Another Airline Travel Case Option

3kushn

3kushn

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have been searching high and low for a solution to airline travel and have seen a few posts with several solutions. Some great but too expensive for me and some just didn't feel right. In desperation I purchased a bag form Pool Dawg and what a disappointment. It wasn't the Porper bag but was told over the phone it's similar regarding the padding, which was nearly nonexistent.

I just found a solution in the nick of time. Take a look at www.sportube.com and check out their ski cases. I got the Series 1.They're longer than I'd like at 48" minimum and a little more money ($100) than I wanted to spend but are a sturdy construction and supplied with casters that actually have real ball bearings not bushings. I'll just stuff bubble wrap in the ends to take up the slack.
 
Since 9/11 I haven't flown with my cue. I am too hesitant to take the risk by not being able to carryon. I will keep in mind that in all the years of travel there has only been a handful of times where my bags did not arrive at the baggage carousel. When that happens I usually get the bag later that day or the next day.

My question is how many folks have lost or had a cue stolen while in transit or flying? That to me is the nightmare. Even more so now that you can't even lock your checked luggage...not that baggage locks are a real deterrent and only keep honest people honest.

I like the idea of the sportube because it makes it appear as if you aren't travelling with a cue.

Am I worrying too much or should I just start flying again with my cue?
 
i'm about to take a little trip in a couple of weeks and i think that case seems like a good idea and fairly affordable compaired to a zero haliberton. i hope i don't jinx myself by saying this but i've never had an airline lose my bags. they always arrive ontime and in ok condition. even when i have to switch planes a couple of times
 
I have not flown with my Cue either since 2001. There is no way I would check it. I used to enjoy having it with me. I would stow it in the overhead
for takeoff, then when I got bored or ran out of CD's to listen to, I would get my case down and smooth my shafts with Cue papers and Burnish them with my shaft slicker, clean the Butts with a soft towel, clean out the junk in all the zipper pockets. It was a great conversation starter also.
Folks always had Pool or Snooker stories to tell, once they saw I was a player. I would be to afraid of theft to travel with it these days. I would never let my case leave my side. I never left it in the Hotel room, I would always have it with me.:)
 
Those Sportubes are very sturdy and you can put a lock on them. I use them for my skis and they have always kept them well protected.
 
I honestly think we have shown how nutty we are and for that, we shouldn't be allowed to bring our cues onboard as carry-on. I know there are tons of stories about lost-luggage but I have yet to hear about a damanged cue or cue-case. If you're worried about damaging your Whitten Case, get a standard Porper for traveling purposes.
 
Well, I've got a question now. :p

If a player put their break cue and shooting cue in a cloth case, one of those Lucasi velvet jobs, and packed it in their BIG suitcase, would the airlines allow the BIG suitcase in the baggage area?

The player would still have to pick up his/her luggage at the end of the flight, but I was wondering if they would make the player remove the cue sticks out of the bigger luggage. I am referring to the luggage that the passenger does NOT carry on board with them, but is placed elsewhere on the plane, to be picked up at the conclusion of the flight.

Just curious! Thanks in advance for any response. :)

JAM
 
JAM said:
Well, I've got a question now. :p

If a player put their break cue and shooting cue in a cloth case, one of those Lucasi velvet jobs, and packed it in their BIG suitcase, would the airlines allow the BIG suitcase in the baggage area?

The player would still have to pick up his/her luggage at the end of the flight, but I was wondering if they would make the player remove the cue sticks out of the bigger luggage. I am referring to the luggage that the passenger does NOT carry on board with them, but is placed elsewhere on the plane, to be picked up at the conclusion of the flight.

Just curious! Thanks in advance for any response. :)

JAM
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In all liklihood, they probably wouldn't touch it. I mean, I don't know what happens to your luggage once you check it in but I can't imagine much. They likely have dogs sniff everything and have it pass through x-ray machines. They'll deem it inert and move-on.
 
JAM said:
Well, I've got a question now. :p

If a player put their break cue and shooting cue in a cloth case, one of those Lucasi velvet jobs, and packed it in their BIG suitcase, would the airlines allow the BIG suitcase in the baggage area?

The player would still have to pick up his/her luggage at the end of the flight, but I was wondering if they would make the player remove the cue sticks out of the bigger luggage. I am referring to the luggage that the passenger does NOT carry on board with them, but is placed elsewhere on the plane, to be picked up at the conclusion of the flight.

