ViperJQ 0 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 I need help some help gathering information on airline policies. My team is going the the Narch Finals in Florida this year and we've decided to fly instead of drive down from PA. I was just wondering if anyone has flown as a team before. We need information about bringing hockey equiptment and sticks with us and if it will cost us any extra or any other things we should know. I'm sure each airline has different policies but we havent choosen one yet. We're just looking for any general information that anyone has to offerThanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 What part of PA are you in? Where is the tournament?A lot of the stuff will depend on the airline you choose and where you live. Also, there is a huge difference between connecting and a direct flight. Book as early as possible and have someone call the airlines to get group pricing. Don't fly at the last minute, give yourself time in case of weather problems. Fly as early in the day as you can as those flights are often have more available seats. Check in online as early as you can and don't show up at the gate at the last minute. Waiting to check in and showing up late could result in you losing your seat if the flight is overbooked.Gear:I would suggest shipping a lot of the stuff via UPS or Fedex. Hockey bags are oversize and will cost more if you fly with them. Since it's inline, you can probably stuff most of the team gear into one or two bags and shipping won't kill you. Most hotels will accept packages for guests that are arriving, you just have to tell them first.Sticks:Buy a team stick bag and ship directly to the hotel. Fedex and UPS are more reliable and safer than any airline baggage department. It will probably cost you less than $5 a head for the round trip shipping. Shipping companies have much better compensation programs if something goes wrong.Paging Chadd, paging Chadd. Are you still on the course at Divi?By the way, you never told me about your HM. IM me on it...Just an anniversary, not the HM. I'll see if I can find a pic or two, other than my avatar of course. That was the view out the sliding glass door in my room. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 Just looked at some of your old posts and saw that you were in Lancaster. Flying direct from Philly (PHL) to Fort Meyers (RSW) will cost about $100 each way plus taxes, flying out of Harrisburg (MDT) will cost you $100 more for the round trip and you will have to connect. I strongly urge you to take a direct flight as it cuts down on the chances of your luggage being lost. Obviously I don't know your travel dates, just guessing based on the dates of the tournament. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kosydar 0 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 Chadd, are those nasty rumors true that anything you put in those large, clear oversize bags the airlines give you won't be paid for if damaged? I've heard from a couple different people that they've put sticks in those bags only to have them broken and been SOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dupes 1 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 I flew from Montreal to Florida a couple months ago.Other then the goalie bag, all players bag were not surcharged for being oversized. I had tie wrapped the sippers in my bag so the bag would not open by itlself while being moved around.The stick bag with 35$ sticks cost me 90$ to ship.I hope this helps! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chk hrd 164 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 We usually fly on Southwest Airlines and have never been charged extra for gear bags as long as they are under the weight limit and you do not exceed the maximum bags per person (it was the same when we flew to Quebec on Westjet).Sticks get put into oversized luggage so if you can, use a team stick bag or tape all of your sticks together. If you don't get a team bag at least try and get a personal bag and make sure to tag it "fragile".On the airlines that don't provide you with pre arranged seating call the Airline and see if you can arrange a group boarding. If they won't do it over the phone get to the gate early and talk to the people at the desk. Let them know you are flying as a group and ask if they can board you as a team and put you in the back of the plane. It works well for kids teams. We suggest that they put the kids in the very back and all the parents in front of them to act as a buffer so the other passangers don't get bothered. It works most of the time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 I flew from Montreal to Florida a couple months ago.Other then the goalie bag, all players bag were not surcharged for being oversized. I had tie wrapped the sippers in my bag so the bag would not open by itlself while being moved around.The stick bag with 35$ sticks cost me 90$ to ship.I hope this helps!Every airline has different policies regarding baggage. They may have chosen not to charge you but most airlines have a size limit regarding bags and anything larger than those limits can result in you being charged more.Chadd, are those nasty rumors true that anything you put in those large, clear oversize bags the airlines give you won't be paid for if damaged? I've heard from a couple different people that they've put sticks in those bags only to have them broken and been SOL.I've never seen one of the bags you're talking about, so I have no idea. There is a fairly low limit on how much airlines will give you for lost bags. In most cases, it's not enough to replace your skates let alone sticks, gloves, etc... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kosydar 0 Report post Posted June 8, 2007 I've gotten them on Alaska and I think United. They're called ski bags or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toroytorero 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2007 Hockey/ Lacrosse Hockey/Lacrosse sticks and one equipment bag Two pieces - Equipment bag plus Hockey/Lacrosse stick(s) are free in place of one 62 inch bag. Equipment bag up to 50 lbs. and 62 inches plus Hockey/Lacrosse stick(s) For purposes of excess baggage, two pieces count as 1 item no they wont charge as long as it's not over 50lbs... now your bags getting there when you do.. thats with AA. if you're flying out on USair it may be different but I doubt it. it's not cheap shipping that stuff either.. I'd say if you can get there non-stop "less chance for losing bags" just check it and don't check in late.ok I just read the other post and what I mentioned has been covered.. so yea, what he said Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
