Registered: Apr 2016
Location:
Posts: 7

This weekend will be the first time I've ever brought my broom bag on an airplane with me. I'm looking for advice on a few issues.

1. My bag will be over the regular size limits. Is the airline likely to try to charge me an oversized baggage fee?

This is on Alaska Air. They exempt you from oversize baggage fees for lots of kinds of sports equipment, including golf bags and hockey or lacrosse sticks, but they don't mention curling equipment.

2. Some people have told me to protect my broom handles by putting PVC pipe around them. Does this actually do any good?

3. To minimize the risk of damage, should I remove the brush head from the handle before I travel? These are Hardline brooms, so it's pretty easy to remove the main part of the head from the handle.

I apologize if this has been asked before. I tried doing a general Google search but couldn't find anything useful, other than advice to put my shoes in my carry-on bag.

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Registered: Aug 2015
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 31

At least in terms of the first question - I've yet to be charged an oversize fee for checking my brooms. The airlines I've flown on have been happy to simply consider them 'sporting equipment' and allowed them in that regard.

I've gotten the same advice about PVC pipe. Probably better safe than sorry, I think. (That I lucked out and nothing happened without it in my case was irrelevant, but I'd also wrapped mine in clothing for padding.)

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: kitchener
Posts: 147

the one thing I would suggest is to unscrew the head from the shaft. keep everything in the bag still but there is less chance of anything getting broken as easily. have had people that travel give me this advice before and they were traveling internationally and nothing has happened so far. *knock on wood*

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Registered: Apr 2014
Location: In the House
Posts: 608

Oh... Sorry...
When I read the title, I thought the post was about flying as a witch traditionally does on her broom, but using several brooms in a bag instead of just the one broom.

Ok... carry on...

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Registered: Dec 2012
Location: BC, Ontario (and a few other places too...)
Posts: 268

Never had an issue with costs (it's considered sports equipment, so most airlines don't charge you any more than what they charge for normal luggage)...

But I've flown a lot with my gear (across Canada and International), and never had any damaged gear. And I haven't normally popped off the broom heads (good idea though). But... I don't use a curling bag either. I carry all my stuff in a snowboard bag. I find they they are more durable and the costs aren't all that much different than a curling bag. And I play in quite a few clubs, so I'm constantly moving my stuff around... and the snowboard bag just seems to work better and lasts longer.

Whatever you do though, keep your curling shoes in your carry-on. Brooms are easier to replace... shoes, not so much!

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Registered: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 399

Lots of good advice. I've flown a bunch of times to Scotland from the U.S. to curl.

1. I've never been charged oversize fees for my curling equipment bag. You can usually convince them to consider it as sporting equipment, and they will charge you the normal fee for an extra bag. (There is apparently no code for "curling" but the airlines will code it "golf". Close enough.) However, some foreign carriers may charge you again if you transfer airlines on a trip. I paid an extra $75 one direction and nothing for the same route back with the same mixed carrier trip. Go figure.

2. Protect your broom handles with foam pipe covers. These are lightweight, padded, and cheap from your local hardware store. If you don't do this your broom handles will get all scarred up from banging around when handled.

3. I've never removed the brush heads from my brooms. Never a problem. I do take apart my stabilizers to make them lay flatter, though. Take an extra broom for your team, in case one has an accident enroute.

Very important: DO NOT put your shoes in with your curling equipment in checked luggage. Put them in one of your carry-on bags. You can always borrow brooms to curl with. I usually carry one set of curling pants, a curling shirt, and wear my curling jacket on the trip over with a pair of shoes and a take-apart, compact stabilizer in my carry-on luggage.

Consider one of the rolling curling equipment bags. Curling bags are a pain in the ass to carry through airports or to/from airports.

Cheers, and have fun on your trip.

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Registered: Jan 2012
Location:
Posts: 136

Wheeled snowboard bag, with brooms protected by foam. Alternatively I use cardboard rolls (from fabric stores) that I can get for free and nicely cover a broom handle.

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Registered: Apr 2016
Location:
Posts: 7

Thanks to everyone for your advice. It looks like everything made it back from the bonspiel in one piece.

I want to note one other thing for the benefit of anyone who finds this thread in the future. After both of my flights, I found a card in my bag stating that it had been inspected by the TSA. Other people have told me this is very common, especially if you fly with your brooms inside PVC pipe.

So if you're flying with a broom bag in the US, you might want to think twice before putting anything valuable or illegal in the bag.

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