Airplanes & Skateboards

**sk8dragon** · 12-22-2003 08:10 AM

I'm planning to head to Florida in Februrary to visit family and do some skating. My question is basically: What is the best way to get on the plane with a skate? Last time I went with a board I just threw it under my seat but I'm sure a lot has change since 9/11. I was thinking of mailing it beforehand but I don't want to show up with a bag of pads only for them to tell me the board was lost. What do you guys recommend?

**Rak** · 12-22-2003 08:26 AM

i bought a deck in vegas. when i flew back to jersey i brought it to the check in desk & was like, "help, please." they gave me a sturdy enuff box & i checked it under the plane.

**sk8dragon** · 12-22-2003 08:32 AM

Thats a cool idea. I was thinkin of getting one of those backpacks with straps for a skateboard but I'm not sure if they are any good for airports and non-popsickle boards.

**Momona Boe** · 12-22-2003 08:38 AM

Longboards go nice in a snowboard bag. Or if you wanna hide it in carry on, put it in one of those hangin' clothing bags.

**drew** · 12-22-2003 09:06 AM

what part of florida are you going to?

**sk8dragon** · 12-22-2003 09:11 AM

I'm heading to the Jacksonville/ST.Augustine area. I'm actually staying in a town called Middleburg, supposedly a stones throw to Georgia.

**joseph** · 12-25-2003 04:21 PM

i've gotta work out how to get 2 boards to new zealand. how much is a snowboard bag? anybody experienced loss of boards or breakages,problems?

**Surly** · 12-25-2003 04:47 PM

snowboard bags work well
but you have to check them
ups or fedex or usps
to your hotel or house
works too
any of these scenarios
carries the risk of loss
insure heavily

**joseph** · 12-25-2003 04:56 PM

i might just put them in a long bag with my clothes. and insure them!

**Diceman** · 12-25-2003 05:56 PM

I attached mine to the outside of my backpacking backpack. The airline gave me a big plastic bag and a bunch of fragile stickers. It got out with nothing harmed.

**joseph** · 12-25-2003 06:26 PM

i've decided on bodyboard bag and duct tape and bubble wrap.

can also fit most of my clothes in it...

**raven6241** · 12-28-2003 08:26 PM

Snowboard bag, but make sure it's a bigger board. I put my 36'er in a 160 bag, and put all my clothes at one end, and got the floppies.

**joseph** · 12-28-2003 08:30 PM

i'm putting it in a six foot surfboard bag so i can folt it over and keep everything from flopping around.

**Mile_High_Mark** · 01-01-2004 09:55 PM

Nike baseball/bat bag worked great for me. My 36" Afroman, pads, helmet, shoes, and other **** all fit just fine. Survived Denver --> San Jose and back.

**holikujak** · 01-02-2004 09:50 AM

just get some cardboard boxes that your boards can fit in put some padding under it so it wont be crushed if something heavy get thrown on top of it and check that sucka

**worsley** · 01-13-2004 07:23 AM

I know that from flying around Europe - if you want to take a board on the plane as 'hand luggage' it has to be 'in a bag'.

I got busted trying to take my downhill race board on a plane to Spain, the idiot at the gate told me "It must be in a bag sir, otherwise you will have to leave it behind". I went away and after five minutes of rooting around through the airport bins, I returned with my 35" deck poking out of a flimsy plastic duty-free carrier bag!

I argued that technically the board was now 'In a bag' - After a while they got tired of my persistence and let me on the plane with it anyway!!!

I remember hearing that U.S. rider Tom Mason sneaked a board on a plane a few years ago - and bombed down the central isle as the plane was climbing after takeoff!!!

Nick C. recently flew a pair of longboards out to Moscow for our summer trip - He removed the trucks and bolted the decks together back to back, the trucks went in his luggage and the decks went separately. No problem with damage at all.

There is a BIG advantage to packing boards in surfboard bags though, especially if you are travelling to a race - and you have a lot of equipment to carry:-

Some budget airlines charge a SET FEE for carrying surfboards (Irrespective of weight) - rather than charging you for excess baggage by weight. This means that if you are flying abroad for a race - you can pack ALL your kit into a surfboard bag - decks, trucks, wheels, leathers... etc.. and make a killer saving instead of having to pay by weight.

Tom
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**Mile_High_Mark** · 01-13-2004 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by holikujak

just get some cardboard boxes that your boards can fit in put some padding under it so it wont be crushed if something heavy get thrown on top of it and check that sucka

If that box is taped, they'll cut it open to inspect it. I wouldn't trust anyone to tape it back up correctly.

**sk8dragon** · 02-11-2004 10:49 AM

I finally found what I needed. I have a Army surplus store nearby that had giant canvas duffel bags. It was only $15.00USD and holds my skate and all of my equipment. I could even probably fit another skate and maybe a case of beer.

I'll be in Florida(in between Jacksonville and St.Augustine) Fri 13th thru Mon 23rd. Pm me if you want meet up and skate.

This is the park that caught my eye and is 20min from where I'm staying.

http://www.skatespots.com/fl-sta.html

Thanks for all your help and experiences.