Traveling with a cue!?
- Thread starter itsjay764
- Start date
Cues have to be checked with baggage. They can no longer be carried on. If your suitcase is big enough, put the cue case in diagonally and pack clothes around it. I've done this with a 1x2 case with no problems. The big rolling duffle bag cases with a bottom compartment are also a great option. Another option is to get a Porper travel case to put the cue case in and check it separately.
Regards,
Randy
Regards,
Randy
Check with your airline in advance. When I flew a cue back and forth to Vegas, Southwest used to sometimes ask "whats in the bag?" When I told them, they asked me to sign a waiver releasing them from responsibility if the cue was damaged in baggage. If it was lost, they would pay. I leave two cues and case in Vegas now. Much easier for me. And I don't have to wait for the baggage to arrive at the terminal. At least an hours time at most airport from leaving the plane.
Lyn
Lyn
TSA rules
Here's a link to the TSA website on sports equipment; pool cues, baseball bats, hockey sticks and other stuff all prohibited as carry on. Although an individual airline may tell you it's OK, the final authority is TSA: if you can't get past them, you don't get on the plane.
I found a Swiss Army duffel with wheels that's long enough to put a 2x4 case in, with plenty of room for a week's worth of stuff that helps pad the case. I prefer to put the case inside something else that doesn't ID its contents....and these days when checked baggage always costs extra, it's nice to only check one bag with everything.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1038.shtm
Here's a link to the TSA website on sports equipment; pool cues, baseball bats, hockey sticks and other stuff all prohibited as carry on. Although an individual airline may tell you it's OK, the final authority is TSA: if you can't get past them, you don't get on the plane.
I found a Swiss Army duffel with wheels that's long enough to put a 2x4 case in, with plenty of room for a week's worth of stuff that helps pad the case. I prefer to put the case inside something else that doesn't ID its contents....and these days when checked baggage always costs extra, it's nice to only check one bag with everything.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1038.shtm
Oh! I thought it said traveling WITH Cue!
Sorry, that would also almost require baggage checking and frequent flier miles would also be accumulated during the month of that trip.
As for carrying on your cues.... nope. Gotta check 'em with baggage. The good old days are gone apparently.
And trust me, don't try to go through security with your cues in Denver.
If you make it to the gates the goon squad will become quite hostile in their attempts to sneak up and grab your cues from your shoulder.
Which in turn delays your flight because of the assault charges racked up from the "attempted cuenapping" by the goon squad.
Huge drama.
Get something LOCKABLE put your case in it, and check it.
Or overnight it before you leave if you know the address of where you will be.
It cost about the same.
Sorry, that would also almost require baggage checking and frequent flier miles would also be accumulated during the month of that trip.
As for carrying on your cues.... nope. Gotta check 'em with baggage. The good old days are gone apparently.
And trust me, don't try to go through security with your cues in Denver.
If you make it to the gates the goon squad will become quite hostile in their attempts to sneak up and grab your cues from your shoulder.
Which in turn delays your flight because of the assault charges racked up from the "attempted cuenapping" by the goon squad.
Huge drama.
Get something LOCKABLE put your case in it, and check it.
Or overnight it before you leave if you know the address of where you will be.
It cost about the same.
If you're gonna check it .... Wrap it/Protect it well !!!
Somethng I used to do with good luck. Buy a piece of heavy wall pvc pipe w/ end caps. Wrap your cues in cloth & put them in the pipe & in your suitcase. Better protection than your case, and you can carry your case on if you like. Or take a soft case & you can put it in the suitcase, too.
You could probably check that PVC thingy, if you taped (well taped) the caps to the pipe.
Anyone done that ???
Anyone done that ???
Interesting!
I wonder if you took the pvc pipe and glued the end caps on so the airline folks could not see inside what would happen? Do they have the right to cut it open to inspect the contents? I have always wondered if they see the cues would they be more likely to be stolen....
Dan
I wonder if you took the pvc pipe and glued the end caps on so the airline folks could not see inside what would happen? Do they have the right to cut it open to inspect the contents? I have always wondered if they see the cues would they be more likely to be stolen....
Dan
I'd check with the TSA before locking a cue case, even if it is inside checked luggage. Since I think your luggage has to be unlocked (the TSA apparently has the right to search even checked luggage and can break or cut a lock to get in if they want), I would assume they would also have the right to get into anything locked inside your luggage. I'd hate to have a nice cue case broken by the TSA because it was locked and they decided to force it open.
I don't travel with a custom or expensive cue anyway. I've got a lower end cue for that purpose. Besides being damaged by the airline I wouldn't want an expensive cue to get lost in transit, stolen out of my hotel room, or have to leave it in the hot trunk of a rental car all day long while I'm at work.
Of course I am not a professional so I don't need to take my best equipment with me everywhere I go. When I travel (usually business) pool is just a recreational thing for me to do in the evenings to unwind. If I happen to find a match while on the road it is usually for friendly stakes.
If you do need to travel with an expensive cue, one option that I think some guys use is to ship it to your destination via UPS, Fedex or USPS. This way you can insure it for whatever value you need to and if you mark it fragile/do not bend etc. you have a better chance they will treat it properly than when the primates behind the wall at the airport get a hold of it. And you don't have to compromise on protection because it has to fit inside your suitcase. Plus, now that the airlines are charging for checked luggage (which BTW, is the dumbest idea they have come up with in a long time), it might even save you a little money and it will avoid baggage claim at your destination if you would otherwise be able to carry-on were it not for having to check your cue.
Hope this helps.
I don't travel with a custom or expensive cue anyway. I've got a lower end cue for that purpose. Besides being damaged by the airline I wouldn't want an expensive cue to get lost in transit, stolen out of my hotel room, or have to leave it in the hot trunk of a rental car all day long while I'm at work.
Of course I am not a professional so I don't need to take my best equipment with me everywhere I go. When I travel (usually business) pool is just a recreational thing for me to do in the evenings to unwind. If I happen to find a match while on the road it is usually for friendly stakes.
If you do need to travel with an expensive cue, one option that I think some guys use is to ship it to your destination via UPS, Fedex or USPS. This way you can insure it for whatever value you need to and if you mark it fragile/do not bend etc. you have a better chance they will treat it properly than when the primates behind the wall at the airport get a hold of it. And you don't have to compromise on protection because it has to fit inside your suitcase. Plus, now that the airlines are charging for checked luggage (which BTW, is the dumbest idea they have come up with in a long time), it might even save you a little money and it will avoid baggage claim at your destination if you would otherwise be able to carry-on were it not for having to check your cue.
Hope this helps.
Disappeared
Sadly things do get stolen by airport employees. A former pro (Jack Stenner)from NC had a Schon he had played with for over 25 years in a case in his suitcase and it disappeared from his luggage and was never seen again. He put up a reward and did all he could to get that cue back, to no avail. I guess the low end cue for travel may be the best option compared to bringing a cue you really do not wish to lose...
Dan
Sadly things do get stolen by airport employees. A former pro (Jack Stenner)from NC had a Schon he had played with for over 25 years in a case in his suitcase and it disappeared from his luggage and was never seen again. He put up a reward and did all he could to get that cue back, to no avail. I guess the low end cue for travel may be the best option compared to bringing a cue you really do not wish to lose...
Dan