Checking boot bag on direct flight?

[mustski]

I always check. I even pack a boot strap because one time the airlines insisted my boot bag had to be gate checked. For the record. I have had gate checked bags become regular checked bags so be careful of that. I took the boots out of the bag, strapped them, threw my wallet and phone in my pocket, stuffed my purse in the boot bag, and called the boots my underseat personal item.

but it takes a minimum of 5 visits to the boot fitter and a boatload of work to get my left boot to fit well enough to have speed control. I’d rather lose all my luggage than my boots.

 

[scandium]

I could never check my boots. I've had too much done to them to be able to go back to rentals, and they are THE single most expensive piece of equipment I have by a long shot. I can always rent skis and have a great time, but I'd rather snowboard in rental boots than rent ski boots.

I also carry my helmet, goggles, merino mid layers and mittens in my boot bag and wear my ski jacket, pants, and compression base layers on the plane. With spare underwear. Just in case.

 

[MissySki]

I always check. I even pack a boot strap because one time the airlines insisted my boot bag had to be gate checked. For the record. I have had gate checked bags become regular checked bags so be careful of that. I took the boots out of the bag, strapped them, threw my wallet and phone in my pocket, stuffed my purse in the boot bag, and called the boots my underseat personal item.

but it takes a minimum of 5 visits to the boot fitter and a boatload of work to get my left boot to fit well enough to have speed control. I’d rather lose all my luggage than my boots.

I’ve carried my boots on, over my shoulder, with a personal item and carry on once. I was fully prepared to put them on my feet if need be, but no one said anything. Lol I’m like you in that rental boots just will not work for me. I need very specific work on my boots for my forefoot width, without that I cannot fit into the appropriate sized boot (for all other parts of my foot) and ski without excruciating pain.

 

[nopoleskier]

I’ve carried my boots on, over my shoulder, with a personal item and carry on once. I was fully prepared to put them on my feet if need be, but no one said anything. Lol I’m like you in that rental boots just will not work for me. I need very specific work on my boots for my forefoot width, without that I cannot fit into the appropriate sized boot (for all other parts of my foot) and ski without excruciating pain.

YES! Wear them vs lose them!! My niece was told her bag was over sized so she took the boots out and wore her ski boots onto the plane!

 

[Ski Sine Fine]

also carry my helmet, goggles, merino mid layers and mittens in my boot bag and wear my ski jacket, pants, and compression base layers on the plane. With spare underwear. Just in case.

Wait, wait, wait … did you just say you wear your ski pants on the plane?

 

[scandium]

Wait, wait, wait … did you just say you wear your ski pants on the plane?

Yes. The floral ones, not the insulated ones, rolled up so I don't trip!

 

[Amie H]

I've done both. Now I always check.

Tbh, even if my boots make it, I'm not going to wear rented ski clothes or a rented helmet (yuck.)

I almost always have to travel with a work backpack to do some work part of my ski days (usually in the evening.) So now I check one giant rolling bag with ski & regular clothes, boots, helmet, and food/kitchenware, and my skis in their own hard case. Then I just take my backpack w my laptop, reading items, phone charger, toiletries, medications, snack, and gopro case (that MUST be brought aboard as you cannot check the batteries.)

 

[Ski Sine Fine]

I've done both. Now I always check.

Tbh, even if my boots make it, I'm not going to wear rented ski clothes or a rented helmet (yuck.)

I almost always have to travel with a work backpack to do some work part of my ski days (usually in the evening.) So now I check one giant rolling bag with ski & regular clothes, boots, helmet, and food/kitchenware, and my skis in their own hard case. Then I just take my backpack w my laptop, reading items, phone charger, toiletries, medications, snack, and gopro case (that MUST be brought aboard as you cannot check the batteries.)

That’s actually worth considering.

What I want, which may or may not exist, is a rolling hard sided or well padded case with separate, stacked compartments for the boots and helmet. Then I’d have no worries checking that as a boot bag with a sportube. As of now, if for whatever reason I can’t carry on my helmet, I’d have to pack it in a larger size suitcase than I otherwise need just to fit the helmet and protect it with clothing.

