Airline Travel with Cues and Problems Encountered

I have flown and checked my cues with/without problems.

  • Major problems (cue damaged/lost/stolen/etc)

    Votes: 4 16.0%

  • No problems (all was great)

    Votes: 21 84.0%
  • Total voters
    25
mooseman

mooseman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I used to travel all the time with my cue as a carry-on. Since the requirement to check your cues came about I have not flown with a cue.

I know some folks say they pack their cues in a duffel bag and check the bag. I know they make special travel bags that hold your case and cues. I suppose the other issue even if you check your bag the TSA is authorized to open your bag as needed This could even mean they cut the lock off as needed.

How many of you have experienced the nightmare scenario? You have checked your cue and it has not survived, stolen, lost, damaged, etc. You fly out to the Nationals, how many folks lose their cues because they were ACCIDENTALLY picked up at the baggage claim? You get the idea.

Heck if you were allowed to check the bag at the gate you are often allowed to pick the bag up at the gate at your destination. But now you can't even do that because you can't get your cue through security screening.
 
First the TSA can cut unapproved locks off any bag etc. I leave my cues in a well protected case. I use a 3x6 Porper case. Then I pack the case in a box with old towels, clothes or bubble wrap and use good packing tape to seal the box. Have never had a problem except getting into the box at the hotel. I forgot to pack a knife to cut the tape with.
 
i had issues in that my leather case was damaged during the loading/flight but i only have myself to blame, i should have wrapped it up better or put in one of those special bags

most airlines now have a caddy with special/ fragile items, you just need to ask

as far as someone picking up the wrong bag....most times there is a baggage stub check at the exit of the luggage room, but not always, so better wrap your beautiful justice case to make it look like some ugly package
 
I have a deployment bag that is so long that it can put my 3X7 instroke case with ease what i do is sandwich the case cloths case cloths.

Just before i check my bag i tell them i want the bag insured becuse i tell them i have Army gear and cloths but they dont know my Pool sticks are in there. I have not had an issue ever since that i do know that they will not insure a checked poolcase thats why i hide it in my bag.
 
I have travelled with my cues about 10 times in the past couple years. Both internationally and nationally. Never had a problem so far.

I put my old Its George 2x4 hard case inside my normal suitcase. It just fits inside if I orient it diagonally.

My normal cue case is a soft case. But I switch to this case for travel so the cues won't experience side pressure if the suitcase is handled and stored roughly, which it most certainly will be.
 
I have traveled with my cue case, transported as luggage, probably a couple of dozen times, always with no problem...until the last time. I had a shaft where the ferrule was broken off. The airline paid for the replacement of the shaft ($300), after I made a BIG deal about it.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Ship your cues to your hotel and insure them for what their replacement cost is. Then ship them back home. You're going to pay the $25 each on the airline. One less thing to worry about and one less thing to lug around. That's just the way I see it.
 
my beef is that last time i flew they MAKE you check certain things ( i used to just try to travel with carry on), THEN they charge you for the checked bags. at least on virgin they did.

if they are gonna MAKE you check stuff, i dont think they should be able to charge. but they obviously dont care what i think, good for them.
 
I had my cue in a soft case so it would fit in my rolling duffel. Apparently they left the bags out in the rain when loading the plane because my clothes and cue's linen wrap were all wet. I had to have a new wrap put on when I got home. A hard case might have kept the moisture out but I would need a bigger duffel. Luckily I was visiting relatives with a washer dryer and the cue was not warped.
 
enzo said:
my beef is that last time i flew they MAKE you check certain things ( i used to just try to travel with carry on), THEN they charge you for the checked bags. at least on virgin they did.

if they are gonna MAKE you check stuff, i dont think they should be able to charge. but they obviously dont care what i think, good for them.
Click to expand...

I agree. Charging you for checked baggage is total BS. Just waiting for them to start charging for carry-ons. Hell they might as well just start charging for boarding the plane or getting a seat.
 
I packed a cue inside a 1/2 hard case inside of a suitcase, it was sandwiched between all the clothes. I figured that it would be safe because the suitcase was tough and rigid. That was not the case. The suitcase must have been compressed somehow because the 1/2 hard case received damage to the top lid and was cracked. This happened on the way to the destination. I was quite worried about the return trip. The cue itself wasn't too bad, I believe it received a small scratch from the case due to the crack since it was difficult to pull the cue handle out without passing the jagged crack. I strongly suggest getting a suitcase that is slightly longer than normal and hardshell so that you can lay the cue flat inside!
 
For Luggage I use an equipment bag for baseball/soft ball. They run around 40 bucks at any good sporting goods supplier. The bag is just the right length for the case (tube type 2x4 george case) and has two compartments one that the cue case fits in on the bottom and one on the top that has enough roof for 3-4 changes of clothes and a dub kit. Works real well and is not as bulky as a dufful bag or a piece of luggage large enough to accomodate the cues.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top