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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bobaru on September 06, 2013, 08:20:00 AM

Title: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bobaru on September 06, 2013, 08:20:00 AM
Does anyone have any experience taking a one piece recurve as carry-on luggage when flying?  Perhaps in a recurve sock?

I see people carrying guitars and such onto planes, and wondered if I could do the same with my recurve. That would save me buying a take-down or shipping my bow ahead of my hunt.  

If not, how do you guys with one piece recurves get your bow to your hunt when you have to fly?
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Rick Richard on September 06, 2013, 08:24:00 AM
I have been travelling recently with a bow and if I remember correctlty per the regs you have to check it as "Checked Luggage"...can't take it aboard.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bobaru on September 06, 2013, 09:53:00 AM
Rick:  You check your bow into baggage?  Do you have a hard case for it?  Any damage? Or is yours a take-down?
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bear Heart on September 06, 2013, 10:11:00 AM
Can't take as carry on. If a takedown put it with you other gear.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: McDave on September 06, 2013, 10:18:00 AM
I believe Rick is right about having to check a bow.  At least that's the way it was the last time I flew with one.  Ironically, I've had more problems using the hard cases with cut out foam slots than ones without the slots, even though theoretically they should offer more protection.  This is because the TSA opens the case and takes the pieces out of the slots and doesn't try very hard to get them back in the slots, so they end up jammed against whatever else is in the case, like arrows, bow square, whatever.  My best luck has been the tubular cases with sleeves for the limbs.  But I don't put anything in the bow case that might scratch the bow, even if I pack it so it won't scratch it.  Frankly, I would worry about traveling with a one piece bow, unless I had a sturdy one piece tube to put it in.  Since the dimensions would be irregular, you might want to check in advance to see what the charges would be.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Rick Richard on September 06, 2013, 10:19:00 AM
Mine is a takedown and I just pack it in a plastic arrow case in a bag as checked baggage....no issues thus far.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bear Heart on September 06, 2013, 10:39:00 AM
I always mail a one piece ahead of me. Much cheaper.  Reason why I will now only buy 2 & 3 piece bows.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Mitch-In-NJ on September 06, 2013, 10:47:00 AM
I put mine in a PVC tube with foam wrapping and ship it ahead.  Costs about $25 which is cheaper than most baggage fees plus I don't have to lug it around.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Blackhawk on September 06, 2013, 11:41:00 AM
I tried to board a plane with a takedown but was told it was dangerous because I might shoot my arrows at someone.  

When I informed the agent that arrows were in checked luggage, he replied:  

"Yeah, but you could shoot a pencil!"

 :saywhat:  

There's no sense debating with folks like that, so just check it.  :deadhorse:
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Hermon on September 06, 2013, 11:43:00 AM
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Dirtybird on September 06, 2013, 11:48:00 AM
Yeah you can't even take the riser with you on the plane if you had a takedown.  It's considered a Blount object that could be used to harm someone.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: duncan idaho on September 06, 2013, 11:52:00 AM
No, You cannot take a take-down in carry on luggage. They are banned on every airline  I am familar with as a "weapon". In the Middle East they will seize them and will not give them back.

In Europe they will probably lock you up for terrorism, especially the Netherlands.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bobaru on September 06, 2013, 12:11:00 PM
Well, then....  Thanks for the answers.  I guess when I go out west next year, I will either have to mail my bow ahead of time, or get me a take down bow.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Dirtybird on September 06, 2013, 12:18:00 PM
You can take the one piece you just need a case for it.  My brother flys all the time with his bow in a long case.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Dirtybird on September 06, 2013, 12:23:00 PM
http://www.neet.com/Assets/products/bow_cases/hsrc.gi
This is a link to the case my brother uses for his one piece.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Dirtybird on September 06, 2013, 12:24:00 PM
If the link doesn't work just google neet recurve bow case.  He's been using that case for over ten years now with no problems.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bobaru on September 06, 2013, 04:54:00 PM
Thanks Dirtybird!!!

I've been scrounging for over a year trying to solve this problem.  Neet does offer a hard case, even though most dealers don't show the offering.  So, I called Bullseye Archery down the road in Bloomfield, and Rich is seeing about getting one for me.  ... I just hope they still make them - but they are shown in the catalogue.

Again, thanks.  That solves my problem without my having to buy another bow.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bobaru on September 06, 2013, 04:55:00 PM
Thanks Dirtybird!!!

I've been scrounging for over a year trying to solve this problem.  Neet does offer a hard case, even though most dealers don't show the offering.  So, I called Bullseye Archery down the road in Bloomfield, and Rich is seeing about getting one for me.  ... I just hope they still make them - but they are shown in the catalogue.

Again, thanks.  That solves my problem without my having to buy another bow.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bobaru on September 06, 2013, 05:04:00 PM
Here's the official word:  Neet says their dye broke, and it would have been too expensive to fix, so they discontinued the item.  They took our number in case they happen to come across one last lone case laying back in the warehouse somewhere.  So, well see, and/or back to square 1.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Bobaru on September 06, 2013, 05:05:00 PM
Here's the official word:  Neet says their dye broke, and it would have been too expensive to fix, so they discontinued the item.  They took our number in case they happen to come across one last lone case laying back in the warehouse somewhere.  So, well see, and/or back to square 1.
Title: Re: Recurve as Carry-on Luggage on Plane
Post by: Shawn Leonard on September 06, 2013, 05:13:00 PM
Mail it, simple and will cost ya about $30. Not so hard, and less hassles. Shawn