have you packed a bow with clothing when flying without problems with the airline?
Yes, just put it in a take down soft case and pack it in the middle of your clothes. Arrows go in a case too and in the same suite case. Just don't go over the weight limit.
Arrows go in a round tube, take down goes in rolling duffle wrapped with the clothing I'm bringing to hunt in. I've done it this way for years now.
I always pack so that the bow stays in the middle of the pack as well, with lots of clothing(padding) around it.
I used to carry a hard take down case on my trips that held bow and arrows. With this system I have everything down to one checked bag and my carry-on.
Easier to handle thru the airport when by myself, and cheaper now as well with baggage fees.
x2 ARROWS IN A TUBE AND BOW WRAPPED IN CLOTHING. NEVER HAD AN ISSUE.
My suitcase is a 120Q cooler. Everything fits and is protected. Big duffle on the way back if the cooler is full of meat.
CJ
Yep. What they said. :)
Used to wrap my bows with clothes and an arrow tube. Worked fine. Switched to this arrow case in my duffle.Plenty of room for (2)2pc bows,a dozen arrows, extra bowstrings,points,broadheads,gloves,socks,etc (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/Shortbldtr/MTMArrowCase.jpg)
When I get to where I'm hunting all the stuff is in one container.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/DSC06851.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/DSC06853.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/DSC06856.jpg)
There is no way I would ever check my bow to those goons with it not in a hard case. Those aluminum cases soak up a lot of punishment...that one shown is a custom Americase; two other lesser cases have been destroyed by the baggage "handlers" over the years.
I have gotten a little lax recently and have turned an MTM arrow case into a bow and arrow case (as I see posted above) for my duffle, but I am not 100% confident with it.
I'd contact Rod at Safari Tuff [ a sponsor here on TG] He has an awesome closeout going on right now on some well padded T/D cases [ 3 pc RC, 3 pcs. LB, and for 2 PC LB ] that can easily protect your bow when padded in with your clothing... :thumbsup:
I carry my arrows in a adjustable length pastic tube designed for just that purpose, inside the bag also... I've never had a problem. However, I have not done near the airline travel experience with my gear that some here have.
BTW, I have two of them heading to my house as I write this. :jumper:
Gene
Schedule 20 PVC tube for arrows, schedule 40 tube for 2 piece TD longbow. Both fit inside duffle wrapped in clothes. I really think you could drive a pickup over the schedule 40.
i came up with a TD bow sock idea and had "Sac Up's" build a bunch of them for me. these fit right in your suit case or duffel bag and protect the bow just fine nestled in your clothes.
Shoot me an email and I'll get you fixed up with one of these post haste. :) Kirk
(http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u301/kirkll/BFB%20Asscesories/SANY0013.jpg)
TTT
Went to Africa and back w/Harrison Longbow and Knight recurve in one of the Cabela's rolling bags. The big green one. No problems.
Every year I take a longbow to MT and back to AK in an 80 quart cooler. Allows for lots of other stuff.
On a hunt to Texas, had my onepiece longbow case lock cut off and case damaged but the bow was not stolen. After a little fussin the case was paid for but they kept the damaged one. This was Continental Airlines.
Rob..................
This was before 9/11 and the strong handed TSA. I was told that after an investigation by Continental it was found that their employee in McAllen, Tx was guilty of stealing from checked baggage and fired.
QuoteOriginally posted by JamesV:
On a hunt to Texas, had my onepiece longbow case lock cut off and case damaged but the bow was not stolen. After a little fussin the case was paid for but they kept the damaged one. This was Continental Airlines.
according to the tsa, if it's not a tsa approved lock then they have the right to bust it open if need be. these dayze, i don't lock anything that goes into the cargo hold.
i use pvc tubes, one for the arras and the other for the 2pc t/d longbow, both nestled inside clothing, inside a big coleman wheeled duffle bag.
it's always a gamble with any shipping vendor, and that's no different from flying with yer gear riding underneath in the cargo hold ... heck, that might even be worse.
Although I've never traveled with a takedown bow I would be hesitant to store them between layers of clothes without some form of hard protection. I've had my baggage opened before with a tsa approved lock, rummaged through and a note left in the bottom of the bag with a letter stating that it had been randomly searched. If I'd had a takedown bow in there you can rest assured they wouldn't take the time to put it back as securely as I would have.
Dan
I use a seagbag. Boots on bottom, raingaer, bow and arrows in tube, all my clothes packed around the, pack on top. They are used to seeing military seabags so my bow travels safely, both internally and from outside interference
I have a large wheeled duffle bag that I carry my bow and arrows in along with my clothing. One piece of luggage.
I use small bubble wrap around the limbs and risers and keep the bows in the center of the bag surrounded by my clothing. The tube of arrows fits nicely, but snug on the sides. So far no one has questioned me.
I used to use and still have a hard bow case which holds my 2 bows and 2 dz arrows but just don't feel like having to open it up for inspection. Too many questions and tighter security make it impractical right now.
On occassion I have actually checked the bag that had my bows as a "firearm". It gets hand checked, sealed, and hand delivered and keeps some random uninformed and overzealous baggage handler from flagging it if they find a bow and don't know what to do with it...
I've travelled with mine in a softcase and surrounded by clothes in my suitcase and all was well. I sure like the idea of using a cooler for more protection though!
The nightmare was when my suitcase in which my bow was packed went to another country for a week. Got it back and all was well, but it was a prayer request for sure!
I had a video camera stolen out of my suitcase last time I flew within the States and my baggage missed a connecting flight. Not sure what a guy can do to protect his own stuff these days. I was out of luck without travel insurance.