Thanks again for all of the input. I made it out and back without a hitch - checked it as baggage inside a very large, old rod case as shown in one of my earlier post replies on this thread. It was ugly but functional. That cost me an additional fee for another checked bag but no hassles. Next up is a trip to Montana in September and I might dispense with the checked bag and just buy a Cordura-wrapped rod case and carry it on. The United flight direct from O’Hare to Bozeman HAS to be familiar with fly rod cases, right?
You’re talking TSA and United, right? Two entities in which I have no faith. Glad your trip went off hitchless.
Regards,
Scott
Just got back from Montana - took the rod on the plane in a cordura 44" case and no one batted an eye. In fact, I saw a guy take on board a 4" diameter ‘PVC hardware-store special’ homemade case without a problem. In an interesting twist of fate regarding this topic, I heard a first-hand account of a poor guy who tried to foolproof the issue by shipping his gear out ahead of time. The delivery guy couldn’t find the right place to drop off the package so he just left it at the gate of a nearby campground. Luckily, someone found his stuff and got it to the right place for hm…
Agree…it’s all in flux and depends on who is at the check-in.
Went to Belize in 2009 and two of us had the exact same 4-rod travel cases.
I went thru, no problem. The other guy in the next line had to check his. Go figure.
Hope you have a great trip.
striper33
Did the guy who checked his get them back? Miami used to have the worse problem with theft from passenger bags in the country. I have no idea if it has improved or not. A baggage claim thief might have a buddy on the front end to funnel stuff his way. I know I lost a camera and some souvenirs from Chile the last time I coming back from down there.