A kayak in an airplane?
04-25-2007, 12:35 PM
#1
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A kayak in an airplane?
I am hoping someone here is smarter that I am when it comes to shipping a kayak.
I just ordered a kayak that will be completed the end of May in Sacramento, CA and I want to get it to Seattle, WA. I was hoping that I could jumpseat down and pick it up instead of paying some shipping company to throw it on a truck (I have repaired many kayaks that were shipped this way). I don't know how different airlines handle checking something that is 25lbs, 19" wide, 15" high, and 21' long. I bet a lot of them won't and the ones that do will charge a bit to do so. I expect to pay a bit, but instead of calling each airline individually and waiting on hold, I was hoping someone here might know of a way that I can make this work. Does anyone know of an airline that could work with me on this?
I just ordered a kayak that will be completed the end of May in Sacramento, CA and I want to get it to Seattle, WA. I was hoping that I could jumpseat down and pick it up instead of paying some shipping company to throw it on a truck (I have repaired many kayaks that were shipped this way). I don't know how different airlines handle checking something that is 25lbs, 19" wide, 15" high, and 21' long. I bet a lot of them won't and the ones that do will charge a bit to do so. I expect to pay a bit, but instead of calling each airline individually and waiting on hold, I was hoping someone here might know of a way that I can make this work. Does anyone know of an airline that could work with me on this?
04-25-2007, 12:46 PM
#2
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Originally Posted by Shaun
I am hoping someone here is smarter that I am when it comes to shipping a kayak.
I just ordered a kayak that will be completed the end of May in Sacramento, CA and I want to get it to Seattle, WA. I was hoping that I could jumpseat down and pick it up instead of paying some shipping company to throw it on a truck (I have repaired many kayaks that were shipped this way). I don't know how different airlines handle checking something that is 25lbs, 19" wide, 15" high, and 21' long. I bet a lot of them won't and the ones that do will charge a bit to do so. I expect to pay a bit, but instead of calling each airline individually and waiting on hold, I was hoping someone here might know of a way that I can make this work. Does anyone know of an airline that could work with me on this?
I just ordered a kayak that will be completed the end of May in Sacramento, CA and I want to get it to Seattle, WA. I was hoping that I could jumpseat down and pick it up instead of paying some shipping company to throw it on a truck (I have repaired many kayaks that were shipped this way). I don't know how different airlines handle checking something that is 25lbs, 19" wide, 15" high, and 21' long. I bet a lot of them won't and the ones that do will charge a bit to do so. I expect to pay a bit, but instead of calling each airline individually and waiting on hold, I was hoping someone here might know of a way that I can make this work. Does anyone know of an airline that could work with me on this?
Just my two cents.
04-25-2007, 01:06 PM
#3
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Also, I worked for a couple of different airlines on the ramp and I would say there is a pretty good chance that it could be damaged getting shoved into the underbelly of a plane.
Agree, your kayak is probably "safer" when shipped by truck...
Agree, your kayak is probably "safer" when shipped by truck...
04-25-2007, 01:11 PM
#4
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Paddle it up the west coast.
If you're not that ambitious, just drive down and rooftop it home. Looks like about a 12 hour drive each way. Make a nice vacation trip out of it - maybe chrisain it in the San Fransisco Bay.
I built a Pygmy kayak several years ago and wouldn't dream of letting a ramp monkey slam it into a belly.
If you're not that ambitious, just drive down and rooftop it home. Looks like about a 12 hour drive each way. Make a nice vacation trip out of it - maybe chrisain it in the San Fransisco Bay.
I built a Pygmy kayak several years ago and wouldn't dream of letting a ramp monkey slam it into a belly.
04-25-2007, 01:45 PM
#5
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Yeah, don't send it below... I've seen what the ramp rats do to stuff like kayaks!! On another note, since you're an airline employee- why not consider FedExing it? I've sent some pretty big and heavy RC warships via FedEx (talking 12-14' long and over 100 lbs), and never had a problem. Or you can JS down, rent a car for a day, strap it to the roof and drive back to SEA... total cost, about $150, and that's including gas.
Either way- keep us informed of your adventure!!! And congrats on the new kayak!
Either way- keep us informed of your adventure!!! And congrats on the new kayak!
04-25-2007, 01:49 PM
#7
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FedEx is a good idea depending on what they cost. Do airline employees get discounts on FedEx?
If I drive it back, I would probably want my own car with the custom kayak racks. Long and light kayaks tend to want to fly while going down the freeway.
If I drive it back, I would probably want my own car with the custom kayak racks. Long and light kayaks tend to want to fly while going down the freeway.
04-25-2007, 02:18 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by Shaun
I don't know how different airlines handle checking something that is 25lbs, 19" wide, 15" high, and 21' long.
They don't call them bag smashers for nothing! A 21' Kayak that weighs 25lbs sounds like a custom Carbon Fiber rig that's not cheap (BTW, aren't you working for a regional airline!)
I'd pay for the trucking and let them worry about damage, the cost between air & ground would be about the same.
What are you getting?
04-25-2007, 02:43 PM
#10
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Hey there HSLD,
Yah, I am getting the idea that putting it on a plane isn't a great idea. Cost wise, it looks like throwing it on a truck is the way to go. I will just double check their insurance first.
The boat is a Huki S1-R racing surfski. They have had another boat of mine on consignment for almost two years now, and they offered me a deal on a trade in that I couldn't turn down (even working for Big Sky). You might have seen one similar on my car with a blue deck and black hull, that was an S1-X, the new one is a more stable version for the really windy and rough days.
Yah, I am getting the idea that putting it on a plane isn't a great idea. Cost wise, it looks like throwing it on a truck is the way to go. I will just double check their insurance first.
The boat is a Huki S1-R racing surfski. They have had another boat of mine on consignment for almost two years now, and they offered me a deal on a trade in that I couldn't turn down (even working for Big Sky). You might have seen one similar on my car with a blue deck and black hull, that was an S1-X, the new one is a more stable version for the really windy and rough days.
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