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Flying with skis

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Krokodile
Posts: 350 - Karma: 40
Flying out to Utah tomorrow and had a couple questions because this is my first time flying with skis.  I'll be flying on Southwest.

First, will I be charged extra for putting two pairs of skis into one ski bag?

Second, I will be taking my boots as my personal item; this is recommended, correct?

Lastly, I was just wondering if there's anything you guys think I should know since I've never done this before.
Jan 1 2012 8:13PM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
Skis will be an additional fee of $50 because they are larger than regular luggage
Jan 1 2012 8:15PM
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Parks.
Posts: 5612 - Karma: 1,093
I'm pretty sure! It kinda depends how nice of a person you get...like I went to windells and they didn't charge me for it when I Eft but on my return they did....if you can go to the outdoor luggage check in
Jan 1 2012 8:16PM
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Krokodile
Posts: 350 - Karma: 40
According to their website, I can substitute ski gear for a free bag, which I get two of with the deal we booked.  At least that's the message I'm getting.  Hopefully we get someone cool like you described.
Jan 1 2012 8:20PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
Pretty sure lots of people just sling their boots over the shoulder in addition to their carry on bag. That works, right. I'm gonna be flying soon and plan on doing so.
Jan 1 2012 8:20PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
i fly southwest all the time. i travel for work. and just flew with skis..

1. you check whatever you want as long as its under fifty pounds. if its in one bag and under 50..it flys. goes for oversized luggage.

2. i reccomend just putting your boots in the ski bag. way easier than lugging em in the airport.

3. print your boarding pass before hand. so you can go through the express baggage check line.

4. when standing in line for security, take everything off while standing there before you reach the conveyor belt and put it in your back pack. be prepared to take out your laptop..

5. if there's no security person at the business select line.. just walk in that one.. the TSA checking ID's doesnt care.

6. CHECK IN TO YOUR FLIGHT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. you can check in online 24 hours in advance. it gets you a better chance at a good seat.

7. if you dont have a connecting flight. just sit in the way back. flight attendants hang out back there and they'll give you more stuff.
Jan 1 2012 8:23PM
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crab_pretzel
Posts: 3919 - Karma: 622
i just flew southwest to CO for skiing. no you dont get charged more extra skis, but if its over 50 lbs its $50 extra. i put my boots and two other pairs in a big bag and checked that, but i guess carrying them on is a good idea
Jan 2 2012 12:37AM
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MikeWeinerONE
Posts: 501 - Karma: 1,215
Carry your boots with you. Always. Easy to borrow skis or demo them .. and southwest let's u bring skis for free. Good luck dude
Jan 2 2012 1:07AM
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roddy116
Posts: 10628 - Karma: 7,432
put as much as you can in whatever bag, when i went home from windels i wrapped t-shirts around my skis in my ski bag then i put my helmets in there. get a bootbag then put skigear in their
Jan 2 2012 11:14AM
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doGelyst
Posts: 2492 - Karma: 509
you can jam pack your ski bag, pretty sure they will only charge you extra (if they dont already because of the large size) if it is over 50lbs....or something like that.
Jan 2 2012 11:16AM
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DUKES
Posts: 5150 - Karma: 691
i carry my boots a a second carry on that i put in the over head compartments. some airlines will charge the same baggage fee for sports equipment like airtran. my friend had a huge ski bag and he wrapped all his clothes around his skis to protect his gear and to double as his clothing bag
Jan 2 2012 12:03PM
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Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,089
some airlines count a separate ski bag and boot bag as 1 item
Jan 2 2012 1:48PM
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skiingute
Posts: 630 - Karma: 15
I pack all my ski clothes and as much street clothes as I can into my Ski Bag. I then put whatever is left into either a backpack or bag and bring the boots as a personal item.
Jan 2 2012 3:23PM
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-GL-
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 37
i got hammered with overweight baggage on my skis when i flew delta out to utah last week, just remember you might get charged some more skrilla espically if you are taking multiple pairs of skis
Jan 2 2012 6:45PM
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joelski
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 736
all the rules and costs on skis for flying depend completely on the air line

Jan 2 2012 6:48PM
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beermuscles
Posts: 1821 - Karma: 100
this.

try to get your pants and must have ski garments into carry on with boots. this is in case other luggage is lost and you need to rent demo skis for one day of skiing.

have fun! southwest is the best about flying with skis IMO
Jan 2 2012 6:48PM
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-GL-
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 37
if you fly delta, if the boot and ski bag weigh more than 50 pounds combined they have to be checked as seperate bags
Jan 2 2012 9:58PM
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SpaghettiWizard
Posts: 2825 - Karma: 166
Fly frontier they dont charge extra for skis
Jan 2 2012 9:59PM
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Flying~Squirrel
Posts: 6494 - Karma: 192
Id rather fly with squirrels
Jan 3 2012 12:17AM
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mountainviper
Posts: 1931 - Karma: -3
Yeah I fly southwest all the time. Things change dynamically though so don't count on anything anyone is saying. Call southwest to confirm the latest restrictions but.....if your going to a ski destination they typically will take your double bag and a boot bag as free check on. Personally I carry on my boots like others have said but last I checked you can check em for free. Now for some advice. If your ski bag has internal ski straps....USE THEM!!!! I've had two instances now where my bag was returned to me open. Once was tsa and the other time I literally watched the bag cart drop and run over my bag. So now when strapping in my skis I also put that strap through my pole lanyards and helmet strap. Basically anything loose in there has potential to be ejected and don't even get me started on the tards who attempt to feed your ski bag into the baggage conveyor. Any good airport should have a seperate area for oversized bags. Most ski destinations do but returning home is the problem. I fly outta Philly and coming home is the worst. Every time they attempt to feed the ski bag into the conveyor. Every damn time. Good luck though and have a fun trip!
Jan 3 2012 8:37AM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7482 - Karma: 36,057
Old thread bump. Anyone have any recent experience flying with 2 pairs of skis in one bag. Southwest customer service told me only 1 pair of skis even if under 50lbs, but I feel like they won't check what's in the bag at the counter.
Feb 21 2020 8:06PM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,175
I wish I could fly with my skis. But I don’t think the technology is there yet
Feb 21 2020 8:07PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
TOAST.Old thread bump. Anyone have any recent experience flying with 2 pairs of skis in one bag. Southwest customer service told me only 1 pair of skis even if under 50lbs, but I feel like they won't check what's in the bag at the counter.


I flew with JJ's and SFB's in one bag and it was fine. Actually they said if you bring a boot bag with it it costs less somehow.
Feb 21 2020 10:43PM
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MilkPlanet
Posts: 74 - Karma: 353
TOAST.Old thread bump. Anyone have any recent experience flying with 2 pairs of skis in one bag. Southwest customer service told me only 1 pair of skis even if under 50lbs, but I feel like they won't check what's in the bag at the counter.

Don't see why it would be an issue if it's under 50lbs from what I've read. Maybe secure them together and add some padding
Feb 22 2020 12:27AM
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JmckR
Posts: 1279 - Karma: 5,871
TOAST.Old thread bump. Anyone have any recent experience flying with 2 pairs of skis in one bag. Southwest customer service told me only 1 pair of skis even if under 50lbs, but I feel like they won't check what's in the bag at the counter.


They never ever check, as long as they're not overweight of course. don't worry about it.
Feb 22 2020 8:16PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7482 - Karma: 36,057
TheMailManThey never ever check, as long as they're not overweight of course. don't worry about it.

That's kind of what I figured. The lady did end up questioning why my bag was 48lbs and my wife's was only 19lbs.
Feb 22 2020 10:49PM
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