Hey all,

    I have a 4 ball bag, top lifts off with a shoulder strap and the shoes, the bottom is a roller bag where the handle only retracts half way. Will I have a problem in the airport checking my bags???

If it weighs over 50 lbs you will have to pay a fee.  I think it's around $25.  If it comes apart, they will make you separate it so they don't break it during transport.  And as we all know, they WILL break it.

Barracudabrian:

Hey all,

    I have a 4 ball bag, top lifts off with a shoulder strap and the shoes, the bottom is a roller bag where the handle only retracts half way. Will I have a problem in the airport checking my bags???

 I would suggest carrying on your shoes.  You can always buy new balls, but new shoes will kill you if things get lost at the airlines.  But we all know that an airline would never lose bowling stuff....

I had a two ball and a three ball bag roller last year. On the return trip I got my 2 ball bag, they lost my three ball bag which showed up two days later. I live an hour from the airport and they drove it to me.   A friend of that works at a different airport said most likely that it was left off the plane intently and the plane was most likely overweight.

 

Barracudabrian,

You should not run into a problem with the airlines although you may suffer from damage. The airlines have a policy that they will not cover damage to luggage with wheels.  Delta considered it to be odd sized so it had to be checked and picked up at a separate luggage carousel.  I would recommend that you buy a cheap belt or strap and strap the handle in the down position for your flights.  They have a tendancy not to work too well after the baggage handlers get through with them.  I would agree with other posters who indicated that they would carry on the shoes.  One less hassle if they lose the bag. 

Barracudabrian:

I have a 4 ball bag, top lifts off with a shoulder strap and the shoes, the bottom is a roller bag where the handle only retracts half way. Will I have a problem in the airport checking my bags???

 

When it comes to air travel, I always use worst case scenario.  For you, it's likely that they will consider that two bags.  If they are similar to those I saw several years ago, count on the handle breaking.

Three words ... Bowling Ball Express.  If you have the lead time to send them out, I would give that serious consideration.  Even if it's for two of the four, then you're down to two which can fit in the one bottom bag.  But then there's the handle ..

Good luck, Brian ... I hope everything makes it out there.  When are you bowling?

 

cheers 

Love2Bowl:

Three words ... Bowling Ball Express.  If you have the lead time to send them out, I would give that serious consideration.  Even if it's for two of the four, then you're down to two which can fit in the one bottom bag.  But then there's the handle ..

I agree with this. I have had to take 2 balls on the plane with me the last two years due to another tourney close to the Open. United will only allow 2 balls in a bag and they ask. PLUS, there is the 50 pound rule and many are not as nice by only charging $25... some can be $75.

My suggestion is to us BBE or ship to Old Hoop at the BTM or ship directly to your hotel if they don't charge a fee. Then use a bowling bag as a suitcase or buy some cheap two ball bags to carry for the event. I have a nice 4 ball inline roller that has withstood the airlines and it will work. A teammate has a bag that you have and Southwest destroyed it.

Best of Luck

Duds

I am Shooting this sunday night and monday morning.... Thanks for your input. . I took the cheap bag last year but it was a pain in the butt carrying four bowling balls all over the convension center.

 

Brian

Barracudabrian:

I am Shooting this sunday night and monday morning.... Thanks for your input. . I took the cheap bag last year but it was a pain in the butt carrying four bowling balls all over the convension center.

 

Brian ... I'm rolling team event Sunday night as well (lanes 29-30), but doubles late afternoon Monday.   I'll be setting up my shipment for BBE tomorrow morning, should make it out there for this weekend.

 

cheers

 

Brian

I just came back from Albuquerque and I brought down a 4 ball bag which seperated into 2 bags.  I had no problems whatsoever and I flew with Southwest.  Both bags came through without an issue.  I use 16 lb equipment as well, so weight is not an issue.  However, I agree with a previous poster in that you should store your shoes and other articles such as rosin, powder, cleaning supplies, towels, etc in your checked luggage, so they don't get confiscated by airport security.

totes are a good invention.

14# balls in a 3 ball tote are even better!

 14# balls in a 3 ball tote with detatchable shoe and accessory bags is the best.

"so they don't break it during transport"?  Believe me, if they want to, they can.

I really believe in SA wisdom on this one shoes are the most important thing. SA please don't loose our shoes.