I started this post on Bowsite this morning, but I wanted to you guys on the Wall saw it also...

Just a head's up to everyone flying Air Canada-their customer service sucks! I just returned from an awesome black bear hunt with TSI. Upon arrival, Air Canada lost my bow/arrows for a full day and I nearly missed my hunt. They also cut off my TSA approved lock and hazardously stuffed my longbow and wood arrows back into the case. Luckily, nothing appeared to be damaged and the equipment arrived 1 hour before the hunt. The real problem was the return flight. My case is an airline approved 3000lb crush proof PVC cased lined with felt/padding and covered with black Codura Nylon. The case had only been used a couple of times inside my truck, so it was it perfect condition. Well, after waiting for a jam in the conveyor belt, my case came down and was definitely beat up, but it didn't appear to be anything other than normal wear and tear the airlines normally inflict. I didn't bother to unpack because I had to travel for work the next day. Well, when I returned home a week later and had time to unpack I had a huge surprise. All of my arrows were broken and my JD Berry longbow had a definite crush mark on it. I pulled the outer skin off the case and discovered a crease going across the PVC pipe (3000lb crush proof BTW). Not sure if it was driven over or pinched in the conveyor belt, but there is a definite crease in the pipe not visible on the outside of the case. After HOURS of being on hold and also HOURS on the Air Canada chat room, I was told that because it was past their 24 hour window that I had no claim. I also made 2 trips to the airport where I was told they don't have any baggage claim customer service and I had to call the "service department". BTW, their "customer service" department is outsourced--I had to SPELL bow and arrows to the person I finally spoke to after multiple calls and hours of being on hold. So, the integrity of my case is now compromised, my custom wood arrows are all broken, and the JD Berry longbow wait is nearly a year, so the bow is basically irreplaceable.

Moral of the story, learn from my mistake and make sure you inspect your equipment immediately upon returning from a flight.

BUMMER

I have traveled a LOT with expensive music gear. When you pack, you have to think of worst case scenario with them opening your case and not being able to repack it correctly.

And I always open my cases when they come off the conveyor to check for missing gear. I've only had a few damage incidents. They are a drag.

A friend of mine made bumper stickers that say "I Love Baggage Handlers" for us to put on our cases :)

"We're not happy unless you're not happy.." Official slogan of Air Canada for many,many,many years...

In my opinion a pvc round case is the worst thing you can use where there are conveyors involved. They roll off....get caught between moving and non moving parts, and are suspect to such things as you describe. Never again will I send anything via a round pvc or cardboard tube. Those are the only vessels that I've ever had trouble with....all on the receiving end via FedEx or UPS. They sure are talked-up as the best, but not in my book.

I agree with George tubes always lead to trouble be it delayed shipping or damage , I only have trouble. when using tubes

I think mgmicky was using a manufactured case that uses the pvc inside a canvas outer shell? Think I've seen them in ads. They still have a basic "roundness" to them, but shouldn't roll around like regular "tube" would?

Arlone is correct-I was using a Far North case. And just to be clear, I'm not blaming the case at all because that thing seemed to be indestructible. So what do you guys use to travel with 1 piece bows? I've only seen round cases...and I just bought a take down bow from a fellow Waller because of this

It's the roundness that is the issue. Even those covered with synthetic, nylon, etc., will still roll off a conveyor. Use what you're comfortable with. I only state what I will or won't do.

I wish things could just go through an xray and people could keep their hands to themselves. I have heard from people who used to work in airports how workers would play with items that struck their curiosity. I suspect that may be how an acquaintance's training sword was snapped in half even though it was packed in a rifle case designed for airplane travel.

I have an SKB watertight case with wheels that I fly a 60's Fender Bass in. It has TSA locks. I would think one of their universal rifle/utility cases could carry a bow and quiver.

Look at the iSeries and Pro cases

JSD: I tried that with my '75 Jazz Bass but the pilot said the weight put too much stress on the engines;).

This HAS worked for me.... I have been lucky I guess but it does answer the obvious problem of rolling tubes. I have made it out west a few times and 4 x to Africa without incident over 23 years.

I have a cloth covered longbow tube from 3 Rivers AND the matching arrow tube. I have always strapped them together for carrying easy, and not only do they count it as ONE item, but it can not role. The leather end caps have gotten a real good burnishing and half of the zipper tab got broken off( how you do that I still haven't figured out) but the cases are well intact.

