Traveling with Climbing Equipment

Marden

Marden

Location
Long Island, New York
Sorry if this topic has been asked before. I would like to do some traveling and climb on the road, but don't know if my gear would be legal or safe to take on airlines.

How do you pack equipment to take on a flight ?

Do you try to carry on as much as possible ?

If you check things into baggage, do you find your gear arrives without any problems ? Damage ? Theft ?

Do you need to notify the airline what you are bringing onboard ?

-Michael
 
Marden,

For reference, I travel with climbing equipment a great deal. Last year saw me sling a bag of equipment on the scale at check-in a dozen times or more. Some airlines will ask if there are tools in the bag. I tell them climbing equipment. Seems to satisfy their curiosity about the clanging and weight. (I believe tools and such need to go,through different X-Ray, but am not sure)

Don't try to carry anything on board except PPE if you think it necessary. It never works out and will really slow you through security with explanations and the possible risk of having to go back or trash it.

So if you are going to fly with it, check it with baggage.

I generally clip everything together I can and try and stuff lanyards, slings and the like into small pouches. I try to use the "softer stuff" and/or clothes to pad things as best as possible.

I have never had anything taken or broken, but it gets opened and inspected almost every time, espicially international travel, so don't try and lock it all up. Pelican cases work well to protect everything.

Rope seems to be the heaviest single item, so I try and arrange to borrow some and not travel with it.

Having said all that, if possible I find shipping it to be more cost effective, plus I can insure it if I want. Again, Pelican cases work very well for this. The down side is it takes planning and time. Sometimes I don't have the shipping option.

Good luck,

Tony
 
When I traveled to Canada from the US I used my mesh gear bag from MEC. It's extremely durable and inexpensive. Because its partially transparent there is less propensity to open it and unpack it. No use locking it as that will be broken if it is opened for inspection when you're not present. Weight is one of the big factors. If you're over you'll pay quite a bit but, the gear is with you when you land.

If swords are permissible in checked baggage then all of our gear is too, including the handsaw. My chainsaw stayed at home as it was a bigger hassle to travel with and my client had his own (Urban forest restoration company).

Enjoy!
 
That sounds like sage advice. I figured bringing this to the airport might cause some questionable looks. It's good to hear they will let you onboard with your gear as long as you are not carrying any sharp objects.

-Michael
 
Once I carried on all my gear stuffed in a rope bag. They did not like it. Opened it up to look at caribeeners. Next time I checked it. They opened it up and it was disrupted, and I worried about it the whole time. I dont know which is better.
 
100 posts! I am in the club.
grin.gif
 
You won't have any problem, I've carried big slingshots etc. in my checked in luggage. Pack smart so stuff doesn't rattle around too much. My checked in climb gear has been inspected many times by TSA, they leave a note letting you know they inspected it. Don't make the mistake of carrying on throw bags, they don't like things the x-ray can't see through, it will delay you a lot as they all stand around and stare at them ;-)
 
I've shared this tip in every traveling climbing gear thread.

Have a copy of a gear catalog put at the top of your bag and carry one with you if you have any carry-on. If the TSA inspectors see the catalog it will decode what they're looking at.
 
Mine got lost in Hawaii in 07 , it evidently flew back to La without me.Then It was lost again in 2009 coming back from Providence. Luckily they found it both times and had it back to me in a couple days. Nothing was missing either time
 
I always link up carabiners and carry them on.
X2 on Tom D's gear catalog suggestion I've used it several times and it certainly hasn't hurt.
What costs more-1 overweight bag or 2-3 within allowable range?
 
Regarding overweight bag watch out. Bixler and I traveled near the same time and he said by text that he was overweight by a certain amount on the way back and the lady checking him in just let him skate. I was a little lax as a result and my check in person said, “You can pay $68 more or you can go over there and lighten your check in luggage.” I tossed a couple of pieces of near worn out work cloths, moved some steel and 120 feet of rope over to my carry on luggage.
 
I did a lot of traveling in the 90's and up to 2009. I always liked using my own climbing line, it traveled with me in a checked duffle. The airlines are usually pretty strict on the 50 lb limit. Once you got to 50,000 travel miles, which is now 100,000, and maintained it, the major airlines would let the 50 lb limit go a little over. Shipping rigging gear was very economical for me. Toting two 50 lb checked bags, a carry-on and a laptop gets old very quickly.
 
I always start chatting up the person weighing my gear then do the foot lift trick to knock a couple pounds off my check in luggage which is always over weight.
 
A friend of mine was moving out of the country and flying 4 extra big bags. We tipped the skycap $50 and he put them all through at no extra charge. That was pre-911 though.

I just trash picked a big 3 compartment tennis racquet soft case, that looks like it has room for everything. Has back pack straps..
 
I honestly don't think they care. I flew this last week with a full set of gear in my carry on. it weighed in at about 80 lbs. (way over weight) oh and I had 15 full HAAS kits. in there as well. they did not even think of stopping it for a second look. they did however give my pfanner pants a serious pat down.
 
coveforest said:
Anyone tried flying with the APTA?
Click to expand...

You mean using it like a witch's broom? I have, but I couldn't get off the ground with it. I wasn't going to talk about it, but as long as you brought the subject up....

I guess I was afraid you guys might think I was weird or something. It's such a relief to know that is not an issue.

Tim
 
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