Airline baggage fees what a effin rip off

[trtaylor]

With ample time ahead of travel and not an immediate need for your sticks when you return, Fedex will likely be cheaper and frankly more reliable than the airlines for getting your gear out + back.

I know when I goto Utah, the ski bag I send, which with mine + my wife's + my daughters skis and poles weighs usually about 55-60lbs gets from Eastern CT to Utah in 3 days for roughly $50-55 each way and I can track it's progress the entire time. Frankly after seeing how easy + reliable Fed Ex is(and very often cost competitive with the airlines) its a no brainer that ends up making travel easier since you don't have to deal with lugging a ski bag through the airport and cramming it into a rental car.

+1

I paid less than $30 (each way) to have my skis shipped to Colorado via FedEx last spring. Well worth it, for all the reasons DrJeff states.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

fortunately/unfortunately I travel enough to be a premier flyer on united...two bags at n/c...and one ski AND one boot bag (boots only, not a stuffed cargobag) count as ONE bag. I travel with boots quite often in the winter, they are almost always my carry on along with my helmet, gloves, ski socks, goggles, jacket and pants...the bare essentials. Premier status also gets you early boarding so you know you'll have room in the overhead...and economy plus seating so there's still leg room with a laptop bag under the seat. The few times I have to travel on another airline its tough to have to give up the perks!

Lots of ski vacationers have started using FedEx/UPS to get their gear where they're going...they are less likely to lose it than the airlines and the cost is competitive.

 

[hammer]

I wouldn't say it's difficult. It adds another layer of thought, but the baggage policies are fairly easy to find and read into on any airline website. Just another thing to be aware of.

So now the average person needs to look in several places when comparison shopping for flights...great...

 

[Trekchick]

I thought there was a (new) rule that made sure your baggage was on the same plane you are on?

You have to board the plane that you check your luggage on, but the airline can off load luggage for safety reasons, such as being overweight.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

So now the average person needs to look in several places when comparison shopping for flights...great...

yup cause the average person is a goober

 

[Geoff]

fortunately/unfortunately I travel enough to be a premier flyer on united...two bags at n/c...and one ski AND one boot bag (boots only, not a stuffed cargobag) count as ONE bag. I travel with boots quite often in the winter, they are almost always my carry on along with my helmet, gloves, ski socks, goggles, jacket and pants...the bare essentials. Premier status also gets you early boarding so you know you'll have room in the overhead...and economy plus seating so there's still leg room with a laptop bag under the seat. The few times I have to travel on another airline its tough to have to give up the perks!

Lots of ski vacationers have started using FedEx/UPS to get their gear where they're going...they are less likely to lose it than the airlines and the cost is competitive.

I was Premier Exec on United for a bunch o' years. My travel pattern put me in Denver a lot so I was no stranger to flying with ski gear. It really sucks that I lost my elite frequent flyer status. I got really used to the first class check-in line, the express line through security, the club lounge for international flights (including Canada in the Air Canada lounge). I just pay the few extra dollars to sit in Economy Plus. I avoid 31" seat pitch seating at all costs.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

I was Premier Exec on United for a bunch o' years. My travel pattern put me in Denver a lot so I was no stranger to flying with ski gear. It really sucks that I lost my elite frequent flyer status. I got really used to the first class check-in line, the express line through security, the club lounge for international flights (including Canada in the Air Canada lounge). I just pay the few extra dollars to sit in Economy Plus. I avoid 31" seat pitch seating at all costs.

I'm just your basic premier...over 25K a year but not quite 50K...damn close, but not quite. so no access to the lounge. I've done the 6am monday flight from Manch to O'Hare enough times to recognize the regulars...from there its usually SLC or Denver. I pity the folks who are in the 100K club...none of the perks are worth being on the road that much.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I was Premier Exec on United for a bunch o' years. My travel pattern put me in Denver a lot so I was no stranger to flying with ski gear. It really sucks that I lost my elite frequent flyer status. I got really used to the first class check-in line, the express line through security, the club lounge for international flights (including Canada in the Air Canada lounge). I just pay the few extra dollars to sit in Economy Plus. I avoid 31" seat pitch seating at all costs.

I always pay the extra $40 for Economy plus..