Flying with skis: not what it used to be!

[vanhoskier]

First, the good news....

Because I have an upcoming ski trip this summer, I had to research my airline's (Air Canada) requirements for skis. For this airline, I need a hardshell case....not too big a deal (without one they will not assume responsibility). I also had to call ahead to "preregister" my skis - actually, that's not a bad idea. Air Canada was friendly and knowledgable and seemingly used to dealing with skis. I will not be charged an extra fee for my ski bag since I preregistered.

BUT HERE'S THE KICKER.....

Since I'm also flying to CO next March via US Air, I decided to look ahead and check out US Air's requirements. Big shock. I will be charged $100 for my skis, IF my bag is less than 80 inches in dimension overall. If greater than 80 inches, they will not accept it AT ALL. Then I must use an independent shipper. They have a link to a shipper, and I put in my information....and, the price to ship my skis ONE WAY was over $150!!!

So, it's like, "OK, we'll charge you $100 AND put unreasonable size restrictions on a ski bag, so you have to use another shipper. Oh, but we recommend this great service......just pay $300 to ship your skis round-trip and all will be fine."

 

[tcarey]

Rent skis!

T

 

[RachelV]

Yikes -- that hasn't always been the case, right? Is this a new policy in response to rising fuel prices, does anyone know?

 

[RachelV]

Rent skis!

T

But I love my skis!!!

 

[abc]

80 inch is quite long. Are you sure your ski is over that?

Also, is that $100 one way? I'm not aware of that. Most airlines start charging for luggages but made no special case of ski bag/case. It's usually $15 or $25 a peice.

 

[altagirl]

80 inch is quite long. Are you sure your ski is over that?

Also, is that $100 one way? I'm not aware of that. Most airlines start charging for luggages but made no special case of ski bag/case. It's usually $15 or $25 a peice.

Things have changed drastically this summer.

Last summer we flew to Whistler with our bikes. It was $75 each way for the bike bag. Guess what the charge is to fly with a bike this summer?? $300 EACH WAY.

 

[vanhoskier]

80 inch is quite long. Are you sure your ski is over that?

Also, is that $100 one way? I'm not aware of that. Most airlines start charging for luggages but made no special case of ski bag/case. It's usually $15 or $25 a peice.

My skis are 72 inches long (I'm tall). So that leaves 8 inches for the sides of the ski case (4 inches on a side). My SKIS are 3.5 inches in width. A single hard shell ski case that accommodates my skis will be more than 80 inches in length, width, and height. It appears that the airline picked a dimension that would send a lot of people over the edge.

$100 is US Air's charge for ski bags. This is their new policy to combat rising fuel prices, and other airlines are/will follow suit. I traveled to Vegas with a ski bag in March, no problem, no extra fee. Things have changed drastically.

The solution seems to be finding an address to ship skis via UPS or FedEx ground.

 

[abc]

Things have changed drastically this summer.

Last summer we flew to Whistler with our bikes. It was $75 each way for the bike bag. Guess what the charge is to fly with a bike this summer?? $300 EACH WAY.

I hear ya!

I'm not a flying cyclist. It's just a bit more hassle than I care to deal with with the need to disassemble and reassemble the bikes. That's even without the cost.

UPS is the way to go, for now, that is. They'll have to raise their price to deal with the fuel cost. Raising tides...floods all homes! :(

 

[Jilly]

I was reading Air Canada's rules too, as I'm using them to get to Diva Summit. So I've got to find a Sportube. I'll guess I'll mention it to the local shop so they can get some. SkiCan uses either Air Canada or WestJet. WestJet doesn't do Colorado. So it AC for me. And if you let them know when you book that you're bringing sports equipment, because it could be golf clubs too, they don't charge extra yet. Have to keep an eye on that, so thanks vanhoskier. Hope you have a good time in Whistler. Haven't checked the WB site to see how conditions are, things look good??

 

[SouthernSkier]

I wonder how the extra baggage fees will impact the ski industry. Skiing has never been cheap - at least not for those who travel to ski. Adding two hundreds of dollars per skier for a trip isn't going to encourage families to travel to the destination resorts, and those are the folks who are the most profitable for the ski resorts. People might not realize the airlines are levying extra fees this year and go ahead and book their trip, but once they realize the real cost will they still be able to travel to the ski resorts next year?

