The Official Flying with Poles Thread.

[wtfisup]

This thread is to share pole flying and transportation experiences. List the airline, destinations, price charged, and more importantly if they made it. We all know what a pain in the it is. So maybe through this we can make selecting certain airlines easier and keep it updated as to rates and rule changes.

Both intercontinental and international.

I'm sure it belongs in another section but will get more traffic and information here.

If everyone contributes it can make this process easier.

[wtfisup]

Here's a good site to kick it off but lets try and include personal experiences. Because we all know policies and ticket counter attendants don't always go hand in hand

http://www.flyawaypoles.com/airline.php#ap6

[KLocke]

I am pleased with Virgin America Airlines handling of pole vault transport.

[rainbowgirl28]

If Southwest flies to your destination, they are the only airline to go with. Everyone else has a very checkered history. Too bad they don't fly international!

[wurster490]

I am flying with US Airways quite often and they accept pole vaulting poles as your second piece of checked baggage, just print off the policy online and have it with you. The cost is $35 for a second bag.

Delta has been giving people a lot of problems, I flew with them yesterday and their policy is very confusing, but they took my poles, charged me $100 for second bag, and $90 for it weighing more than 50lbs, or vice versa. Anyways, it's stressful, but you just have to know your stuff and be persistent.

Iceland Air also takes poles, but I believe it is $150, you just have to book them before you go to the airport.

Hope that helps.

[VTechVaulter]

German Wings for international, they are one of the best ever, and its only like 25 euro per bag

USAirway has been really awesome to me. Their policy online says it should fly just as a piece of baggage. Sometimes ive flown them free if i don't check another bag

Delta can be good, can be bad, all depends on if they want to be. I flew to barcelona in 2010, and the poles were free from memphis to barcelona. 1 week later from Barcelona back to the states, it was 450 dollars.

[jabennis]

Does anyone know how JetBlue is and their fees? I have to fly to Jamaica next month, and the only other alternative is AA.
AA charges $200 each way for the poles, and they left my poles in Miami last year for 2 days.

Help!

[Bubba PV]

I paid $1,900 to ship mine to Sydney in 2009 for World Masters. Next year I'm going to Torino, Italy and Porto Alegre, Brazil, both small cities away from big airports. Makes me think even if I can get my poles to Rome or Sao Paulo I still have big problems on the last leg of both trips. Anybody fly poles into Italy and Brazil? Thank you! Bubba

[wtfisup]

Makes me think even if I can get my poles to Rome or Sao Paulo I still have big problems on the last leg of both trips. Anybody fly poles into Italy and Brazil? Thank you! Bubba

Mary Saxer and Mark Hollis flew to Brazil recently, they could provide insight. I'd say the best/safer bet is to fly into the major port and then rent a car.. depending on distance of course.

[rainbowgirl28]

Makes me think even if I can get my poles to Rome or Sao Paulo I still have big problems on the last leg of both trips. Anybody fly poles into Italy and Brazil? Thank you! Bubba

Mary Saxer and Mark Hollis flew to Brazil recently, they could provide insight. I'd say the best/safer bet is to fly into the major port and then rent a car.. depending on distance of course.

Yeah I think nowadays most elite vaulters rent cars when they go abroad. Your chances of being able to take poles on any sort of public transportation aren't good.

[Bubba PV]

Great advice! Thank you!! Bubba

[KLocke]

Get yourself to Baltimore. Take AirTran nonstop flight to Montego Bay for around $400. Pole fees are standard $50

Good Luck!

AirTran Airways
Vaulting Poles:
Vaulting poles may be checked. Rigid covers or containers cannot be used to transport them.
$50 per bag/case

Does anyone know how JetBlue is and their fees? I have to fly to Jamaica next month, and the only other alternative is AA.
AA charges $200 each way for the poles, and they left my poles in Miami last year for 2 days.

Help!