I thought i'd just quickly share my experience of using my Slingshot Golf (wakeboard) bag recently. <BR> <BR>Got through the ticket counter without even a wink. Super easy, no questions asked, no fees (beside the $15 for ANY first checked bag) <BR> <BR>I realize that this was just one experience with one airline (Mid West Airline) and probably cant be used to represent all airlines, but i thought there might be someone who might like to know it works, even in today's world of airlines and economy. <BR> <BR>--------------------------------------------------- <BR>I am sure someone is gona ask where i went (Iowa and Missouri) that i took my board... actually i took a kneeboard FOR SLEDING ON THE SNOW (my father-in-law did not have any sleds, i think kneeboards make awesome sleds, i don't own a snowboard, and we did not have time or money to rent.) The kneeboard was almost too wide to fit in the bag and made a nice bulge in the middle, still, got through the airlines no problem. <BR> <BR>i do plan to use it for my wakeboard for a trip to florida planned this summer though! <BR>--------------------------------------------------- <BR> <BR>if anyone is still lookin' for a bag, go for one disguised as a golf bag. you never know when you might use it, even if it is not for wake gear. ;) <BR> <BR>I only know of Slingshot and BestKiteboarding and LF that sell these type of bags. I have only seen the Slingshot one, which wont fit boards any larger than 142 i think. I have a 142 recoil and it seems the bag was made for it, just barely fits in. The dimmensions of the Best one sounds like it is HUGE, but it is also pretty expensive. In short, make sure you know the dimmensions before getting one if you ride big boards <BR> <BR>here is a link to the bestkiteboard one. you can google the others <BR><a href="http://www.bestkiteboarding.com/Bags" target="_blank">http://www.bestkiteboarding.com/Bags</a>

is there an extra cost if they find out its a wakeboard?

for mid-west airlines it is $80 for oversized and/or overweight baggage (excluding "properly packed golf or ski gear") <BR> <BR>all air lines will have their own rules and regulations, but usually they tend to be firly similar for convenience and of course competition with other air-lines.

some other tips: <BR> <BR>you can buy a crap or even toy club(s) from a used store or garage sale (if you don't have one) and put it loosely on top in the bag to show if neccissary and to be able to say <i>truthfully,</i> "golf club(s)" if asked what is inside. just a tip i have heard of. <BR> <BR>me persoanlly, i was <i>prepared</i> to say "its my G.O.L.F. gear" is all (as in Gentelmen Only Ladies Forbidden, that is its original name of the game you know, f.y.i.) but i didn't have to say a word. <BR> <BR>I also had a second duffle bag that i could put my cloths in if i wasn't able to get the board through, and leave the board with family (but not everyone will have this back-up option, might not have someone near an airport to leave goods with) <BR> <BR>other tip i have heard is going through the sky cap instead of the ticket counter. they tend to be less stryct and you can increase your odds with a tip, but this is just what i have heard. <BR> <BR>i am sure there are other creative things that can be thought of too.

Just say its a snowboard. Thats what I've done, and it has worked, even when going to Florida <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

I flew from Okinawa Japan to Ft Worth TX. I flew on United Airlines. If you just call it skis they will not say a word. I used bubble wrap to pack on the first leg to the States. I used a CWB bag that I packed two boards and two life vests on the return trip. Said it was skis and they threw it on with no extra fees. It was still considered oversized baggage. So you have to ask where the oversized baggage was dropped off(it was a different place every airport, customs stop but there is no getting around this)

Whats the big deal with calling it a wakeboard???

Well since wakeboards are made with a foam core they are more apt to get damaged so it is a higher risk than a snowboard or skis. Airports charge a fee to cover there arses in case the board gets damaged.

Im heading down to orlando in march and flying with NorthWest Airlines? Anyone here have issues with them?

No problems with NW last summer. Most airlines equate wakeboard with surf board and charge $100-150 each way to transport. <BR> <BR>Policies have been rapidly changing over the past year. New adventure almost everytime you check-in.

Also curbside check-in and a 5 dollar bill is your friend <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/wink.gif" border=0>

That's my experience George. They def will say that wakeboard=surfboard and suddenly it's a big deal. I had to do some groveling to get mine through. The size wasn't the issue.

"New adventure almost everytime you check-in." <BR> <BR>For sure! The Golf trick has worked every time though for me. If you even say the word "board" they think 12' surfboard and you're screwed. Just look them right in the face and say "Golf equipment." They don't even flinch because of all the business douches flying with clubs. <BR> <BR>One time was close. I stuck to my script and the lady peeled the conner of my bag open and the first thing to pop out was the naked conner of my stick, fins on and all! She was definitely not a golfer nor a wakeboarder...just confused. Not a problem!