Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Airlines That Aren't Dicks to Skiers

profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
Okay, I'm looking at flying to New York over my winter break, and I plan on skiing a fuck ton.

What are some airlines that have decent prices without raping you over the coals with baggage fees? I want to bring my skis but right now it's looking like I'll be dropping an extra $200 to do so.

Thanks everyone.
Jul 14 2015 9:35PM
26 5
profile picture
profa_212
Posts: 8949 - Karma: 36,479
Idk about airlines, but you could mail your skis to the hotel/house you are staying at. Send them off a few days before, and they will meet you there. Should be like $50, not $200.
Jul 14 2015 9:39PM
0 0
profile picture
S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,186
What company charges you 200 bucks to bring skis onboard? If it meets the weight maxium then there shouldn't be a problem.
Jul 14 2015 9:39PM
3 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
S.J.WWhat company charges you 200 bucks to bring skis onboard? If it meets the weight maxium then there shouldn't be a problem.

I was looking at American Airlines, they combine the height, length, and width of the baggage and if its over 158cm it's "Oversized" which costs $200. I have 160cm and that's just the length of the skis.

I'm looking at Southwest right now, and I would get two free checked bags, so I could jam my boots and shit into one bag with some other shit, then fit my clothes and crap into another for free. I think I'll end up shipping my skis depending on the price haha. From Minnesota to New York might be a little spendy though.

I guess I'll find out.
Jul 14 2015 9:54PM
0 0
profile picture
Mingg
Posts: 13992 - Karma: 49,651
Wheaty214I was looking at American Airlines, they combine the height, length, and width of the baggage and if its over 158cm it's "Oversized" which costs $200. I have 160cm and that's just the length of the skis.

I'm looking at Southwest right now, and I would get two free checked bags, so I could jam my boots and shit into one bag with some other shit, then fit my clothes and crap into another for free. I think I'll end up shipping my skis depending on the price haha. From Minnesota to New York might be a little spendy though.

I guess I'll find out.


Instead of wasting space in a checked bag you could like attach your boots to a backpack and carry them on. Thats what I do and it saves a ton of room(: Just shove them under your seat and it works well!
Jul 14 2015 10:19PM
0 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
MinggInstead of wasting space in a checked bag you could like attach your boots to a backpack and carry them on. Thats what I do and it saves a ton of room(: Just shove them under your seat and it works well!

I'll have to figure out a way to attach my Raichle's to my bag then :P
Jul 14 2015 10:23PM
0 0
profile picture
~Gotama~
Posts: 821 - Karma: 3,160
Wheaty214I'm looking at Southwest right now, and I would get two free checked bags, so I could jam my boots and shit into one bag with some other shit, then fit my clothes and crap into another for free.
I guess I'll find out.


ding ding ding
Jul 14 2015 10:24PM
0 0
profile picture
Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
wait why are you flying to NY in order to ski a ton? a lot of mountains arent great until february here
Jul 14 2015 10:28PM
9 0
profile picture
Funnel
Posts: 7816 - Karma: 1,534
Southwest won't charge for skis. Buy a bag that fits two pairs and you're good. Done it plenty of times myself. Alaska won't charge extra for skis beyond their normal baggage fee.
Jul 14 2015 10:29PM
0 0
profile picture
~Gotama~
Posts: 821 - Karma: 3,160
~Gotama~ding ding ding


They count ski bags as one of your free bags, no extra charge.
Jul 14 2015 10:30PM
0 0
profile picture
Aharrelson358
Posts: 356 - Karma: 478
Southwest is awesome to skiers. They have a policy that skis don't fit the dimensions but as long as they weigh less than 50lbs, it's still free. And yes exactly what Mingg said. Carry your boots on. Take a backpack as your personal item and a duffle bag for clothes for your carry on if necessary. You can feasibly take 4 bags for free and get any amount of stuff you need to NY with you.
Jul 14 2015 10:31PM
0 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
Aharrelson358Southwest is awesome to skiers. They have a policy that skis don't fit the dimensions but as long as they weigh less than 50lbs, it's still free. And yes exactly what Mingg said. Carry your boots on. Take a backpack as your personal item and a duffle bag for clothes for your carry on if necessary. You can feasibly take 4 bags for free and get any amount of stuff you need to NY with you.


