Boogie Boards on plane?

[zilp]

We are heading to FL and are going on a beach vacation for a week. My kids recently got some boogie boards (3 boards) and they love using them at the beach. Is there anyway to pack them? I'm not really interested in buying them down there (they cost us about $60 bucks for all three). Is this doable?

eta, they are awkwardly sized and won't fit into any duffel I own (think large size LLBean).

 

[sam_gordon]

Can you borrow someone's large suitcase and check them?

 

[zilp]

Can you borrow someone's large suitcase and check them?

Unfortunately no, since they won't fit. They are appox 36" long. I orginally thought I could have the kids bring them on the plane (since they are so lightweight and thin) but my DH kindly reminded me they don't qualify for carry on size. I was also thinking of trying to find a large clear plastic bag--like the kind the airlines used to give for checked in car seats. Tie it up with a label and call it a day. Think that would work? I'm not sure where I could find those kind of bags though....

 

[Donna M]

I think that would work if you are prepared for them to possibly get damaged. They will require you to sigh a waiver since they are an odd shape and not packed well. How much does your airline charge for luggage? It could be $25.....not worth it. But then again, I'm not an expert in these matters.

 

[pooch]

I would certainly think there is a way. People take enormous golf bags all the time. Try calling the airline with the dimensions & ask. What about a garment bag? You could probably fit all three in one & check it. Now would it be oversized? Cost more to check? Arrive undamaged?

 

[dis_guy]

Check your airline's page about sports equipment. Some have everything from skis, golf bags, bikes and even windsurfers listed there. Otherwise give them a call.

 

[sam_gordon]

Can you find a box and ship them down ahead of time? It might be cost neutral vs. oversize penalties from the airline.

 

[zilp]

Thanks guys, some good ideas! We are flying SW, so no baggage fees We can't ship it ahead of time since this is a VRBO rental and there is no one to hold the boards for us. I was originally thinking clear plastic bags since they could see how flimsy/lightweight the items were and maybe they would be more gentle with them. I do like the idea of a garment bag, but I would have to go out and buy one. Still thinking of how to do this. I think it's worth it to bring them since they will not get used much here at home.

Anyone have any ideas where I could get extra large clear plastic bags?

 

[pooch]

What about like a bed bath & beyond store? They might have heavy duty storage bags for storing comforters & such? And retailmenot always has coupons for them. And although SWA has no baggage fees, they do charge for oversized items. Double check their web site for information on this.

 

[pooch]

I checked SWA and you can check a boogie board as one of your free checked bags as long as the 62 inch rule is followed.

 

[richmo]

Interesting...a few thoughts:
- Maybe tie the three of them together and check them in as one "bag"
- As a PP mentioned, people check golf bags all the time. I know there are soft, canvas-like, golf bags. It might be interesting to see if your boards would fit in one of those. I'm not sure if the boards would be too wide, but they might fit.
- Many beaches in Florida will rent boogie boards. If you're not flying Southwest, perhaps it would be less expensive to leave the boards at home and rent them for the week. Before you leave, I'd google rental places for your beach and see what you come up with.

 

[bear_mom]

When we rented a condo on the beach through VBRO, there were boogie boards there for us to use. Have you checked into that?

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

My concern is the damage. They don't treat a bag with kid gloves. These items get sent flying to the next person and hundreds and hundreds of pounds could be on top of them. I would buy inexpensive boards down there and let them share one or two. You can grab it on the way to the beach or at a beach shop. If you want to bring it home if it's worth it, nothing lost if it doesn't make it. Keep the receipt.

 

[pooh4evr]

We've carried on boogie boards a few times without incident.

 

[sharona]

We've carried on boogie boards a few times without incident.

Where did you put them? Our boogie boards are huge and wouldn't fit in the overhead.

 

[kirstenb1]

I agree with Bear Mom. We rent in Cocoa Beach, and the condos have always had boogie boards.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm back to getting a box to put all the boards in (maybe wrapped with bubble wrap or packing peanuts for some padding) and check the box. You'll probably pay some for over size, but that's how I'd do it.

 

[richmo]

I'm back to getting a box to put all the boards in (maybe wrapped with bubble wrap or packing peanuts for some padding) and check the box. You'll probably pay some for over size, but that's how I'd do it.

Except that paying for oversize two ways might cost more than the boards are worth. May depend upon the airline, but oversize baggage charges are rough.

 

[pooh4evr]

I think we put them in the overhead compartment.

 

[ktate82]

When we brought ours, I bought this bag and it worked awesome. it's very lightweight and even though it says 32.5", it fit our boards (the bag was flexible enough to fit the boards and all our beach toys and such), and we checked it. We have used it several times since, and it has been a great bag.