Southwest Airlines: Shipping clubs

[Insidious2]

Based on a tip I got from a few locals, I am flying Southwest and am planning on flying with my set, without my bag, and as much of my other gear as possible.

 

I'm planning on using a standard 6x6x46 golf box, which will meet size and weight requirements. Everything will be packaged tightly as I'm going to cram as much in there as possible.

 

I know the Feds require airlines to be liable for $3,300 for lost/damaged items...but..

 

Has anyone shipped clubs with Southwest airlines, either in a box or in a hard/soft case? Experience and or recommendations? Do they have an added valuation insurance?

[Sidetracked]

I've heard if your not traveling with a case or hard shell, they will ask for you to sign a damage waiver.

[HackerD]

I have used a soft travel case on Southwest many times, it's free. Have never had anything damaged. You can find previous threads with tips on packing clubs to prevent damage. I remove the head from my RAZR Fit driver and carry that in my suitcase.

[Insidious2]

I did remove all wood heads, wrapped irons in fabric et cetera. I don't have a travel bag. Biggest worry is that 1, they wont cover damage for BOXED clubs and 2, if they open the box to search it they FUBAR everything and I end up with something missing and/or broken.

[golfingnut300]

Have flown with southwest many times, in a hard shelled case, no problems whatsoever.

[avgjoe]

[quote name='Sidetracked' timestamp='1369370473' post='7097072']
I've heard if your not traveling with a case or hard shell, they will ask for you to sign a damage waiver.
[/quote]


last time I flew sw this was the case... no hardshell case, gotta sign a waiver

[Kadin 25]

Flew South west using a hard case. They broke the handle and one of the locks off to the point that the case would no longer close or lock.

I spoke with the baggage claim department and they tried to tell me that they were not liable, which was laughable because they completely destroyed my case. A quick call to corporate office fixed that and now I have a new case.

I have also flown United and they stated that if I don't use a hard case that the air line would not be responsible for any damage.

See ya on the green...Kadin

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='avgjoe' timestamp='1369401927' post='7098148']
[quote name='Sidetracked' timestamp='1369370473' post='7097072']
I've heard if your not traveling with a case or hard shell, they will ask for you to sign a damage waiver.
[/quote]


last time I flew sw this was the case... no hardshell case, gotta sign a waiver
[/quote]

Just flew Southwest for the umpteenth time with my Clubglove. No waiver required. Maybe it's airport dependent, but I've been in most of them and haven't seen a waiver from Southwest yet.

OP, why aren't you just shipping the bag with clubs using a travel case? Why aren't you bringing a golf bag? How do you plan on getting the set back home? Will you use another box, or recycle the one you used outbound?

Properly packed, I believe your clubs will be safer in a good travel case, rather than shipped with other stuff "crammed" into a cardboard box.

Have fun.

[avgjoe]

the 'waiver' is the back of the tag they stick on your bag

[Insidious2]

Well..originally was going to use a box because I figured the travel bags were over the size limit. Sounds like they still let you check them. I also don't want to spend the money on one when I travel with my clubs twice a year, at most. Everything in the box is packed well, so only issue will be if the box really, really gets crunched. I'm more worried about them unpacking to inspect and not repacking properly.

BTW, I just checked into my flight, not 15 seconds after the 24 hr point, and I got boarding number B01. What a joke!

[pccasstpro]

I fly all the time with my clubs, although mainly Delta (45,000 miles with clubs, 25,000 w/o last year). But I have flown Southwest and have never had an issue. Now JetBlue o the other hand is awful. They lost my bag twice , on a DIRECT flight, then found it !!! They damaged my carry bag and my Club Glove , and refused to admit it !

[putts4bogey]

I travel with a hard case because of the waiver for soft cases on most if not all of the airlines I fly, and I fly a lot of miles and airlines. It is usually TSA that opens the case, and I find that TSA opens the case at least half the times I fly with clubs. It is best advised to use a TSA lock, one that they can open, or you risk losing a non-TSA lock. My case has built-in locks, and a senior TSA agent strongly recommended I not lock the case, "because like in most professions, some agents enjoy their jobs more than others, and some have attitudes." (His words, BTW). They are fully authorized to open the bag if they feel the need to inspect and will generally place a form inside indicating inspection took place.

I've flown over 100 flights with the hard case with many of those internationally. Yes, the case has been opened for inspection on numerous occasions as I've found the clothes and clubs rearranged a few times, but never had an issues with club damage or theft. I did have a wheel break on my last trip with the case, and that was on Southwest, but more likely due to the long-term wear and tear over time versus that single flight.

