So I leave in a week to go to florida for a hog hunt is there anything I should be cautious or aware of when taking a bow? This is my first time taking a bow as luggage. Any response would be helpful. Is there stuff I should keep here and buy down there for less hassle? Sent from a note in a bottle.
Hard case for sure and extra time to check it, you can lock the case and the airline may also put a tamper proof closure on it or they may just seal it with tape.
Yes, a hard case is a must, but a bow just goes like any other luggage, no extra time needed. Just leave it unlocked, they won't mess with anything. I've flown to Alberta 5 times (20 flights) with my bow and never had any issues in that regard. Enjoy your hunt!
Air Canada. I had no paperwork to deal with either, like the gun hunters had. I went through much more quickly.
You might pack some of your hunting clothes around it in the case to help give you some extra padding and shock absorption.
I was just telling my buddy this morning that we should head to florida for hogs. Havent decided if we`ll drive or fly, but the whole bringing the bow on the plane makes me a bit nervous. When are u leaving?
I flew from Chicago to San Antonio with two bows in a single case. It was a nice skb case. Oddly, the check-in in Texas seemed more concerned about the bows than the agents at o'hare. But it was easy and no big deal. Just be sure to read all the airline specifics before you go.
How much do you want to spend? I really like SKB cases but they are not cheap. Plano is making some nice cases these days too. I have only flown once with a bow. Not a hunt but last year US Airways sent me to Phoenix for a week and I took my bow to shoot in the evenings. I had to open the case in front of the agent and lock it back up with him there. That may just be a US Air thing I don't know. I no longer work there or I would ask around for you. Several other guys in engineering there bowhunted.
I don't think that's just a US Air thing, Air Canada made me open my case a couple of times, but I still went through much faster than the gun hunters. I agree, an SKB hard case is the real deal. I bought the "rectangle" case which has plenty of extra room to pack some clothing all around your bow to make it that much more protected. My case has 20 flights under it's belt without incident. It's like most things, you get what you pay for.
I fly to illinois every November. I recommend no broadheads in with bow. Put them in a BH case put the in ur other checked bag along with ANYTHING that could be use as a weapon.
I flew to the GTG last year from NC to IL and brought my bow in my SKB hard case. DON'T BOTHER LOCKING IT! They will open it and probably damage your locks. I asked the gate agent should I lock it and she said don't bother. So I didn't. I had my bow, arrows and quiver in it. I put my release and practice tips in my checked luggage. Everything went fine.
Yea, I mentioned leaving it unlocked in my post, That way "they" can open it when needed without hassle. You feel strange trusting something that isn't locked, but I have yet to have something missing from my unlocked case.
