How much do airlines check what is in the golf travel bag??

[Pepperturbo]

Since 70's, I have traveled the world. I do remember times when commercial flying was actually enjoyable. It still is too, you just have to know how to take advantage of airline curb stewards, and fly 1st, business class or private charter.

Someone earlier mentioned watching TSA inspect his golf bag. I never encountered that since my golf bag is "always" checked when our luggage is checked. The only items in my possession that gets checked by TSA are carry-on. What airline allows carry on of golf bags??? If or when our club bags are checked, it's done out of sight from us, in the back of the terminal, on a separate conveyor from our luggage.

[jmtbkr]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382274519' post='8029557']
Since 70's, I have traveled the world. I do remember times when commercial flying was actually enjoyable. It still is too, you just have to know how to take advantage of airline curb stewards, and fly 1st, business class or private charter.

[b]Someone earlier mentioned watching TSA inspect his golf bag.[/b] I never encountered that since my golf bag is "always" checked when our luggage is checked. The only items in my possession that gets checked by TSA are carry-on. What airline allows carry on of golf bags??? If or when our club bags are checked, it's done out of sight from us, in the back of the terminal, on a separate conveyor from our luggage.
[/quote]

That would've been me.

Our local airport on Long Island is small enough that after you check in at the counter, you must take the bags over to the TSA screening before you go to the gates. There, they x-ray everything. Bags to the loading ramp, you to the gate. It works out nice and speedy.

Except when I travel with my clubs. They go thru everything. Everytime I've brought them, they do this. That's just life her on the island. Unfortunately, the TSA hires, as I call them ,the un-hireables. Most are nice, simple folks doing their jobs to make flying safe for all of us. Others have an attitude because they are given a badge and uniform and they feel it's their perogitive to walk all over everyone.
I don't mind them looking in the bags, [b]just put it back the way you found it[/b]!!

Oh....I fly SouthWest all the time. No carry on golf bags, just no fee for the bag!

As I have learned from this, I now keep 2 sets of clubs (for wifey and I) in Florida so when we do run off for long weekends, I don't have to schlep anything!

[kuslamb]

I get golf bag packed as usual, clubs, balls, shoes with socks, rangefinder.... and my cooking knives (3 total) as I am the resident chef or our family thanksgiving trip to pebble. Wrapped in dish towels and rubber banded. I don't want anyone to get hurt. Always a notice of search. Never a problem though.

Oh, my wife usually throws in 6 pairs of her shoes + some kids stuff.

[mark m]

I too have seen it where the TSA bag check - for oversize bags like golf clubs and skis, etc - is out in the terminal and you are able to see what they are doing (for the most part). They take your suit case - and weigh it - and it goes behind the counter to the conveyor belt. But they ask you to take your clubs to the other (oversize bag) check area where it is weighed and check. Keep it under 50lbs. I liked it better when you could lock your bag!

[SadTrombone]

[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382275715' post='8029599'] [b]Unfortunately, the TSA hires, as I call them ,the un-hireables. Most are nice, simple folks doing their jobs to make flying safe for all of us.[/b]
[/quote]

Just stop. They are absolutely not making it safer...for anyone. I can promise you that.

[jmtbkr]

[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1382334427' post='8033093']
[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382275715' post='8029599'] [b]Unfortunately, the TSA hires, as I call them ,the un-hireables. Most are nice, simple folks doing their jobs to make flying safe for all of us.[/b]
[/quote]

Just stop. They are absolutely not making it safer...for anyone. I can promise you that.
[/quote]

Hope this thread doesn't get shut down........

I should have said, I'd like to think they are making flying safer. For the most part, I think they do, but then, I don't particularly agree with the whole homeland securirty BS thing.
Sometimes the TSA is alot over the top. I once was witness to a 90yr old woman in a wheelchair with 2 cats getting the full monty from these two oversized morons. "Get out of the chair, walk thru the scanner, please take your cats out of the carrier so we can check them for explosives!" I and everyone else on line was outraged. The TSA just didn't give a $hit!

[SadTrombone]

[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382354763' post='8033391']
[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1382334427' post='8033093']
[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382275715' post='8029599'] [b]Unfortunately, the TSA hires, as I call them ,the un-hireables. Most are nice, simple folks doing their jobs to make flying safe for all of us.[/b]
[/quote]

Just stop. They are absolutely not making it safer...for anyone. I can promise you that.
[/quote]

Hope this thread doesn't get shut down........

I should have said, I'd like to think they are making flying safer. For the most part, I think they do, but then, I don't particularly agree with the whole homeland securirty BS thing.
[/quote]
You can think what you want.

