flying with rods in a tube

[afdean]

Anyone fly with their rods in a tube without breakage? What tube would you recommend, and how did you package them? Were you charged extra for the tube as baggage?

I've seen the bazooka pro tube or the Airliner jumbo by plano that might work. Any others?

Thanks for your input

[Garrett Mercer]

I have traveled with the hard plano ones, and they work well. Just make sure they are tight in there, use some foam to protect the tips, and obviously take off the reels. Some airlines now are charging rediculous amounts for them though, so if your going somewhere in the US, you might consider shipping them for 10-15 bucks each way. Depending on the airline it will be WAY cheaper than them charging you. I had some clients that I took on a guide trip last year that got charged $100 ONE WAY, so I shipped them back to them UPS for $15..... I believe they flew Delta?

[Bill Brown Jr.]

Garrett is dead on about the Plano tubes.

I use one everytime I fly back to the Midwest and they work great. The Plano hard tubes have foam at each end of the tube, but one thing I do is put bubble wrap around the tips with a big rubber band so they do not move around. When you have a 6' jerbait rod in the tube with a 7'6" crank rod, your shorter stick will bounce all over. The bubble wrap stops that from happening.

And if you can, ship them UPS or USPS. It will save you a good chunk of change.

[Ron T.]

I have been to the east Cape several times , Texas , and Venezuela . I Have never had a rod broke in transit . I go to home depot and I put together the tube for the rods Im taking to insure a snug fit in the lengh and diamiter . I use the black ABS tubing with a cap on one end and a threaded end cap on the other . Next go to the paint dept. and buy a couple big sponges to stuff in the ends to protect the tips . The kind a tile setter uses to clean grout . When you pack your rods tape them together alternating the rod directions and be sure the tips do not go past the buts of the other rods . This way the buts take the beating , not the tips . You can put together a tube like this for about 15 to 20 bucks and they are really really tough .

[frenchman]

I've done something similar to what Ron T. said. I used PVC pipe with caps on the end and have had no problems whatsoever. Haven't flown recently with rods so not sure what they will ding you to check it.

[afdean]

Thanks for your responses. I guess plano, or make my own tube. I have looked up a few airlines, and they are charging $100 to $150 and it counts as one of your luggage items too. Hope I don't have to fly with my rods, but wanted to buy a tube to travel as a co-angler for Stren, and figure I may as well get one I can fly with.

[Ricky-S]

Try to find a pro that lives near you and ask them to take your tackle for you and through down a $20-$50 spot. The airlines didn't used to charge for rods.

Another option may be to tell them that it is for a sporting event. Sometimes they "may" discount the cost. Might want to try speaking to a male during check in.

[Greg E.]

The Plano Tubes are very good but can still be crushed.
A few years back the Northwest baggage handliers brought mine out it had tire tracks across the middle and 2 of the 5 rods in the case were broken.

Since then I have made my own out of much heavier PVC with no problems. But with the airlines today, I agree with the shipping ahead plan.

[Kevin]

I recently paid $85 round trip for a rod tube.

[hippie]

I use the ron jeremy pump for my rod, it never fails

[Steve L]

Many airlines have length restrictions and I had to ship because Delta couldn't accomadate my 8' rods. Check with airlines before arriving.
I used the Bazooka Pro and shipped UPS to Columbia, South Carolina in August. For the return to California I shipped from a UPS STORE. The tube was busted on the return and 3 rods were broken. I had insurance, but UPS Stores are franchises and if something happens, your fight is with the owner of the UPS Store, not UPS. My nightmare stated in August and and I still haven't received my $900. after my claim was approved in Oct.
I shipped from UPS Cerritos California, with insurance $57. The UPS Store in Columbia charged $112. with insurance, but they charged me a franchise fee.
Never use UPS STORES.