside the terminal, he gave me baggage claim tickets, and it just never arrives.

Turns out, it never made my plane or any plane in the system. He just put it aside, and handed it off to a buddy in a car. Nice little scam.

Now, my wife and I wait outside and/or inside until we see the bag dissappear on the conveyor belt.

Your homeowners insurance covers losses like this, but there is both a deductible and depreciation, so the older your clubs are the less you are going to get.

I'm thinking of getting a hard cover as the airlines will no longer insure soft covered bags. I can't really blame them.

I liked the suggestion about the 4 one inch 48" dowl rods.

[Chris_Edge]

Pat's suggestion of shipping ahead is a good one and one I've used a few times recently. The first time was after I locked a hardcase and had the locks pried open and had the case searched and then taped shut with a nice little card from the TSA saying "sorry about the locks". The last time I flew with my clubs, I insured the bag with the airlines for $3,000 above the standard $250 a bag or so that they'll cover (it cost about $15). I can say that in my case they were a lot more careful with my clubs once they knew they were insured. There is more hassle. They sent it through the TSA inspection with me and a airline counter rep. present. You obviously need to allow some extra time for all of this. But my clubs were at the baggage claim before I was on each leg of my trip.

[Tommy_Naccarato]

When I went to Bandon for Archipalooza, I had one of those brand new Izzo Blow-up bags that fit to the top of the your golf bag. Cost something like $35.00. By the time I got my clubs off at North Bend, the cheapie canvas bag I had along with the new Izzo blow-up cover were completely missing.

Horizon Air refunded me the cost of the whole thing, but my clubs traveled without cover from Oregon.

[Jeff Shelman]

I got the smaller Club Glove travel bag a year and a half ago or so. My Ping Hoofer and shoes and raingear and umbrella all fits in there without any problems.

It's more expensive than some of the travel bags out there, but so far it's been worth every penny. I've used it close to 10 times (including yesterday as I'm playing the Crenshaw course at Barton Creek tomorrow) and haven't had a problem. Knock wood.

I've had very little problem with security. The closest thing to a problem was a year ago at Portland, Maine when the TSA folks made me throw out an old Gatorade bottle that was in my bag and had water in it.

I also never check my clubs at the curb. I always take them to the counter.

Hope that helps.

[Forrest Richardson]

Clean your clubs and balls. Upon returning from the opening of The Hideout, where it rained and there was some mud, I was detained becausev the nitrogen reading in the scanner was "very abnormal". It took 10 minutes.

[Mike Sweeney]

So many of our regulars are serial golf travellers, and I wonder if there are any new tricks of the trade when it comes to air travel and schlepping the golf clubs through airports with the increased security checks. 

We can learn from the Surfers:

Surfer Dodges Airline Baggage Fees With ‘Emotional Support Surfboard’

https://www.theinertia.com/comedy/surfer-emotional-support-surfboard-baggage-fee-travel-airline/?fbclid=IwAR1D8Wld1tw-Mw8jD_Gs4c0pBox2duvgqMRWb7ZYSRRpioAdvcI8urq3a_Y


While the story is satire, United did actually drop their surfboard fees to and from California:


https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/10/05/united-airlines-slashes-surfboard-fees-california-flights/1522149002/?fbclid=IwAR0Nqs-U8ovlzFjFWtTy4q1idm12y9JIgylGXLQiugbP7AjeB3nMY-YxfMg

[jeffwarne]

Clean your clubs and balls. Upon returning from the opening of The Hideout, where it rained and there was some mud, I was detained becausev the nitrogen reading in the scanner was "very abnormal". It took 10 minutes.

Hopefully you didn't tip your caddie well

[Buck Wolter]

I splurged on a club glove XL 20 years ago I’d guess, it’s still basically like new and probably has 100 flights on it. The great thing is it’s big enough that I can fit a second Sunday bag and  full set of clubs in it. Keep an eye on total weight and check your airlines rules carefully before you get to the airport. If they’re heavy the curbside guys are likely to look the other way for a nice tip while the airline employees seem to look for ways to gig you.


I also have something called a stiff arm that extends beyond the longest club and helps absorb the impact if the clubs would get dropped onto their end.


Ship sticks seems the ultimate luxury — no schlepping clubs through the airport, they just arrive at your destination.

[Kalen Braley]

When this post got bumped I was expecting an entirely different question and wondered what the GCA angle would be... 

[Paul Jones]

Remove your driver head and put it in your golf bag pocket - that is usually what breaks.  Just don't forget to pack the tool to put it back on.  Also, don't pack a box of dozen golf balls, take them out the sleeves.  Finally, I also put my Bushnell in my carryon.  Your credit card / airline usually covers damage and missing items.

[RJ_Daley]

Wow, a near 16 year old post gains a reply.! 

After years of using the heavy canvas coffin air travel case with 3 large clothing/shoe compartments that is pulled on two rollers and does bend or fold some, I switched to the Samsonite 4 wheel upright hard sided slider.  It can be pulled on 2 wheels as well.  The rollers are sturdy and can pass over aggregate stone sidewalks.  It is great to walk long distance with an upright slider to a car park lot, etc., like dancing with a partner!
There is plenty of room inside for two pair of shoes and rain gear.  Excellent sturdy construction.  I think I paid ~$230 in 2015 and took it with me on my flight to Buda cup in Ireland.  It shipped home well with Luggage Forward. 

I'll likely be gifting it to some travelling GCA fellow soon.