 Poster: A snowHead
|
I'm hoping to take three pairs of skis in my sportube series 2. All mounted with QKs. One set of bindings will stay on and I have taken the other set of binding off as can't fit them in otherwise (two bindings as one for me and one for my OH). I'll be flying with Air France/KLM and Swiss Air on a later trip. So ski carriage is up to 23kg. Weight wise I can actually put in the other set of bindings in my sportube instead of in my suitcase. My question is if that would increase the chance of my ski carriage being inspected because customs officers might find it difficult to understand what that extra bit of metal and plastic objects are? I'm hoping to minimise the chance of the sportube being opened as it happened to my friend once in our US trips. TSA didn't close it up properly so his ski stuffs were all scattered over the carousel...
A related question: would I be able to take the bindings as carry on?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
The last time I took skis on a plane was to Canada (2 pairs in a sportube). Air Canada didn't even weigh the sportube. (it wasn't locked)
I would expect that on any route where skis regularly went through the oversize checking procedure the staff would know what they were looking at.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Fri 17-01-25 1:17; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
I wouldn't use a sport tube as they have limited internal space and as you identify are vulnerable to careless inspection but having loose bindings in a bag is not an issue IME.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@Dave of the Marmottes, I have used SportTubes for decades. To transport skis and fishing rods. Must have made 30+ trips all over the world with them. I have never had an issue. And for sure they provide better protection against damage than the alternatives. You must have been very unlucky to conclude they are "vulnerable to careless inspection". Has this happened to you a lot? As an aside, the only issue I have had with careless inspection was a duffle type bag in the US, with no lock, where the zip was not closed properly. It arrived on the carousel with the inspection sticker attached but trailing a random selection of objects (most of which I managed to recover). I have had SportTubes inspected twice, again in the US, both times they were properly reassembled.
I never put any type of lock on my luggage, travelling extensively in the developing world has taught me it makes no difference to the likelyhood of theft other than signalling there is something of value inside and increasing the chances of a mess being made of your bag if it is riffled for valuable. The worst theft I have suffered so far is 200 Benson and Hedges back in the day.....but bag closed up nicely so I had no idea until I unpacked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I use coloured zip ties to "secure" my luggage. It does two things. Firstly, it stops zips coming undone, and secondly, it means I instantly know if the bag luggage has been opened as the chances of anyone having the same coloured zip tie is around ħ. Purple and orange zip ties are not exactly common to begin with 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Unless you wrap them in a bundle of wires and plasticine they're unlikely to get a second glance as they pass through the x-ray machine at oversized baggage. The bag, any bag, could still get picked for a random inspection but they are by their very nature random. If anything you're more likely to raise eyebrows taking bindings as carry-on - though still shouldn't be an issue as not like they make for especially effective impromptu weapons.
Also a long standing SporTube user who's never had real issues. Did have it come through once having been opened/incorrectly closed (clip only through holes in one end of the tube) but no real issues as my Tube's are both quite snug fitting and pulling them apart requires a moderate effort, not like they slide open if someone sneezes near them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@zikomo, Fine. I can see you might need some hardcase protection for fishing rods but if you've never had them left improperly closed and don't need the volume I can see they are a choice. Me - I don't believe it's that easy to damage skis so I don't see the need for a hardcase but that's just personal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| jabuzzard wrote: |
| I use coloured zip ties to "secure" my luggage. It does two things. Firstly, it stops zips coming undone, and secondly, it means I instantly know if the bag luggage has been opened as the chances of anyone having the same coloured zip tie is around ħ. Purple and orange zip ties are not exactly common to begin with |
I use 'key rings' to secure my zips --- very fiddly to undo, so the light fingered will look elsewhere.
Talking of 'Light Fingered' -- last year at Verona airport, Crystal staff placed a Security Tag on all customers hold baggage - apparently bags being tampered with before reaching the aircraft....!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
There's really no point trying to 'secure' your bags - most zip-sized locks can be 'picked' in seconds (especially combination locks) and anything that goes beyond a 'TSA approved' (i.e. instantly 'pickable') style will only attract security's eyes to wonder what you're trying to hide.
I'm not saying don't put something on to stop zips self-opening just don't expect anythig to stop someone who wants to get into your bag getting in. Even @jabuzzard's coloured zip ties will only show that someone has opened your bag but it's going to be impossible to track where/when/who did it so you'll get little more than a shrug and report number to pass to your insurer if you report it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Dave of the Marmottes, I think it is actually quite easy to damage a binding, and I have had it happen to me, so we differ there. My skis are tools not jewels but they are also VERY expensive (as are my spey rods) and I have not even considered using a soft case for that reason.
I disagree that the hardcase is restricting, careful packing means I can get a lot of extra stuff in along with 2 sets of skis. When the kids were a bit smaller I used to get some of their ski boots in. Likewise my off-piste gear always goes in. And anything else I need space for. It's a bit more of a faff to pack than a soft case, granted, but I am well used to that. You can use nearly all the space once you get the hang of it.
