Airport Security and Travel Rods

I'm planning on taking a trip in '04 to do some fly fishing, and I was
wanting to get a good 4 pc. rod for that and future trips. However,
with airport security being what it is these days, I did not know if
it is permissible to carry-on your fly rod. I would not want to have
to check it, as it would be too expensive an item to just get lost in
the luggage abyss. Has anyone had experience this year with fly rods,
reels, and other fly fishing gear as carry-ons and airport security?
Are policies consistent from airport to airport, or are they hit and
miss? Thanks for any help.

Robert Brinson

Robert Brinson writes:

snippage

Has anyone had experience this year with fly rods,
reels, and other fly fishing gear as carry-ons and airport security?
Are policies consistent from airport to airport, or are they hit and
miss? Thanks for any help.

I flew from Boston to Billings this year and Boston to Bozeman last year and
experienced no problems with carrying my three piece Winston aboard. I also
had reels packed in my carry-on. Flies are another thing. Don't try to get
through security with them

With intermediate stops at Minniapolis one year and Cincinnati the next, I
observed lots of fly fishermen with carry-on roads, some even with two piece
(long tubes).

Of course, ymmv.

Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

My experience mirrors Daves. I must look like some kind of terrorist,
though, because I was *not* allowed any rods on; even my reels were
scrutinized way above and beyond the normal (if such a thing even exists
today). I was almost made to strip off all lines--even the backing. Another
Pilot came over--recognized the fly equipment--and told the screeners to let
me through.

I'm flying to Bozeman this coming summer--and FedExing most of my
equipment out ahead of time. A pain in the ass? You bet--but not as much of
a PITA as stripping all my reels. As did Dave L.; even though I wasn't
allowed any rods (all 3; and 4 piece travel, by the way) on to the planes I
traveled on; I saw *plenty* of guys carrying on rods--even 2 piecers. So to
answer your question: NO, there is *no* standardization of rules between
airports. Portland (ME.) and Logan (Boston) seem to be the worst, in my
experience. Bozeman and Salt Lake seem to be the easiest, again, my
experiences only. As always, YMMV. Good luck.

Dave M
"Robert Brinson" wrote in message
om...
I'm planning on taking a trip in '04 to do some fly fishing, and I was
wanting to get a good 4 pc. rod for that and future trips. However,
with airport security being what it is these days, I did not know if
it is permissible to carry-on your fly rod. I would not want to have
to check it, as it would be too expensive an item to just get lost in
the luggage abyss. Has anyone had experience this year with fly rods,
reels, and other fly fishing gear as carry-ons and airport security?
Are policies consistent from airport to airport, or are they hit and
miss? Thanks for any help.

Robert Brinson

Dave Martel writes:

NO, there is *no* standardization of rules between
airports. Portland (ME.) and Logan (Boston) seem to be the worst, in my
experience. Bozeman and Salt Lake seem to be the easiest, again, my
experiences only. As always, YMMV. Good luck.

Dave M

Any western terminal would be easiest because they see so many folks traveling
there to fish. Logan is strict - I had trouble getting my fly tying equipment
aboard - *before* 9/11, but they made me empty a flask of 18 year old single
malt and said nothing of the weapon looking rod case I was carrying.
Dave

http://hometown.aol.com/davplac/myhomepage/index.html

I try and fish internationally a couple of times a year here is this year
report:
Bozeman to Mexico: Rod, reel and flies to 1/0 no problem
Mexico to Bozeman: Rod & reel- no problem Flies no go for me, my two buddies
on the other hand walked right through
luckily a guy at Alaskan gave me a box to check them.

Bozeman to Honduras: Checked the flies and reels, carried on the rods (3
pc)- Taca looses luggage for 2 days- sucks to be me-forced to drink and
watch permit for 2 days (there are worse things)
Honduras to Bozeman: Checked the flies and reels , carried the rods, forgot
a box of flies $100+ in my carry-on fanny pack- ended up forced to chuck
$100+ flies in the San Pedro Sula trash

Bozeman to Mexico: Checked Flies, carried on Rod & reel, security found one
loose 2/0 clouser in one rod tube- strip searched for more- not happy,
buddies think its funny
Mexico to Bozeman: Checked all but rods- no problem- happy but only because
of trip insurance

The bottom line- I wouldn't try and carry on anything that even resembles a
fish hook.
The irony- Would you rather have a terrorist with a No. 14 Hopper after you
or the guy with the butt section of a 12 wt.?
I suspect it won't be long before rods can't be carried on.


