Traveling by plane with your equipment.

[koolio]

Did you even read the thread above??

Saw your posts stating you carried on a 12-pack bag, but wondering if that's the norm that others have experienced and how they handled it.

Based on the measurements of my ADV Jet Pack bag, the total dimensions are 5 inches larger than the total allowed for carry on. Given your experience, I don't think I'll have an issue.

 

[dr325i]

Saw your posts stating you carried on a 12-pack bag, but wondering if that's the norm that others have experienced and how they handled it.

Based on the measurements of my ADV Jet Pack bag, the total dimensions are 5 inches larger than the total allowed for carry on. Given your experience, I don't think I'll have an issue.

It depends on the airline and in some cases on the staff. Most airlines do not care if you carry on a 12-pack

 

[Grafil Injection]

I'm curious how this works for a typical mid range flight. When you say you take 12-packs onto a plane, do they even fit in the typical overhead bins? Putting aside that it kind of relies that other people haven't already filled the overhead with normal size bags, isn't it a bit of a squeeze? Or are we talking 1st class long haul storage spaces? Plus presumably you don't also take a personal stuff bag too?

And regarding carrying bare rackets or handle-out backpack, don't they risk getting squashed or marked in the overhead?

I could just about imagine a 4-pack, but I'd feel guilty taking something bigger that probably requires others to move their luggage on a usual European commuter flight, or are we talking empty flights at weird times?

 

[Connor35]

I'm curious how this works for a typical mid range flight. When you say you take 12-packs onto a plane, do they even fit in the typical overhead bins? Putting aside that it kind of relies that other people haven't already filled the overhead with normal size bags, isn't it a bit of a squeeze? Or are we talking 1st class long haul storage spaces? Plus presumably you don't also take a personal stuff bag too?

And regarding carrying bare rackets or handle-out backpack, don't they risk getting squashed or marked in the overhead?

I could just about imagine a 4-pack, but I'd feel guilty taking something bigger that probably requires others to move their luggage on a usual European commuter flight, or are we talking empty flights at weird times?

I've just carried 1 or 2 racquets on in my (regular; not tennis) backpack.

But I will put my carryon small suitcase in the overhead, beside someone else's already there, then lay my racquets on top of my suitcase (with the handles over top the other suitcase, as needed), and put my backpack under my seat. Never had an issue. If I know there is overhead space left, I'll put my small suitcase + backpack in the overhead then lay my racquets overtop both.

 

[LOBALOT]

I'm curious how this works for a typical mid range flight. When you say you take 12-packs onto a plane, do they even fit in the typical overhead bins? Putting aside that it kind of relies that other people haven't already filled the overhead with normal size bags, isn't it a bit of a squeeze? Or are we talking 1st class long haul storage spaces? Plus presumably you don't also take a personal stuff bag too?

And regarding carrying bare rackets or handle-out backpack, don't they risk getting squashed or marked in the overhead?

I could just about imagine a 4-pack, but I'd feel guilty taking something bigger that probably requires others to move their luggage on a usual European commuter flight, or are we talking empty flights at weird times?

When you arrive at the airport and check any bags you keep your 12 racquet bag with you (do not check it). Then go through security and head to your gate.

At the gate when you board they will tell you the plane is full and you must check your bag on the boarding gate. If they don't ask them if you need to check the bag. In that way you know that your tennis racquets are on your actual plane (vs. a flight to somewhere you aren't going). If they let you carry on then what they are saying is the plane is not full and there is adequate space in front of an empty seat near you or the overhead bin in order to stow it.

If the steward at the gate is lazy and lets you pass and the plane is full and another member of the cabin crew complains I would point to the steward and tell them he let me board with it and they will stow the bag for you. Probably in the galley.

 

[Grafil Injection]

When you arrive at the airport and check any bags you keep your 12 racquet bag with you (do not check it). Then go through security and head to your gate.

At the gate when you board they will tell you the plane is full and you must check your bag on the boarding gate. If they don't ask them if you need to check the bag. In that way you know that your tennis racquets are on your actual plane (vs. a flight to somewhere you aren't going). If they let you carry on then what they are saying is the plane is not full and there is adequate space in front of an empty seat near you or the overhead bin in order to stow it.

If the steward at the gate is lazy and lets you pass and the plane is full and another member of the cabin crew complains I would point to the steward and tell them he let me board with it and they will stow the bag for you. Probably in the galley.

Sounds good for quiet routes at strange times, but IME for a typical commuter flight or popular holiday destination in Europe, that can often result in an additional $60-100 check in fee. I guess at least you know it's on the right plane though.

 

[LOBALOT]

Sounds good for quiet routes at strange times, but IME for a typical commuter flight or popular holiday destination in Europe, that can often result in an additional $60-100 check in fee. I guess at least you know it's on the right plane though.

We just did it in Europe just before Christmas (busy holiday time) from Munich to Amsterdam (Europe Commuter) via KLM. They wave the fee at the gate and let you check it for free.

 

[sureshs]

I carry my own plane doors.

 

[bobleenov1963]

I will tell you a secret and it works every time. Just wear a University of Virginia or Stanford tennis logo shirt and you ask the people at the check-in counter to let you bring your 8 racquets bag onto the plane and they will let you do so. Just tell them that you play tennis for Stanford or UVA. My son has done this so many times when he wears UVA tennis logo shirt and brought 8 racquets bag with him when traveling by airplane, even though he doesn't play for UVA . The other two times he brought his guitar with him and told them that he is a musician doing a music gig at the destination (not true) and they let him carry the guitar with him to the plane and kept the guitar near the cockpit where there are plenty of spaces. This trick even works at cheap airlines such as Frontier and Spirits.

