U.S. Airways Says YES to Carry-on Cue Sticks

FeltMaster

FeltMaster

You Get The 8
Silver Member
Folks,

I will be flying to Vegas for the APA Nationals once again in 2 weeks and have decided it is time to check into carrying on my cues. It has always been my impression that this was forbidden, but I was just going by what everyone else told me.

The reason I decide to make this call was the fact that last week I flew from Arkansas home on Delta and carried on a wooden cane.
I went through security (of course sent the cane through xray) and boarded the plane without even a second look from anyone.
(By the way the cane was a gift, and I don't need to use it.....well, only when my back is out)

This prompted my call to US Airways. After a conversation with a Customer Service Agent explaining that the case with the cues would fit in the overhead bin... and about a 5 minute wait on hold while he conferred with a supervisor, he came back and tols me YES, I could carry them on.

Will be nice to not pack the case into my suitcase, or check it as luggage for that matter, or even mail it ahead. We all know how valuable, not only in dollars, but in confidence our playing cues are to each of us.

See you In Vegas,
Dom
 
yeah that one guy said it would be ok. but it could still be a different story with the people on plane you get on. those security guards might not care who said you could carry on your cue
 
Surprise

FeltMaster said:
Folks,

I will be flying to Vegas for the APA Nationals once again in 2 weeks and have decided it is time to check into carrying on my cues. It has always been my impression that this was forbidden, but I was just going by what everyone else told me.

The reason I decide to make this call was the fact that last week I flew from Arkansas home on Delta and carried on a wooden cane.
I went through security (of course sent the cane through xray) and boarded the plane without even a second look from anyone.
(By the way the cane was a gift, and I don't need to use it.....well, only when my back is out)

This prompted my call to US Airways. After a conversation with a Customer Service Agent explaining that the case with the cues would fit in the overhead bin... and about a 5 minute wait on hold while he conferred with a supervisor, he came back and tols me YES, I could carry them on.

Will be nice to not pack the case into my suitcase, or check it as luggage for that matter, or even mail it ahead. We all know how valuable, not only in dollars, but in confidence our playing cues are to each of us.

See you In Vegas,
Dom
Click to expand...

TSA might have something to add to that phone conversation. LOL

Ray
 
Unfortunately, it is not up to any airline to set policy for the TSA and you need to get through the security checkpoint before you can board the airplane.

There is SERIOUS risk that you will not be allowed through security with a pool cue at which point you choice will be to go check your cue case and risk serious damage or cancel your flight.

Regards,
Jim

FeltMaster said:
Folks,

I will be flying to Vegas for the APA Nationals once again in 2 weeks and have decided it is time to check into carrying on my cues. It has always been my impression that this was forbidden, but I was just going by what everyone else told me.

The reason I decide to make this call was the fact that last week I flew from Arkansas home on Delta and carried on a wooden cane.
I went through security (of course sent the cane through xray) and boarded the plane without even a second look from anyone.
(By the way the cane was a gift, and I don't need to use it.....well, only when my back is out)

This prompted my call to US Airways. After a conversation with a Customer Service Agent explaining that the case with the cues would fit in the overhead bin... and about a 5 minute wait on hold while he conferred with a supervisor, he came back and tols me YES, I could carry them on.

Will be nice to not pack the case into my suitcase, or check it as luggage for that matter, or even mail it ahead. We all know how valuable, not only in dollars, but in confidence our playing cues are to each of us.

See you In Vegas,
Dom
Click to expand...
 
From the TSA website:

Item Carry-on Checked
Baseball Bats No Yes
Bows and Arrows No Yes
Cricket Bats No Yes
Golf Clubs No Yes
Hockey Sticks No Yes
Lacrosse Sticks No Yes
Pool Cues No Yes
Ski Poles No Yes
Spear Guns No Yes


Sorry but I was excited for a minute too because my team will be in Vegas in a few weeks.
 
Koop said:
From the TSA website:

Item Carry-on Checked
Baseball Bats No Yes
Bows and Arrows No Yes
Cricket Bats No Yes
Golf Clubs No Yes
Hockey Sticks No Yes
Lacrosse Sticks No Yes
Pool Cues No Yes
Ski Poles No Yes
Spear Guns No Yes


Sorry but I was excited for a minute too because my team will be in Vegas in a few weeks.
Click to expand...

WOW Koop Good on you and your team, good luck in Vegas.
Keep us posted on how you do.
mrs.g
:)
 
It's a TSA thing.

DONT EVEN TRY!!!!!!!!!!!

I flew back from China with my cue carry-on (the Chinese could CARE LESS, trust me). So I think...F-it, if I brought it carry-on, I'll continue with it carry-on when I land at O'Hare. So I wait an hour in the security line with my cue case on my shoulder.

