Carry-on rods & reels???

[KRoberts1]

I'm off to Billings, MT later this week and was wondering if anyone has had trouble carrying on rods and reels on destination flights? I have used a Fishpond Dakota case before, but that was 5 years ago. Any recent experiences cared to be shared?

keith

[Pete]

Most airlines have a length limit for carry on. It is dependant on the airlines. Do a quick search for your airlines and most of them specifically mention fishing rods in their web site. Personally, I have never had a problem with my 3 or 4 piece rods.

[Dry Fly Rie]

A few years back, I flew from San Diego to Sacramento (can't remember which airline) and I was able to carry-on two rod cases duct taped together. The rods were 8 footers and were only 2 pieces, each. The cases were the old Orvis hard plastic green ones. It didn't seem to be a problem.

[NorcalBob]

The Fishpond case is very similar to my Orvis Safe Passage carry on case and I've never had a problem carrying mine onboard any airlines. So far, that's about 50 trips. It's loaded with fly rods, reels, tippet, and small accessories (but no flies, those get checked in my luggage). I did forget that I had some wire cutters on a trip to MEX, and those got confiscated by TSA, but other than that I've had no problems.

[anacrime]

I have my 10' 4wt 3 piece in a long aluminum tube that I've carried on several times. Trekking poles, too.

[KRoberts1]

Guys,

I appreciate the feedback from ya'll.

thanks,

keith

[midger]

I also have had no problems flying from Ontario, CA to Boise, ID multiple times over the past few years. I travel with a 4 rod carrier and all rods are 4 piece with the case being 34 inches long. I've also carried reels onboard as well, but you can't have a carry on with any knifes, scissors, etc. Check that stuff.

To get your airline's requirements, however, I'd call them specifically and make sure--especially if your rods are 2 piece with tubes longer than 48 inches.

[WanderingBlues]

I taken a 4 piece 9' with me several times with no issues. Southwest.

[fflutterffly]

Call a supervisor at the airlines around the time you are ticketed to fly and get the answer as well as their name… this way if there is a problem they will be there to address the problem.

[KRoberts1]

REcap of trip: No problems going to MT with FishPond carry-on for rods and reels. On the homeward bound trip, the gate attendant in Billings gave me some grief because the carry-on did not fit in the carry-on measuring device. I showed her the measurements (31+4.5+9.5)were 45 linear inches, as detailed by UAL, and kept walking. She tried to stop me but turned back. My wife, behind me, says the gal got huffy with her and those behind her, too. No problems in Denver.

[NorcalBob]

I've never had that problem, but friends of mine have. You are correct, there are two regulations for carry-on restrictions and your rod carry on does not fit inside the "little box" found at most check-in gates (then again most every carry on bag I see going on doesn't fit inside the "little box" either!). However, as you noted, it does indeed meet the maximum linear measurement requirement for carry on luggage. An another story regarding us travelling anglers; I was once stopped by the gate agent because I took my two rod tubes out of my backpack (which has straps for two tubes) so it would go through xray better, because I exceeded the two item carry on rule and now had 3 items. Sooooo, I put the two tubes back on the backpack (and it promptly got stuck in the xray machine!) and shot a smile at the gate agent. The TSA agent was cracking up saying, yep you now got one item, but too bad you screwed up my machine! The gate agent did not have a very good sense of humor!!!