Fly with It Or Overnight It?

[Barbara]

Hey All,

I need your input here. Ever since the FAA has banned cues on board, I have only traveled once with my cue, and that was to Vegas, and I was sweating it all the way and back. Bought $5000 worth of insurance each way, and the damn airline company still mishandled the procedures they were supposed to follow!

So I have this tournament in January in FLA that I'm going to play in. I just talked to my Cueman and he suggested shipping it overnight to myself to the hotel we'll be staying in. Uh, my hubby and me that is, not Cueman and me. Although, we're going to Disney World afterward and Cueman knows his Disney World - that's why I called!!

So what does anyone recommend and, if you ship it, which company would you recommend? Cueman had a call to take this afternoon before I could pop the question. It was probably PaulyBatz, LOL!!

Barbara

 

[SPINTHEBALL]

I do this alot. I always rent a car so I just send the cue or cues Fedex and have them hold at their location. When you get there,it is there waiting for you safe and secure.

 

[raemondo]

Hey All,

I need your input here. Ever since the FAA has banned cues on board, I have only traveled once with my cue, and that was to Vegas, and I was sweating it all the way and back. Bought $5000 worth of insurance each way, and the damn airline company still mishandled the procedures they were supposed to follow!

So I have this tournament in January in FLA that I'm going to play in. I just talked to my Cueman and he suggested shipping it overnight to myself to the hotel we'll be staying in. Uh, my hubby and me that is, not Cueman and me. Although, we're going to Disney World afterward and Cueman knows his Disney World - that's why I called!!

So what does anyone recommend and, if you ship it, which company would you recommend? Cueman had a call to take this afternoon before I could pop the question. It was probably PaulyBatz, LOL!!

Barbara

Oh gosh Barbara, $5000 insurance each way?!??! What kind of cues are you using!??!?

I have travelled with my cues many times (> 15) both within USA and internationally...and I've actually never had a problem with mishandling. I used a Giuseppe at the time and got a Porper travel case, and padded the case with towels and jeans. I also made them put like 5 fragile stickers on the case.

I don't know about the shipping company though, your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Barbara]

I do this alot. I always rent a car so I just send the cue or cues Fedex and have them hold at their location. When you get there,it is there waiting for you safe and secure.

So you ship to a Fedex site? Would you recommend this over shipping to the hotel we'll be staying at?

Barbara

 

[Barbara]

Oh gosh Barbara, $5000 insurance each way?!??! What kind of cues are you using!??!?

Okay, I'm probably over-insuring it, but I play with a Szamboti that Barry made for me. I would hate like hell to lose it and would have to make somebody pay for it, if that were to happen.

Barbara

 

[Sweet Marissa]

Checking Baggage

I've seen ruined cues (snapped in half!) and cases from improper handling. Airlines don't compensate for external damages to your case (ie. clasp, zippers), so if you prefer to travel with your cue/case, protect it with a hard travel case; there are some made for golfers at www.travalite.com.

Either way, I'd be breathing funny until I had it back and safe with me.

 

[SPINTHEBALL]

So you ship to a Fedex site? Would you recommend this over shipping to the hotel we'll be staying at?

Barbara

The reason I like the Fedex location as opposed to delivery to the hotel is because there is one less chance for your package to be lost. Fedex will require a signature as well as identification to pick them up.

 

[PoolSleuth]

Okay, I'm probably over-insuring it, but I play with a Szamboti that Barry made for me. I would hate like hell to lose it and would have to make somebody pay for it, if that were to happen.

Barbara

All the insurance in the world will not replace your Cue if lost or Damaged.

Plus as I once had FedX Destroy something they shipped for me. All I can say is their insurance claims procedure is a Pain in the Butt.

I personally would never ever again use Federal Express, for anything. UPS is good, but if the hotel personal sign for your Cue, and it disappear who will you blame? Will the hotel pay for it? NOT?

Buy a Box or Shipping Container that the Airline Can Not Destroy like the kind you would put a Rife in.

Fly with your Cue, and Insure the Hell out of it, and my last suggestion is PRAY...