My turn at the x-ray thing and this "Police Adademy / Bob Goldswait-looking-like-guy" says....

"OH MY GOOOOOOD!!! IS THAT A POOL CUUUUUUUUUE!?!?!?!??!?!! OMG!"

I'm thinking, "OK you can stop with the drama now you jackas*."

He goes, "YOU CANT CARRY A CUUUUUUE ON THE PLAAAANE!!!!!!"

So I say, "Sir, why not? They let me take it carry-on during my last flight!??!"

He says, "Where did your last flight originate from?"

"Beijing."

He goes, "Well, you're not in China anymore son."

That ass called me son.

Anyways, they ESCORTED me back to the ticketing counter as if I was a security threat and made me PAY for a third checked-in bag ($100).

Folks, I know I'm not the most level-headed person in the world, but my head NEARLY popped.... not necessarily from the $100 beat-down, but FROM THE FACT I HAD TO WAIT IN LINE FOR AN HOUR AT THE TICKET COUNTER, ANOTHER HOUR AT THE X-RAY THING..... *POP!!!!!!*

I was the last one on my plane and I had a 4-hour lay-over.

Just a short story from Spider.... ship it UPS/FEDEX. I wouldn't even pack it in a bag.... they lose those all the time too. FedEx never lost 1 thing of mine, ever.

Dave
 
Koop said:
From the TSA website:

Item Carry-on Checked
Baseball Bats No Yes
Bows and Arrows No Yes
Cricket Bats No Yes
Golf Clubs No Yes
Hockey Sticks No Yes
Lacrosse Sticks No Yes
Pool Cues No Yes
Ski Poles No Yes
Spear Guns No Yes


Sorry but I was excited for a minute too because my team will be in Vegas in a few weeks.
Click to expand...
I see, I guess bottom line it is not going to be up to the Airline...but you would think they would know what is allowed to be carryed on per TSA.
....Still say I can be as much a security risk with that cane as with a cue stick.
I will investigate a little further, but looks like it's going into the Porper Travel Bag with the luggage.....thing is it will cost me $25.00 to check it as a second bag (still cheaper than fedex and better than an overweight charge for my suitcase of $50.00)!
 
Koop said:
From the TSA website:

Item Carry-on Checked
Baseball Bats No Yes
Bows and Arrows No Yes
Cricket Bats No Yes
Golf Clubs No Yes
Hockey Sticks No Yes
Lacrosse Sticks No Yes
Pool Cues No Yes
Ski Poles No Yes
Spear Guns No Yes


Sorry but I was excited for a minute too because my team will be in Vegas in a few weeks.
Click to expand...

You can't carry on spear guns?!?!?!

What gives?? :D

Seriously, though -- I'll be heading out to Vegas in a couple weeks too. Do most people just check their cases when flying with cues? Any special locks needed to make sure they aren't damaged or tampered with?
 
Until the BCA/APA/VNEA/WPBA...et al, join together to petition for a policy change with regards to cues as carry-ons....I am afraid the TSA's policy will not change.

I recently heard that the TSA does have a blog site where people can voice their opinions and concerns with regards to certain TSA policies. It is my understanding this blog is closely monitored, so perhaps that would be a good place for pool players to start.

I used to fly in the early 90's with very expensive sport kites that would not fit in the overhead compartments. I was allowed to store these in the forward most closet found on most airplanes. These closets are generally rarely used, and would be a great place to store those cue cases, while allowing the flight attendants to monitor their access during flight. This might be a good starting point with regards to an argument for allowing cues/cases as carry-ons when approaching the TSA.

Lisa
 
D Player said:
You can't carry on spear guns?!?!?!

What gives?? :D

Seriously, though -- I'll be heading out to Vegas in a couple weeks too. Do most people just check their cases when flying with cues? Any special locks needed to make sure they aren't damaged or tampered with?
Click to expand...


You can purchase special TSA locks for your luggage. It allows only the TSA to have access to the interior of your luggage. Should they choose to search your luggage without one of these locks, they will cut your locks off, and your luggage will then be unsecured for the remainder of your trip, or until the locks are replaced.

Lisa
 
ridewiththewind said:
I used to fly in the early 90's with very expensive sport kites that would not fit in the overhead compartments. I was allowed to store these in the forward most closet found on most airplanes. These closets are generally rarely used, and would be a great place to store those cue cases, while allowing the flight attendants to monitor their access during flight. This might be a good starting point with regards to an argument for allowing cues/cases as carry-ons when approaching the TSA.

