Ski boots as carry on luggage

[ctenidae]

Anybody fly recently with their ski boots? Are they permitted as carry on items? The TSA website doesn't mention them, and I assume their list is "anything not prohibited is permitted."

 

[kbroderick]

I flew with mine last April, dangling off the outside of my camera backpack (which itself was about the maximum size in two of three directions for a carry-on item), with the theory that I'd put them on and wear them if necessary. I didn't encounter any trouble, but I was also flying from ski country (BTV) to ski country (SLC), so the security folks were probably used to seeing ski boots.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Not that I fly often, but I always have my boots in my carry on bag. I make sure I have the things I can't rent for if/when the airlines lose my baggage. Lat time I took a Conterra Crag pack with my boots, helmet, gloves union suit and ski pants in it. I wore a fleece vest and a soft shell so I had the important stuff with me.

I've never heard of a problem, but yes, things change. (Now I have this image of Richard Reed clomping onto a plane, wearing lange Tii's...)

 

[CapeSkier]

FWIW...I just shipped skis, poles, and boots via FedEx Ground halfway across the country for about $23. They have a plastic "ski bag" too (no protection however). If there is a street address to deliveer to, it works great. Other times we have shipped to a hotel and the concierge took care of them. It might be an alternative for someone flying soon, or someone going back to college, due to the new weight limits on checked baggage. I have not tried to carry on a bag with boots in it yet, but it sounds like you should be ready to pull them out for inspection, then get 'em up into the overhead compartment. I don't think they will fit way under the seat in front of you. Frankly, though, I'd rather trust my stuff to FedEx than the airline baggage handlers, especially if you are making a connection through a midwest hub in the winter.

 

[ctenidae]

Good thoughts on the FedEx option. I considered it, but we're going to Italy, so the cost would be, mildly put, excessive. Plus, it's a non-stop flight to Milan, so there won't be a lot of boot lugging or ski throwing going on.

Anyone know if a Fiat Stilo 5-door is big enough to keep the skis inside? Apparently they have a ski tunnel...

 

[koreshot]

4 of us flew Jet Blue to Utah a few weeks ago, all of us brought boots with us as carry-ons on the flight there and back. No questions asked, no problem whatsoever. Its all good.

Have brought boots on 3 dozen flights, domestic and international, never been an issue.

I never, ever let my boots out of sight. I usually bring boots, and bare minimum ski clothes with me as carry-on. That way, if the airline loses my skis, all I need to do is just rent some skis. A set of badly fitting boots can ruin a vacation pretty quickly, skis are skis, you don't have fit and pressure points to worry about.

 

[koreshot]

Anyone know if a Fiat Stilo 5-door is big enough to keep the skis inside? Apparently they have a ski tunnel...

If the back seats are folding, you should have no problem. I have been in a Mini with 3 pairs of 180cm to 190cm long skis and 3 6' adults. It was tight and unpleasant, but totally doable. My guess is that the Fiat is at least as large inside as the Mini. The key is folding seats.

 

[RISkier]

We didn't have any problems last year. I used a boot bag back pack as my carry on. Basically just had boots, a change of underwear, some reading material, and a shaving kit. This year you need to keep in mind that you can't carry on any liquids or creams that are over 3 oz and they need to be in a quart size clear plastic bag. And, the bag has to be sealable.

 

[CapeSkier]

Good thoughts on the FedEx option. I considered it, but we're going to Italy, so the cost would be, mildly put, excessive. Plus, it's a non-stop flight to Milan, so there won't be a lot of boot lugging or ski throwing going on.

Anyone know if a Fiat Stilo 5-door is big enough to keep the skis inside? Apparently they have a ski tunnel...

Sorry, man...no can do on the Fiat. Haven't seen one in the US in a very long time. I'd hate to be stranded without being able to carry skis, though. Are there any reasonably portable ski racks any more? I still have one that uses a nylon strap and locks between rain gutters on a car, but what car has rain gutters any more? If available, maybe you could tuck one in the ski bag and use it when you pick up the car? Or, can you check and see if the Italian car rental agency rents rack-equipped vehicles? You must have some substantial cash tied up in the Italy trip, so a bit extra for a rack is probably a good investment.

 

[molecan]

You should have no problems at all. On ski trips, I always fly w/my boots, helmet, gloves, goggles, underlayers, 1 pair ski socks, underwear, and ski pants in my boot bag.
I will not let lost luggage or lost/injured skis hinder my skiing essentials.
Also, a nice bottle of 16-18 year old scotch, not having that essential is going to hurt

 

[ctenidae]

You must have some substantial cash tied up in the Italy trip, so a bit extra for a rack is probably a good investment.

Surprisingly, it's cheaper to fly to Italy for a week than it is to go to Aspen for a weekend. Tickets were $800 total, hotel is $200 total (includes 2 meals a day), lift passes are $300 total (5 days, 6 resorts, all with 2K plus vert!), and the car is $300.

The rental ski rack is an extra $50, or so- if the skis will fit in the car, I'd much rather put them in than trust them to a flimsy rental bit.

 

[koreshot]

The rental ski rack is an extra $50, or so- if the skis will fit in the car, I'd much rather put them in than trust them to a flimsy rental bit.

If they told you there is a passthru, you should be ok. Most hatchbacks have a passthru and/or folding seats. In the absolute worst case scenario, you can just have the skis go diagonal and stick out the back window. Bottom line is, there is a 90% chance you will be totally fine without the rack and a 10% that you will tough it out on the way up to the resort. Not like you will get stranded in the middle of nowhere... you can always trade up with the rental place.

 

[RISkier]

Surprisingly, it's cheaper to fly to Italy for a week than it is to go to Aspen for a weekend. Tickets were $800 total, hotel is $200 total (includes 2 meals a day), lift passes are $300 total (5 days, 6 resorts, all with 2K plus vert!), and the car is $300.

The rental ski rack is an extra $50, or so- if the skis will fit in the car, I'd much rather put them in than trust them to a flimsy rental bit.

I'm really not surpised by the cost comparison, at least not if travelling from the East coast. We went to Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Austria last year and stayed in a very nice 4* hotel with half board. The room was spacious and very well appointed, the food was excellent (though I must say that after 4-5 nights of really big Austrian dinners I'm ready for something light). I may have been a travel agent in a different life. I planned ski vacations last year to many destinations. I figured our total costs to be very comparable to what we would've spent going to a place like Steamboat and staying in mid-range accomodation. Do keep in mind that if you start buying a bunch of stuff, the current exchange rate will hurt you fast. I've just not been able to find any decent deals to places like Aspen or Vail. So, don't automatically cross Europe off your list just because you assume it would be much more expensive than a trip West.