Help with an oversized surfboard

[Ryan]

Hi there. I am hoping you can help me with my situation. I am in Hawaii
and have to move back to Minneapolis for a while. I've never traveled with my board and I'm running into a lot of issues. I'm flying Continental
Airlines and according to their website and their customer service line they do not accept any board over 115". The problem is my board is 120". They said I have to go through a known carrier to get it in the cargo hold. However, after talking to people around here it would seem that no one has ever had a problem traveling with boards even of that length. So, I guess my questions would be these:
Have you ever heard of anyone's board being denied when they checked into their flight?
If I am able to check it like normal baggage, what do you suggest as far as packing it?
If I am unable, do you know of any shipper that ships items that large?
Thank you so much for you time and any help you can give me

[vitopilot]

Ryan,


Sorry you're having problems shipping the board. I'm an airline pilot for Delta Connection so I know what it's like. I would recommend using FEDEX or UPS because they will keep your board in better condition than an airline will I'm sorry to say. The cargo hold of and airplane is not too nice to boards unless you have a good case.
I am surprised they wouldn't take a board your size, we have carried DEER before in our cargo hold!!!
But in my opinion I think it's best if you use FedEx or UPS, it will cost a little but it will be cheaper than paying fees on the airline.
As your first question asks, most airlines have a logistics office that plans special shipping so I suggest actually going to the airport or calling their logistics office.

Good Luck, let me know if you need anymore help and I'll see what I can find out.

Vito

[Ryan]

Vito,

Thanks for your response! Its nice to get a pilot's perspective. Unfortunately, FedEx, UPS, USPS all refuse to take something of that size. Have you ever heard of anyone's board being refused at check in? I'm thinking its my only way to get it to my destination. I plan on buying a board bag and packing as much extra protection as I possibly can and writing the usual "Handle With Care" and "Top Load Only". Thoughts? Anyone? Thanks again Vito.

--Ryan

[vitopilot]

Strange to hear no one would take the surf board that size, that is strange???? The best thing to do then is to take it to the ticket counter they might just take it and not question 5 inches of board. I know some of my friends surf and don't have that problem. Give it a try it can't hurt.

[Ryan]

OK. Well, I think I am going to just buy a bag and hope they won't leave me at the counter wondering what to do with my board cause they won't take it. So, my question now is for all you out there is what are the important details I should be paying attention to when I buy the bag. Obviously the thicker the padding the better. But, I was also thinking of buying a bag 2 - 4" longer than my board so I can add extra padding to the nose and tail. Thoughts? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

--Ryan

[vitopilot]

I know by me I have seen a lot of people with nose covers to protect the front. As far as bags it all depends of each ones chioce.

[Guest]

what kinda board we talking - i assume its a custom an n ot a pop out, therefore will require more padding. If its very precious (!) you can get a 10mm neoprene bag and then put camping roll up sleeping mats to put on each side as well (only a few pounds), if not quite so precious (!) i would say a 5 mm bag will be fine - took my board to canaries with one of these and 2 roll mats each side, plus some bubble wrap and clothing around the board and it was fine...