You're wrong.

[jmtbkr]

So.......make your point.
Enunciate!

enlighten the un-informed.

[SadTrombone]

[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382359868' post='8033583']
So.......make your point.
Enunciate!

enlighten the un-informed.
[/quote]
You'd like me to disclose security sensitive information in direct violation of 1544.407? I'd like to not end up in jail this morning.

But if you pay attention, you can find out the information on your own. It's security theater, nothing more and nothing less. We were probably safer on 9/10 than we are now. The goal of security theater is to make you [i]feel[/i] better. At least it's effective at that.

[jmtbkr]

Not looking to argue. I'm on your side. Totally agree with you on the theater stuff.

That web site sure is crazy!

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382275715' post='8029599']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382274519' post='8029557']
Since 70's, I have traveled the world. I do remember times when commercial flying was actually enjoyable. It still is too, you just have to know how to take advantage of airline curb stewards, and fly 1st, business class or private charter.

[b]Someone earlier mentioned watching TSA inspect his golf bag.[/b] I never encountered that since my golf bag is "always" checked when our luggage is checked. The only items in my possession that gets checked by TSA are carry-on. What airline allows carry on of golf bags??? If or when our club bags are checked, it's done out of sight from us, in the back of the terminal, on a separate conveyor from our luggage.
[/quote]

That would've been me.

Our local airport on Long Island is small enough that after you check in at the counter, you must take the bags over to the TSA screening before you go to the gates. There, they x-ray everything. Bags to the loading ramp, you to the gate. It works out nice and speedy.

Except when I travel with my clubs. They go thru everything. Everytime I've brought them, they do this. That's just life her on the island. Unfortunately, the TSA hires, as I call them ,the un-hireables. Most are nice, simple folks doing their jobs to make flying safe for all of us. Others have an attitude because they are given a badge and uniform and they feel it's their perogitive to walk all over everyone.
I don't mind them looking in the bags, [b]just put it back the way you found it[/b]!!

Oh....I fly SouthWest all the time. No carry on golf bags, just no fee for the bag!

As I have learned from this, I now keep 2 sets of clubs (for wifey and I) in Florida so when we do run off for long weekends, I don't have to schlep anything!
[/quote]

Thanks for explaining. I fly to NYC rather often, but only use the two large named airports. We typically don't fly out of small local airports, except for HI Islands, a few local MI flights and when flying private. Even then I have airline curb attendants handle all our baggage, so the only things we have TSA check is our carry on.

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382372227' post='8034499']
[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382275715' post='8029599']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382274519' post='8029557']
Since 70's, I have traveled the world. I do remember times when commercial flying was actually enjoyable. It still is too, you just have to know how to take advantage of airline curb stewards, and fly 1st, business class or private charter.

[b]Someone earlier mentioned watching TSA inspect his golf bag.[/b] I never encountered that since my golf bag is "always" checked when our luggage is checked. The only items in my possession that gets checked by TSA are carry-on. What airline allows carry on of golf bags??? If or when our club bags are checked, it's done out of sight from us, in the back of the terminal, on a separate conveyor from our luggage.
[/quote]

That would've been me.

Our local airport on Long Island is small enough that after you check in at the counter, you must take the bags over to the TSA screening before you go to the gates. There, they x-ray everything. Bags to the loading ramp, you to the gate. It works out nice and speedy.

Except when I travel with my clubs. They go thru everything. Everytime I've brought them, they do this. That's just life her on the island. Unfortunately, the TSA hires, as I call them ,the un-hireables. Most are nice, simple folks doing their jobs to make flying safe for all of us. Others have an attitude because they are given a badge and uniform and they feel it's their perogitive to walk all over everyone.
I don't mind them looking in the bags, [b]just put it back the way you found it[/b]!!

Oh....I fly SouthWest all the time. No carry on golf bags, just no fee for the bag!

As I have learned from this, I now keep 2 sets of clubs (for wifey and I) in Florida so when we do run off for long weekends, I don't have to schlep anything!
[/quote]

Thanks for explaining. I fly to NYC rather often, but only use the two large named airports. We typically don't fly out of small local airports, except for HI Islands, a few local MI flights and when flying private. Even then I have airline curb attendants handle all our baggage, so the only things we have TSA check is our carry on.
[/quote]

At our small regional airport if you asked about curbside attendants they would look at you like you had two heads. I watched the TSA guy take my clubs behind a small wall behind the ticket counter and start pulling every club out.

Even at the big airports where they do curbside checkin, won't TSA still have access those bags?

