Sportube® and the Airlines

Nothing protects equipment like a hard shell case. Some airlines will no longer take responsibility for broken skis or boards when packed in a soft bag.

Breakage happens, so why run the risk of having to deal with it on a sunny day with two feet of fresh powder!? Why worry about damage to expensive rods and reels packed in a soft case?

All Sportube cases are accepted by the airlines

In fact, certain airlines are actually supporting the use of hard cases by including in their Contracts of Carriage verbiage such as:

Liability release form required on plastic [bag]/ soft [nylon] ski bags only. Execution of liability release form not required on hard-shell cases.

Sportube cases are allowed at no additional cost, assuming you are within the airlines’ baggage limitations as defined under their Contracts of Carriage. Typically, an airline will have a free checked baggage allowance for 2 to 3 bags (depending on their rules) per paying passenger.

In lieu of one bag, the airline will typically allow 1 set of ski equipment (1 pair of skis, poles, boots, and bindings) per passenger.

It is important to note however, that each airline is different. Rules and regulations can change; therefore we recommend that passengers check with their appropriate airlines prior to travel for the most up-to-date information.

Tips for travel

Note: If padlocked luggage (other than a Travel Sentry TSA Approved lock) is deemed suspect and a search is required, then TSA will remove the padlock by any means necessary and will not be held responsible for any damage that may occur. Consequently, as of 2004, all models of Sportube Ski & Snowboard cases are supplied with a non-locking Wire Case Pin.

Travel Sentry TSA combination locks allow you to securely lock your luggage.  The TSA recognize Travel Sentry locks and by using a special key are able to unlock, inspect and securely re-lock your luggage.

We also recommend the following procedures to avoid having your case searched: