Airport Security and Travel Rods

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)