 

[raemondo]

I've seen ruined cues (snapped in half!) and cases from improper handling. Airlines don't compensate for external damages to your case (ie. clasp, zippers), so if you prefer to travel with your cue/case, protect it with a hard travel case; there are some made for golfers at www.travalite.com.

Either way, I'd be breathing funny until I had it back and safe with me.

Marissa I don't think that the golfer travalite cases are feasible....I think that that the Zero Haliburton cases are a better choice. Plus, you can get a 4x8 for just $320, and they are supposed to be real tough stuff.

I agree with PoolSleuth, nothing will replace your cue if it's lost or damaged. It's always a risk when you're travelling with it but Barbara, I think that you're a good enough player to play without your Szam and still do good.

Also, I'm going to be flying with the instroke soon and hopefully that won't get snapped in half!

 

[Barbara]

FedEx or UPS??? DHL Anyone??? Opinions??

I will do anything to get my cue there and home. Any Pros out there willing to share how they sweat the ride?

Barbara

 

[lfigueroa]

It'll be too late for this event, but do what I did and have Sheldon Lebow http://www.sheldoncue.com/ make you a 3-piece travel cue. It fits nicely in an average size bag and, while I love it, I won't be as pissed if it gets damaged, or stolen, as I would my custom Gina.

And here's the great part: I sent Sheldon the specs of my Gina -- length, taper, balance point, weight, and asked for an ivory ferule and Moori tip -- and with just a few days practice before traveling, I can adjust to my travel cue, no problemo. Here's a pic (case by Chas Clements http://www.chasclements.com/ extra

Lou Figueroa

 

[Solartje]

cant u just take it with u on the plane and make it count as handlogage? never travaled by plain with my cue. ill check this post more. im curious too.

 

[Eric.]

I stuff my cues, case and all, wrapped in bubble wrap, in my suitcase. Now, I know that the possibility of theft or loss is still there, but such is life. I make sure my contact info is also in my cuecase, in case it somehow gets separated from being inside the suitcase. Also, you can buy "TSA locks" in airports. For those wondering, these are the locks that the TSA (only) has keys to and can open them to inspect your suitcase. Just an extra level of security.

I've shipped my cues this way since 9/11. So far (knock on wood), this hasn't let me down yet.


Eric

 

[Barbara]

cant u just take it with u on the plane and make it count as handlogage? never travaled by plain with my cue. ill check this post more. im curious too.

After 9/11 ocurred, the TSA declared cue sticks as weapons and forbid them as carry ons.

Yeah, they just allowed 7" screw drivers and 4" scissors.

Like I'd break my cue over some a-hole's head. Not worth it.

Barbara

 

[AuntyDan]

Marissa I don't think that the golfer travalite cases are feasible....I think that that the Zero Haliburton cases are a better choice. Plus, you can get a 4x8 for just $320, and they are supposed to be real tough stuff.

I don't think you quite understood the concept - You put your existing cue case in the golf case. Something like this would seem to be perfect and costs a third of the Zero case. If you want a hard case for travelling to replace a regular cue case there's also the ABS plastic Longoni range that are very nice, but hard to find in the USA.

If you want something pratical and more economical the other option to look at is hard cases made for firearms. There are several I've seen built for break-down shotguns that are around 36" long that would be perfect and prices start around $70 USD. Of course if you want maximum protection you can also get solid aluminium brite-tread style ones that would probably be quite happy being run over by a truck. However these would weigh a ton and I'd be real worried what would happen to a cue if this was left out in the sun. Maybe split the difference and go with a heavy-duty plastic design like the Starlight cases used by the military.

 

[Jack Madden]

FedEx or UPS??? DHL Anyone??? Opinions??

I will do anything to get my cue there and home. Any Pros out there willing to share how they sweat the ride?

Barbara

UPS - delivery to UPS location, INSURE IT -was told if its insured for enough (?) it gets hand carried not conveyor belted from place to place (and last ups person who signed for it along the way is responsible for it), make sure you have to sign for it when picked up. Suggest you pack it - not those flimsy cardboard boxes.
Jack
www.johnmaddencues.com

 

[Barbara]

Okay...