 

[tennis4me]

As many of us know, YMMV rule applies widely here. These days, I relented and just carry one racquet diagonally inside my luggage, sandwiched between soft clothes. Never had any issue. Got tired of worrying and convincing multiple people (from ground during check-in, security at the gate, cabin crews during plane entrance, etc.).
I've been stopped when boarding and told it can be used as a "weapon". So, had to check it in on the spot - messed up all my grip, but lucky it's only the overgrip.

Having said that, I've dropped off a junior on her way to Florida for one of those high school+tennis program. She was carrying those 12-pack bag stuffed with clothes and racquets. She managed to pass the security gate, got scanned OK and was only stopped during boarding and had to check it in (for free, though).

Some airport's security guards in front of the area before you enter the queue to put your bags for scanning are very strict, they won't even let you pass for bags that doesn't fit the metal mold located at the entrance with the official allowed cabin bag size.

I've also been turned down by those security guards in front of the area and told to get a special tag from the check-in counter - implying that the airline 'approves' it for cabin.

So, I get tired of this and just put in my 30-inch luggage. These experiences above was for International travel.

 

[Connor35]

I've been stopped when boarding and told it can be used as a "weapon". So, had to check it in on the spot - messed up all my grip, but lucky it's only the overgrip.

That's funny given that I've traveled with ice-skates (with detachable blade) from Florida with no issues.
But I'd actually printed the TSA page that says ice skates are allowed in carryons, expecting to be questioned (though I wasn't).

 

[Cage Rattler]

In South Africa, airport security forces racquets to be checked in. Airlines have no problem but one will not get through security. Only other airport which was difficult was a Doha transit which was actually quite funny because as I arrived at security there was another junior and his mom arguing with security about racquets. The last thing they wanted was to have two passengers arguing about racquets!

 

[dr325i]

January 11-19 from Dallas DFW to Shanghai (PVG) and back. On the way there, 12 pack with 11 rackets in it, no one said a word. On the way back, only 2 rackets with me…still not a word from anyone.

 

[Alcawrath]

January 11-19 from Dallas DFW to Shanghai (PVG) and back. On the way there, 12 pack with 11 rackets in it, no one said a word. On the way back, only 2 rackets with me…still not a word from anyone.

Must have been some bad tournament to go full Bublik on so many racquets

 

[am1899]

Just remembered…this was probably 15 years ago FWIW…took a flight on JB from ROC to LGA. I was carrying a tennis backpack w/ 2 racquets in it. Wife and I found our seats (pretty close to the front; row 2 or 3 maybe). I put the bag in the overhead bin. Later in the boarding process, flight attendent pulls my backpack out of the bin and asks who it belonged to? I said me. She starts telling me it takes up too much room in the overhead bin (lol) and won’t fit beneath the seat in front of me so it will have to be checked. I protested. It devolved into a “dead lifeless fingers” Meet the Parents kind of moment. Eventually another flight attendant made room in another bin and they backed off on me.

As I may have mentioned, I’ve taken many subsequent flights on SW and not had any problem. This includes a flight from BUF to MSY for USTA nationals in 2018, where I carried on a fully stuffed 12 pack bag. Nobody said anything.

 

[Sardines]

@Katzenjammer as you can see, different airports and staff, different rules. I've never traveled with sticks in cabin luggage to SVD, so I think you'd do better asking here.
Airlines will always be non-commital because airport security staff can overrule them. We recently had issues with our flying clamps, since it's a "tool" and that's not "allowed."

 

[Katzenjammer]

Reading this thread gave me a Cunning Plan.

Flying American to St. Thomas (USVI) - thinking I'll either pack a few rackets in checked baggage; not ideal, not very well protected. (Although, I could purchase a larger/hardshell piece of luggage, I suppose.) Or, use a proper tennis racket bag, but it will look a bit large and call attention to itself. SO, I think the best idea is to put them in a small backpack with the handles sticking out; just visually looks a lot smaller. If they are "gate-checked" I'll have a more padded tennis bag for them in the backpack. And even so, I'll try to see if they might stow them in the front of the plane for me.

Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[Knuppyd]

I’ve never had issues carrying my rackets in a 6-pack bag as a carry-on, but I always keep them out of sight when boarding just in case. One thing that’s helped a ton is using travelbusinessclass—they found me better seats at a decent price, so I had more space and didn’t stress about overhead bins. It made the whole trip smoother, especially with gear in tow.

 

[UnderArmServeOP]

I recently travelled for a vacation and wanted to take my racquets with me because the place I was going had sick tennis courts. I used the bag below

https://www.tennisonly.com.au/Wilson_Super_Tour_Red_Travel_Bag_2025/descpage-WSTRTB.html

 

[LuckyR]

I’ve always brought my rackets as carry-on with no issues, just make sure they're in a smaller bag. Strings never snapped from pressure change, even at 60+ pounds tension.

Exactly. Just put 2 in a floppy single bag that comes with the racquet.

 

[Sardines]

Travel in the US with sticks isn't a problem. The problem with sticks and international air travel is the inconsistency of security staff. Depending on their moods, it can be very different each time.
In DXB, where I've flown in and out many times without incident. Just this year, at the security, one guy decided to scrutinize my cabin luggage, which is usually the same stuff I fly through with some clothes, shoes, exercise bands, laptop, camera, stringing machine and 3 sticks in 2 bags. After making me remove every item into boxes and rescanned over, he decided to say sticks not allowed. Then I went to the Emirates rep, and he came over and said it was ok, then he decided to confiscate the exercise bands as "tools"! I just smiled and said "sure!" I flew out again with the same stuff a couple of months later, same guy, nothing! I did leave my bands in checked luggage. :lol: