Air travel with fly rod

[falroy]

I am looking to buy a new rod to bring down to Mexico with me and have only ever owned two piece rods. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with bringing a two piece 9' rod as a carry on or should I just go with the 4 piece. (I would prefer the two piece)

Thanks

[Ruger1022]

Originally Posted by falroy

I am looking to buy a new rod to bring down to Mexico with me and have only ever owned two piece rods. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with bringing a two piece 9' rod as a carry on or should I just go with the 4 piece. (I would prefer the two piece)

Thanks

Not a good idea with a two piece as it may not fit in the cabin compartment. If you must have the two piece ask to have it gate checked. Gate Checking is similar to people having strollers, guitars, ect. You will carry the rod to the gate then a bag handler would come up and pick up the rod. Then the handler will place the rod in the forward pits of the aircraft. When you get to your destination the handlers will bring it up to the gate when you get off the aircraft. Then Bobs your uncle and your fishing in paradise!!

Hope this helps.

[Ruger1022]

One more thing, if your buying an expensive rod be sure to get a proper travel case for it...

[Mxyzptik]

I took a spey rod in it's case as a carry on to the Miramichi last year and they were OK but I wouldn't count on that. It was a long as a two piece rod.

I'm leaving Friday for Belize and have two 4 piece rods in my checked baggage in my suitcase in tubes.

The nice cases they came in were too big to go in my suitcase, so I used 2 " thin wall tubing ( built in vacuum tube ) with end caps. Worked great.

I'm taking my reels in my carry on.

[ÜberFly]

Trust me you want to bring your rod an reel with you as carry on!! You will not be able to bring hooks, etc. as carry on and they must be checked!! 2 piece will not fit in the overhead bin but you might be able to get a "flighty" to put it in their coat closet it you ask nicely! If you have a choice, go with the 4 piece will save you a lot of worry!

P

[lannie]

Make a pvc tube with caps for about 15 $ Add it to your checked baggage. I did this with one rod recently but ended up paying 30$ each way for the rod.
I painted the tube bright orange so it had a better chance of not getting "lost".
I also had three other rods in carry on. I was flying with American airlines, maybe your airline is a bit more generous with a second checked bag? I just really wanted that rod along for the trip.

[falroy]

Originally Posted by lannie

Make a pvc tube with caps for about 15 $ Add it to your checked baggage. I did this with one rod recently but ended up paying 30$ each way for the rod.
I painted the tube bright orange so it had a better chance of not getting "lost".
I also had three other rods in carry on. I was flying with American airlines, maybe your airline is a bit more generous with a second checked bag? I just really wanted that rod along for the trip.

How did you carry on your other three rods were they 4 piece and did they fit in your carry on bag?

Thanks everyone for the info so far

[lannie]

Originally Posted by falroy

How did you carry on your other three rods were they 4 piece and did they fit in your carry on bag?

Thanks everyone for the info so far

I used this fishpond case. .Take the rods and "socks", leave the tubes at home. This case is sized for carry on. Put your reels, cameras and other necessities in there like any other carry on. I left all lines on the reels too. Fly's should go in your checked baggage. The orange tube is what i made for the 2 piece rod. The piece of paper in the case is a printout of the rules regarding carry on fishing gear from the TSA's regs. I did need to show it to security in the Dallas airport for security. On that print out they suggested carrying expensive fishing gear as carry on.

[Jayhad]

I travelled to many a destination with my fly gear. I carry on my rods. Tubes get lost in plane bellies so make them bright, I lost a couple of rods for a while a few years ago coming home from Costa Rica, and this last winter flying back from BC. Be very wary about having your reels in your carry on. In North America it is ok but any airport that doesn't have the bomb residue sniffing machine will stop your fly lines. I typically fly with my reels in my checked luggage now, but you could fly there with my reels in carry on and reels checked on the way back. Having to strip your fly lines and backing into a garbage can is disheartening.

[ÜberFly]

Really Jay!!

Would you happen to know why?! Just curious?!

P

Originally Posted by Jayhad

In North America it is ok but any airport that doesn't have the bomb residue sniffing machine will stop your fly lines.

[Jayhad]

Originally Posted by ÜberFly

Really Jay!!

Would you happen to know why?! Just curious?!

