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Question about airline baggage fees for skis

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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
I have basically two choices of airlines to fly to Utah. US Air or Southwest Airlines.

I spoke to employees of both companies on the phone. I was told by US air that I'd be paying 25 for my boot bag an 35 for my skis, no matter wha the size is.

For southwest, I was told my skis and boot bag would be free! Nice, right? But then I said my skis are about 68 inches, and asked if that would be an additional fee. The lady then put me on hold and spoke to her supervisor, and came back saying it would be 75 dollars instead because the skis are oversized.

Basically what I'm wondering is, has anyone with big skis had luck with southwest not actually charging you? I'm just kind of curious as to if they're actually gonna pull out the skis and measure em...

Any other input appreciated. Thanks.





Jan 11 2013 5:49PM
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Weeezy
Posts: 385 - Karma: 342
When I took my skis on a trip, I put my skis and outwear in my ski bag, an I put my clothes in a boot bag and carry on. However my boot bag is a helmet/boot bag with lots of too on top of the boot compartment. That's probably the way to go if you're boot bag is big enough
Jan 11 2013 5:58PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
word i think i gotcha, but i think i'm going with 3 bags regardless (carry-on, boot&outerwear bag, ski bag)
Jan 11 2013 6:10PM
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Bertrand
Posts: 423 - Karma: 457
I go to school in Colorado, and live in California. I fly home for christmas break every year, on southwest. I always bring my skis home with me to ski Tahoe.

I check my big bag full of clothes and outerwear and my ski bag. 186 jeffreys barely fit, but yeah. No extra charges. Boots around my neck, backpack with laptop on my back. Good to go.

You can check 2 bags on southwest for free. I've never had anybody give me a problem about skis being oversized.
Jan 11 2013 6:49PM
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noreasterprod
Posts: 578 - Karma: 606
southwest counts the boot bag and the ski bag as one bag. I've flown with my skis and boots on southwest plenty of times and never had any problems with fees or anything
Jan 11 2013 9:23PM
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Craig114
Posts: 767 - Karma: 311
I used to fly to and from school with my skis on united and delta and I was always able to count my boot bag and my ski bag as one item and it went for the regular checked bag price. Although I haven't done that in about a year so maybe they became more strict.

I had a roommate that would check his skis and just carry his boots on the flight with him so you could always try that too.
Jan 11 2013 9:42PM
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extravert
Posts: 1112 - Karma: 3,174
Most airlines i've flown do this. If you have to pay a baggage fee its just for one bag
Jan 11 2013 10:57PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
thanks for the info all, much appreciated


booked my southwest ticket and realized i booked a ticket out of the wrong airport...thought i'd be leaving from home but i have to leave from school...

Damn it...
Jan 14 2013 8:03PM
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OhioDreams
Posts: 444 - Karma: 918
Southwest is the only way to go when they are an option. I've never been charged extra for my ski bag. Plus they are the only airline (I believe) that offers two free bags as long as they are under 50 lbs. Good choice OP.
Jan 14 2013 8:35PM
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StickDonkey
Posts: 284 - Karma: 2,456
If they are over 165 long they are supposed to charge you. I always box mine and ship them USPS Parcel shipping. It costs about 10 bucks but if the above posters haven't had any problems carrying them on without charges I would go that route.
Jan 14 2013 8:50PM
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m-ruta
Posts: 160 - Karma: 168
Southwest is the way to go. Never been charged and my skis run in the the 185-195 range, plus my boot bag is huge.
Jan 14 2013 9:29PM
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Brenone
Posts: 4944 - Karma: 296
Southwest is definately way to go.
That being said if you play it right and are polite and smile and nod at the person checking your bag sometimes they will just slap a tag on it and you're on your way. I've had that happen to me with Delta more than once.
Jan 14 2013 9:42PM
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Lawd
Posts: 48 - Karma: 18
wear your boots on the plane
Jan 14 2013 10:34PM
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m-ruta
Posts: 160 - Karma: 168
I almost did that once. Some old hag told me they each counted as one piece of carry on so I took off my shoes, put them in my pack and started to put my ski boots on my feet. Got as far as buckling the first one when she told me to stop. I told her it was religious footwear and she couldn't infringe on my right to wear them. She called her supervisor. 15 minutes later I was on the plane with my boots.
Jan 14 2013 10:50PM
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percs
Posts: 2280 - Karma: 5,793
I always fly on southwest with my skis and there always free. Southwest is best.
Jan 14 2013 10:58PM
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joshwyat
Posts: 139 - Karma: 23
That is an awesome story. Got a good chuckle. OP Southwest all the way.
Jan 14 2013 11:04PM
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rasta_tom
Posts: 117 - Karma: 163
United airlines charges you much less is you have your boots in a separate checked bag as your skis, and separate from your other stuff. your skis and boots combined have to weigh less than 70 lbs otherwise you pay 100 dollar overweight fee. that was my experience in december going to jackson
Jan 15 2013 11:42AM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451

This this this.

When I flew to reno, I had luggae bag and my ski bag. Both were shy of the 50lbs so that wasnt an issue but my ski bag was oversized. The lady was super cool and let it go for free no problem.

Jan 15 2013 11:52AM
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