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AdamXChicago
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06/06/2017 11:19AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Had a last minute change in travel plans that requires me to fly rather than drive this weekend for semi-annual Quetico trip. I need to protect my ZRE so that it can be checked onto aircraft. Anyone have any useful suggestions how to "pack" a carbon paddle to prevent potential airline handling damage?

AdamX
 
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jeepgirl
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06/06/2017 11:39AM  
Pack it in a hard sided gun case. Put a label on it stating canoe paddles. I did that this year when I flew to Florida for dragon boat camp. Only people thought we had guns until they lifted the case. If you fly Sun Country it was only $25 each way. Or use a hard sided golf bag. We did that when it was 8 people and 8 paddles flying to Florida last year. They charged us $90 for that bag.
They will not let you bring the paddle on board, its considered a weapon.

Both paddles this year arrived unharmed. Last year they all arrived unharmed too.
 
06/06/2017 11:43AM  
How about a hard side rifle case, Plano case Obvious length issue but my 50 and 48 14 degree bent fit mine.

butthead

PS: jeepgirl beat me to it! bh
 
pswith5
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06/06/2017 08:40PM  
Hard golf club case might work too. See them cheap on cl. How long is your paddle?
 
AdamXChicago
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06/06/2017 09:34PM  
quote pswith5: "Hard golf club case might work too. See them cheap on cl. How long is your paddle?"


Hopefully not too long - 54 bent shaft
 
jhb8426
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06/06/2017 10:03PM  
Hope you're not flying United They break guitars (and probably paddles).
 
andym
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06/07/2017 01:51AM  
A good case for checking are snowboard cases. They telescope to the right length. You will pay an oversized bag charge though. You can pack other stuff in it, too such as PDF, soft packs, sleeping bag...

I actually found the snowboard cases because some competitive paddlers use them.
 
MagicPaddler
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06/07/2017 07:31AM  
Can you pre ship then to someone?
UPS will treat them better than the airlines.
 
DanCooke
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06/07/2017 11:21AM  
A cheap alternative is a sonos concrete tube- and duct tape the ends. A little bubble wrap on the inside and no folded paddle.-- I had a Moore carbon fiber paddle folded in half on one commercial airline trip to Ohio.
 
andym
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06/07/2017 12:11PM  
We have shipped our snowboard case many times. Not sure Adam has time for that, though. I do like the concrete tube idea.

I've actually used a golf club case for a trombone (soft case and lots of bubble wrap inside the golf club case). Did not, however, think of it for the paddles!
 
AdamXChicago
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06/07/2017 12:33PM  
Thanks everyone. Due to time constraints, it looks like I'll need to get a golf or snowboard case. Alternative is to just leave the ZRE behind and use one of the other trippers' wood paddles...
Not ;-)
 
JimmyJustice
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06/07/2017 01:26PM  
My ZRE howed up from the MFG safe and sound in a cardbord box lined with bubble wrap.

I agree with Magic that the overnight carriers and USPS will probably treat it with better care than the airline. Package delivery companies do a better job of sorting by weight than do the airlines. Thus, less chance of something heavy falling on it. If shipping is an option for you...
 
06/11/2017 06:07AM  
quote JimmyJustice: "My ZRE howed up from the MFG safe and sound in a cardbord box lined with bubble wrap.


I agree with Magic that the overnight carriers and USPS will probably treat it with better care than the airline. Package delivery companies do a better job of sorting by weight than do the airlines. Thus, less chance of something heavy falling on it. If shipping is an option for you..."




Even that can be a crap shoot. I like the gun case idea, but the width of the paddle you'd think would be an issue. Let us know how you did.
 
Mad_Angler
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06/14/2017 11:30PM  
This is an amazing gun case. You can put 3 rifles in it (the rifles are in their soft case and then put in the case). If you only need one rifle, you can pack the rest with clothes and other gear.

It also looks less like a gun case so you can worry a little less about folks messing with your guns.

They have several models. You should be able to find one that fits your paddles. Best gun case
 
Mad_Angler
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06/14/2017 11:34PM  
Sorry. The link was vague. I like the tuffpak.

tuffpak
 
andym
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06/15/2017 12:09AM  
The inside dimension of the tuffpak is only 50". Given some diagonal fitting, you may get a paddle slightly over 50" in it. There's one other tuffpak that is 52". But I doubt my 54" straight would fit even that one. That's one thing I like about the snowboard cases. They have a longer and adjustable length.
 
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