There is a topic on the bowl.com site under ABC tournament regarding the new restrictions on baggage.  Although it is different from airline to airline, there seems to be a consensus that the weight limit is 50lbs per bag, and only one of the 2 allowed checked bags can be bowling equipment.  That would seem to say we are allowed 2 balls and shoes unless willing to pay the $25 or $50 additional charge for exceeding the weight and/or 3 of bag restrictions.

Beyond that, an option would be to ship equipment to the hotel and have them hold until arrival.  I have checked that with the Silver Legacy where I will be staying and I was informed that they will accept and hold my equipment but there is a one time flat rate per box based on weight.

Comments, thoughts??

Edited on 1/15/2004 1:45 PM

Capt. Scmbg,
There has been talk on the ABC discussion forum about a shipping/receiving service that the ABC is making available to the bowlers.  There is a post by Lucas Wiseman that alludes to it.

Here is the link:
http://www.bowl.com/bowl/abc/common/forums.html?thread=64138&stack=2,1,1:thread

Also, check out this thread on the same subject:
http://www.bowl.com/bowl/abc/common/forums.html?thread=62323&stack=2,2:thread,1:thread

I hope this is helpful.
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RW (THB)

Edited on 1/15/2004 11:58 AM

We did all clothes in carry-on bag (please include a second pair of  bowling shoes if you have them). The two bags you check in can be 2 ball bowling totes wrapped in Bubble Wrap and in a cardboard box marked fragile or two ball rollers. This gives you 4 balls. A couple of guys had an extra 2 balls shipped to their hotel. We have never had a hotel charge a holding fee yet and if you are smart discuss this with the Hotel upon booking including supervisors names if they agree to hold them for free. When shipping the balls find out where a UPS store or shipping agent (FEDEX,USPS) is in the area you are shipping to. The rates outside the convention centers are always about double what real rates are.

How stringent are the airlines with this:

"You may substitute bowling equipment for one piece of the two allowable checked pieces of luggage. Bowling equipment is considered as one pair of shoes and two bowling balls in an appropriate bag."

I thought of taking a 2 ball roller, and my beat up 3 ball roller, put 2 balls in each and shove clothes where needed in those and my carry-on.  I was going to ship balls, but decided on a 4-ball arsenal that I was comfortable with.  I have tourneys on each weekend before and after my ABC dates and don't want to be without my main balls.

I had no problem with my 4 ball roller taken apart, plus my luggage leaving Reno in October.
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I have no life, therefore I bowl or I bowl, therefore I have no life? Okay here is the truth I bowl, therefore there is life

I just booked a trip and decided to check the baggage policy in case there were any changes recently.  For anyone interested here is what I got directly from the Southwest web sight:

"Baggage Allowance: For each ticketed Customer, Southwest allows three (3) checked pieces with size limitations for each individual piece.

Weight and Size Allowance: Maximum weight is 70 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage.

Bowling balls may be accepted as checked or carryon baggage in an appropriate bowling bag, which has a metal frame specifically designed for transporting bowling balls. Any bowling ball that is not packed in an appropriate bowling ball bag will be conditionally accepted. Bowling balls carried onboard must be stowed underneath the seat only."

The one that surprised me is you can carryon bowling balls.  I thought that was not allowed.

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I have no life, therefore I bowl or I bowl, therefore I have no life? Okay here is the truth I bowl, therefore there is life


Edited on 1/16/2004 1:59 AM