Aunty Dan,

These are all good for putting a cue into some luggage, but I'm into either shipping it down there or putting it into our luggage case that can hold my cue and case. And what's to prevent some luggage jockey to opening a TSA-friendly case's lock and stealing its contents? I still don't understand that point of view. How are you still protected?

I'm leaning towards overnight shipping. But to the hotel or the shipper's point of delivery? That is the question.

Barbara

I don't think you quite understood the concept - You put your existing cue case in the golf case. Something like this would seem to be perfect and costs a third of the Zero case. If you want a hard case for travelling to replace a regular cue case there's also the ABS plastic Longoni range that are very nice, but hard to find in the USA.

If you want something pratical and more economical the other option to look at is hard cases made for firearms. There are several I've seen built for break-down shotguns that are around 36" long that would be perfect and prices start around $70 USD. Of course if you want maximum protection you can also get solid aluminium brite-tread style ones that would probably be quite happy being run over by a truck. However these would weigh a ton and I'd be real worried what would happen to a cue if this was left out in the sun. Maybe split the difference and go with a heavy-duty plastic design like the Starlight cases used by the military.

 

[AuntyDan]

Aunty Dan,

These are all good for putting a cue into some luggage, but I'm into either shipping it down there or putting it into our luggage case that can hold my cue and case. And what's to prevent some luggage jockey to opening a TSA-friendly case's lock and stealing its contents? I still don't understand that point of view. How are you still protected?

I'm leaning towards overnight shipping. But to the hotel or the shipper's point of delivery? That is the question.

Barbara

I'd heard since airline baggage handling was Federalized in the USA the incidents of theft were way down. In general principle though if you are not legally allowed to lock your baggage items such that no-one including the TSA are allowed to open them then no, there is nothing to physically stop anything getting stolen from your luggage when you fly. The hard shell case I mentioned because it offers physical protection from rough handling of the case, and if you use at least a basic lock setup to deter casual theft. (Anyone simply looking for a easy target will pick one of the thousands of unlocked items of baggage instead.)

As for your question about shipping if I were in that situation I'd have it shipped direct to the hotel. Just like most businesses I'm sure hotels have deliveries from Fed-Ex etc. on a regular basis and you can tell them when you book the room to expect the delivery. Ideally you'd setup the shipment so you'd know it would arrive after you arrive at the hotel so you can sign for it yourself. If it was delivered to the courier's depot instead you'd have the issue of making sure you are there during business hours to collect it.

 

[X Breaker]

Barbara,

I fly with my cue a lot although I hardly play pool.

I used a big long golf case and I also used a smaller case which was long enough for a cue. The airline people opened my bag and took my cues out almost everytime. I noticed it because they always put my cues back the wrong way(they put the bumper in last while I do it the other way). One time I locked it and they cut my lock. They also would put in a note telling you they have opened your case and I believe you have very little right if your boti was damaged in the process.

I like FedEx overnight as they are very precise. They will scan your cue many times along the process to reduce the chance of it being lost.

I will ship it to the hotel. They will hold it behind the counter for you. It is quite safe as long as you know when you will arrive so your cue will not be there too long.

I have never had to claim insurance with FedEx but I have heard horror stories. The same goes with UPS and DHL and what have you.

I think your concern that they will open your case and take your cue out is valid as it has happened to me many times. If they drop or dent your cue along the process, it is tough luck.

You have a better chance of having no one touches your cue if you ship it via FedEx or other couriers. I always use FedEx.

Hope this helps.

Richard

 

[Busman]

I used to ship mine in one of these. These things are HEAVY DUTY.

http://www.swps.com/1742ricawifo.html

Friend of mine turned me onto them, he demonstrated how sturdy they were by putting 3 cues in it and backing over the case with his jeep. Thought it was a bit silly but made an impression. They are great to ship in also/not just for luggage on airlines.

Just an idea.