Flying With Poles

[rainbowgirl28]

I think I am going to fly America West from St Louis to Reno. Southwest was a little bit cheaper ticket, but then I would have to pay $$50 each way to get them there and back.

I called America West to confirm their policy. She said they don't fly the poles on their Express flights or whatever, those are the ones with the 4 digit flight numbers.

I am a little nervous, because America West's policy is a bit poorly worded, and says something about 1 pole...

Kris flew them last summer and had no problems... but then again nobody had any trouble on Southwest until I had the one bad experience last year

[rainbowgirl28]

I called America West (again) today, and they said any additional bags would be $80 each.

So, 1 free pole bag and the rest are $80 a piece.

[Robert schmitt]

This may be of some help. When you call ask who you are talking to what department they are in and if they have an ext. where they can be reached at. Then ask if they will send you a copy of what they told you on the phone. It's kind of a pain to do but when you are at the ticket counter haveing a problem it gives you a lot more leverage if you can hold someone acountable with in the company rather than saying I called and talked to some one how told me this ......

It's more compeling to be able to say on 12-14-04 I called "Molly " in customer service and she told me the polciy was this..... Oh and here is a written copy "Molley" sent me. Kind of prevents them from passing the buck or refering you to another set of rules that were posted somewhere else or a rule change they decided to implement at the counter.

[rainbowgirl28]

Yeah that would have helped me with my problems last year. I spoke to two different people on the phone the night before I flew to Reno, but I forgot to write it all down.

[qtpie57]

what was the 2003 reno disaster? i flew southwest in 2003 with no problem.. but maybe i was lucky?

[rainbowgirl28]

what was the 2003 reno disaster? i flew southwest in 2003 with no problem.. but maybe i was lucky?

I had problems last year in 2004. There's a long thread about it somewhere on here.

[polevaultdad]

We have used America West several times - going to Texas and Reno. They take poles at no charge, but you have to make sure you talk to the agent so you have a name to re3fer to. There also a supervisor around that knows the rules. They on allow poles a certain length so a 13' pole is OK but a 13'7" is not. Especially if they are busy. We did manage to get 13'7" on because the coach told them how to put them in on a diagonal.

American charged going to Miami but not ont the way back. So who knows. UPS, Fed Ex wanted $2000 to ship them over night to Texas (8 poles).

Hope that helps

[rainbowgirl28]

Here's a horror story:

http://www.athletics.org.au/athletes/pr ... jectID=339

Misfortune at the 19th IAAF Grand Prix Final in the form of missing poles and clothing resulted in Paul having to borrow clothes and a pole. Although showing promise with the borrowed equipment in his final warmup leap, Paul was unable to progress beyond his opening leap of 5.40m. A week later he placed 5th in the World Cup pole vault. Paul lost his poles again on the return trip to Australia, but eventually 8 months later, in June 2003, they would be found.



8 months...

[Bruce Caldwell]

I RECOMMEND YOU SHIP POLES AHEAD OF TIME!!

try
www.dhl.com

www.menlo.com
&

www.baxglobal.com

you need to give them 5-6 days and ship in one bundle

[rainbowgirl28]

I dunno... I've heard a LOT of horror stories about shipping poles ground, I just don't have a web page set up to put them all in one place.

[Bruce Caldwell]

If the plane will not take them what other choice do you have.

We ship all our poles this way and so does the other pole companies?

You do have to pack them from being dinged or damaged. Ironically the airlines if they do not have the room use a truck an dit is ground especially into RENO

[rainbowgirl28]

If the plane will not take them what other choice do you have.

Choose an airline and plane that does take poles I have a list of airlines and apirplanes that can fit poles http://www.polevaultpower.com/airlines/


But yes, sometimes shipping ground is the only option and then it is important to pack them very carefully and securely.