 

[Amie H]

@Ski Sine Fine I had run-ins w American Airlines agents being real sticklers that *ONLY boots & helmet* can go in the " free" boot bag, so I gave up that idea and just do the big bag (which usually just scrapes by under 50lbs packed.)

 

[MissySki]

I've done both. Now I always check.

Tbh, even if my boots make it, I'm not going to wear rented ski clothes or a rented helmet (yuck.)

I almost always have to travel with a work backpack to do some work part of my ski days (usually in the evening.) So now I check one giant rolling bag with ski & regular clothes, boots, helmet, and food/kitchenware, and my skis in their own hard case. Then I just take my backpack w my laptop, reading items, phone charger, toiletries, medications, snack, and gopro case (that MUST be brought aboard as you cannot check the batteries.)

My black hole duffle/backpack fits my boots and everything I need for a day on the mountain (outerwear, baselayers, goggles, mittens, Theragun mini, Hotronics, electronics etc.). I clip my helmet to the outside of my backpack and then stick it under the seat in front of me on the plane with duffle in the overhead.

If my checked bag and/or skis don’t make it, I can still ski with the worst expenditure being to rent skis. If my boots don’t make it I cannot ski at all. I remember our Diva West pre Covid in Aspen when Ski Diva’s checked bags and skis were lost. Luckily she and hubby had their boots. It took most of the trip to have that luggage arrive if I am remembering correctly. I cannot imagine having a trip like that ruined if boots don’t show up. :(

 

[Amie H]

@MissySki yeah sounds terrible but...as noted, I have to bring my work backpack so...that's what goes at my feet.I usually only bring that aboard.Side note: you bring your theragun aboard? Wow!

On the junkets I take, we can ONLY bring a personal item aboard, the rest must be checked (1 free checked bag, plus 1 "sporting goods item" such as skis, golf clubs, tennis bag ) so the charter operator makes that decision for us.

Many of you guys make more connections than I need to when flying, too.

 

[Karenfrances]

I check my boots -- in part because we have a bag that fits (just barely) two pairs of boots and two helmets, and up to 2019/2020 or so the kiddo would not have been able to carry her own boots/helmet on the plane. And then my dad died so we didn't fly anywhere to ski for a couple of years. (We generally flew to CA to stay with him and ski at Northstar.) This year we have flown twice to ski and so far checking has still worked for us.

I have had the skis not make it several times (usually when we had a connecting flight to Sacramento, but sometimes on a direct flight to SFO) but the boots have always made it. Go figure.

 

[MissySki]

@MissySki yeah sounds terrible but...as noted, I have to bring my work backpack so...that's what goes at my feet.I usually only bring that aboard.Side note: you bring your theragun aboard? Wow!

On the junkets I take, we can ONLY bring a personal item aboard, the rest must be checked (1 free checked bag, plus 1 "sporting goods item" such as skis, golf clubs, tennis bag ) so the charter operator makes that decision for us.

Many of you guys make more connections than I need to when flying, too.

Yes, I brought the Theragun with me to Beaver Creek in January. I figured better to do that since it has a rechargeable battery so wasn’t sure if I could check it. It’s the mini though so it is small, about the size of my hand, and fits in very easily. The full size would not work though!

 

[Amie H]

Yes, I brought the Theragun with me to Beaver Creek in January. I figured better to do that since it has a rechargeable battery so wasn’t sure if I could check it. It’s the mini though so it is small, about the size of my hand, and fits in very easily. The full size would not work though!

Yes, a rechargeable battery needs to go aboard. Its interesting because airlines don't ask, "Did you pack your own bags" anymore, but they do ask, "Are there lithium ion batteries or e cigarettes packed inside?"

 

[lisamamot]

I bring a carry-on and a personal item on board with me.

Personal item = ski backpack containing my work laptop, reading material, snacks, and all other travel necessities.

Carry-on = a rolling bag that fits in the overhead compartment and holds my ski boots, shell jacket/pants, mitts, ski socks, etc. I clip my helmet to the outside and then remove it and put it under the seat with the backpack once on board.

