Can you carry on a Racquet on an airplane?

[TahoeTennis]

Heading home and haven't flown with a Racquet before. Are these allowed? Were they ever banned? I want to carry it with me in my duffle bag/backpack.
thanks!

[Overdrive]

I had a 10 Pack as a carry-on when I flew to Virginia Beach for the summer. Usually, TSA/Airport security won't say anything about it.

[JRstriker12]

Originally Posted by TahoeTennis

Heading home and haven't flown with a Racquet before. Are these allowed? Were they ever banned? I want to carry it with me in my duffle bag/backpack.
thanks!

Call the airline to confirm is your best bet. I've traveled with a backpack and a single racket as carry on before (forgot the airline). On flights with smaller overhead compartments, this may not work though.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by JRstriker12

Call the airline to confirm is your best bet. I've traveled with a backpack and a single racket as carry on before (forgot the airline). On flights with smaller overhead compartments, this may not work though.

Southwestern didn't care.

[JRstriker12]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

Southwestern didn't care.

Decent. Where did you store it? Seems like airlines are more strict when it comes to where you store stuff now days.

[dr325i]

Last year, put about 160,000 flying miles -- rackets traveled about 140,000 of those, not an issue at all -- one, 10-racket bag, etc.
All in all, in my 16 years of career traveling, only once I was forced to check them in -- on Japan domestic flight, because they could not fit through the security scanner.

[Jeepers]

So long as your racket doesnt contain more than 100ml of liquid. That includes sweat, blood and tears.

[boinz]

how does strung natural gut hold up with the cabin pressurization.
I understand having them checking-in totally screws up their already limited durability.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by JRstriker12

Decent. Where did you store it? Seems like airlines are more strict when it comes to where you store stuff now days.

In the compartment where you store your carry on bags in the airplane.

[JRstriker12]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

In the compartment where you store your carry on bags in the airplane.

Oh, sorry. I thought you were replying to my statement about flying on a plane with really small carry on compartments.

I've been on a few that might not fit a racket, but that's the exception rather than a rule.

[West Coast Ace]

Originally Posted by boinz

how does strung natural gut hold up with the cabin pressurization.
I understand having them checking-in totally screws up their already limited durability.

Strings are fine in the cabin. The cold temps of the airplane belly cargo holds are brutal on strings. I am not a string breaker - but once was forced to check my racket - string broke on the 3rd shot. Some people have said their strings were ok after being down there - I can only surmise a) their bag got placed in a heated cargo hold (planes have them for animals, some perishables; b) their suitcase is REALLY airtight and kept the cold out.

[mikeler]

I checked a racket in my bag on an overseas flight to Europe and all was fine.

[West Coast Ace]

^^^^^ I'm glad. But you still got lucky. If you watch the 'Flight Info' you'll see how brutally cold it is at >30k ft.

I'll add c) to my list above: the position of your bag in the hold; if it's near the door it's probably more likely to have a problem; deep in the interior probably stays warmer and more likely not to damage the strings.

[mikeler]

Only -60F. Not THAT cold.

[West Coast Ace]

^^^^ All those guys who die in the landing gear would agree... it's not the cold that gets them - it's the Airline Food.

[West Coast Ace]

The other reason to carry on: it id's you as a tennis person. I've sat with a lot of nice, interesting people on planes and talked tennis - makes the flight go by a lot faster.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by West Coast Ace

^^^^ All those guys who die in the landing gear would agree... it's not the cold that gets them - it's the Airline Food.

Well played!

Originally Posted by West Coast Ace

The other reason to carry on: it id's you as a tennis person. I've sat with a lot of nice, interesting people on planes and talked tennis - makes the flight go by a lot faster.

Good point.

[ArliHawk]

My wife and I are traveling to Jamaica soon at a place known for tennis, so I contacted TSA and received the following response:

Thank you for your e-mail about traveling with sporting hobby equipment.

"Certain sporting and hobby equipment cannot be brought on-board an aircraft. For example, baseball bats, bows and arrows, cricket bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles, hiking poles sticks, and spear guns are prohibited and not allowed as carry-on items.

Although these items are prohibited from carry-on baggage, they may be transported in checked baggage. Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. Currently, ice skates, roller skates, skateboards, tennis racquets, and electronic hobby equipment (such as coin-detecting devices) are permitted as carry-on items and are required to undergo x-ray screening.
Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have the discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if they believe the item poses a security threat. Therefore, TSA security screening personnel make the final decision on whether to permit items into the sterile area of the airport. TSA recommends that passengers place any questionable sporting equipment in their checked baggage.

We encourage all travelers to familiarize themselves with TSA Travel Tips prior to their trip. Our Web site, www.tsa.gov, has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist in preparing for air travel. Travelers can go directly to these tips at http: www.tsa.gov traveler-information .

We hope this information is helpful."


With

[gavna]

Originally Posted by West Coast Ace

^^^^^ I'm glad. But you still got lucky. If you watch the 'Flight Info' you'll see how brutally cold it is at >30k ft.

I'll add c) to my list above: the position of your bag in the hold; if it's near the door it's probably more likely to have a problem; deep in the interior probably stays warmer and more likely not to damage the strings.

Just FYI - the bins on modern A/C are pressurized and in most new planes even have limited heating. If your flying overseas then it's even more certain as the bags are loaded in cans / containers and they load into the bin. Being close or far from the caro door means nothing........did back when we all flew in DC3 and DC4s but ot any more.

[gavna]

Originally Posted by ArliHawk

My wife and I are traveling to Jamaica soon at a place known for tennis, so I contacted TSA and received the following response:

Thank you for your e-mail about traveling with sporting hobby equipment.

"Certain sporting and hobby equipment cannot be brought on-board an aircraft. For example, baseball bats, bows and arrows, cricket bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles, hiking poles sticks, and spear guns are prohibited and not allowed as carry-on items.

Although these items are prohibited from carry-on baggage, they may be transported in checked baggage. Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. Currently, ice skates, roller skates, skateboards, tennis racquets, and electronic hobby equipment (such as coin-detecting devices) are permitted as carry-on items and are required to undergo x-ray screening.
Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have the discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if they believe the item poses a security threat. Therefore, TSA security screening personnel make the final decision on whether to permit items into the sterile area of the airport. TSA recommends that passengers place any questionable sporting equipment in their checked baggage.

We encourage all travelers to familiarize themselves with TSA Travel Tips prior to their trip. Our Web site, www.tsa.gov, has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist in preparing for air travel. Travelers can go directly to these tips at http: www.tsa.gov traveler-information .

We hope this information is helpful."


With

Blah blah blah blah blah.........in the end the decision comes down to folks making $8 hr and have no clue.