Oh shit really? Because I was seeing that they would charge you for "Oversized" baggage too, but it would only be 75$ instead of $200. I might just send them via mail because when I checked it out it would cost me only $20-$40.
Jul 14 2015 10:34PM
0 0
profile picture
Aharrelson358
Posts: 356 - Karma: 478
Wheaty214Oh shit really? Because I was seeing that they would charge you for "Oversized" baggage too, but it would only be 75$ instead of $200. I might just send them via mail because when I checked it out it would cost me only $20-$40.


No Southwest will not charge you. I've flown skis with them 5 times and never paid for the bag.

"Snow ski equipment, including skis or snowboards, ski boots, and ski poles. Effective March 1, 2012: including one pair of skis or one snowboard, one set of poles, and one pair of ski/snowboard boots encased in a container(s) acceptable to Carrier. When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, Southwest Airlines allows up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately." From https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html
Jul 14 2015 10:38PM
2 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
Aharrelson358No Southwest will not charge you. I've flown skis with them 5 times and never paid for the bag.

"Snow ski equipment, including skis or snowboards, ski boots, and ski poles. Effective March 1, 2012: including one pair of skis or one snowboard, one set of poles, and one pair of ski/snowboard boots encased in a container(s) acceptable to Carrier. When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, Southwest Airlines allows up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately." From https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html


Shit I should have scrolled down a little further on their page, thank you for this!
Jul 14 2015 10:41PM
0 0
profile picture
Aharrelson358
Posts: 356 - Karma: 478
Wheaty214Shit I should have scrolled down a little further on their page, thank you for this!


No problem dude. I've had some really bad experiences with airlines except for Southwest. They are hands down the cheapest and most enjoyable airline to fly. I'd always recommend them!
Jul 14 2015 10:45PM
0 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 51745 - Karma: 163,560
Even international flight I've been on, my snowboard bag which is 160cm maybe 165 even was fine.


Also if you're going to get hit with extra bag fees just pack all your shit in your ski bag, boots, ski clothes + regular clothes. If needed throw an extra backpack in their empty and put your clothes in that when you get to NY.

There are def airlines where skis are not oversize. Especially 160. That's not even big. I've flown my surfboard and that was a waste because it was $200 round trip. Would have been easier to buy a board, then resell it before I left for $100 cheaper.
Jul 14 2015 10:51PM
0 1
profile picture
Mr.noodle
Posts: 1361 - Karma: 4,655
Where are you going to be staying/ skiing in NY? I live in Saratoga and ski gore whiteface but I usually go to other mountains in vermont
Jul 14 2015 10:55PM
0 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
Mr.noodleWhere are you going to be staying/ skiing in NY? I live in Saratoga and ski gore whiteface but I usually go to other mountains in vermont


I'll be staying in Buffalo with a friend who lives there!
Jul 14 2015 10:58PM
1 0
profile picture
Mingg
Posts: 13992 - Karma: 49,651
Mr.noodleWhere are you going to be staying/ skiing in NY? I live in Saratoga and ski gore whiteface but I usually go to other mountains in vermont


Wheaty214I'll be staying in Buffalo with a friend who lives there!


Hi friend:D haha
We'll probably ride Holiday Valley, Kissing Bridge, and Peek n Peak. Possibly Bristol too. I don't know how far that is from Saratoga though.
Jul 14 2015 11:03PM
1 1
profile picture
Mr.noodle
Posts: 1361 - Karma: 4,655
Wheaty214I'll be staying in Buffalo with a friend who lives there!


my step cousins or second cousins or something live there
MinggHi friend:D haha
We'll probably ride Holiday Valley, Kissing Bridge, and Peek n Peak. Possibly Bristol too. I don't know how far that is from Saratoga though.


