Packing for a plane ride

[champ38]

I know Ive seen this mentioned before, but my search turned up little. Im starting to pack for a spring bear hunt and my flight leaves one week from tommorow bound for Idaho. Im taking my 2-peice longbow(62") and a dozen arrows, just wanted a few ideas on how to pack/protect these. Im flying Delta and, if Im not mistaken, limited to one carry on and one checked baggage. Thanks for the help, Shane

[Orion]

A piece of 4-6-inch PVC pipe will work fine.  Can cap the ends or just duct tape them.  I usually tape/tie it to my checked bag, which is usually a frame back pack.  That way you won't be charged for two.  They will not let you take it on the plane with you.  Must be checked.  Good luck.

[champ38]

Thanks Orion, How many arrows can you get in that PVC along with your bow ?   Im assuming you carry just one PVC tube. I would like to carry at least a dozen for plincking and ground squirells(sp?).

If you are taking one bow you should not have any problems getting your bow and a dozen arrows in a 4" PVC tube.

I used a 6" PVC tube for my bows (longbow and recurve) and got several other itmems in there with them on my trip to Canada last Oct.

Bisch

[Rob DiStefano]

all bowhunting tackle gear in the one cargo luggage, backpack for items to take in the cabin (be careful what you take into the cabin!!!).  

2pc t/d longbow in a thick doubled over t/d sock, sock in a 4" schedule 40 abs tube (lighter weight than pvc, still super strong) with screwed-in 1/2" plywood end caps.  18-24 arrows in a separate abs tube - remove heads if screw-in type.  

for my cargo luggage i use a large and rugged 1000 denier nylon 36" long duffle bag, padded on bottom and sides with thin but heavy 1/4" thick polyethylene sheet.  bow and arra tubes nestled within the hunting clothing.  

i've used this luggage for fly-out hunt trips from my home state (nj) to texas, wyoming, georgia with nary a problem and i have no concern when watching from the jet cabin as the baggage handler gorillas heave my duffle bag out of the cargo hold and land 8 feet down, smack on the runway tarmac.  hah!

[Horne Shooter]

All good suggestions above.  I do (however) always take an extra bow with me on any "out of town" trip.  If you break a limb or have any problems with your number one bow, it can ruin a trip if you don't have a backup.  Even if you don't have an extra bow-or room for one, make sure to take extra broken in/ready to shoot strings.  
On my trips I bring two take downs in the same padded case and put the case inside my duffle bag surrounded by my other equipment for extra protection.

[Whip]

I also use the large cargo duffel with PVC tubes containing the bow and arrows inside that.  Clothing packed all around uses all the available space as well as providing padding.  I personally don't like strapping the tubes to the outside of anything because they stick out and can catch on too many things when moving on the conveyors and through the system.  

On hunting trips I usually also check a second item (even though now it will likely cost extra)  My second "bag" is a cooler with wheels so that if I am successful I can bring it back loaded with meat.  If I need the additional space for more items like boots, etc, I take the cooler full but also include an extra empty soft duffel bag so that if I need the cooler space for meat I end up with three bags on the return trip.  The third bag can be shipped back UPS cheaper than checking a third bag on the way home.

[VTer]

Also headed on a plane in another week. Do some research on allowable luggage size.    I think most checked baggage cannot be more than 62 lineal inches WxHxL and 50lbs without overcost charges. It makes a difference when your trying to fit tubes inside your luggage. My arrow tube is 34", same as my duffel. I'm going to put my TD recurve inside of my lacross rubber boots padded w/ my wool socks inside of my duffel.

[champ38]

Thanks everyone.I picked up some 6" PVC today, and it looks like I do have enough room in it for 2 t/d longbows and a dozen arrows. This is my first time flying with   archery equipt, so I really appreciate the details in regards to  what i can and cant check, size , etc.... VTer, Any idea what the cost is for the over size luggage ?(Im on a pretty tight budget) Looks like Im going to be over the limit and Ive went strictly by the outfitters packing list. Thanks again everyone, Shane

[slivrslingr]

If you are going to be over the allowance, you might consider Fed Ex-ing some of the bulky, light stuff to your outfitter.  Make sure it's stuff that's replacable though, like sleeping bag, or heavy jacket, in case the shipper doesn't do their job.  Another option is to wear some of the bulky stuff on the plane, wear your boots and coat and make your carry on as full as possible.  Definately lay all your gear out and do some practice packings, changing how and what you put in your checked and carry on bags.  Most airlines charge $50-75 for an extra bag, oversize/overweight bags are charged depending on how much overweight you are, check your airlines website to confirm costs.  If you are only a couple pounds over, sometimes the clerks won't even bother, some are very strict though. A bathroom scale is your friend! If your bag is heavy, go prepared to pay and if you don't have to, smile and have a little extra cash in your pocket.  
A few more travel tips, put ALL your liquids/gels in your checked bag, toothpaste, eye drops, pit stick, etc.  Make sure any knifes, broadheads, judo and field points or scissors are in in the checked bag.  Once checked in, keep your ID and boarding pass together and easily accessable so you're not looking for them when you get to security.  If you wear your boots, don't lace them, so you can just slip them off at security.  Keep it simple and be organized.  
Good luck on your hunt!    

[Gatekeeper]

I choose not to trust the passenger airlines to get my gear to my destination. I'm paranoid that my gear will wind up far away from me and my final destination. What I have done in the past and plan to do in June is send my gear through a package carrier such as UPS or Fed-Ex. I like to send the items out so that the items will arrive at lease three days before me. This allows me time to track the items down and hopefully get them headed in the right direction if the carrier messes up.

Good luck on your hunt

[Paul Mattson]

I flew Delta last month.  They charge $15.00 per checked bag, no freebie.

[Ray Hammond]

I put my stuff in a soft side bow case and arrows in a light pvc tube..inside a large cabela's duffel. The bag is soft....having spent many years in the trucking industry one of the things you learn is that hard packaging can create its own difficulties....if there's no room for the bow to get "out of the way" or absorb the blow its gonna get broken.

The duffel has clothing loaded all around it and if struck by something, it moves with the blow. I think its a good solution. I've been on many many hunting trips that included multiple flights each...and have never broken anything.

In this day and age your stuff is also subject to some pretty close inspection. It's my feeling its easier for them to get at it, and put it back, in this set up than in a fully packed, "everything mustgo in its proper place or it will bulge out" type of situation.

[7eyes]

When flying internationally, do you have to claim your bow like a handgun or rifle?

[slivrslingr]

Not that I'm aware of.  My bow has gone back and forth from Japan many times and no one has ever hassled me about it.  The issue I have is that broadheads are illegal to possess here, so I have to make sure they stay back in the States.

[Rob DiStefano]

avoid packing 'critically' - meaning, having everything in yer luggage/bag carefully 'shoe horn' fitting gear in a particular place within the luggage/bag.  

at a really small wyoming airport the checkers completely took every piece of gear out of my duffle, pulled out limbs, risers, arrows, *everything* was taken apart, and i hadda intervene to get everything to safely back in the bag.