I'm going to KS in November (flying) and can't decide whether I should check my bow (I have a skb case that insures everything in the case up to $1500) or ship the bow before heading out. For those who travel with their bow each year how do you do it? The airlines scare me. Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
The SKB case should protect your bow just fine. I would recommend taking your sight off though. Re-install it when you get to your destination-sight in too! Baggage handler, for some reason, have the urge to body slam things. Bow sight take the brunt of the damage. Carry your sight in your carry on luggage. In a good case, your bow should be able to tolerate the rest.. . Best of luck on your trip. Make sure we see the pictures!
My dad and I share a double SKB case, flew to Saskatchewan this past fall with it. I handled the trip fine. I would never ship it personally. I have seen the baggage handlers heave our gun cases, im talking 15ft, and dent the hell out of our metal gun cases, but I would still rather have my bow on the plane.
I flew with mine but my bow didn't arrive till the next day. I had a SKB case and everything was fine but it scared me when my bow didn't get off the plane when I did.
I have the double case as well. I was thinking about bringing 2 bows just in case. Or I would put my camo on the top half to add some padding. Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
I use a hard case and pack clothes around the bow to keep it from moving and add more padding. Never had a problem with taking mine on the plane.
Same here; "knock wood". I have had the handle ripped off my SKB case and the corners beat up on it but I've been lucky so far. September's flight from Kodiak to Australia with 10 total connections will be the true test of my luck.
I used to use a double skb case....but to avoid the non hunter workers body slamming my gear or drop kicking it out of the plane....I have recently started just using a large rolling duffel with a hard drop bottom....pack the bow in the bottom surrounded by clothes for padding and put rest of gear in top. Eliminates a whole checked luggage and flys your bow discretely where no one is any wiser. I'm more confident now than ever with flying my bow.
they throw regular luggage just the same, i personally like more rigidity surrounding my bow. also knowing that the SKB case is designed with this issue in mind helps, and their warranty adds a little extra piece of mind... even if it only replaces one of the bows in the double case. To each their own! if you're confident with it that's all that matters.
Definitely put it on the plane in a hard case. I was worried too, but it turned out fine. As for removing the site, Im not a fan of that. Thats going to throw things off, right from the begining. I'd rather keep it attached, and then just double check my site after landing.
Hey Buddy, so pumped for the Kansas trip! Since I'm gonna be hanging stands, setting up cameras, and planting food plots for your hunt I think you should mail me that new Z7X of yours a week or so early! It'd gimme a chance to play a lil bit. Maybe break her in with a doe to be sure she's shooting right. I promise I'll save you some backstrap!
I have had good luck flying with my SKB case. I've never had an issue. I really enjoy flying but hate the limitations it puts on gear I can take. If it's under 1400 miles I'm driving Dan
Wired, With a good dove tailed sight mount you can easliy remove your sight and re-install it within seconds. You'll be a huge fan the first time you open your case and find your sight bent, or worse yet, in pieces.
Will this post caused me to remember once when I was flying I removed my dovetail mount sight and put it in a separate small hard case to carry on. They sent it through X-Rays then pulled me over, unpacked the sight, asked what it was, and then brought several personell to examine it before they decided it was harmless. It's funny now! but at the time I was beginnning to wonder if I might have to go to plan B for a sight Dan
dont the bow cases you fly with have to be able for the airlines to open them whenever they want to? meaning that they have special/matching keys to be able to open your case? and if they do couldnt something come up missing or damaged that way?
Aryan, SKB bow cases have TSA approved locks on them. TSA can get in anytime they want. I generally stand there and watch TSA agents do their search. When they're finished, I witness the whole "we're done and your case is now locked" process. So far, all has been well. Dan, I've had two bad experiences when flying with my bow. The first occurred while flying to Texas for a hog hunt. I had left my sight on the bow, and when I arrived in Austin, both my sight and TM hunter rest looked like someone had taken a hammer to them. The second occurred during a trip to New Zealand. I had a very nice Aluminium hard case. When I arrive in Christchurch, my case was delivered to me in five (yes, five) pieces. Air Zealand played the "not responsible for damaged luggage" card. I was livid! Thankfully, my bow went unharmed... Never take the gorillas who work for airlines as gingerly! My sight goes in with my carry -on gear. Oh yeah, I did have a set of allen wrenches taken from me. TSA claimed "tools" were not allowed on the plane. That was right after they let granny on the plane with 16" knitting needle right in front of me. Travel with a backup bow to hedge your luck.....