I always use an skb bow and arrow case. Shock and water proof. But I don't trust airlines after going to P.O.W. island and having no bow. Took me 2 days to find a recurve bow back in the early 80's to buy. It took me almost 2 weeks to get mine back. I mail my bow and arrows in my case to a shop or guide where I'm going. Its there before I leave home. You can do the same with guns. Just mail them to yourself in care of whoever your mailing them to. Its legal to mail guns to yourself for your own use.

GLF.....good info. I know the guys that I hunt with have gone to South Africa For the last 4 years. They only take their takedown bows that can fit easily in the shorter SKB cases with their arrows and equipment. No problems yet. Straight flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg. Marsha

=scndwfstlhntng- I asked about strapping my arrow case to the bow case. They said no because they need to put a baggage claim # on each case so they can track if it gets lost...

It can happen on any airline. I fly a lot for business, and I can assure you that at lest every 2nd trip, I have my bags and things gone through, and find the little TSA notice inside.

As for traveling with a 1 pc. bow. I actually built a case that is rectangular that I put my bow, or bows in. Admittedly, the longbow case is long, but it travels well, it actually comes through the trips in good shape, and I can lock it if I choose to.

Travel is the reason that I got rid of all of my one piece bows. Flying is the worst, I try to FEDEX overnight my takedowns in an ICC aluminum case packed in a box. Arrows can't be replaced at a Walmart so I split them up and either ship them or ship some and pack others in separate luggage pieces. I was always a big one piece fan until I had a bad experience, and the airlines could care less if your gear is lost or damaged. Its a good feeling to get the message that your bows and gear have arrived and are waiting for you before you leave home.

Lesson here is open the bow container in the airport?! That gets everything front and center for the airline. I'd recommend taking it to the baggage service office- each airline has one in a corner of the bag claim. You may have to page them. They can get you started in a claim-that's what they do. Ticket agents sell tickets and put tags on your bags and are normally not versed in claims. JMO from over 20 years managing airports. These guys have a few minutes to unload, then reload. They make time schedules-not friends. Stout has this one right, round things do not stay put on conveyor belts

Apart from the time they crashed the plane I was on, I have always had good service with Air Canada, though I haven't flown them recently. I used to fly them all over Canada and overseas. Anything can happen to one person at any time. All the airlines took advantage of 9/11 and various fuel shocks to screw back baggage policies to the 50s, it's hard to even know where you stand. I particularly like the various airlines policies on bikes, one would think that they would act friendly on bikes given what a massive polluter they are.

Search for MOOSEHUNTER and his trip where the airlines or baggage handlers broke his bow. He was able to borrow a bow from somebody and made the hunt. Not too long ago, HE made his own cases And they seem to be holding up. Just sayin'

https://www.sportube.com/category-s/1923.htm

I've used this Ski Sporttube for the last 14 years and borrowed several times a year by club members, it's pretty much bullet proof.

I also say it's Ski's at airport check in, even when I confirmed by e-mail that it was ok to transport bows through airline the check in girls had no clue and had to show a copy of the e-mail.

Best bet in Canada is Westjet, a partner of Delta. Just got back from Newfoundland via Quebec. Avoid Toronto airport at all costs.

It's always better to dress normal and bring everything in a big suitcase. Don't look like a hunter and don't bring something that look like a bow or gun. This anti hunting people throw the things to the side by purpose.

I went to - OK I will try to spell it- Kotsebou -- above Nome on a caribou hunt-- stayed over night in Anchorage - I got to the airport a little late - I gave my bags to an OUTSIDE baggage handler-- big mistake-- check your bags inside-- I tipped the baggage guy $20.00 for 3 bags.Probably not enough-- remember there are lots of anti hunters working for the airlines - I got to K and my bags were there--but no bows-- I got to camp and waited two days , meanwhile caribou were there by the thousands-- It is a good idea on an expensive trip to send a TD bow in advance may be pack the bow in a cooler -- it is well worth it -- Oh my bow was a Jerry Pierce Chactow ! and a Black Widow TD-- I did shoot a nice bull with Jerry's bow :)) Never trust the airlines-- take photos and document everything-- RT

If they would have ruined that Choctaw we would have all cried !!!

For me, if I can't drive to where I want to hunt, then I do not want to hunt there. And I have driven from NC to AK once. I would do it again if necessary. While there I hunted down a road called Petersville Rd along the south side of Denali Nat'l Park. My friend bagged a moose. If you need to take a puddle jumper plane to get deeper into the bush, at least they are likely used to transporting hunters and their gear vs. trusting the big airlines.

Another alternative is to mail your gear ahead of time, insured, to a trusted recipient (the guide service). If it arrives safely, great. If not, go to plan B. Once your hunt is over then mail it back home again, insured.

Sorry it happened to you.

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