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

Yes, of course they will.

TSA looks inside golf bags. Get over it or don't carry your golf clubs on a plane.

It's like the old guys at my club whining about how in the good old days they could hang around the Mens Grill for hours and get falling down drunk without worrying that the stupid cops would bust them for DWI while driving home.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1382372871' post='8034573']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382372227' post='8034499']
[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382275715' post='8029599']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382274519' post='8029557']
Since 70's, I have traveled the world. I do remember times when commercial flying was actually enjoyable. It still is too, you just have to know how to take advantage of airline curb stewards, and fly 1st, business class or private charter.

[b]Someone earlier mentioned watching TSA inspect his golf bag.[/b] I never encountered that since my golf bag is "always" checked when our luggage is checked. The only items in my possession that gets checked by TSA are carry-on. What airline allows carry on of golf bags??? If or when our club bags are checked, it's done out of sight from us, in the back of the terminal, on a separate conveyor from our luggage.
[/quote]

That would've been me.

Our local airport on Long Island is small enough that after you check in at the counter, you must take the bags over to the TSA screening before you go to the gates. There, they x-ray everything. Bags to the loading ramp, you to the gate. It works out nice and speedy.

Except when I travel with my clubs. They go thru everything. Everytime I've brought them, they do this. That's just life her on the island. Unfortunately, the TSA hires, as I call them ,the un-hireables. Most are nice, simple folks doing their jobs to make flying safe for all of us. Others have an attitude because they are given a badge and uniform and they feel it's their perogitive to walk all over everyone.
I don't mind them looking in the bags, [b]just put it back the way you found it[/b]!!

Oh....I fly SouthWest all the time. No carry on golf bags, just no fee for the bag!

As I have learned from this, I now keep 2 sets of clubs (for wifey and I) in Florida so when we do run off for long weekends, I don't have to schlep anything!
[/quote]

Thanks for explaining. I fly to NYC rather often, but only use the two large named airports. We typically don't fly out of small local airports, except for HI Islands, a few local MI flights and when flying private. Even then I have airline curb attendants handle all our baggage, so the only things we have TSA check is our carry on.
[/quote]

At our small regional airport if you asked about curbside attendants they would look at you like you had two heads. I watched the TSA guy take my clubs behind a small wall behind the ticket counter and start pulling every club out.

Even at the big airports where they do curbside checkin, won't TSA still have access those bags?
[/quote]

I suppose some really small airports have limited resources and I am spoiled. When I go on hunting or fishing trips, my luggage, guns and or fishing gear are handled by the outfitter.

Yes TSA still randomly checks golf bags and... But they get them after luggage and other gear is weighed and checked in.

[prorobo]

I've flown with my clubs three times, twice to the west coast and once to Hilton Head. The airline will weigh the bag before they issue the bag tag. Then TSA checked mine each and every time going both ways. They will pull a few clubs and run the foreign residue test on them (explosives), then jam them back in wherever they can fit and send your bag on its way. I always take the head off my driver and shove it in my carry on but leave the shaft in the bag.

[SadTrombone]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382373264' post='8034613']
Yes TSA still randomly checks golf bags and... But they get them after luggage and other gear is weighed and checked in.
[/quote]
That's the way it works in the US. Big, small, regional, international, from ATL to (insert smallest regional airport you can think of). Same process. You aren't getting around anything by having the curbside check-in.

...and you are tipping those guys, right? $1/bag. No more, no less.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382373264' post='8034613']
[quote name='deadsolid...shank' timestamp='1382372871' post='8034573']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382372227' post='8034499']
[quote name='jmtbkr' timestamp='1382275715' post='8029599']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382274519' post='8029557']
Since 70's, I have traveled the world. I do remember times when commercial flying was actually enjoyable. It still is too, you just have to know how to take advantage of airline curb stewards, and fly 1st, business class or private charter.

[b]Someone earlier mentioned watching TSA inspect his golf bag.[/b] I never encountered that since my golf bag is "always" checked when our luggage is checked. The only items in my possession that gets checked by TSA are carry-on. What airline allows carry on of golf bags??? If or when our club bags are checked, it's done out of sight from us, in the back of the terminal, on a separate conveyor from our luggage.
[/quote]

That would've been me.

Our local airport on Long Island is small enough that after you check in at the counter, you must take the bags over to the TSA screening before you go to the gates. There, they x-ray everything. Bags to the loading ramp, you to the gate. It works out nice and speedy.

