flying with boards

[GheePup]

I don't understand why it costs $100 to fly with a surfboard (be it a long or a shortboard) while it costs nothing extra to fly with skis or a snowboard.

I bring this up because my buddy is flying outta IF today and I noticed that bags 50lbs and less are free. Bags 63-80" long should cost $50 extra. Ummm...anyone fly with skis less than 5'3" long? Anyone ever been charged the extra $50 to have your skis or snowboard travel with you on a flight? I have never flown with skis shorter than 5'3" and I have never been charged extra to check skis onto a plane.

My point is that my surfboard weighs less than 50#s, fits into the 63-80" length criteria and should only cost $50 extra to bring with me as should my skis. That or my surfboard should be free to bring on a plane as my skis are.

I have been charged $100 extra to bring my surfboard along with me to Hawaii (true it was a different airline but I bet my skis would have gone on the same trip for free). Is this some kind of anti-surfer/pro-skier conspiracy? "Come On!!!" The weight of my surfboard is not going to make us crash any faster than that of the 300# lady sitting next to me. The gerth of my stick isn't going to keep anyone else's luggage from getting on the plane. So, WTF?!?!? is up with charging double the extra to bring a surfboard on your trip and nothing to bring your skis/snowboard? Maybe us surfers are paying for us skiers/snowboarders free ride?

Sorry about the rant but maybe some airline type mags can shed some light. on this conundrum.

[cj001f]

Is this some kind of anti-surfer/pro-skier conspiracy?

Airlines sell skiing package vacations. They don't sell surfing package vacations. They'll make money however they can. Not particularly difficult to understand.

And if you read the rules you'll see that skis + poles + boots count as a single piece of sporting gear and that ski bags aren't subject to oversize rules - see Delta's policy:

One item of ski or snowboard equipment is accepted as part of your free checked baggage allowance.

One item of ski or snowboard equipment is defined as:

* One ski/pole bag or one snowboard bag, and
* One boot bag

The boot bag must meet the standard free baggage allowances or excess baggage charges will apply.

[GheePup]

Airlines sell skiing package vacations. They don't sell surfing package vacations.

Well I think they are missing the boat on the surfing package vacations because there are plenty of well off surfers nowadays to support that sorta thing. Just take a look at all the indo boat trip options and how booked they are.

Let me think about this...Costa Rica airline/surf/lodging packages, Cabo packages, Hawaii packages, California packages, Florida packages, Puerto Rico packages, Puerto Escondido packages, Gold Coast packages...not to mention French and South African packages and many more.

They are losing money by not promoting surf package vacations. Those stupid F's!

[cj001f]

Just what the surfing world needs

[GheePup]

I hear ya. But you and I got our secret spots on any mountain as us surfers got our secret spots on any given coastline.

My bitch is the cost of bringing boards on a trip. Think about it. If it was about money the airlines could charge $25/ski bag on top of the ski package and make a shitload. Cummon, who wouldn't pay $25 to bring their own skis along?

All I am asking is that surfers get the same privilage as skiers. Remember I am a skier too.

[Superstar Punani]

The airlines charge whatever they want for the same reason that a dog licks it's balls: because they can.

The best way around this is to stick to surfer-friendly airlines, for example:

Qantas (board included as part of luggage allowance), Taca ($25 flat rate fee).

Avoid: Cuntinental, United, etc.

Occasionally, you'd luck out and find a check-in counter JONG susceptible to jedi mind tricks, or a cute chick who'll hook you up, but expect to pay up the arse all other times. For third world travel, a $5 or $10 tip goes a long way in waiving the fees.

The best solution is to keep a quiver of boards stashed in your most common surf trip destinations with a trusted friend.