And I'm not planning on going to any of those mountians next year
Jul 14 2015 11:14PM
0 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Yes with southwest you can check a ski bag and boot bag and it only counts as one of your two free checked bags.

Keep in mind your boots HAVE to be in an approved boot bag. Meaning a bag made by a ski or boot company designed for boots.
Jul 14 2015 11:15PM
0 0
profile picture
Mingg
Posts: 13992 - Karma: 49,651
CaptainObvious.Keep in mind your boots HAVE to be in an approved boot bag. Meaning a bag made by a ski or boot company designed for boots.


Hmm. When I went to colorado I attached mine together with the velcro straps and hung them from the straps of a normal backpack and had no problem with that.
Jul 14 2015 11:21PM
0 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
MinggHmm. When I went to colorado I attached mine together with the velcro straps and hung them from the straps of a normal backpack and had no problem with that.


Carrying on they don't give a shit. But you can check them with your skis for free. If they're not in a bag they won't check em.
Jul 14 2015 11:23PM
0 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
CaptainObvious.Carrying on they don't give a shit. But you can check them with your skis for free. If they're not in a bag they won't check em.

I'll just find one of my old snowboard bags and stick everything in there plus whatever else I can fit in it.

Another question, not related to bringing my skis with me, do you have to pay for carry on stuff? I haven't been on a plane since I was probably 12 years old so I didn't have to know about this stuff.
Jul 14 2015 11:26PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,478
Delta is $25 for a ski bag as long as it's under 50lbs
Jul 14 2015 11:27PM
0 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,638
Wheaty214I'll just find one of my old snowboard bags and stick everything in there plus whatever else I can fit in it.

Another question, not related to bringing my skis with me, do you have to pay for carry on stuff? I haven't been on a plane since I was probably 12 years old so I didn't have to know about this stuff.


Not on southwest. One personal item one carry on. So your little rolly bag and your purse
Jul 14 2015 11:29PM
0 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
CaptainObvious.Not on southwest. One personal item one carry on. So your little rolly bag and your purse

Since I don't earn a purse I'm thinking I'll just bring my backpack.
Jul 14 2015 11:34PM
0 0
profile picture
ghosthop
Posts: 631 - Karma: 1,027
Every time I've ever flown with boots my carry-ons have been a backpack with camera stuff, duffel with clothes, and my boots were velcroed together by the straps and over my shoulder. Never had any issues.
Jul 14 2015 11:35PM
0 0
profile picture
Turd.Ferguson
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 2,713
united allows for one piece of luggage, plus a ski bag and a boot bag. don't worry tickets cost an arm and a leg tho.
Jul 15 2015 12:08AM
0 0
profile picture
yangumane
Posts: 1816 - Karma: 3,347
Wheaty214I was looking at American Airlines, they combine the height, length, and width of the baggage and if its over 158cm it's "Oversized" which costs $200. I have 160cm and that's just the length of the skis.

I'm looking at Southwest right now, and I would get two free checked bags, so I could jam my boots and shit into one bag with some other shit, then fit my clothes and crap into another for free. I think I'll end up shipping my skis depending on the price haha. From Minnesota to New York might be a little spendy though.

I guess I'll find out.


southwest is by far the best commercial airline in the US
Jul 15 2015 10:36AM
0 0
profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,663
Wheaty214I'll be staying in Buffalo with a friend who lives there!


You came to the wrong part of the country to ski a lot on your break. The parks wont be good until late january at least
Jul 15 2015 10:46AM
0 0
profile picture
miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
As you've already learned, Southwest is the way to go. I can vouch from a ton of personal experience. Best airline out.

And the reason you carry your boots on is because for most people your boots are the most special part of your set up. You've broken them in, maybe have customizations; skiing without your boots is an ordeal. If the airline loses your skis and outerwear, you can buy or rent new ones and ski that day, but it's not the same buying or renting new boots.
Jul 15 2015 1:13PM
0 0
profile picture
skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Alaska treats a ski bag as a regular bag, so you don't get dinged some ridiculous oversize fee.

