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Thread: Air travel and rod tubes...

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  1. #1

    Default Air travel and rod tubes...

    I've searched the forum and found nothing recent on this topic - I am leaving from Michigan through O'Hare for Colorado on Thursday (it's Tuesday morning now) and was blithely thinking I would just carry on my 7' 2 piece bamboo rod in a 44" aluminum rod tube. Then it dawned on me - I travel a lot and don't recall ever seeing anyone carry on something that size. Has anyone got some wisdom for me that is current, up-to-date? Most posts are 4 years old and TSA changes things constantly. Thanks!
    Bob

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Haven't travelled with a 2 pc rod since 9/11. Last time I did, flying out of Dulles, I had to check it; switched planes at Minneapolis and saw about 10 people carrying 2 pc tubes around the terminal. Like you said, TSA changes their rules at a whim and they stopped using logic the day they came up with their 3 letter acronym. You might get through with a pvc tube, although I doubt it; don't think you stand a chance with aluminum. Hope you prove me wrong. Have a great trip.

    Regards,
    Scott

  3. #3
    NewTyer 1 Guest

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    I'm not sure about something in aluminum and two piece but travel rods are no trouble. Call your airline and explain you situation and I'm sure they will let it on after a brief in search. If you have a cordora tube, it might help.

  4. #4
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    TSA will not have an issue except for the metal rod tube. Metal tube = blunt weapon you could bludgeon somebody with.

    The airline might have a problem with the length of the tube in the overhead. I'd also imagine that the plane from Michigan to O'hare will be quite small, so you'll probably have to drop it off before stepping on to the plane.

    Having done it myself, I'll bet there will be a lot of rods on the plane out of Chicago.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steven View Post
    TSA will not have an issue except for the metal rod tube. Metal tube = blunt weapon you could bludgeon somebody with.
    Having been hit over the head with 1 1/2" pvc tube (don't ask), I can tell you it's just as good a bludgeon as aluminum. Someone should put together a TSA Greatest Hits article; one of my favorites was not allowing flyreels in carry-on because the line could be used to strangle someone. TSA is an endless source of amusement, unless your on the receiving end of one of their 'episodes' in which case it's an endless source of frustration, anger and anxiety.

    Regards,
    Scott

  6. #6
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    Sometimes you get lucky. I was carrying on a guitar (admittedly this was years ago) and the attendant was demanding that I check it which, having heard the horror stories, I was very reluctant to do. The captain asked, "What have you got in there?" Martin D-28, I replied. He said, "I'm a player myself. That's a nice guitar. Why don't you let me carry that up in the cockpit for you?" Handed it out to me at the end of the flight.
    There have never in history been so many opportunities to do so many things that aren't worth doing. - William Gaddis

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