Fly Rods On Commercial Flights?

[Brute]

Dean - Alaska won't mind at all and I sincerely doubt United will. I saw two longer rod tubes on our Delta flight from LAX to GEG Monday evening. TSA may run you through a different baggage scanner (which they did to me at SEATAC).

They will send your rod tubes through a different machine than the basic tub ones…you shouldn’t have any problem carrying them on. However, pliers, hemostats, nippers and large flies with big hooks like streamers should be checked in. I’d also carry on your reel…

 

[Brute]

I’ve carried this Fish Pond in carry on multiple times over the years…I’ve only been asked to check it through once, flying back from Tahiti to Hawaii on Tahitian Air…but same airline allowed me to carry it on heading to Tahiti from Hawaii…go figure. On several trips to Alaska in Alaska Air, I even strapped some trout Spey & 10’ rod tubes to it and they let me carry it on

 

[_WW_]

I've carried rods on before. Probably won't anymore. It's too hard to cast sitting in those tiny seats.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

I've carried rods on before. Probably won't anymore. It's too hard to cast sitting in those tiny seats.

Wimp. It’s called fly fishing for a reason.

You probably haven’t cast to hotel lobby koi, either, I’d bet.

 

[Brute]

I have casted in a hotel pool once…beer may have been involved…

 

[Stonedfish]

My last flight with a single 4-pc carry on, the guy at the counter wanted me to see if it fit into the carry on size measuring contraption they have.
I just laughed and said you know it won’t fit in there. He said I should make you check it or charge you for another piece of luggage.
I laughed again and told him this was the fourth consecutive year I’ve taken the same flight with the same rod and never got questioned.
He just shrugged his shoulders and said Ok.
It will be interesting if he at the counter again this coming June.
SF

 

[Vagabond]

We do trips on Alaska Airlines to the Baja, a couple times a year. There is no problem taking your rods and reels down as a carryon, but we've had to check the rods and reels coming back. Apparently they are considered to be a dangerous items down there. (its a Mexican thing)

This ^^
I’ve been chased in Cabo leaving the check in counter carrying a DBDunn 3 piece rod tube multiple times.
One time a guy at the counter chased me and acted like I had an AR, loud enough so security came a wanderin over….señor….señor….you cannot cannot carry you must check you MUST CHECK!
$35 later I was not happy. Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala nope nope nope, no issue.
Meanwhile staggering drunks tilting at whichever way their addled brain is wobbling are being boarded with drinks in their hands. I think this guy was working on a commission basis for Un-American Airlines.

 

[kmudgn]

I have carried rods all over the world essentially without issue. One time a TSA "agent" (who may have been all of 12 years old) told me that my rod tube could be used as a weapon and I would have to check it. After calling his supervisor, the problem was resolved and I went on my flight. Since that time, I have purchased fabric covered cardboard tubes from Cabella. Not only can they NOT be described as a weapon, but they disguise the rods inside and possibly deter any jerks who might be tempted by a fancy tube with high end rod name on it

 

[Westfly Refugee]

If you are traveling internationally, keep in mind that countries and airlines promulgate their own operational rules.
What is OK for carry-on on the sportsman friendly Alaska Airlines is not acceptable on, for example, Aerolineas Argentinas.

 

[clarkman]

all great information....fortunately we'll be on Alaska both to and from. It sounds like I may have to check the rods/reels on my return trip so I'll plan on that.

planning on checking all of my 1/0 to 4/0 flies both directions. I may tie up a few smaller flies and try to keep them in my carry on just so I have something....just in case.

 

[wanderingrichard]

I'm just gonna bump this up rather than start up a new thread.

I'm curious if any of you take those carry-alls as carry on? I have one that is something like 35" or so that fits multiple rods/reels plus other gear & wondering if anyone has ever had issues with this. I plan on checking all flies and tools.

This will be on Alaska Airlines PDX to Mexico.

Presuming you're talking about a drop bottom duffle, in which case your bag is gonna have to get checked at those dimensions. Its gonna be too long and probably too wide to fit the recently reduced carry on size requirements (things shrank like 3 inches in each direction)