P

I was told it is to similar to det-cord and/or it can be used as a garotte..... I have no idea though as I have never seen det-cord,

[lannie]

Originally Posted by Jayhad

I was told it is to similar to det-cord and/or it can be used as a garotte..... I have no idea though as I have never seen det-cord,

I spoke to Gord at Westwinds and he told me over his 20-25 years of guiding Sal****er he has never had a problem with lines on reels. He is the person who showed me the paperwork from the TSA for fishing gear.
Here is a quote from the TSA- "Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as fly's should be packed in your carry-on baggage". That is verbatim.
Transportation Security Administration/ U.S. Department of Homeland Security
I decided i did not want to go through with bringing fly's on carry on but...they actually suggested it. Security guy in Dallas asked me to open up my carry on case - questioned the contents of case so i showed him the sheet. He replied, learn something new everyday. The TSA makes the hard rules but.... another verbatim quote from the sheet. " Ultimately, it is the carrier's decision as to whether or not it can be transported as carry -on baggage".

[falroy]

Originally Posted by lannie

I spoke to Gord at Westwinds and he told me over his 20-25 years of guiding Sal****er he has never had a problem with lines on reels. He is the person who showed me the paperwork from the TSA for fishing gear.
Here is a quote from the TSA- "Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as fly's should be packed in your carry-on baggage". That is verbatim.
Transportation Security Administration/ U.S. Department of Homeland Security
I decided i did not want to go through with bringing fly's on carry on but...they actually suggested it. Security guy in Dallas asked me to open up my carry on case - questioned the contents of case so i showed him the sheet. He replied, learn something new everyday. The TSA makes the hard rules but.... another verbatim quote from the sheet. " Ultimately, it is the carrier's decision as to whether or not it can be transported as carry -on baggage".

I was curious about this as well and called CATSA this morning and was told not to bring my reel in carry on. He wasn't sure at first but put me on hold and looked it up and told me to put my reel in checked baggage.

[Jayhad]

Originally Posted by lannie

I spoke to Gord at Westwinds and he told me over his 20-25 years of guiding Sal****er he has never had a problem with lines on reels. He is the person who showed me the paperwork from the TSA for fishing gear.
Here is a quote from the TSA- "Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as fly's should be packed in your carry-on baggage". That is verbatim.
Transportation Security Administration/ U.S. Department of Homeland Security
I decided i did not want to go through with bringing fly's on carry on but...they actually suggested it. Security guy in Dallas asked me to open up my carry on case - questioned the contents of case so i showed him the sheet. He replied, learn something new everyday. The TSA makes the hard rules but.... another verbatim quote from the sheet. " Ultimately, it is the carrier's decision as to whether or not it can be transported as carry -on baggage".

so you spoke to one guy that flys to Cuba, carry your reels & flys in your carry on then...... your experience seems to be based in North America (TSA-USHomeland/Dallas) I specifically stated outside of North America, but really I don't care if you prove me wrong, I'll carry my reels in my checked baggage.

I was just giving my advice from several flights I have taken outside of North America in the last 5 years

[gilbertslake]

A 9ft 4pc will fit easily in most med-large suitcases.
I just got back from Florida last week and had 2 9ft 4pc in cases plus I bought two additional 4pc fly blanks and cases and they all went in one suit case.
Great thing is that you can pack clothing around them for additional protection.
I have travelled with 2pc rods in the past in cases and all inside a travel case. Most airlines now prefer you to pre-register sporting goods (skis, golf clubs, long rods etc) that are travelling as separate items.

[lannie]

Originally Posted by Jayhad

so you spoke to one guy that flys to Cuba, carry your reels & flys in your carry on then...... your experience seems to be based in North America (TSA-USHomeland/Dallas) I specifically stated outside of North America, but really I don't care if you prove me wrong, I'll carry my reels in my checked baggage.

I was just giving my advice from several flights I have taken outside of North America in the last 5 years

Jayhad- not interested in proving anyone wrong and i have nothing to prove myself. What i should have also wrote is this experience was not with a domestic charter (west jet or Air Canada) so it does not apply with our domestic carriers. It was outside of North America(Belize) and the connection was in Dallas. Gord has also in past years done many trips to Belize. As far as the Belizian carriers(Mayan or Tropic air) they did not care what was coming on the plane or if anyone even was wearing a seat belt.
I apologize if what i wrote sounded condescending or anything of that nature. I am one guy here who will always avoid confrontation with anybody.
Sorry if it came across any other way.
Lannie

[greylynx]

I wonder why 4 piece rods sell so well?