Standards for fly gear in carry on luggage?
- This topic has 12 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated Jan 1, 2010 at 2:16 am by
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TSA’s web site (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1188.shtm) has not changed (relative to fishing gear) in some time. The problem, in my experience, is that the “checkers” perhaps aren’t as familiar with their own rules as they should be, checkers change often, and some tend to make up the rules on the spot.
Fishing Rods / Poles
Fishing Rods are permitted as carry-on and checked baggage. However, please check with your air carrier to confirm that it fits within their size limitations for carry-on items. Ultimately, it is the carrier’s decision as to whether or not it can be transported as carry-on baggage.Tackle Equipment
Fishing equipment should be placed in your checked baggage. Some tackle equipment can be considered sharp and dangerous. Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as fly’s should be packed in your carry-on baggage.So in the last three sentences, TSA advises us to check your fly gear, but that it’s OK to carry on expensive/fragile stuff (like “fly’s”).
I’ve not experienced the “rod is a weapon”, “line can be used to tie up people” issues with carry-on tackle; others have. But then I carry on camera gear and laptop, and not tackle. I usually just take two checked bags, split the fishing equipment, and assume at least one will get there. Have never lost any gear, but then I wouldn’t pack something irreplaceable.
Not a satisfactory answer . . . nor will there likely be one. Expect that as planes get more crowded (is that possible?) and people try to carry on more and more, at some point either TSA or airlines will cry “Enough!”, and we’ll be forced to check everything. And with neither the airports, carriers or TSA being willing to take responsibility, any losses will have to be covered with insurance . . . until they refuse to insure air travel baggage.
Happy New Year . . .
Buzz
Suggest you print out the TSA rules from the website and carry a couple of copies with you, just in case you get an agent who wants to make an issue of your equipment.
I flew from Bozeman to Atlanta, then Atlanta to Tampa and later Tampa to Bozeman with fly gear over the T-giving week on NWA/Delta. I was carrying my flies, reels (4) and rods (2) in my carry-on. No problem. A large Cliff box with Saltwater flies up to 2/0 passed through in Bozeman, Atlanta and Tampa with no problem. The only hicup was a sharpening steel way down in a compression sack that wouldn’t clear the the radar in Bozeman. Once they saw what is was, they let it pass.
No problem with a flight I had not long ago to Tampa as well. I normally like to keep my flies in my check in back, always a chance on them keeping or them turning my boxes away.
Glad it’s not like Chile a year or two ago. They banned feathers being flown in, many friends got there with a few hundred of their fav flies only to have them confiscated and had to spend mucho on new ones.
For me I keep it simple, carry on 1 or two rods (rest of my 4 pieces
I try to take all my gear carry on, including vise and tying materials.
I’ve only had one thing confiscated and that was a pair of folding scissors from a lanyard.
I want to bring my big net with me to Colorado but I don’t think the airline would allow that.
Where you fly out of makes a difference too.
You should be fine with rods and reels. Flies on the other hand can go either way.
I generally check mine to avoid the hassle, but I also always take lures with trebles so they might be a little dicier.
In the past I have carried on a 2pc rod with no complaints but I now generally take a cordoura rod tube (that holds 5 rods) and my patagonia green boat bag (with reels, 1 change of clothes and camera) and check the rest (forceps, knives, flies, lures, nippers etc…)
I think that the less you carry the less hassle you will experience.
I might also consider UPS’ing your stuff down there a week before.
Suggest you print out the TSA rules from the website and carry a couple of copies with you, just in case you get an agent who wants to make an issue of your equipment.
But keep in mind that any airline can have rules more restrictive than TSA.
Roy
True Roy, but they, like the TSA post their baggage rules on line. Probably not a bad idea to carry a copy of those as well.
And if I remember correctly, the plane captain has final word on what comes aboard, regardless of the written rules you may have.
The moral of this issue is to take advantage of UPS and ship all of the fishing stuff ahead and reserve your carry on for a change of clothes and your camera gear. It is reassuring to have the delivery confirmation from UPS the day before you fly.
Roy
I’ve never had any problem flying with rods, reels, or flies, anywhere both domestically or internationally.
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