Except when I travel with my clubs. They go thru everything. Everytime I've brought them, they do this. That's just life her on the island. Unfortunately, the TSA hires, as I call them ,the un-hireables. Most are nice, simple folks doing their jobs to make flying safe for all of us. Others have an attitude because they are given a badge and uniform and they feel it's their perogitive to walk all over everyone.
I don't mind them looking in the bags, [b]just put it back the way you found it[/b]!!

Oh....I fly SouthWest all the time. No carry on golf bags, just no fee for the bag!

As I have learned from this, I now keep 2 sets of clubs (for wifey and I) in Florida so when we do run off for long weekends, I don't have to schlep anything!
[/quote]

Thanks for explaining. I fly to NYC rather often, but only use the two large named airports. We typically don't fly out of small local airports, except for HI Islands, a few local MI flights and when flying private. Even then I have airline curb attendants handle all our baggage, so the only things we have TSA check is our carry on.
[/quote]

At our small regional airport if you asked about curbside attendants they would look at you like you had two heads. I watched the TSA guy take my clubs behind a small wall behind the ticket counter and start pulling every club out.

Even at the big airports where they do curbside checkin, won't TSA still have access those bags?
[/quote]

I suppose some really small airports have limited resources and I am spoiled. When I go on hunting or fishing trips, my luggage, guns and or fishing gear are handled by the outfitter.

Yes TSA still randomly checks golf bags and... But they get them after luggage and other gear is weighed and checked in.
[/quote]

Randomly? I bet the number is 95% or higher. Your golf bag will get a TSA inspection.

[hebsan]

[quote name='dirtyboy' timestamp='1382708686' post='8056005']

Randomly? I bet the number is 95% or higher. Your golf bag will get a TSA inspection.
[/quote]

I agree. No matter how well you clean your clubs / shoes and whatever else you have in the travel bag, they are going to detect traces of fertilizer.

On other note, if you travel to Australia with your clubs, Customs will ask to see your shoes so that you are not carrying any foreign soil.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1382694694' post='8055487']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382373264' post='8034613']
Yes TSA still randomly checks golf bags and... But they get them after luggage and other gear is weighed and checked in.
[/quote]
That's the way it works in the US. Big, small, regional, international, from ATL to (insert smallest regional airport you can think of). Same process. You aren't getting around anything by having the curbside check-in.

...and you are tipping those guys, right? $1/bag. No more, no less.
[/quote]

Due to frequency of travel, I have learned to make it as easy as possible on myself and wife. The only thing we get around by checking with curbside porters is - fruit and veg inspections, which happen in certain states and countries, and dragging and waiting in lines with "all" our luggage. Porters weight them, charge my CC and send them in the back. If TSA decides to inspect them, fine, and it works in many other countries too. My tips are $20-$50.

[trojangolfer]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382725401' post='8057481']
[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1382694694' post='8055487']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382373264' post='8034613']
Yes TSA still randomly checks golf bags and... But they get them after luggage and other gear is weighed and checked in.
[/quote]
That's the way it works in the US. Big, small, regional, international, from ATL to (insert smallest regional airport you can think of). Same process. You aren't getting around anything by having the curbside check-in.

...and you are tipping those guys, right? $1/bag. No more, no less.
[/quote]

Due to frequency of travel, I have learned to make it as easy as possible on myself and wife. The only thing we get around by checking with curbside porters is - fruit and veg inspections, which happen in certain states and countries, and dragging and waiting in lines with "all" our luggage. Porters weight them, charge my CC and send them in the back. If TSA decides to inspect them, fine, and it works in many other countries too. My tips are $20-$50.
[/quote]

I'm not sure I understand the controversy here. Regardless of whether you check your golf bag at the curb and tip the porter $50 or if you check it at the counter, the chances that it will be checked by the TSA are the same. Trust me, the TSA treats all bags the same. That's a fact. The TSA doesn't enforce weight limits on bags. Fact. If you check your bag at the curb and tip the porter well, he is unlikely to search it to find out whether it contains items above and beyond what the airline guideline allow. However, I've never seen an airline attendant at the desk check a bag that is within the weight limits to see if it contains too many clubs or pairs of shoes. They are moving thousands of bags a day; they only care if it is within the weight limits. They will only invoke to contents rules if you are an a******.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='trojangolfer' timestamp='1382728520' post='8057703']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382725401' post='8057481']
[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1382694694' post='8055487']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1382373264' post='8034613']
Yes TSA still randomly checks golf bags and... But they get them after luggage and other gear is weighed and checked in.
[/quote]
That's the way it works in the US. Big, small, regional, international, from ATL to (insert smallest regional airport you can think of). Same process. You aren't getting around anything by having the curbside check-in.

