I'm going to Ohio on Saturday morning to visit family. I wanted to bring my bow to keep sharp while I'm away and was going to ship it. Well just recently I decided to take it on the plane. I recall an episode of Easton Bowhunting where Fred was saying he likes takedowns because he can put them in a carry on.
I am just curious...how easy is this going to be for me? I don't think they'll hassle me about some pieces of wood. I'd like to hear from those who have done it before. What about arrows? If I take the points off and throw them in my checked bag I shouldn't have a problem right?
I'm curious about this too as I 'm traveling with my bow in 2 weeks and DO NOT want to pack it...
You will not be allowed to take the bow, even taken down, or the arrows, heads or no heads as carry on. These days I wouldn't even try it if you are very attached to your bow.
Yup. It either gets stowed in the belly of the plane, or you mail it. I sent mine to Albany, NY, and back via USPS Express Mail. It goes overnight, and is an "accountable" and least likely to get lost.
Killdeer
"You will not be allowed to take the bow, even taken down, or the arrows, heads or no heads as carry on. These days I wouldn't even try it if you are very attached to your bow. " ???
Airlines don't require you to declare a bow. Put it in your suitcase, and don't worry about it.
In the suitcase as checked baggage - no problem as long as your luggage arrives OK. Shipping ahead is the safest option.
You might get by with it in a carry on, but only because the person running the scanner didn't recognize it. I wouldn't even think about trying and then having it taken away at the security check.
Better check the airline regulations. US Air has rules posted right on their site for traveling on their flights with archery equipment now.
It's not allowed as already stated. If you try it and don't make it through you will either lose it or have to go back and reclaim your checked bag and get it in. This is not always possible if timing is close and checked bag is enroute to plane. Be prepared to miss flight if you try it.
Don't even think about carrying on any part of a bow or arrows. Good chance you would never see them again or miss your flight or both.
Why take a chance? Check the airlines rules on their website. I have seen too many big trash cans filled with all sorts of stuff at airport check points.
I fit my TD longbow into a section of drain pipe with caps that I think I could drive over without hurting. Stuck in the checked duffle with clothes and junk. I did ship arrows though.
Like others have said... won't do carry on. My guess is Fred mispoke but who knows.
I live in Italy and travel at least twice a year for hunting the USA,I love to support your economy,never had a problem since I send my bows on checked luggage.Last time I am been back with 16 bows,9 one piece,no problem.If you have to change airplane and the time between the flights is short your luggage can arrive with later flights and sometime a couple of days later.Fred was not wrong at his time was possible to store on your carryon things that now don't pass though
Ol' Fred ain't been on a plane in a very long time, times dey have changed! Took alot o things on the plane back in the day, not no mo!
Do not try to carry any of your gear on the plane.. Too scary to think about what could be taken away by security.. Plan ahead and pack the bow deep in a big duffle buried under clothes (for safty).. If security needs to check it they will include a "TSA slip" in your bag stateing that it was indeed checked.. I've flown alot with my bows and never had any issues.. Archery gear is considered Sporting equipment (just like Skis)and included in your free baggage allotment.
I'm certain that Fred was referring to checked baggage, not carry on. He will often get excited on his show and do or say something crazy. Ever noticed? You can always e-mail him with the question. Bet you get an answer too. With that said don't even think about putting your bow/arrows/broadheads/field points, etc. in your carry on.
I've traveled with my takedown recurve several times. You have to declare it and leave the case unlocked so TSA can inspect it if they want to. The first few times, there was no problem. The last time I traveled with it, TSA apparently took out the bow and then just tossed it back in the case, not bothering to put the limbs and riser in the special cutouts in the foam that fit them. As a result, there were dings on the riser and limbs from where my bowsquare or something was forced against it when they closed the case. I've decided that it's worth my effort in the future to send the bow ahead by UPS.
