$175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

I just booked my trip to Ohio in November with Delta airlines. I have flown there the last three years to bowhunt. I always check 2 pieces of luggage(suitcase &SKB rectangular bow case). I expected to pay the new $25 surcharge for the second piece of luggage, but the Delta agent saidany piece of checked baggage whose total dimensions(length+width+height) exceed 62 inches will be assessed $150 surcharge. Thats in addition to the $25 surcharge for the bow case being the second checked bag!

I have never been charged before for flying with the SKB rectangular bow case even though its total dimensions exceed 62 inches (46 L + 19 W + 7 H = 72inches)

Have any of you run into this problem yet this year with any airline ??

Thanks,
SS

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

I sure as heck hope not. That’s the case I fly with. A couple years ago I flew delta with no issues. I am flying NorthWest Airlines this year. I purchased my tickets early enough that I get the standard checked items with no extra charges.

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

Send it insured with UPS. It will have a lot less chance of getting lost, you will have a tracking number and know exactly where it is, there won't be 15 people opening the thing and rummaging throught it and it will be cheaper.

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

Good idea w/UPS. Check another airline.I believe that Southwestdoesn't charge for 2nd bag. They shouldn't charge you to cancel. Still might be cheaper to cancel than pay the 150.

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

That's what I fly with as well. I fly Air Canada anddidn't have that problem last year, but that's before fuel really went through the frigging roof!! I'll be looking into it though. I hate surprises!!![:@][:'(][:'(][>:]

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

They're just never good are they?[:@]

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

I just checkedmy situation out online. Air Canada says if you booked before May 15th you go by last years baggage regs. First 2 bags up to 50lbs are FREE. I booked in March, so I'm good to go!I'll pay$25 for being over weight, butI'm used to that.;):D

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

It could be that what he stated was policy but not practice. I know that I have called ahead in circunstances like that and have been told the same thing but when I got to the airport got charged nothing. It will all depend on who is checking you in.

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

All the airlines are now using the baggage trap to make extra money. If they didn't have bags going over the 62 inch rule, they'd lower it to 55. Your bag is just like selling a seat when none is available. I think a lot of folks will start shipping bows and clothes and boots UPS or FedEx or something. Much safer, easier on the equipment and it'l GET there. Seems like just about every hunting show lately someones bags, gun, bow or clothes got lost by the airline. I think it's probably some anti working at the airport and says, "watch this, this guy is going hunting in Maine. I'll send his bags and bowsto Portland, Oregon". Fill up the bow case with undies, clothes etc. When Len went elk hunting out west they shipped everything UPS to arrive just before they did. When they left, they put it back in the boxes and had UPS pick it up.

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

I shipped mine UPS to Colorado when I went out there 2 years ago and it worked out great. These airlines are trying trying to make up for the cost of fuel.

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

It should only be a $75 fee, according to ATA. Frontier Airlines told me they waive the fees for hunting equipment, so long as it is kept under the weight limit....they dont pay attention to baggage dimensions. Good thing, because my case is 81 linear inches and 33 lbs empty.[&:] But i could run over it with my truck going 60 and not even move my sights.;)

All I have to pay for my trip to SD is the $25 extra baggage fee for my bowcase being a 2nd bag.

Delta is a ripoff anyway. Their ticket prices for my trip were more than double what frontier charged me. Fly Southwest whenever possible, cheapest and great reward program.

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

My brother and I paid for a day of hunting in Africa while our bows were sitting in New York. The outfitter was kind enough to only charge us 1/2 the daily fee for that day. I'm really not sure how the bows never made it, we had a 14 hour layover and our other luggage made it fine. :eek:

Been going the UPS route since and have had no problems.

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

I took a hunting trip right after 9/11and did the UPS thing with my bow and arrow case. Got there as scheduled and there wasn't any damage. The airlines didn't have a surcharge then; I just didn't care to go through all the security hassle. I did it againon a spring hunt but had issues with the shotgun shell going through UPS. I endedhaving my buddy buy me a new boxbefore I arrived at camp and issue was solved.

Sending it through UPS or Fed Ex to ship your bow/gun/arrows is the way to go;)

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

I've flown several times and never ran into that, but I can't say it surprises me.

I'm sure it will be happening more often and with more Airlines than ever before.

It's one reason I prefer to drive, but that's just me. If I drive I can take a Truck load of goodies,and yeah I know it's not always feasible for everybody to drive.

Dan

RE: $175 surcharge for flying w/ SKB Rectangular Bow Case!!?
 

I always ship most of my clothes and bow via UPS...cheaper these days and the tracking gives me the extra confidence to not worry about the airline losing it. It cost me around $100 to ship to and from Kansas every year.