[gsp23]

Ok, I booked a trip about a month or so ago for a hockey tournament I am in this comming weekend. Looking online now at the oversize baggage fees that were put into affect since the last time I traveled about 5 months ago I am in shock. How in the world does anyone travel anymore? In addition to my tickets I have to pay a $175 oversized baggage fee for my hockey sled and I would think any additional medical equipment would be an issue as well. An item is considered oversized if it is more than 62" combined Lengh + Width + Height which seriously limits medical supplies like shower benches and chairs, etc. If it more than 80" Length + Width + Height its not even allowed. I am staying in a different country so shipping couriers isnt an option cause who knows how long customs might hold it up. I have a connecting flight too so hopefully they dont try and charge $175 for each leg of the trip!

Anyone have experience with getting oversized luggage around? I am going to be using a folding showerchair which will fit in my suitcase but for many people I would think even those types of necessities are no longer allowed. What about if you are bringing with an extra sports chair, how does that work out?

[ems]

I have always been given extra baggage allowance for flights, and my frind pauline who went out for the paralympics took two chairs and two suitcases and was not charged any extras. Have you phoned the airline up adn asked how much baggage they do allow for disbled passengers, with medical supplies?

Emma.

[BillS]

I think you'll probably be fine with the extra chair and the shower chair. But the sled isn't really medical equipment so just like someone who wants to bring along a pair of skis or a bag of golf clubs you'll probably be charged extra for that.

[gsp23]

BillS, on Oct 26 2008, 04:03 PM, said:

I think you'll probably be fine with the extra chair and the shower chair. But the sled isn't really medical equipment so just like someone who wants to bring along a pair of skis or a bag of golf clubs you'll probably be charged extra for that.

Heres the thing that gets me thought....

AB Basketball players need nothing more than their cloting. Wheelchair basketball players need an extra sports chair.

AB Tennis players need nothimg more than their racket. Wheelchair basketball players need their racket and their sports chair.

AB Rugby players need nothing more than their cloting. Wheelchair rugby players need their sports chair.

AB Hockey players need their skates and equipment. Sled hockey players need their sled in addition to that.

AB skiiers need their skis and clothing. Disabled skiiers need their ski which is much bigger and their cloting.

Accoring to flight regulations, the skis would be fine, because they would not exceed that 80" max even but for all others including sled hockey players the max is beyond that because a another sports chair (or sled) is larger than the 80" L + W + H.

ems, on Oct 26 2008, 02:36 AM, said:

I have always been given extra baggage allowance for flights, and my frind pauline who went out for the paralympics took two chairs and two suitcases and was not charged any extras. Have you phoned the airline up adn asked how much baggage they do allow for disbled passengers, with medical supplies?

Emma.

I called this past weekend but talked to people who didnt have a clue, so I will be calling this morning again to hopefully talk to someone who does, or at least their manager.

[gsp23]

Ok just got off the phone with the airline again... the person I talked to said that extra chairs (or sled in this case) even though sports equipment is still considered an assistive device and there is no limit to the number allowed per flight and will be accepted regardless. I asked her if it was ok for me to put my pads in the same bag since I can pack them around it and she put me on hold and went to 3 different people (going up the chain as she went) and finally went to the top and they confirmed what she had told me. She said when I get there they may say something about my pads being in the same bag but really it shouldnt be an issue. In my large bag I pack my sled, all my pads and another smaller bag that I use when I get to my destination (sled doesnt need to be in a bag once I arrive as its easier to hook around my neck and use smaller equipment bag in my lap). So if it is an issue I can just pull my pads out and repack in a smaller bag but I should be set.

Whew I was really starting to worry there for a minute. The way the site read it made it sound like only daily assistive devices allowed, sports chairs wouldnt be in included for example and I was ready to raise some H-E-Double Hockey Sticks about that one!

Thanks for the feedback though, gave me hope to hear that it was allowed for someone at least.

[chefzapp]

I just flew back from California to Texas. I stated I had oversized baggage, $110 dollars. When i arrived at the airport they said $140 because they were surfboards. The lady got nosey opened the bag and discovered 3 surfboards. 2 boards are same price apparently, 3 they charge $4oo. The bag didnt just jump up and change sizes how and why the f*@k can they charge me more money just because they are surfboards. Oh yeah and I prepaid with my debit card,(which i did not have on me at the time) so they were not even going to allow me to take them. Luckily my bro who I was visiting paid for the transport. When I got back home i have called and tried to talk with their personnel but they said it was over and done with case closed! How can they justify a $300 mark-up for a bag that was clearly within the oversized baggage limits but just because they were surfboards I get f*@ked.!? Oh yeah the bitch gave me attitude and said, what do you need surfboards for anyway and made a bad joke about my helmet!

[gsp23]

Well back from my trip last night. In my home airport I just told the lady it was an assistive device in the bag and she didnt even ask to look she said "no problem" and put a heavy bag tab on it because it was an awkward weight. On my way back the lady didnt speak english very well and she wanted to charge me for it. I told her it was an assitive device and she asked "it your assistants bag?" I told her no it was a special wheelchair used on the ice and she started walking back and you could see that she was going to ring up the extra fees. So I told her that because I am a cripple, I am allowed as many assistive devices regardless of weight or overall size, as stated in their policies. She said "oh, ok" and just put the tag on it and off we went. Nobody bothered to look inside my bag, they jsut took my word for it.