Racquets on Airplanes

[devilfan]

I've seen alot of conflicting info on ability to carry on racquets, some of it dated. The general gist is that most folks seem to be able to do it without much trouble.

My inclination is to just put it in the carryon bag and see what happens. Racquet bag is probably too big so I will put it in a smaller one, maybe with the handle sticking out.

Anyone have recent wisdom/practical experience on this approach?

 

[ArliHawk]

I e-mailed TSA before my wife and I traveled, and racquets are permitted on flights. What we have done in the past is pack 2 rackets in tennis backpacks and use that as our carryon.

 

[mikeler]

I e-mailed TSA before my wife and I traveled, and racquets are permitted on flights. What we have done in the past is pack 2 rackets in tennis backpacks and use that as our carryon.

This is what I do. Put the rackets in the tennis backpack as a carry on. I check my tennis bag in with the luggage.

 

[warney]

I travel almost every other week with 2 racquets in one racquet cover. I always have roller carry-on bag. When you put your carry-on in overhead bins just put your racquets on top of it. As long as your carry-on is not suffed there will be enough room for racquets. Be careful if you have to put your racquets on top someone else's bag. Some folks tend to pull out their carry-on without regards to your racquets. I had mine fell on the floor once.

 

[Irvin]

I seen on the CNN the TSA has not made airtravel any safer. I believe it.

 

[Ihatetennis]

I travel with 3 sometimes, no issues in a bavkpack

 

[teekaywhy]

"Merica and the TSA. May (insert diety) Bless thee.

 

[g4driver]

9 pack bags fit in overhead bins on Boeing and Airbus jets- (a 12 pack will if not stuffed) - I seen plenty of college teams on jets with 9 packs

Don't bring a 9 pack and expect it to fit in a 50 or 70 seat RJ.

 

[drummerdan]

I just traveled from Costa Rica to Kansas City yesterday (November 4) with my large Wilson 12 racquet bag as a carry on and everything went perfectly. The bag was not jam-packed but it was about 3/4 full. I flew with United and they never even looked twice. I've also traveled other airlines with this bag and no trouble.

 

[buruan]

Never had any issues with Tennis Rackets as carry-on on flights, within and outside the US.
Probably 50+ flights and never even a question.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

depends on the airlines... don't count on ryanair to let you take them as carry-on luggage !

 

[MAZ1]

The 'teardrop' shape of most racquet bags is absolutely perfect fit for overhead storage. My cheap-o Head 6pack bag is almost made to fit in overhead. It fits perfectly.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Is Samuel L Jackson starring in this movie too?

 

[dr325i]

For the 12th time:
I traveled from and to every continent, a lot of different countries and only twice had issues: 1) from Bangalore to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia they made me check them in in 2014. Same airline did not care on the way back. 2) from Budapest to Munich they asked me to check in, I said no, we called the supervisor and they let me carry them on.
In China, I have flown from smaller cities, like Hefei to the big ones and never had issues. Japan, Korea, Europe (pretty much every European country), Northern Africa, Israel, South America, Australia, SE Asia...never issues.
I always travel with my Solinco 9-pack with 3-4 rackets and other junk including spare strings. I also have a book at with me for my personal stuff and laptop.
On small planes, like CJ700 or embraer or similar, the put them in during the boarding process and give them back when leaving the plane.

 

[navigator]

I always check them. I've checked them for 12+ hour flights and never had a problem. I don't know why folks feel the need to carry them on.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

I always check them. I've checked them for 12+ hour flights and never had a problem. I don't know why folks feel the need to carry them on.

I like to travel light, eg. no checked bags == no wait/no lost baggage/faster exit time/etc...

When I do check bags, I still like knowing my sticks are not being thrown around (especially if all I have is a soft bag (eg. duffel or tennis bag))...

 

[navigator]

I like to travel light, eg. no checked bags == no wait/no lost baggage/faster exit time/etc...

I generally travel light too, but... I don't pack racquets unless I'm going to be gone for at least a week which means I'm probably going to be checking a bag anyway, so...

When I do check bags, I still like knowing my sticks are not being thrown around (especially if all I have is a soft bag (eg. duffel or tennis bag))...

Today's composites are practically indestructible. Perhaps it has happened, but I've never heard of (modern) racquets getting damaged in flight. Wood racquets 40 years ago - that I can understand. Coincidentally, I was on a flight from San Diego to New York several months ago and Jelena Jankovic (she has a house in Rancho Santa Fe) and a few members of her entourage were on the same flight. They all checked their racquet bags. Just an anecdote.

 

[mmk]

If Dunlop had any marketing sense they would make the iDapt torque wrench available to the buying public, carrying two-piece racquets would be a lot easier than a regular racquet.

 

[goran_ace]

I put my rackets in a rolling duffle like this one (http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63916?page=adventure-rolling-duffle-large) and just check the bag. The bottom is rigid so not worried about them getting damaged and I just pile the clothes on top so there's plenty of padding on top. If I were going on a short trip I normally wouldn't be bringing rackets, but if I had to I'd probably buy the TW backpack for $10 (http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Tennis_Warehouse_Bags/descpageBG-TWBPB.html) and use that as my carry on.

You probably won't find an answer you can rely on every time, every airport, every airline about carrying on a tennis racket. I've seen people allowed to carry on 12-pack racket bags (not fully stuffed) and I've also seen people asked to 'gate check' small tennis backpacks because it is a crowded flight and they change the rule to you're only allowed one personal item. It might even depend on the mood of the person at the gate. Even if you call ahead and someone says its ok you might be denied once you try to get on the plane. You can probably get by with a backpack most of the time, anything bigger than a 6-pack and you might be able to or you might not. If you are that worried about your rackets invest in a rolling duffle and just check it, they'll be fine. Or do it like Bjorn Borg used to do and buy an extra seat on the plane for your rackets.

 

[West Coast Ace]

Today's composites are practically indestructible.

It's not the racquets being ruined; it's the strings. The low temp, -50F, is not good for them. I break strings after 12-20 hrs of play - I once broke a brand new string in 3 minutes - that was a racquet I checked - never again. Those who have check sticks and not had string problems either a) have really well made, bags that keep out the cold; b) did a great job surrounding the sticks with clothes, towel, etc to keep them from getting too cold; c) a and b.

Oh, and now that we can't lock our bags - theft.

...Jelena Jankovic (she has a house in Rancho Santa Fe) and a few members of her entourage were on the same flight. They all checked their racquet bags. Just an anecdote.

Pros get their sticks restrung almost every day before they practice or play - so she wouldn't care.

Like @dr325i, I travel a lot (to HK tomorrow in fact) and only had 1 problem - mine was in Shanghai. Like him I went back to check-in, retrieved the Cathay rep who had a very short chat in Mandarin with the security team, and in a few minutes was on my way.

 

[onehandbh]

Like @dr325i, I travel a lot (to HK tomorrow in fact) and only had 1 problem - mine was in Shanghai.

Will you be traveling to Singapore or Bali? I'll be in Singapore for a few days starting on Sunday. Then to Bali. If you'll be in either of those places, we can meet up to play tennis.