Hi there,

I was hoping some of you have had some experience with regards to airlines and there hand luggage policy?

The reason i'm asking is that i'm going on holiday and I really dont want to book in my 4 piece rod (90cm) with main luggage, will they allow me to take the rod tube with me on board?

Thanks in advance

In the hold it will have to go Im afraid, with your lines & flies if your flying from any UK airport.

Unfortunatly what they allow at one security check may not be allowed at another.

Ifor

As Ifor says, it not worth chancing it..it doesn't really matter what the airline says..it's the bloke on security who calls the shots.

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Roy

If you dont fancy putting them in the hold you could always post it to your destination,i have done this many times and the stuff has always been there when i have arrived.

Alright, thanks for the replies guys....Will have to make a plan then.

Cheers

No go mate.It has become a bit of a nightmare especially if you pass through USA gateways and you are flying AA.

No padlocks unless TSA security approved so they can unlock them.It all went bananas post 9/11.They will often open a case screened with a tube inside it even if it does look like a fly rod inside.Rule of thumb in USA just stay calm or it just gets worse.

I travelled to Pacific/Cortez Mexico quite a lot and used to take quite a bit of gear but it became more and more tedious.Have to say we never actually lost any gear but sometimes it went on a trip of its own and arrived later.Transiting via USA gateways you have to collect your luggage and re-check it.Not as bad as it sounds but still a nuisance when you once could check it all the way through from your point of departure.

My advice is check up on everything and then do another check of all the current legislation because it changes like our weather.

Really no wish to cast doom on you but go in with your eyes open on all fronts and you will most likely have no issues.Leaving it to chance is a recipe for disaster.

Used to be a doddle but no longer I am afraid.Guess the bogey man is happy as the costs of it all are astronomical.

Have a great trip & good fishing. JP

JCP, appreciate the time you've taken to write some very sound advice.

Will weigh-up the options and be sure to have a back-up if things don’t go as planned. Again thanks for the advice.

Later bud

Hello arcticsalmon,

I'm commercial flight crew myself. The rules are a pain in the rear but you cannot carry your rods with you. They come under the category of 'any blunt instrument that can cause injury'. Quite how you knock somebody out with a rod weighing a few ounces is beyond me, but that is it's description. I suppose you could poke it into faces/eyes etc but let's get real. It ain't going to happen. It's extremely frustrating but we have to go with the rules I'm afraid.

Suggestions I would offer are to separate your rods into two sets of cases. If one is lost/damaged you will still have some gear to use on arrival. Use Samsonite or similar cases. Soft, trendy fishermans luggage won't do if you want your gear protected. It's also less of a magnet to thieves.

Enjoy your trip!