Air Travel Rules: Traveling with Sports Equipment

Are you an avid sports fan? If so - there is a good chance that you will try and incorporate sports into your next vacation or business trip. If you are planning on enjoying a game of golf or a game of baseball - it is likely that you will want to bring along some sporting equipment with you. However - did you know there are certain restrictions on those items? If you are planning on traveling with sports equipment - not matter what sport that equipment is for - you are advised to familiarize yourself with these rules and restrictions.

As previously mentioned - golf is a sport that many travelers enjoy participating in. If you are planning on traveling with your golf clubs - you will need to treat them as checked baggage. All airlines currently have a ban on golf clubs being used as carryon luggage. Due to the cost of most golf club sets - you will either want to leave your clubs at home or properly protect them. If you are traveling to a golf resort or other popular vacation destination - there is a good chance that you should be able to rent a set of golf clubs. Although they will not be your own - it is nice to know that your set is safe at home.

In addition to golf - baseball is another sport enjoyed by many. Like golf clubs - baseball bats are banned from being used as carryon luggage. If you are planning on enjoying a game of baseball - on your next vacation or business trip - you will want to store your baseball bats in a secure bag that can safely be transported through different airports. While baseball bats are banned from airplane cabins - there is no mention of other equipment - such as cleats - helmets - or baseballs. For your own convenience - you may want to store these other baseball supplies in the same place as your baseball bats - in your checked baggage.

Of course - if you are planning on enjoying a hunting excursion - when on vacation or a business trip - you will need to keep your supplies in your checked baggage. All bows - arrows - and guns are strictly prohibited from being in airplane cabins. In fact - if you try and pass through a security checkpoint with these items - is there is a good chance that you will be detained by airport security - for further questioning. Although you may not necessarily think about it - bows - arrows - and guns are not only used for recreational purposes - but they are also used to harm others.

Additional sporting goods that are banned from being included in your carryon luggage include pool cues - ski poles - lacrosse sticks - or hockey sticks. As with all other items - if you are concerned with the safety of your sporting equipment - you are advised to rethink your decision to bring that equipment along. You can help to protect your equipment by making sure that everything is properly and safely packaged - however - there are no guarantees. You are also advised against relying on compensation from the airlines if and when your sports equipment suffers damage.

As previously mentioned - there are some sporting goods that are outright banned - but other rules are not so clear. If you are trying to decide whether or not you can pack other equipment in your carryon luggage - such as masks or other protective gear - you are advised to ask before heading out to the airport. In the event that these items are banned - you may have to make additional arrangements. Regardless of whether you choose to return the items to your car or mail them to your home - you may end up wasting unnecessary time and money.

PPPPP

Word Count 610