I flew American Trans Air (ATA) to Maui and they charge $25 each way for a board. If you have a coffin bag you can easily get a couple boards on for the same price. With most airlines the price for taking boards seems to vary with the mood of the person at the counter.
Sometimes I get them on for free and other times I get charged. I try to travel light, 1 coffin bag and a duffle bag and backpack. The coffin and duffle are checked as two pieces and the backpack is carry on. This way when asked how many pieces you are checking in you can reply just two. Sometimes it lets you get away without an excess bagage charge for the boards. Always call airlines ahead of time to be sure of what the offical price is. This way you can argue if you are overcharged at the counter.
>>I was wondering if anyone knows which airlines (for the continental US) are best, and don’t try to screw you out of as much money as possible for these “odd” pieces of luggage. Also, what are the best means of protecting them from the systems that seem so bent on destroying them?
As far as packing them, I like the looks of the way Bob Pearson packs his for shipping, foam blocks between the fins, bubble wrap and wide tape. Not duct tape, really duct tape is for kooks dings.
Yeah, then put a sock on it and a good sleeping bag or board bag or a box. Seems like there’s an article in just about every surfing magazine published, but basically pad it well and go. — fang
