SAGE Ballistic rod case - traveling question - will it fit inside a plane ?

Call the airline, whether it fits really doesn't matter it's up to the airline. Print the response and take it with you. Flight attendants may make you gate check it if you make it that far. First class shouldn't be a problem. Been there done that. Rods in socks only is just asking for broken rods. Put them in PCV tubes. TSA hates metal rod tubes.

Agree, it's up to the airline. eBags has a chart showing the different "rules" by airline, seems the most common measurement is total linear dimension not to exceed 45 inches, but as mentioned print out policy as its a crap shoot if gate agent knows or not. Based on your dimensions above, you might be in trouble, but I've seen some 9ft 2 piece tubes allowed so give it a shot. Also, take a fabric measuring tape with you to "prove" you are in policy, sometime you can win that argument. Another thing to check is that SeatGuru will have the specific dimensions for the overhead configuration of your flight, 737 should have big enough compartments but check to be sure. Also eastcoast is right, never have issue when sitting in front of the bus, even had them put tubes in closet for me, sometimes is worth the upgrade. I feel your angst, going to WV next week for week of smallmouth fishing, been agonizing over my carry on for days. Good luck

This is from the Alaska Airlines site:

The following items may count as your one carry-on bag, and may exceed the standard carry-on dimensions as long as they can be safely stowed in the cabin of the aircraft.

• Human organs
• Art/advertising portfolios
• Paintings
• Delicate scientific equipment
• Fishing poles
• Small musical instruments

You're only allowed one carry-on bag, plus a personal item. So if you're traveling with fly rods and human organs, you'll need to check one of those.

Look at it this way. What do they allow to be carried on? well wedding dresses and strollers are able to be carried on so way I see it so long as the case does not exceed these dimensions you are fine.

Oh I also flew Air Canada Rogue (French for crap) and Air New Zealand while bringing one 4 piece 9'8wt along. No problems with carrying on.

nb_ken said:

This is from the Alaska Airlines site:

The following items may count as your one carry-on bag, and may exceed the standard carry-on dimensions as long as they can be safely stowed in the cabin of the aircraft.

• Human organs
• Art/advertising portfolios
• Paintings
• Delicate scientific equipment
• Fishing poles
• Small musical instruments

You're only allowed one carry-on bag, plus a personal item. So if you're traveling with fly rods and human organs, you'll need to check one of those.

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I always crack crack up when they ask if I have any human organs, no I'm a Alien !

Bottom line is, unfortunately, you'll find out when you get there.

Fed-X, or UPS it to a trusted source at your destination.

east coast said:

Call the airline, whether it fits really doesn't matter it's up to the airline. Print the response and take it with you. Flight attendants may make you gate check it if you make it that far. First class shouldn't be a problem. Been there done that. Rods in socks only is just asking for broken rods. Put them in PCV tubes. TSA hates metal rod tubes.

Click to expand...

^This!

I have carried on 2-piece single hand rods before, about 56" (Alaska airlines), but 6 rods is a lot..... You might have to check that whatever you do. If I absolutely needed to bring 6 rods, I would probably go to the hardware store and make a tube out of 6"-8" pvc, wrap the rods well in bubble wrap, and just check the thing like a bag.

The Sage Ballistic case has a thin 1/4" black plastic pipe 4 feet long running under the nylon - would that hold up to baggage checkin ?
Do the baggage handlers separate the case like they do when they transport golf bags or ski/snowboards ???

yes they should separate it out. You can go with it to TSA when they inspect it and then lock it. I've heard stories of empty rod cases showing up. I've done it with a 14'3" 3 piece and it arrived fine. East Coast to Anchorage

4sallypat said:

The Sage Ballistic case has a thin 1/4" black plastic pipe 4 feet long running under the nylon - would that hold up to baggage checkin ?

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I have checked rods in tubes similar to that, and they made it just fine. However, 6 rods would concern me more. That is a bunch of $$$ riding in a single tube if they get lost or broken. If you are going to check them, maybe take one out and carry it on as your personal item in it's own tube. That way you would at least have a rod you can fish with and save your trip if something happens to the others.

4sallypat said:

The Sage Ballistic case has a thin 1/4" black plastic pipe 4 feet long running under the nylon - would that hold up to baggage checkin ?
Do the baggage handlers separate the case like they do when they transport golf bags or ski/snowboards ???

Click to expand...

What airline? When I have flown Southwest to go trout fishing in NM and CO, they treat my rod as an oversized/odd-shaped item and separate it from the rest of the baggage. When I flew Alaska to AK, I seem to remember seeing rods on the luggage carousel with everything else. I didn't check a rod on that trip though so I could be wrong... I think your best bet is to call your airline and discuss it with them.

The T.O. Show said:

I have checked rods in tubes similar to that, and they made it just fine. However, 6 rods would concern me more. That is a bunch of $$$ riding in a single tube if they get lost or broken. If you are going to check them, maybe take one out and carry it on as your personal item in it's own tube. That way you would at least have a rod you can fish with and save your trip if something happens to the others.

What airline? When I have flown Southwest to go trout fishing in NM and CO, they treat my rod as an oversized/odd-shaped item and separate it from the rest of the baggage. When I flew Alaska to AK, I seem to remember seeing rods on the luggage carousel with everything else. I didn't check a rod on that trip though so I could be wrong... I think your best bet is to call your airline and discuss it with them.

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I am flying Air Canada.

Very good ideas! Yes I will carry one single rod in it's case for a carry on (the shortest is a 7wt switch rod in a 38" long tube) just in case my bulk tube doesn't make it...

Just came back from week of small mouth fishing on Shenandoah and didn't have any issue with carry on. They gave me a tag on the DCA-JAX leg to gate check but I carried it on anyway with no issues. Equipment was CRJ-700 and my 31 inch case took just a little more than 1/2 the bin width-wise.

Thanks everyone.
Will report back after the trip.