Just curious! Thanks in advance for any response. :)

JAM
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Not a bad idea. At least the Riff-Raff on the loading platforms would not see it unless they found it while by mistake while looking for cash or perscription drugs, or anything else they steal.
 
JAM said:
Well, I've got a question now. :p

If a player put their break cue and shooting cue in a cloth case, one of those Lucasi velvet jobs, and packed it in their BIG suitcase, would the airlines allow the BIG suitcase in the baggage area?

The player would still have to pick up his/her luggage at the end of the flight, but I was wondering if they would make the player remove the cue sticks out of the bigger luggage. I am referring to the luggage that the passenger does NOT carry on board with them, but is placed elsewhere on the plane, to be picked up at the conclusion of the flight.

Just curious! Thanks in advance for any response. :)

JAM
Click to expand...
No, JAM, I've done exactly that. Put it in a small soft case diagonally in the suitcase and checked it. No problem at all, they just consider a cue a potential weapon (or hiding place for a weapon) and won't let it be carried on. At one particular airport (Providence) they ran the luggage through x-ray where you could see it. The cue looked real weird in the x-ray.
 
JAM, I have packed just my cue in my baggage before. I definitely endorse the TSA lock. Keeps any random people out of your stuff.

We also bought a large rolling duffel that accommodates both of our hard cue cases (bought it for $20 in Vegas) and we stuffed lots of other stuff in the sides for cushioning and checked it.

I used to use a soft golf bag, which I called the body bag, and if you do get a golf or ski bag, don't be surprised to not see it on the baggage carousel after you land. They move it to a special oversized section near the carousel. :)

OTH, I have seen a couple people sneak by with their cues in a small case as carry-ons! :eek:
 
I haven't flown since 9/11 - it's too undignified now.

I would ship my cues ahead to my hotel, if it was a nice one, or to the Kinko's/FedEx store nearest my destination, if I was staying a flea bag to save money.
 
This may be a dumb question, & I know that heat (leaving your cue in your car, etc) will warp a cue very quickly. But how about the freezing temps of the cargo hold at 30K feet?

Do the lower temperatures affect the cues the same? For example a flight from NY to LA or even to another country, the cues could be subject to some low temperatures for a period of time.

Just curious.

Thanks,
Craig
 
Irish634 said:
This may be a dumb question, & I know that heat (leaving your cue in your car, etc) will warp a cue very quickly. But how about the freezing temps of the cargo hold at 30K feet?

Do the lower temperatures affect the cues the same? For example a flight from NY to LA or even to another country, the cues could be subject to some low temperatures for a period of time.

Just curious.

Thanks,
Craig
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I was told by a cuemaker that it shouldn't be a problem, but if you have an ivory ferrule and/or joint let them adjust to the climate (temp AND humidity) before using it.
 
I ship my cues via FedEx so that they arrive the same day I'll be checking in.

The cues go in my Instroke case, the case gets wrapped in bubble wrap, and the whole thing goes in a heavy duty box which I seal with packing tape. I make sure to insure everything and ship it overnite express.

I've done this at least a half a dozen times and never once had a problem.
 
last time i went to vegas, i put my whole george case (2x4!) wrapped in a towel for insulation, diagonally in a suitcase. i had to leave the cap off of the case, but it worked great.

-s
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I honestly think we have shown how nutty we are and for that, we shouldn't be allowed to bring our cues onboard as carry-on. I know there are tons of stories about lost-luggage but I have yet to hear about a damanged cue or cue-case. If you're worried about damaging your Whitten Case, get a standard Porper for traveling purposes.
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I wish it was as simple as buying a cheap hard case. For me I landed on Whitten because he could and would make a case that mt cue would fit in.

Virtually all cues cases are made to pool cue specs. The tubes are too small for many or most carom cues, especially with a rubber grip.

So the down side to owning a high end case is now I have something else to worry about. I loved my old 69 VW van. Who cares if it gets a scratch or dent or if you need to haul a load of dirt. Those were the days.
 
Joe Porper

I think I would opt for a Joe Porper airline case. It isn't expensive at all, and would work just as well. 40.00 for the small and 50 for the large!


www.porper.com
 
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