I travel in a wool base layer top, leggings/yoga pants, and my puffy mid layer jacket.

Between what I am wearing, and what I have on board with me, I can ski even if my luggage goes astray, Just have to rent skis/poles.

 

[Amie H]

No to be a Debbie Downer but the ONE time I carried my boots and helmet aboard and rented skis, I ended up very badly injured in Montana. So...my personal vibe is I want ALL my own stuff that I'm used to and can vouch for, or I'll just wait and find something else to do. After that injury situation, I'm just not that hardcore anymore about "MUST be on the mountain EVERY day." I give myself a little more time and space. That said, due to work and eldercare commitments, I usually am doing "pop in" trips with only 2-3 days of ski time possible. My last two fly-in trips, I lost a day of skiing each trip - one due to late arrival, other due to bad driving conditions due to weather. I came up with other enjoyable things to do, so I didn't feel like it was a waste. Last season, my late Nov/early Dec "ski" trip turned into a hiking and hot springs trip because the snow melted in Tahoe and nothing was open!

Obviously if you are in a clinic or paid for a lesson package or other special event (race, charity event, etc.) you can't be as easy-going about boots not making it to the mountain.

Like @Ermit I have Platinum status w American (and Premier Silver w United) so we get "priority handling" of bags, if that really means much in practical terms? I hope @Ermit is able to share, after her trip, if her luggage was delivered in a timely fashion.

Flying home from Beaver Creek the last time, when our flight was "delayed" overnight, I befriended a lovely woman from Switzerland who was schlepping a full-length mink coat in addition to her carry on and tote bag. That is commitment to elegance! But, based on what she told me it sounded like she had occasions to wear it at fancy meals with her international group of friends. Now I wish I had asked her if she was carrying her boots aboard or not.

 

[DebbieSue]

I take my boot bag as carryon on the way to skiing, typically check it on flight home. It contains boots, helmet, goggles, bibs, ski socks, mitts, goggles, thermal bottoms, balaclava, small pouch w meds, and I wear my ski jacket. It also fits my laptop and charger. I take out laptop before I stow it overhead. I’ve had skis delayed once. I think TSA got overwhelmed by number of ski bags out of Boston on a Saturday am so they didn’t get on my flight. They arrived much later that day and very fortunate that friend was able to fetch them. Airline couldn’t deliver til Monday so would’ve had to rent for 2 days.

 

[Amie H]

One thing we haven't discussed:

If taking an EPIC Express shuttle in CO: you are only permitted 3 items on the shuttle: skis, 1 suitcase, and 1 personal item (backpack/purse that goes on your lap.) So, your personal item could be your boots, I guess, but nothing else.

 

[MissySki]

One thing we haven't discussed:

If taking an EPIC Express shuttle in CO: you are only permitted 3 items on the shuttle: skis, 1 suitcase, and 1 personal item (backpack/purse that goes on your lap.) So, your personal item could be your boots, I guess, but nothing else.

You can pay extra for more items though, at least it showed this option when I was looking to use it in January. Then I took a taxi instead since the Epic shuttle didn't have availability when I was landing, and there were no restrictions there.

 

[Amie H]

@MissySki I got sort of lucky on my arrival ground transportation. I was booked on a specific shuttle, and as you know, they were slammed that day. I had to call twice to reschedule bc flight kept getting delayed. When I arrived, I went to the desk, and they (dispatch and a driver) made a decision to take me solo in a big limo suv! Haha, that is what I call customer service! I missed skiing that day bc of very late arrival but got a treat w a bougie ride to the hotel, lol. (Yes, I tipped the driver extra.)

My return shuttle was PACKED with luggage touching the ceiling in the back and every seat occupied.

Reading some of your folks' horror stories, I feel really lucky it hasn't happened to me.

I'm too fussy/crabby/uncomfortable to schlep crap through the airport anymore. Going to Philly for Superbowl, my sister requested donuts from a shop near me, so I was dragging a big tote w 1 1/2 dozen donuts plus my carry on and it really started to irritate me!

@DebbieSue I'd like to hear more about the boot bag w a laptop sleeve?? I think something like that would be useful for me in certain situations.