What about just the riser as carry-on? I'm planning on going to Africa and am taking my takedown with 2 sets of limbs and 2 sets of arrows. One set of each in each of my wifes luggage and one in mine just in case they "misplace" a suitcase. The only way this would work is for me to carry the riser as carry-on as I only have one riser. Basically, I would be only carring on a piece of wood!!
bushwackerbill, I would be afraid that one of the TSA's would consider the riser as a potential weapon, a club, and not let you on with it. I once was not allowed on a plane with a fishing reel because they said that the string could be used as a weapon to choke someone.
I was going to have it OK'd before I went. It seems a little over the top but whatever. My daughter flew home at Christmas with knitting needles and that was no problem. Very strange.
Bushwackerbill, OK'd by who?
I was going to contact the airline to get their policy on carryons. I figured if she could bring a pair of 1 ft long knitting needles a 1 ft long chunk of wood shouln't be a problem. I brought back a 1 litre bottle of Kahlua from Mexico in Jan and had no problem with that. As far as being used as a weapon it would be far better than a bow riser in my opinion, far heavier and sharper when broken!
Even if the web site says it is OK the regs are up to the person at the counter who may not even know-and won't care if the airline even has a web site. Send it ahead by USPS or FedEx and don't worry about the airline.
Bjorn's right. The TSA people generally won't even know what a riser is and whether it should be allowed or not. They make a snap decision and whatever they determine is the "rule" of the day. One might not look twice at it, the next might toss it out. Trying to win that arguement while trying to catch a plane could turn into an excercise in frustration.
The bottle of Kahlua probably shouldn't have made it through. Just another good example of sometimes things do, other times they don't.
Shipping ahead is the safest, beyond that I would put it in checked bags and hope like heck it shows up. A backup riser in your wife's bag would sure be good insurance.
Good stuff guys, thanks a lot. I'm going to check it, and bury it between a bunch of clothes. I know how those airline employees take extra special care to handle suitcases gently. :rolleyes:
If you put it in a suitcase make sure it locks, lots of thieves working for the airlines...PR
I hate TSA. I take lots and lots of plane rides. Here at my local airport I have no problem with the way I carry a firearm and ammo together. All by TSA regs. In Dallas though you get more TSA people with ZERO common sense I have to explain thier own regs to them and have them look it up.
My point is there is NO consistancy with the hires. If you have to question it, just check it. One might say it's fine and one might confiscate a riser or something.
I'll be flying with mine in a few weeks and I'll put the limbs and riser in the bags they came in and cousion with clothes so the monkeys that handle the bags don't mess it up.
I'll probably just end up mailing my bow then, In the last year traveling with the airline with all the animals on the rear end I have had SEVERAL things STOLEN from both me and My girlfriend, Including Christmas gifts and Boots.. Then the airline essentially does nothing about it...Once it's gone.. It's gone...
Back in the 70's I carried on a one piece Pearson Colt. No cover, just the bow and stuck it in the overhead.
Things sure have changed........
I flew home from Eureka, CA a week and a half ago with a take down riser in my carry on without being asked any questions on United Airlines. I don't know if my point of going through security would make a difference or not but, the Eureka airport is very small. I'm thinking if my flight would have started in SanFransico I may not been allowed to take the riser in my carry on.
QuoteOriginally posted by Matty:
I'll probably just end up mailing my bow then, In the last year traveling with the airline with all the animals on the rear end I have had SEVERAL things STOLEN from both me and My girlfriend, Including Christmas gifts and Boots.. Then the airline essentially does nothing about it...Once it's gone.. It's gone...
Don't even get me started. Grrrrrr!!!
Yep I lost a digital camera a few years back...
Update: I'm back from Ohio and I put my bow in my checked luggage. No damage, and no hassle.
you will have it checked in . otherwise it aint going to happen. marco
In flying to tournaments over the last few years this is what I do. I have a small padded case for my takedown. My suitcase is large enough that I put the case in plus my arrows in an MTM arrow case. If you angle the arrow case just right it fits with no problems in the suitcase. I have never had a problem on any airline with this setup.
My T/Ds fit in my arrow cases they are Hard Plastic, with Locking tabs Will that work? I think it should all fit in my luggage but just looking for options