Lisa
Click to expand...
Not a bad idea, Lisa... but, fwiw, we currently don't design lockable closets on board our airplanes so the existing closets would not be a secure location. Any passenger that saw the pool cue being put there by an attendant could go get it for themself and potentially use it to overpower a crew member... because a flight attendant may not always be in the vicinity of the closet to guard its contents.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in favor of not being able to carry-on a pool cue... I'm just adding my thoughts on your idea.

Regards, cd.
 
One solution, if your cues, with out the case, will fit into your luggage, you can still carry on the empty case. (Make sure you also remove any sharp tools, also)... that way, you may avoid the extra luggage charge. You can wrap your cues in bubble wrap or cloths...
 
cuechick said:
One solution, if your cues, with out the case, will fit into your luggage, you can still carry on the empty case. (Make sure you also remove any sharp tools, also)... that way, you may avoid the extra luggage charge. You can wrap your cues in bubble wrap or cloths...
Click to expand...
Good Point!!
 
cuechick said:
One solution, if your cues, with out the case, will fit into your luggage, you can still carry on the empty case. (Make sure you also remove any sharp tools, also)... that way, you may avoid the extra luggage charge. You can wrap your cues in bubble wrap or cloths...
Click to expand...


This is what I usually do, but last time I forgot the butt of my jump cue in the hidden side pocket. They had to pull it out at security. I looked at them and said, whoops I forgot about that piece. I told them what it was and they let me on with it. A foot long with the bolt sticking out and they had no issues with it. Guess I got lucky!
 
Make special knobs for each half of the cue and call them specialty canes.

Or attach a string and call them instruments. Make some business cards touting your new line of canes with interchangeable heads.

Fit up an adapter and call them monopods for cameras.

Tell the TSA that they are dumbasses because anyone who is stupid enough to try and hijack a plane with a pool cue isn't even good enough to be an APA 2.

Stupid!

Last week I flew from Charlotte to OKC and Delta lost my bag with my cases and cues in them. While I would have hated to lose the cues I had a customer's $1000 case inside and was sweating it. The luggage came in later that night but it was still a sick feeling.

It pisses me off when I see all the things that are carried on which are "potentially" more dangerous than pool cues.

For that matter one could carry on ceramic or even plastic "cards" that are honed to be razor sharp and will slice a throat open as quickly as a razor. Yet these idiots worry about truly harmless objects like pool cues. Why can't one pull out the metal bars on luggage and use it as a weapon? I mean the whole thing is foolish.

oh well it's a different world now.
 
FeltMaster said:
Folks,

I will be flying to Vegas for the APA Nationals once again in 2 weeks and have decided it is time to check into carrying on my cues. It has always been my impression that this was forbidden, but I was just going by what everyone else told me.

The reason I decide to make this call was the fact that last week I flew from Arkansas home on Delta and carried on a wooden cane.
I went through security (of course sent the cane through xray) and boarded the plane without even a second look from anyone.
(By the way the cane was a gift, and I don't need to use it.....well, only when my back is out)

This prompted my call to US Airways. After a conversation with a Customer Service Agent explaining that the case with the cues would fit in the overhead bin... and about a 5 minute wait on hold while he conferred with a supervisor, he came back and tols me YES, I could carry them on.

Will be nice to not pack the case into my suitcase, or check it as luggage for that matter, or even mail it ahead. We all know how valuable, not only in dollars, but in confidence our playing cues are to each of us.

See you In Vegas,
Dom
Click to expand...
I was assured by AirTran Corporate on the phone that I could carry my cue on board my flight. It was TSA, however, who turned me back at the security gate. The airlines don't have a say in it. Be prepared to check it in!
 
JB Cases said:
oh well it's a different world now.
Click to expand...

You can say that again. One week lighters are allowed, next week no. One time you can carry your cue on the plane, next time you can't. Our airlines have gotten so out of control that it is beyond sickening. With how cheap they are getting it is not at all unreasonable to think they will soon charge for using that overhead air thing or even for reclining your seat.

When I travel with my cues I simply keep them inside the case and pack them in between all of my clothes. One thing you could do is take a picture with your phone of the ticketing agent hag while your bag is open displaying the cue "not broken" in your luggage. That way if it gets jacked you have some proof it was there. In the unfortunate event it doesn't show up, you can always say it was worth 3x what it was. Might work :) Either way best of luck in Vegas and play a Mini-Mania tourney for me
 
FeltMaster said:
This prompted my call to US Airways. After a conversation with a Customer Service Agent explaining that the case with the cues would fit in the overhead bin... and about a 5 minute wait on hold while he conferred with a supervisor, he came back and tols me YES, I could carry them on.
Click to expand...
TSA won't let the cues past security for USAir to allow you to carry it. So, don't bother trying. That'd be my advice.

Fred
 
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