rods on plane: Please Help

not sure best place to ask so hope you guys can help. I am flying with aer arann from Dublin up to Donegal and I want to bring along the rods.
An 11 1/2 foot beachcaster a spinning rod.
Do you know if there will be any hassle with this? Now the thing is I have no protective case or anything for it and I wont be bringing the rods on the plane again so will not buy an expensive rod case just for one trip. Do you have any suggestions for protecting it? Will it be roughly handled? :shock: Any tips or comments welcome. thanks lads.
col

maybe just get a bit of scrap plastic drainpipe or something, stick em in it and tape up both ends?

Check with airline on baggage policy. As Phil says a drain pipe is usually adequate.

Hi mate i work at Belfast City Airport, and all rods have to go through oog for over sized items. drain pipe will do the job items like this sometimes airlines will charge so call first.

Bagage handlers can be rough but as long as tube cant be bent they will arrive ok.

Col,

The short flights are the one that are the problem as far as long rods go, the planes are normally smaller and a 7ft or 8ft tube is to long for the cargo hold, trans Atlantic flights are much easier on 747 type planes.

Ryan Air are one of the easiest to fly rods with, £25 no weight restriction and it on the flight, I take mine to England all the time. Continental Airlines take my 8'2" X 6" diameter tube as my other item of luggage at no extra charge, where as Delta want to charge $80 each way.

Like Pookie said though, call the luggage handlers explain what you have and give them the dimensions, they want your business, they should try to accommodate you.

Good Luck,
Tom.

i have taken the fly rod to france and it was grand in its little tube holder

Rods on planes? Don't get me started, I still get the heebie-geebies about that time changing planes at Frankfurt en route to Namibia........

Drain pipe is your best/cheapest option as mentioned, and check up before hand if the airline can take it, will charge you or not etc. Try to do it in writing, if you have time.


You'd think it would be impossible to misplace a 8 inch by 8 foot tube, wouldnt you?