¡Buenas Suerte!

t.


"Dave Martel" wrote in message
t...
My experience mirrors Daves. I must look like some kind of terrorist,
though, because I was *not* allowed any rods on; even my reels were
scrutinized way above and beyond the normal (if such a thing even exists
today). I was almost made to strip off all lines--even the backing.
Another
Pilot came over--recognized the fly equipment--and told the screeners to
let
me through.

I'm flying to Bozeman this coming summer--and FedExing most of my
equipment out ahead of time. A pain in the ass? You bet--but not as much
of
a PITA as stripping all my reels. As did Dave L.; even though I wasn't
allowed any rods (all 3; and 4 piece travel, by the way) on to the planes
I
traveled on; I saw *plenty* of guys carrying on rods--even 2 piecers. So
to
answer your question: NO, there is *no* standardization of rules between
airports. Portland (ME.) and Logan (Boston) seem to be the worst, in my
experience. Bozeman and Salt Lake seem to be the easiest, again, my
experiences only. As always, YMMV. Good luck.

Dave M
"Robert Brinson" wrote in message
om...
I'm planning on taking a trip in '04 to do some fly fishing, and I was
wanting to get a good 4 pc. rod for that and future trips. However,
with airport security being what it is these days, I did not know if
it is permissible to carry-on your fly rod. I would not want to have
to check it, as it would be too expensive an item to just get lost in
the luggage abyss. Has anyone had experience this year with fly rods,
reels, and other fly fishing gear as carry-ons and airport security?
Are policies consistent from airport to airport, or are they hit and
miss? Thanks for any help.

Robert Brinson

On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 13:02:08 -0700, "Thomas Gnauck" wrote:
[snippered]
The bottom line- I wouldn't try and carry on anything that even resembles a
fish hook.
The irony- Would you rather have a terrorist with a No. 14 Hopper after you
or the guy with the butt section of a 12 wt.?
I suspect it won't be long before rods can't be carried on.

Well, yeah! You could put someone's eye out with one of those ;-)

/daytripper (god forbid they figure out a broken butt end would be much worse)

How would ya feel just traveling with a couple of doobies and no
equipment?...

gotta visit ma - and ma don't share...

john


"Robert Brinson" wrote in message
om...
I'm planning on taking a trip in '04 to do some fly fishing, and I was
wanting to get a good 4 pc. rod for that and future trips. However,
with airport security being what it is these days, I did not know if
it is permissible to carry-on your fly rod. I would not want to have
to check it, as it would be too expensive an item to just get lost in
the luggage abyss. Has anyone had experience this year with fly rods,
reels, and other fly fishing gear as carry-ons and airport security?
Are policies consistent from airport to airport, or are they hit and
miss? Thanks for any help.

Robert Brinson

I have a seven piece Redington Wayfarer, and I have been able to pack
everything I need to start fishing in my carryon ...except for flies...and
have been able to get it through customs everywhere except Vancouver. They
objected to the lines, leaders and tippet

Re carrying rods. If the package is small, you have a very good chance of
getting it on board. If you have a Sage rod case that holds 5 or 6 rods,
the chance is less. the stewardesses have a bigger problem with it than
security.

Also, remember that most household insurance does not cover lost luggage,
only stolen luggage...and they decide the difference. The best way to get
insurance for lost luggage is to get a credit card that will give you up to
$3000 of insurance if you pay for your tickets with the card. ATT cards
have this insurance. Citibank offers it on a few types. Most cards issued
in Canada and Europe have it.

"Robert Brinson" wrote in message
om...
I'm planning on taking a trip in '04 to do some fly fishing, and I was
wanting to get a good 4 pc. rod for that and future trips. However,
with airport security being what it is these days, I did not know if
it is permissible to carry-on your fly rod. I would not want to have
to check it, as it would be too expensive an item to just get lost in
the luggage abyss. Has anyone had experience this year with fly rods,
reels, and other fly fishing gear as carry-ons and airport security?
Are policies consistent from airport to airport, or are they hit and
miss? Thanks for any help.

Robert Brinson


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Philly to Denver to Missoula this September, I packed my Winston 5 piece
6'9" w/aluminum tube *and* my little chest pack (which contains reels,
tippet, flies, fisherman's friend clippers, etc.) in my carryon. No
troubles. Although they did make me drink water out of my nalgene and take
my boots off.

Thank you to everyone for providing your (humorous) airport stories. :-)

--
Robert Brinson
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