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Author Topic: Airlines and bowling balls  (Read 7967 times)

axeweldr

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Airlines and bowling balls
« on: May 02, 2013, 09:05:29 AM »
Are the airlines still hassling people about three ball totes?  I remember a few years ago you couldn't have three balls in a three ball tote. 

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BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2013, 10:03:56 AM »
It depends on the airline and it's restrictions.  Each of them have a website where you can look at the weight and size restrictions.

Last year my team mate had a new one that was ruined by their carrier.  The zippers were not strong enough to handle the abuse and ripped out.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2013, 10:05:47 AM by notclay »

mrwizerd

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2013, 10:27:37 AM »
I've never had an issue with an airline not accepting a 3 ball tote at check-in, but they will charge you an overweight fee if it weighs over 50lbs.  Now getting a 3 ball tote, with 3 balls in them, checked in without an overweight fee is challenging. You either have to throw 14lb or less bowling balls or have one of the few totes that come in under 5lbs and which then you can pack 3 15lb balls in providing they are under 15lbs after drilling. I'm sure as this thread goes on, people will tell stories of getting their totes through with 16lb equipment, but those are out of the norm, the norm is what I described above.

JZook

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2013, 10:48:02 AM »
If you are at 50-55lbs just have a $10 ready for a tip when checking in and you won't have any over weight charges....works for me everytime.

cheech

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2013, 10:51:26 AM »
i use the vise triple tote. you can get them through no problem. with 3 15s in it they come in at about 48.5lbs. we could usually get way with a 16 and two 15s

storm making it rain

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2013, 10:53:56 AM »
Agree with above posters, I fly Southwest and carry a three ball tote with 15's in it.  i usually put my shoes in my luggage and then carry on a two ball tote or just stick another ball in my luggage as well.

iamone78

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2013, 03:33:22 PM »
Agreed with previous posters. I too have never experienced any issues with checking in 3 ball totes. I always have 3 or 4 laying around for luggage so the good ones don't get banged up. I've even flown to and from overseas without any problems checking in the 3 ball totes.
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Cobalt Bomb

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2013, 03:40:59 PM »
I've found that the easiest way to get borderline weight bags checked is curbside, with an appropriate tip.

spmcgivern

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2013, 03:57:24 PM »
Not sure about others, but no more curbside at my airport.  I was even told I couldn't carry on a ball since they weren't sure of what was inside of the ball.  IDIOTS.....

deerelover

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2013, 08:25:07 AM »
try carry on a one ball bag with a lane #1 dirty bomb inside that will get a look from security lol

cheech

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2013, 11:50:38 AM »
i carry on double totes all the time. they just pull out their little kit and do their field test and everything is fine.

bradl

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2013, 12:38:44 PM »
try carry on a one ball bag with a lane #1 dirty bomb inside that will get a look from security lol

You know, you have a good point here. This would be a bit of bad marketing on the part of Lane #1, especially if someone had to carry a tote with it in there. Yes, the bowler could/should have rearranged their gear to check that in and carry another ball in the tote, but that particular situation could still exist. And then picture the non bowling-savvy passenger who just picks up on the word 'bomb' on the coverstock of the ball.

The panic ensues.

BL.

milorafferty

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2013, 01:04:32 PM »
When I read the part about "dirty bomb", I thought to myself, "no one is that stupid", but then I remembered I have actually been through airport security recently.  ;D
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bradl

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2013, 01:35:20 PM »
When I read the part about "dirty bomb", I thought to myself, "no one is that stupid", but then I remembered I have actually been through airport security recently.  ;D

then you stop and think.. "people REALLY ARE that stupid!"  :P

BL.

sevenpin63

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Re: Airlines and bowling balls
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2013, 03:15:15 PM »
I just bring my 4 ball stacked roller. It comes apart and both way under 50lbs. Can even stick some cloths in the upper bag and its still under 50lbs.
And I fly Southwest were bags fly FREE!

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