Whatever airline you do go with, just bring your boots as a carry on.
Jul 15 2015 1:42PM
0 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
mirozAs you've already learned, Southwest is the way to go. I can vouch from a ton of personal experience. Best airline out.

And the reason you carry your boots on is because for most people your boots are the most special part of your set up. You've broken them in, maybe have customizations; skiing without your boots is an ordeal. If the airline loses your skis and outerwear, you can buy or rent new ones and ski that day, but it's not the same buying or renting new boots.


Considering I got my Women's Raichles for $15 off of craigslist I'm not too worried about them getting lost, though they are pretty comfortable.
Jul 15 2015 4:49PM
0 0
profile picture
kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
I fly southwest to and from Denver for school and they don't charge extra for skis. They also count a boot bag and ski bag as 1 piece of lugage. So I can bring a ski bag, boot bag, a checked bag, carry on, and backpack for FREE
Jul 15 2015 5:15PM
0 0
profile picture
Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
They don't have many flights in the US but if you ever find yourself in Europe:


They transport your first set of skis/snowboard and boots free of charge in addition to your standard free baggage allowance.
Jul 15 2015 5:31PM
1 0
profile picture
miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
Wheaty214Considering I got my Women's Raichles for $15 off of craigslist I'm not too worried about them getting lost, though they are pretty comfortable.


It's less about how much you paid for your boots and more about what you'd have to go through without them. On the off chance that you land and the next day is a powder day, you don't really want to be breaking in new boots then (or missing it altogether).
Jul 15 2015 6:07PM
0 0
profile picture
Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
mirozIt's less about how much you paid for your boots and more about what you'd have to go through without them. On the off chance that you land and the next day is a powder day, you don't really want to be breaking in new boots then (or missing it altogether).

I'll take the risk :P I'm not too worried about losing anything, if it happens it happens.
Jul 15 2015 6:17PM
0 0
profile picture
Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
Air Canada lost my skis once (not my regular luggage, just the oversize) and said "well come back and check tomorrow they might be here then".

Seriously, that was the response I got from customer service after waiting around for a couple hours seeing if they'd show. They said sometimes if there's a connection they miss a flight, but will always get to their destination even if it has to be on a later flight.

Yeah, but WHEN?!?! Can't you idiots track this kind of stuff? I'm just supposed to let someone dump my skis on the ground, sometime, and hope I'm around when they do?

Even after calling in for hours when I went home (couldn't stay all day and do that) I was always on hold and eventually told the same thing. Check in tomorrow, they should be there.

Totally unimpressed. Thank God I did go the next day and there were my skis just laying on the ground, but come on. This can't happen in today's day and age with electronic tracking and whatnot. Show up, hope your luggage does too, if not just come back the next day and pick it up off the ground. LOL
Jul 15 2015 7:00PM
0 0
profile picture
250r
Posts: 2276 - Karma: 1,013
MinggHmm. When I went to colorado I attached mine together with the velcro straps and hung them from the straps of a normal backpack and had no problem with that.


just don't clock an old guy in the head with your boots as you walk down the isle...not that I've done that before...
Jul 16 2015 4:11PM
1 0
profile picture
fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
AnathemaTotally unimpressed. Thank God I did go the next day and there were my skis just laying on the ground, but come on. This can't happen in today's day and age with electronic tracking and whatnot. Show up, hope your luggage does too, if not just come back the next day and pick it up off the ground. LOL


It's actually really difficult to track because it's not necessarily in the airlines possession the whole time. Say it got flagged by security, or rerouted on the miles of baggage conveyors. The airline has no idea, and it's up to someone to physically go find it. And it could be anywhere.

Airlines know exactly what goes on, and what comes off their planes. But beyond that...really difficult to track. It's not like FedEx where it gets scanned every 2 minutes at every stop. Bags do a lot of sitting around. And most of the time it's a subcontractor taking care of it.

