I'm going to el Paso this year to bowl the USBC Nationals. One friend suggested me sending my equipment through Fedex or something. But I was wondering about carrying a 2 ball tote as my carry on luggage. Would that bag go through in the airplane? I was thinking that I can carry one and my wife one, that way, even if I have to buy 2 ball totes, it will be cheaper than the shipping and I can keep the totes.

Thoughts?

I always do this. Balls are waiting for you at the hotel, and you don't have to bring luggage AND your bowling bags. I take my 3 ball tote, put all of my stuff in there, duct tape the zippers on either side to keep it from "accidently opening" and carry on my shoes. ALWAYS CARRY ON YOUR SHOES.

I check a 3 ball tote and carry on a two ball tote every year

If the $25 it cost to check a bag is going to make a difference in your life you shouldn't be going to nationals.

Somebody had to say it.

I was also wondering what it costs to ship "2 balls" vs. the extra cost to check the bag?  I haven't shipped anything in a while & when I purchase, I usually get free shipping...

I've both checked 2 ball totes and carried them on....   Last year I flew Philly to Reno through LAX...  checked one tote and carried the other on the plane.  On the way out, no questions.  Coming back, there were some questions in LAX...  but they decided I was allowed to carry them on. 

Couple notes...  be prepared to have them swiped/checked using the explosives screening machine.  This was done both directions.  Secondly, sneak a peek at the X-ray machine screen!  Cores really stand out!

Scott

I always do this. Balls are waiting for you at the hotel, and you don't have to bring luggage AND your bowling bags. I take my 3 ball tote, put all of my stuff in there, duct tape the zippers on either side to keep it from "accidently opening" and carry on my shoes. ALWAYS CARRY ON YOUR SHOES.

So you always send your balls via Fedex? But doing that cost about $100 per way, isn't it? I was thinking using 2 ball totes as carry on, check in one luggage for my clothes, shoes, etc. But I want to know if they allow a 2 ball tote as a carry on on the airport.

I've both checked 2 ball totes and carried them on....   Last year I flew Philly to Reno through LAX...  checked one tote and carried the other on the plane.  On the way out, no questions.  Coming back, there were some questions in LAX...  but they decided I was allowed to carry them on. 

Couple notes...  be prepared to have them swiped/checked using the explosives screening machine.  This was done both directions.  Secondly, sneak a peek at the X-ray machine screen!  Cores really stand out!

Scott

I'm worried to check my balls because I know how they "take care" of the luggage and I don't want to arrive in El Paso and find an unpleasant surprise. But good to know that you can use a 2 ball tote as carry on! I will take one and my wife will help me with the other one hehe 

I've done it, kind of a pain especially if you have a layover and need to lug it around the airport.

I take (2) 3 ball slim rollers and check those, they usually come in right around the 50lb limit.  I put my shoes and clothes in a small suitcase and use that for my carry on along with a smaller bag for an iPad or some reading material (this works for me because we only stay a couple of days).  Never had a problem doing it this way. 

I've considered shipping my stuff out there, but the cost doesn't justify it when I can bring 6 balls for free.

What do you mean for free? You need to pay for the check in, right? And also, have you ever had a bad experience on how they take care of the equipment?

Quote from: itsallaboutme on January 15, 2015, 08:40:49 AM

If the $25 it cost to check a bag is going to make a difference in your life you shouldn't be going to nationals.

Somebody had to say it.

I was also wondering what it costs to ship "2 balls" vs. the extra cost to check the bag?  I haven't shipped anything in a while & when I purchase, I usually get free shipping...

For me, if I want to ship 4 balls to el paso is $100. So it will be $200. You get free shipping from bowling.com, bowlingball.com, etc, but shipping bowling balls ain't no cheap.

Ok.  Thanks.  Yeah, I meant "when I purchase" & get free shipping is why I don't know what the shipping costs are. 

Appreciate you telling me the shipping.  That is an awful lot.  If it's $25 to check the extra bag of balls then it might be worth it I thought it was $50 though.  But if there is a way around it by carrying them on, & it's not too cumbersome to lug around, then by all means, do that.  Everyone has their own tolerance & wallet size...

Quote from: Impending Doom on January 15, 2015, 07:55:32 AM

I always do this. Balls are waiting for you at the hotel, and you don't have to bring luggage AND your bowling bags. I take my 3 ball tote, put all of my stuff in there, duct tape the zippers on either side to keep it from "accidently opening" and carry on my shoes. ALWAYS CARRY ON YOUR SHOES.

So you always send your balls via Fedex? But doing that cost about $100 per way, isn't it? I was thinking using 2 ball totes as carry on, check in one luggage for my clothes, shoes, etc. But I want to know if they allow a 2 ball tote as a carry on on the airport.

Quote from: Strapper_Squared on January 15, 2015, 10:25:22 AM

I've both checked 2 ball totes and carried them on....   Last year I flew Philly to Reno through LAX...  checked one tote and carried the other on the plane.  On the way out, no questions.  Coming back, there were some questions in LAX...  but they decided I was allowed to carry them on. 

Couple notes...  be prepared to have them swiped/checked using the explosives screening machine.  This was done both directions.  Secondly, sneak a peek at the X-ray machine screen!  Cores really stand out!

Scott

I'm worried to check my balls because I know how they "take care" of the luggage and I don't want to arrive in El Paso and find an unpleasant surprise. But good to know that you can use a 2 ball tote as carry on! I will take one and my wife will help me with the other one hehe 

Quote from: Radical In RI on January 15, 2015, 09:51:51 AM

I've done it, kind of a pain especially if you have a layover and need to lug it around the airport.

I take (2) 3 ball slim rollers and check those, they usually come in right around the 50lb limit.  I put my shoes and clothes in a small suitcase and use that for my carry on along with a smaller bag for an iPad or some reading material (this works for me because we only stay a couple of days).  Never had a problem doing it this way. 

I've considered shipping my stuff out there, but the cost doesn't justify it when I can bring 6 balls for free.

What do you mean for free? You need to pay for the check in, right? And also, have you ever had a bad experience on how they take care of the equipment?

Quote from: Monster Pike on January 15, 2015, 08:56:33 AM

Quote from: itsallaboutme on January 15, 2015, 08:40:49 AM

If the $25 it cost to check a bag is going to make a difference in your life you shouldn't be going to nationals.

Somebody had to say it.

I was also wondering what it costs to ship "2 balls" vs. the extra cost to check the bag?  I haven't shipped anything in a while & when I purchase, I usually get free shipping...

For me, if I want to ship 4 balls to el paso is $100. So it will be $200. You get free shipping from bowling.com, bowlingball.com, etc, but shipping bowling balls ain't no cheap.

Southwest allows 2 free checked bags, a carry on bag stored above your seat, and a personal bag stored under the seat in front of you.  I've never had a problem with them damaging my stuff.  I usually wrap the balls in bubble wrap (purchased at staples for cheap).