Best Way to Fly with Gear in 2017

[cichenlùp]

IMHO anybody but security/custom officers is entitled to open your bag to check what is inside. That's the reason why they never check, because they can't. So, if anybody would threat you to check, be aware that you can definitely prevent him.
That said, nowadays Golf bags are charged more or less the same as a kiteboard, and everybody who's been working at a counter for a while can easily tell the difference between a real golf bag and a fake one (the shape are different), as well a real golf player and a kitesurfer pretending to be a golf player ...
Much better rent a board on the spot, or buying a split board ... My opinion

[seaplus]

IMHO anybody but security/custom officers is entitled to open your bag to check what is inside. That's the reason why they never check, because they can't. So, if anybody would threat you to check, be aware that you can definitely prevent him.

They can legally look into everything you want to put on the plane (including a cavity search)... challenge them enough and you will find out.

And the ole' "put a few clubs in your bag trick" isn't gonna work either...all the power is in the airline's & TSA's hands...not yours.

[seaplus]

A little off topic...

Anyone had kite gear damaged on an airline and was able to get compensation?

[seaplus]

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https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/bag ... sports.jsp

[Adventure Logs]

Go splitboard route. Too much "maybe"s out there plus it's so much easier traveling out of the airplane with split gear as well. On my motorcycle that I'm currently driving down to Argentina has split twin tip, split hydrofoil, 2 kites, pump, and misc shit all in one check in bag. They may be a little more expensive but if you travel like I do there's no substitute. Hit up Nobile, they will help you out.

[KiteDR]

A little off topic...

Anyone had kite gear damaged on an airline and was able to get compensation?

Yes - my bag was tossed around pretty good one time and must have landed hard on its side. Damaged the bag and gouged out an edge on my board. They wouldn't do anything with my bag, but I got them to commit to repairing my board - which ended up being unrepairable as per the manufacturer so I was issued a refund for the full purchase price. It was a great customer service experience.

HOWEVER - this is why they charge so much for our kiteboarding and surfing equipment - to cover the liability of damaging them. Clubs never get damaged, that's why they're cheap to fly with. I will always tell them it's a golf bag, but if pressed (luckily hasn't yet happened) I will never lie and tell them contents do not include kitesurfing equipment- if it gets damaged they're free and clear.

[Toby]

If you fly to DR from USA flying into STI has good advantages!

I know with AA from MIA it is cheaper plus one checked bag allowed. From MIA no bag for free! And in STI no problem with golf bag...

The 1 hr drive thru the mountains is beautiful.
Costs is between 80-100 USD one way.

Compare ticket prices and do the maths.

I saved quiet some. If you have the money and less time, fly into POP, only 20 min by taxi to Cabarete.

[KiteDR]

If you fly to DR from USA flying into STI has good advantages!

I know from MIA it is cheaper plus one checked bag allowed. From MIA no bag for free! And in STI no problem with golf bag...

The 1 hr drive thru the mountains is beautiful.
Costs is between 80-100 USD one way.

Compare ticket prices and do the maths.

I saved quiet some. If you have the money and less time, fly into POP, only 20 min by taxi to Cabarete.

Absolutely - best way to go.

[Daversj]

Check your bag at the curb. Have a $10 bill in your hand for the tip. They won't look inside--at O'Hare (Chicago) the guy didn't even weigh it.

Thats usually what i do. Tipping those guys goes a long way. Last time i gave the guy $20 at JFK and he walked me to the front of the security line while carrying my bag. Not a guarantee however. Most airlines have a better rate for surfboards than standard oversize luggage. Kinda similar to the golf bag discount but not as good. You have to check the specific policy of your Airline. They are all different. Jet blue is $50 for one surfboard each way. $25 for a normal checked bag. Golf bag goes same as a regular checked bag.

I pack my kites around the board but removed from the kite bags. In the backpack they take up more space than if you pack them folded in a longer flatter shape around the board.

[Tony in FL]

Anyone have feedback on Kitelement split boards as a travel option? They have two models (Resolve and Revolt) and they recently released a new revision of each. The pricing seems quite reasonable.