But with that said...telling you to just come back and wait is terrible. They should (and almost definitely do) have an office for exactly this sort of thing.
Jul 16 2015 5:43PM
0 0
profile picture
Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
jet blue. I flew out to hood last week and it cost me $4 to send a 70 pound ski bag and huge boot bag because the guy was chill and put it as a package deal
Jul 17 2015 12:12AM
0 0
profile picture
connory998
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 34
AnathemaAir Canada lost my skis once (not my regular luggage, just the oversize) and said "well come back and check tomorrow they might be here then".

Seriously, that was the response I got from customer service after waiting around for a couple hours seeing if they'd show. They said sometimes if there's a connection they miss a flight, but will always get to their destination even if it has to be on a later flight.

Yeah, but WHEN?!?! Can't you idiots track this kind of stuff? I'm just supposed to let someone dump my skis on the ground, sometime, and hope I'm around when they do?

Even after calling in for hours when I went home (couldn't stay all day and do that) I was always on hold and eventually told the same thing. Check in tomorrow, they should be there.

Totally unimpressed. Thank God I did go the next day and there were my skis just laying on the ground, but come on. This can't happen in today's day and age with electronic tracking and whatnot. Show up, hope your luggage does too, if not just come back the next day and pick it up off the ground. LOL



Thats unfortunate, a lot of people hate on Air Canada but I have never had a really bad experience with them, & have flown Air Canada 3-4 times a year for the last 15 years.

The one time that they lost my luggage (probably 7-8) years ago, it came in on the next flight & they had someone deliver it to my house. (This was in Ottawa, I assume that they have different levels of service at other airports)


Also to OP, please dont be one of those people that brings a huge amount of carry on stuff & takes up an entire overhead bin & the under seat space. This is getting worse now that some airlines are charging for all checked bags, & theres nothing worse than getting on the plane & having no room in a bin close to your seat because some family has packed everything for a week long vacation into carry ons.
Jul 17 2015 12:46PM
0 0
profile picture
broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,664
i've flown without baggage fees with both jet blue and southwest in the past year or so. those are probably your best bets for longer domestic flights.
Jul 17 2015 1:37PM
0 0
profile picture
McLS
Posts: 1985 - Karma: 6,454
I always paid something around 70€ more to get em in, but every fucking time it takes forever to get em back when I arrive. I also had them get on another plane once, going to to fucking spain when I was going to switzerland...
Jul 18 2015 6:56AM
0 0
profile picture
C.Smith
Posts: 105 - Karma: 715
Peter.wait why are you flying to NY in order to ski a ton? a lot of mountains arent great until february here


Hunter is always good
Jul 18 2015 8:40AM
0 0
profile picture
crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
Aharrelson358Southwest is awesome to skiers. They have a policy that skis don't fit the dimensions but as long as they weigh less than 50lbs, it's still free. And yes exactly what Mingg said. Carry your boots on. Take a backpack as your personal item and a duffle bag for clothes for your carry on if necessary. You can feasibly take 4 bags for free and get any amount of stuff you need to NY with you.


With southwest you can have one checked bag a ski bag and a boot bag. ski bag + boot bag=1 bag
Jul 18 2015 11:36AM
0 1
profile picture
NEPTR
Posts: 766 - Karma: 1,936
didn't read thread, TRAVEL SOUTHWEST 2 FREE BAGS, bring boots as carry on with you, pack all ski stuff in your ski bag, pack clothes bag, save $
Jul 18 2015 11:45PM
0 1
profile picture
kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
kbonrdidn't read thread, TRAVEL SOUTHWEST 2 FREE BAGS, bring boots as carry on with you, pack all ski stuff in your ski bag, pack clothes bag, save $


Why carry on your boots when you could check a boot bag for free? ski bag + boot bag counts as 1 piece of luggage
Jul 19 2015 5:26PM
0 0
profile picture
broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,664
kung_powpowWhy carry on your boots when you could check a boot bag for free? ski bag + boot bag counts as 1 piece of luggage


i carry my boots on because if the luggage gets lost, i want my own boots at least on vaca
Jul 19 2015 6:03PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)