I am traveling a trip up north. I am flying to Syracuse from Jackson MS and then driving accross the border to Canada. I called the airline about checking baggage and they told me that they would charge $125 each way for my bow. The bow case I have measures 65 inches and the airline says anything over 62 inches is oversized. Has anyone had any experience with these crazy prices and how to get around them?
When I flew to KS, I shipped my bow UPS to the outfitter and he shipped it back. It cost $34 and can be less. I'm flying to WY and I'm shipping my bow UPS, may fly it back if I can't get it shipped back.
Your best bet is to fly southwest. I fly a lot for work, and they let you check in 2x seperate bags. On the way back from the GTG, I checked in 2x bags including my bow case and another with a huge rock in it, and both were checked for free.
Check different carriers baggage policies...Rick is right, Southwest does not charge extra baggage. I noticed that when I was looking into flying to New Mexico.
Whatever you do don't fly United. They've stuck it to every hunter that I know that has ever flown them. I usually air frieght my excess gear but UPS may be a better option down there as long as you've got someone to receive it.
I have used a double SKB case in the past, without being charged the excess fees. Be friendly, keep it under weight for sure, and if possible check it at the curb and tip the guy $10, and it won't be charged. I am using this case again to head up to Alaska here in 2 weeks. After that trip, I am switching to a drop bottom rolling duffel bag. Put your bow in the bottom, pad it with clothes, and close it up putting the rest of your gear up top. It eliminates an extra piece of luggage, and getting it in drab colors will eliminate getting singled out for being a hunter or having to argue whether your case is guns or a bow. Just check it as normal luggage and move on. I have talked with guys who have traveled all over the world on 50+ trips using this method, and have had zero problems. They say in other countries the authorities bribe you to retrieve your weapon case for you, so they bypass this by tucking the bow in normal looking luggage.
I would feel extremely uncomfortable packing my bow and arrows in a piece of luggage like I was trying to conceal it (which you are), then trying to get it onto a plane. Call me paranoid about being detained and arrested.
A bow does not need to be claimed, locked, reviewed, etc. It is NOT a firearm, it is treated the same as a knife, or any other item allowed in checked luggage but not carry on. It would be no different than packing clothes around your bow in a bow case, only with an extra bowcase you are paying extra baggage fees with almost guaranteed overage fees. If you are breaking no rules, or hiding anything not allowed on the airlines, they have no right nor need to detain you..in fact, you would never have to work another day in your life if they were ever stupid enough to do that. Taken directly from the TSA website: "Bow and Arrows - Bows and arrows are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners." Trad archers do it all the time with break down recurves/longbows. It isn't "hiding" anything if the item is allowed. In checked luggage, a bow is no different than a hair dryer or a golf club.
Luggage Tembry has a good handle on it. Rules for firearms don't apply to bows. One of the best things you can do before flying is checking and reading the TSA web site.
I travel all the time with my dbl SKB bow case. I have not run into a problem getting all of my gear there and back in a single case. I wear my coat/boots on the plane and stuff a camera bag and carry on with more gear. It is very doable if you are staying with someone or hoteling it. If camping gear becomes necessary, then two bags will be required. Sometimes there's no way to get around it. Be smart as you pack though (leave the kitchen sink at home). Ask yourself, "what can $100 buy when you get there?" Go this route and you'll save $150. If you're lucky enough to get an animal, take it to a taxidermist. If he's a good guy, he'll mail you everything (tanned cape and horns), including all your new purchases, within six months. What airline are you flying?
Yes, just went back and forth to Syracuse in May. No excess for the SKB double bow case but I did have to pay extra baggage for the second piece of luggage from Kodiak to Seattle and again from Seattle to NY when I changed airlines because they wouldn't check my bags all the way through on the way down due to a long layover in Seattle. Then charged again for both the 1st and 2nd piece from NY back to Ketchikan so I got soaked 3x's in excess fees for what used to be included in the ticket price. Thankfully Alaskan Air doesn't charge any fees for up to 3 pieces if you stay in AK so I got back from Ketchikan to Kodiak free of fees.
I guess it is safe to say that we might pay for the extra carry on, but so far no one that I can tell has been charges the exorbinate fees for an oversized case.