Airline policy?

Does anyone know what AA's policy is toward wakeboards on internal flights? Do you have to pay extra?

You have to pay extra anywhere now. Things changed drastically in May 08...no more "It's just a pair of ski's"

(Message edited by wake1823 on May 27, 2008)

Surfboards, Kiteboards, Wakeboards One surfboard, Kiteboard, or Wakeboard: $100
Exception: Kiteboards and wakeboards and containers that are less than 62 linear inches and under 50 lbs. are free in place of 62 inch bag in the free allowance.

Acceptance conditional on aircraft size and load conditions
- Exception: If the Kiteboard/wakeboard is less than 62 linear inches and 50 lbs., the above conditions do not apply
- If this item is in excess of the number of pieces allowed in the free baggage allowance, excess baggage charges apply in addition to the $100 special items fee.

http://www.aa.com/aa/pubcontent/en_US/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp

They also just decided to charge $15 for your FIRST checked bag!! So if they are charging for that you know it's gonna get steeper for anything larger than normal.

Money,money,money.Any idea how much or do they all differ. Can you pay for both legs of the journey when you depart.My daughter is flying on her own and I don't want her involved in a whole financial nightmare at the airport when she returns.

Well it looks to me, as long as the bag is under 62" and under 50 lbs, its free, regardless of what's in it.

-Steve

AirTran & Southwest still aren't charging for checked bags, including wakeboards. (They do charge for surfboards, if over the 62" limit.)
One trick that has worked for me on Delta & AA is to check the bags at the external 3rd party run location. Give them a $10 tip up front conditional upon no oversize baggage charge.

The board bag is 58inches. So if she checks that in with just her board,handle and jacket in it and then just has a hand luggage bag we won't be charged anything.Is that correct?

If you purchase a ticket from American airlines BEFORE June 15th you will not be subjected to the $15 luggage charge.

Not on but before.

According to the website, yes (assuming that the board bag is less than 50 lbs). One free carry on, and one free 62" 50lb checked bag. But it wouldnt be a bad idea to call and double check.


-Steve

Cool,thanks. Even the most mundane things are so complicated. Lol

I just flew last weekend. I took my golf clubs. I had to pack everything in that bag. (Can't take contact stuff as carry-on any more)

You can have a big bag, (snowboard, golf clubs, wakeboard, etc...) as long as it's 50.9 lbs or less. Also, as long as it's your only bag.

(This applies to Delta, and Alaska. American, may be charging $15 for the first bag, but the restrictions are the same.) for the next bag, it gets INSANE.

Chris, make sure to add the width, length, and height together. My board bag alone is 62 inches long without the adding the width and height.

My son ended paying Delta $80 to return bag from Miami. They said no exceptions on "boards". He told them it was a water ski and they would not buy. Their policy still says 1 free bag, $25 for a second bag, and $80 each way for a "board" or oversize bag. Golf bags can be the free bag, so we are going to have a golf bag for the next flight.

BBR,

George may have a good point. When it came to my clubs though, they too were more that 62". But as "sports equipment" the airlines make an exception, and allow larger sizes. The 62" applies to luggage, or additional equipment/ luggage.

(There is one caviat (in fine print), that states, "if you have a second bag, that weighs 51 lbs, and is 63" (l+w+h), you will pay three fees (extra bag, over weight bag, and oversize bag), for each leg of the trip."

My clubs weighed 49.75#.

Geez you could ship it to yourself for less.

If you are sponsored it will actually be cheaper to pick up a new board from your sponsor at each stop. We flew continental out of Heathrow to Orlando about 4 years ago and they charged us about $300. 4 years ago. It was more than what the board cost.They have you over a barrel at that stage. The guy just shrugged. Don't like it,don't fly. Simple as that.

Chris, if they ask have Nicola tell them it's water ski equipment, That has worked for Alex for years, things might be changing, so I hope he has extra cash when he shows up at the airport this week

I just put Nic on a plane with AA. Wakeboard bag and a carry on. We never said a word. Checked her in and the lady told her to take her wakeboard to oversize. She knew what it was without asking. You walk away feeling like you have won a prize.

I just flew this last weekend with my board, The guy asked what was in the bag, I always say golfclubs, sometimes it works some time it doesn't. The funny thing is they didn't charge me but when he aske for the bags he said "can you hand me your board bag" I smiled and gave him a good tip. Thanks man!!!

ALWAYS check your board at the curb and tip befor they even ask. If they still charge you you could always ask for the tip back.

or better yet, if he makes you pay, just let him know that his tip is making up the difference..

Lol. ManFox I love that. Handing over his tip to his FAT cat bosses.

actually chris, with me being an int'l pilot for UAL, i guess they are my fat cat bosses too.. so lets just strike that last idea..