travelling with fishing reels

[CaptGeneKelly]

i just came back from guatemala, flying out of jfk.
they would not allow the reels as carry-ons, or more specifically the line, and i had to check them.
this might be something new, because i flew down in january without a problem, but had the same thing happen on the return a couple of days later, but i thought it might have been a guatemala thing.

[Gadfly]

Thank you very much, that is very helpful info no doubt to a number of us. I had discounted the rods but not the reels.

[backwater]

It is unfortunate that you couldn't include your reels in your carry-on. It seems like the "rules" are different in just about every airport I hear about. I just flew out of Newark in April and had 3 reels in carryon. No problems. I also brought my rods, but they're all 5 piece models and I have a small case that is fitted to their tubes, but i replaced the metal tubes with strong cardboard packing tubes instead. I think that keeping it as low profile as possible is the way to go. I think a lot of the decisions hinge on who you happen to get as a screener that day. I used to think that it was sinking lines that sent up the flags as the metal powder in the head probably shows up on the screen. Its shame to have to pack a few thousand dollars worth of reels and lines in a checked back because some idiot thinks the line could be used as a weapon...Of all the things that I could improvise into a weapon, I think the fly line would be about my last choice. I think a rolled up magazine or my belt would probably make a better weapon than that.

Tom

[fishfilmmaker]

I travel with a lot of gear because i do rod and gear reviews on video and in the field... and i havent been able to take a fly reel, or even some rod cases on a flight since sept 11.. on any plane or asirline.. they think that a fly line or mono could be used to strangle someone... go figure...I have devised ways of burying my expensive and not so expensive reels in clothing andsuch sothey dont get ruined..

funny they never make me take my laces off my hiking boots.. the laces are 54 inches long and made of packing lace sothey have a break point of 200 pounds...

eric
www.exploreflyfishing.com

[daveb]

Odd, I flew to Belize in April with 3 reels and spools of line in my carry-on.

[ikan besar]

I saw a guy have to strip all the line off a 50W in Cabo before they would let him on with the reel.

Some airports are fine with it, some aren't, and it sometimes depends on what mood the inspector is in (same airport, different day, different result).

I prefer to have a good insurance policy and check it all on. Whoever steals my bag is going to have a closet full of Charltons --127-3-

[sbw4]

This TSA site should be helpful in at least allowing you to carry your reels on. I carry a copy of it when I travel but have not had to show it yet.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1188.xml

[Noel]

To and from Australia via New Zealand twice since 9/11, no issues with an obvious fly rod carrier (I have 4-5 section rods, this bag carries two) - and about 2 other trips a year to other parts of the US and virgin isles and/or Mexico -

It is arbitrary - so the next question is 'how do I get arbitrary to work my way' ? Wish I could help, but have no idea why this worked the way it did.

[Swalt]

I traveled from RDU, Raleigh NC, to Miami and back with 4 piece travel rods and 3 reels at the end of August and no problem at either airport. I have been through Miami 6 times since 9/11 and never a problem. Same thing with Nassau.

I think it all does depend on the airport and the TSA people there.
The TSA site though saying you can carry on reels does not mention lines. It also says you can carry on flies but I was told by TSA at RDU that you could not carry on flies but that everything else was ok. So its hit and miss.

Even though I have never had a problem at RDU I have a hard case stuck in my truck and get there early enough that if thee is a problem I can pack my reels in it and check them. I think they are not a problem in Miami or Nassau because so many fishermen come through there with them. Those guys are used to them.

It would be nice to have a thread like this push pinned at the head of this Travel forum for easy reference. You could see where people have had problems and not when planning a trip.

[capt ed]

Even though one person gets through a certain airport with rods and reels the next person might not. It's not the airport so much as the individual screener or security officer. I think they leave a lot up to their discretion, just like being stopped by a police officer, it's at his discretion whether to write you a ticket or let you go. Your attitude toward the person goes a long way. Just my 2 cents.

[Swalt]

capt ed
I you are right to a point but I also think certain airports are used to seeing rod, reels etc as carryon and you are less likely to have a problem with them. Miami and moreso Nassau fall in there. Many fishermen are flying in and out of Nassau and big portion of flights to the out islands are fishermen. They are not going to hassle you.
As far as other airports are concerned you are rolling the dice. I try to be prepared as much as possible. At RDU I contacted the Airport Authority and a nice young lady sent me an e-mail saying she had spoken with TSA and they said I could carryon rods, reels, lines and even flies. She sent me another e-mail a few days later saying the TSA person had gotten back in touch with her and that you could not carryon flies. So I felt pretty confident with the TSA site print out and a copy of the e-mail in hand.