...and you are tipping those guys, right? $1/bag. No more, no less.
[/quote]

Due to frequency of travel, I have learned to make it as easy as possible on myself and wife. The only thing we get around by checking with curbside porters is - fruit and veg inspections, which happen in certain states and countries, and dragging and waiting in lines with "all" our luggage. Porters weight them, charge my CC and send them in the back. If TSA decides to inspect them, fine, and it works in many other countries too. My tips are $20-$50.
[/quote]

I'm not sure I understand the controversy here. Regardless of whether you check your golf bag at the curb and tip the porter $50 or if you check it at the counter, [u]the chances that it will be checked by the TSA are the same[/u]. Trust me, the TSA treats all bags the same. That's a fact. The TSA doesn't enforce weight limits on bags. Fact. If you check your bag at the curb and tip the porter well, he is unlikely to search it to find out whether it contains items above and beyond what the airline guideline allow. However, I've never seen an airline attendant at the desk check a bag that is within the weight limits to see if it contains too many clubs or pairs of shoes. They are moving thousands of bags a day; [u]they only care if it is within the weight limits. They will only invoke to contents rules if you are an a******.[/u]
[/quote]

Absolutely right on both accounts. I don't see the disconnect either. Its random, and possibly based upon appearance and attitude. Have a good one.

[roboref]

Just got back! Great time BTW. Here is what happened to my bag, your experience may be different. Flight ABQ to DFW to LHR to EDI via AAL and BA from LHR to EDI. Golf travel bag was not inspected by AAL at all, no TSA note and couldn't tell that anything had been moved after arrival. AAL delivered my clubs late to BA at LHR, so clubs did not get to Edinburgh at the same time as I did, but did make it about 5 hours later.

Flight home from FLL to ABQ via LAS on SWA. Clubs not inspected by either SWA or TSA.

I did have my golf travel bag loaded and unloaded by the porters getting on and off the cruise ship. When I arrived, my self made stiff arm (from and old ball retriever) was bent about 20 degrees. I am confident that this saved my driver from snapping. Not sure if it occurred going on or off the ship or with SWA. I also used the tips about packing all the clubs in the center of the golf bag and had a towel around the heads and a couple of packs of dirty clothes around it as well. Weighed 65 lbs going over, under the AAL 70 lbs limit. Charged $60 to check but tickets purchased after June 1 will be a charge of $100. SWA limits golf bag to 50 lbs., but will count as part of 2 free bags checked.

Thanks again for all the help and input.

[Madgolfer199]

Out of interest i'm from Scotland and was wondering what courses you are playing on? I have played all around scotland and your in for a treat if you have not done this before. Also is your trip tailor made or you just going to head where you feel like? Just interested to see how people from abroad sort out their trip to Scotland.

[roboref]

MadGolfer199,

I need to write a full report up. I used the the book many suggested for a self guided tour of Scotland golf. I chose to concentrate on St Andrews and spent 9 nights. My B and B host balloted with me for tee time on the Old Course, I then also purchased the 3 day unlimited golf ticket at St Andrews which allowed me to play the New, Castle and Jubilee courses, added Carnoustie on another day and then my host also took me over to Scotscraig for a round, so 6 rounds in 8 days with 2 days to sight see on the days with the worst fore casted weather. I am an obsessive planner, so pretty much had a plan and was just flexible on the days when the worst weather hit, went sightseeing. Worked very well for me and had a fantastic time.

[dcmidnight]

Have taken 4 trips with my SKB case and its been opened every time.

[roboref]

Just another follow up to this thread. Booked flights to Ireland for this years trip. United express to ORD and the Aer Lingus direct flight to Dublin. 1 checked bag free and above that $100 per bag.

[prsgtrman]

ive traveled with clubs and ive never had any issues. i usually put my golf clothes and shoes in the bag and ive never had an issue.

[mswmn]

I just returned from Pinehurst. My bag was not opened either there or back...

[yellolab]

Went to Florida last month- my travel case for my clubs was not opened for either leg of the flight.

[roll - gybe]

I have checked clubs hundreds of times.

I expect to find a tag from the TSA every time. At times no note, but I watched them open the bag. I have lost items out of my bag. I have watched my bag get opened and stuff spill all over and not get put back in.

It doesn't matter if you use porters or not. Your attitude and appearance don't matter either. Large bags get checked.

Furthermore, allowing an "outfitter" to handle one's firearms is looking for a problem one way or another. Losing physical control of a firearm is a problem.