First of all, thanks to all for your advice.

Bob H, My plan is similar to what you did on your trip. Im Taking a large cooler out as luggage with my grip or other bag inside.
I booked on United and they allow (overweight)up to 99 lbs for a fee of $25.
Extra bags are 80 bucks.

The boned out weight and first hand experience was what I was looking for and you confrimed a lot of my ideas and answered a lot of my questions.

Thanks Bob F