Sporting equipment and musical instruments are two of the most painstaking pieces of equipment to bring with you on a flight. When it comes to your livelihood, however, you often don’t have a choice. If you are going to a tournament, for instance, you can’t very well leave your sporting equipment at home. You similarly cannot buy or rent your equipment at your destination, as you won’t be familiar with the new equipment or, more dangerously, you won’t have broken the new equipment in. If you need new equipment anyway, you can go online to websites like StringKing and see what they have so you can get it in enough time to practice with, you are then not left in the lurch with no equipment before you travel.
Checking sporting equipment can be a hassle, but it isn’t impossible. Follow these steps, and you’ll be sure to have an easy trip to your destination:
- Check Your Airline’s Regulations
Your first step when trying to determine what the correct plan of action is with regards to your sporting equipment is to check your airline’s regulations. There is typically extensive documentation on how to check sporting equipment, as airlines are fully aware of passengers’ sporting holidays or the professional tournaments and events that their passengers might be a part of. If you are in any way still unsure, you should call your airline in advance. They will advise you of the correct steps, and might even be able to make special arrangements for you.
- Be Economical with Space
If you can dismantle your equipment, and then put it back together at your destination, do so. Dismantling saves on space, and an extra bag will be sure to cost extra. Equipment that you can dismantle includes skateboards, bikes and even scooters. To further save on space (and weight), you can always replace certain parts of your sports equipment with lightweight alternatives. For instance, if you have a Blunt Envy Scooter, then replacing your handlebars with a more lightweight option (e.g. the Blunt Envy Union scooter bars) can help save you money. If you’re looking for such alternatives to your scooter equipment, then turn to Skates for more information.
- When in Doubt, Check it
Double check on your flight’s requirements, whether you can take your equipment in the cabin with you or if it has to be in the hold, and make sure to check your equipment before the flight and immediately after. By checking your equipment at any given chance, you can not only settle your anxious mind, but you can also file any complaints if your belongings have been damaged.
It is very rare for direct flights to lose your baggage, though the problem does occur. This is why many sportspeople would prefer to bring their equipment on board with them as a carry-on. Not all equipment, however, is eligible. When that is the case, fitting your equipment into your checked baggage can be your best solution, though you should always double check with your airline to ensure that you meet their requirements. If you have to put your equipment in the hold, make sure to pack it appropriately; wrap in bubble wrap, put it in a hard case and mark as fragile.
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