 

[abc]

People might not realize the airlines are levying extra fees this year and go ahead and book their trip, but once they realize the real cost will they still be able to travel to the ski resorts next year?

Sure, they'll realize it!

A lot more families go on summer holidays than those who travel to ski in the winter. The "****************" is going to hit the fan.

Places that rely on travellers will be affected more. And I think the more "budget oriented" destinations will see a significant decrease of their visitors.

 

[astridhj]

I just flew home (one week ago) from Los Angeles with KLM with two pair of skis. They charged nothing for it. And I also had a heavy bag with me, and it didn't matter for them. I was very surprised. Thought I had to pay a lot for it.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Yikes -- that hasn't always been the case, right? Is this a new policy in response to rising fuel prices, does anyone know?

Sure is, and it's just the tip of the iceberg. When airline fares were deregulated in the 80's, the fare wars began. I paid more for airfare in the 70's than I would now, even with recent hikes. Was even more expensive in the 60's, all things being relative. Seriously. The airlines have gotten by purely on volume in the last 10-15 years. Ain't working anymore.

There's some inane tv commercial (for an airline, I think, not sure which one) with a flight attendant rattling off the cost (in jest, it's supposed to be funny) of every last service in the aircraft, including use of the bathroom. Might not be so funny come this winter, as reported above re bags. I think American is now charging for any and ALL checked luggage, regardless of size. Not included in ticket price, period.

I distinctly remember buying an airline ticket in 1968, not a short trip, about halfway x-c, and it was $150. Of course, brand new cars were less than $5k then, and houses were less than $20k. My college tuition in 1968 was $280. Whole year, not one semester.

 

[vanhoskier]

I just flew home (one week ago) from Los Angeles with KLM with two pair of skis. They charged nothing for it. And I also had a heavy bag with me, and it didn't matter for them. I was very surprised. Thought I had to pay a lot for it.

It seems that the US airlines are the ones beginning to charge the steep extra fees. So it doesn't surprise me that for KLM or Air Canada it's not a big deal, at least yet.

When I used to fly with my bike, it was hit or miss whether I would get charged. The airlines seemed to do it on a whim. However, when I flew to England with 2 race bikes and 2 extra sets of wheels, I was charged $150 by Continental. When I flew British Air, I was not charged at all for the same equipment.

Personally, I'd rather pay more for a plane ticket and not be nickeled and dimed (or in this case, gouged) for my baggage. It's kind of insulting. For those of us who enjoy "active" vacations, therefore requiring equipment to transport, we get screwed.

 

[LilaBear]

Nearly all the airlines are now charging extra for a second checked bag - started last month.

 

[abc]

Not for international flights though. Not yet, that is.

 

[abc]

Frankly, I don't feel strongly about the charge for a second bag. If the cost is high, I rent. If not, I bring my own. My skis are relatively "mainstream" so not hard to find in rentals.

Though I do wonder about the sale of super fat skis in the east coast, given this new luggage policy.

 

[SouthernSkier]

Nearly all the airlines are now charging extra for a second checked bag - started last month.

More recently, most have started charging for the first bag. $15 for the first bag, $25 for the second, $100 for the third. That is each way (i.e., $30 round trip for one checked bag). It won't break the bank, but you need to factor in the extra fees when comparing airline costs. For instance, some airlines, like Southwest, still don't charge for the first two bags. If you are checking two, that could save you $80 more than an airline that charges for bags. None of this applies to international flights - at least, not yet.

 

[ski now work later]

Vanho, that stinks!

I just checked United for my Feb/March '09 flight to Denver. I have 1 free bag since I bought the ticket before 6/12/08./ Skis are considered checked luggage so there will be a $25 cost each way for me to travel with them. Because Denver is a hub for United, I doubt they could get away with the USAir policy for skis, which is very un-skier friendly!

Time to find some options to ship your skis out West, eh? What were you planning to bring, the Auras? I'll be bringing mine for sure.... The days of flying with 2 pair of skis are clearly over....

 

[SnowHot]

Thus far, this has not effected NW in a huge way. (25/each additional bag) but.........if it does, then I'll likely leave a couple pair of skis at my SIL's house in Colorado and have them handy for my trips. May be a good solution for me no matter which way I slice it.
Less hauling, and all. The only bad thing is that it will be more difficult for me to be fickle with my skis. Those at her house would be fairly permanent in my quiver. :(