But what piqued my interest was your statement that SportTubes are "vulnerable to careless inspection", and what the basis for that was. All bags (as I pointed out) are vulnerable to this, I don't see any reason why a SportTube would be more so (and my experience from having used them for a long time suggests that they are not). All that said if you have a good basis for thinking this, then I might be persuaded towards a soft case at least some of the time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
OK you want to argue for your beloved. I don't have a problem with your choice just the OP is not the only case I have heard of of security agents not really being able to close them again properly. Whereas a zipper on a soft coffin is easy to zip up again.
You haven't had a problem with sport tube not being properly fastened. I haven't had a problem with bindings being smashed. It's not a big deal personal preference n all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| zikomo wrote: |
| ... what piqued my interest was [a] statement that SportTubes are "vulnerable to careless inspection", and what the basis for that was. All bags (as I pointed out) are vulnerable to this, I don't see any reason why a SportTube would be more so (and my experience from having used them for a long time suggests that they are not). ... |
Oh, that happened to me once: the SportTube comes out on the conveyor in two halves with your stuff spreading slowly between them. It's not something you forget easily. It was most certainly fastened correctly, until on the final leg, when the TSA snipped the [intentionally non-locking] fastener and failed to replace it. And then couldn't work out how to reassemble the unit. They had managed to get the two sections together, but not fastened them so.
I thought about including "instruction sheets" describing how to reassemble the bag, but I've had legally carried gas canisters with IATA and airline docs included taken by ground handlers, so I know they don't read such things. I gave up on it. That said, I fly a lot.
I do not know, but I think that inspection is either "because they see something" (my gas canister), or "randomly selected". The latter is more common in my experience, in that I avoid carrying stuff they don't like.
--
These days I have a 1.44m snowboard in a small unpadded bag that size which flies at about 9Kgs with snowboard, a neoprene sleeve, and some non-critical clothing. That doesn't get the abuse of a big heavy wheely bag/ case and is much easier to transport, especially as I switched to a wheel-on cabin bag with the heavy critical stuff in it. Each to their own. If I still used a Sport Tube I'd pack it inside with separate waterproof Ortleib dry-bags, each with my name & phone number on them and in them, so if it all came out in pieces again the consequences would be easier to deal with. I still use a small keyring loop to fasten the zippers on my bag together, it's safer than relying on the zips' built in locking mechanism. That's not for security, just to stop the zips coming open. I have never had that happen, but I've travelled a lot and I'm careful.... The security guys don't put that back if they inspect the bag either - that's one way you can tell.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| zikomo wrote: |
| I disagree that the hardcase is restricting, careful packing means I can get a lot of extra stuff in along with 2 sets of skis. |
So far this season I've had everything from a bottle of whiskey to a small Christmas tree in mine, alongside 2 pairs of skis.
| phil_w wrote: |
| I thought about including "instruction sheets" describing how to reassemble the bag... |
There is (or at least would have been when it was new) a sticker at the fastening end of the 'outer' SporTube half aimed at security people highlighting the need/how to correctly close after inspection - but making the information available is once thing, getting people to read and follow it is another!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
@Dave of the Marmottes, Its not arguing. It's asking for the basis of your "advice". Thank you, I understand now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| zikomo wrote: |
@Dave of the Marmottes,
But what piqued my interest was your statement that SportTubes are "vulnerable to careless inspection", and what the basis for that was. |
I have used a Sport tube for many years but am more cautious nowadays after an incident in Zurich (or Geneva?) airport a few years ago.
I had picked up the tube from the carousel and was heading for the train going up an escaaltor pulling the tube on its wheels behind me when someone alerted me to the fact that the two halves were coming apart. It must have been opened by security but they failed to put the pin back properley. A moment later and my skis would have set off down the escalator causing mayhem, leaving me holding the now empty upper half of the tube. I now check that it is secure after removing from the carousel!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@DCG, One hint is to put some duct tape over the pin mechanism that holds the two halves together. If you tape it flat it helps protect the pin, and also makes it very obvious if the tibe has been opened (in which case have a quick check that it has been put back together properly).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
On a complete tangent - years ago, I had one of the very first plastic ski tubes, which I think was made by KIS. It was yellow - and greatly reduced in price, as it was in a bomb damaged sale in a ski shop in Belfast. It was a great yok, but unfortunately was the correct dimensions for one set of Straight skis - so became redundant as skis got wider. 
Sorry for the trip down memory lane.
Carry on...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Thanks I ended up chancing it and put my second set of bindings in. I'm take a spare pin with me in my carry on so I could lock it back up even if the custom people mess it up!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@euanovsky, Duct tape over the pin also!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Yea not sure if I jinxed it. Unfortunately this happened to me in my recent trip. On the leg home the luggage was delayed. When the skis were delivered the TSA lock was missing and the driver delivered it in two halves. Luckily everything was still there. My guess is that the skis were inspected (but there were no corresponding stickers to say that - I was under the impression they would put a sticker on to say it was open) so I was perplexed/surprised the lock was gone. Would have thought the lock would still be there (even if they didn't lock it properly).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
We always take two pairs in one bag, one pair with QKs. Also in the bag goes the lifted bindings, the toolkit [a scraper and wax (when we go to Sweden and ski for 10 or 11 days) and 4Nm binding torque wrench] and stuff like bovril cubes and a jar or two of spices for a curry or chilli. Never had an issue. Usually weighs in at 22-23kg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
