Flying with your cue???

[Cue Guru]

Does anyone see any reason why I can't wrap my case in bubble wrap, put it in a shipping box, and check it?

That is essentially what I did- less the bubble wrap.

I cut up a box I found at the airport (the one with the least urine on it), cut it and wrapped it around my Whitten and taped the thing like a mummy.

What bothers me as much, or perhaps more than the brain donors "handling" the baggage is the severe temperature drop at altitude. My checked baggage is quite cold once I get it in the airport... Finishes crack and wood is generally not too happy when it is really cold.

The Whitten performed flawlessly, and the cue arrived safe. Had I known ahead of time, I would have boxed it better or got a rifle flight case as shown above. I am partial to Pelican cases, although they are a bit pricey.

 

[Woof Biscuit]

Thanks again!!! I am going the bubble wrap/box/tape way this time. Now that I know, I will be prepared for next time.

 

[enzo]

yeah, you gotta love these new regulations-- the airlines do anyway. you can't take a lot of things on the plane with you anymore, AND they charge you of you check them. fun!!

this doesn't help as far a the pool cue issue is concerned, but i have been boarding planes (done this twice now) with three (yes 3) carryons lately. what you do is just slip up to the checkin counter and hopefully the lady doesn't see shit, she'll say need to check anything, say no. make your way to the security area before the gates, and believe it or not those fools there are not looking for a number of bags per say (ie too many), they are looking for things in your bags, so it's easy to go undetected with three bags. when boarding the plane i tried my best to hide one of my bags to make it look as if i only had 2. hopefully you have a camera if you are gonna try all this, put it in your third bag, and if you run into any problems just tell them that "tsa permits a 3rd carryon for camera equipment." it may not work, but at least you'll have an excuse as to why you had the 3rd bag. and yes tsa and the airlines REALLY do allow a 3rd bag if it is camera equipment (i think because of lawsuits for expensive stuff being lost).

here's the tsa statement about the 3rd bag: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1248.shtm

i championed out of the 30 dollar checked bag fee doing the above on my last trip!!

 

[Cue Guru]

Ironic, because I have my camera gear in a Pelican and always check it.

Insurance (mine as well as purchased at the airline counter) is a must. Plus, when the 'handlers' see it is an insured package, they tend to be SLIGHTLY less destructive with it.

Knock on straight-grain maple I have not had any issues with my camera gear, even flying international with it...

 

[cuechick]

Even the best aren't immune from this stupid rule: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/3419435.stm

I recall that Mike Massey used to put his cue case inside a golf club case and fill the empty space with clothes. Extra protection never hurts.

Well, this is especially tough for snooker players, I believe their cues do not break down, are just one single piece. So that would make them more fragile. I agree that perhaps checking them in as you board would seem a better solution for all of us, so they are not just tossed in with the regular luggage. I know a few pros and others have had their cues "lost" as well.