I, too, am curious as to why you would pack them in a bog and not a travel case of some sort? I imagine you might be willing to buy a golf bag to use on the course while you are playing, but will you discard the bag for your return trip or pack that in a box for return?

I've shipped my clubs via Fed Ex a few times and had no issue, but that adds up quickly due to dimensional weight of the case. The airline is more economical and your clubs are with you when you land and go to baggage claim.

Good luck with your choice of club transport and enjoy your trip. Golf trips are a blast!

[putts4bogey]

EDIT: Double post.

[putts4bogey]

[quote name='Rugger' timestamp='1369404550' post='7098390']
Well..originally was going to use a box because I figured the travel bags were over the size limit. Sounds like they still let you check them. I also don't want to spend the money on one when I travel with my clubs twice a year, at most. Everything in the box is packed well, so only issue will be if the box really, really gets crunched. I'm more worried about them unpacking to inspect and not repacking properly.

BTW, I just checked into my flight, not 15 seconds after the 24 hr point, and I got boarding number B01. What a joke!
[/quote]

Business Select or is the way to go on Southwest. Then you get A-15 or better.

[Sidetracked]

[quote name='Rugger' timestamp='1369404550' post='7098390']
Well..originally was going to use a box because I figured the travel bags were over the size limit. Sounds like they still let you check them. I also don't want to spend the money on one when I travel with my clubs twice a year, at most. Everything in the box is packed well, so only issue will be if the box really, really gets crunched. I'm more worried about them unpacking to inspect and not repacking properly.

BTW, I just checked into my flight, not 15 seconds after the 24 hr point, and I got boarding number B01. What a joke!
[/quote]

Yep it's amazing how many people pay the extra 10 bucks or whatever it is nowadays to get the reserve seating. It's almost like you have to do it in order to guarantee a seat in A.

[Insidious2]

If my clubs are very clean (no fertilizer) and they are packed in a box that's taped up, I'm hoping they'll be less likely to inspect them. If they do...I may just buy a travel case once I'm at my destination. I'm not bringing a bag on the trip becuase I didn't have a travel case and I'm going to borrow a friend's extra while I'm there.

Here's to hoping.

[sompin2do]

[quote name='golfingnut300' timestamp='1369372143' post='7097172']
Have flown with southwest many times, in a hard shelled case, no problems whatsoever.
[/quote]

This. Bought my SKB off Craigslist for $80 and have never had an issue.

[hebsan]

[quote name='Rugger' timestamp='1369409348' post='7098994']
If my clubs are very clean (no fertilizer) and they are packed in a box that's taped up, I'm hoping they'll be less likely to inspect them. If they do...I may just buy a travel case once I'm at my destination. I'm not bringing a bag on the trip becuase I didn't have a travel case and I'm going to borrow a friend's extra while I'm there.

Here's to hoping.
[/quote]

Yeah, I cleaned my clubs real well. As we were going to Australia, they are very strict in regards to "outside agents" and could impose a fine or worse confiscation. Anyway, my golf travel bag was opened by TSA here in Honolulu and one of my clubs was taken out of the golf bag and instead of putting it back into the golf bag, it was placed alongside the bag but inside the travel bag. Thankfully, it wasn't damaged, but TSA will likely inspect no matter how well you clean your clubs. Oh, and I didn't have any problems in Australia.

[highergr0und]

I've flown Southwest countless times using a cheap soft travel bag I won at a tourney. Never had any issues. Just use something slightly longer than the driver (I use a cut off hockey stick) to protect the clubs from a top down drop. And wrap towels between the irons to make the bag uniform in size across the whole thing to prevent banging and the shafts getting pinched.

They've never questioned the size of the bag, just keep it under 50 lbs total to avoid an overweight fee.

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='avgjoe' timestamp='1369403689' post='7098304']
the 'waiver' is the back of the tag they stick on your bag
[/quote]

What did you sign?

[avgjoe]

[quote name='Hateto3Putt' timestamp='1369430877' post='7101450']
[quote name='avgjoe' timestamp='1369403689' post='7098304']
the 'waiver' is the back of the tag they stick on your bag
[/quote]

What did you sign?
[/quote]


a line under a bunch of legalese that was 'explained' by the person at the counter

[putts4bogey]

By purchasing ticket or accepting transportation on Southwest as well as other airlines, the passenger agrees to the following terms and conditions. This is available on their website, btw.

a. Application of Conditions of Contract
(1) Transportation by Southwest Airlines Co. (hereafter "Carrier") is subject to the following
terms and conditions, in addition to any terms and conditions printed on any Ticket, or
specified on the Carrier’s website. The terms and conditions contained in this Contract
of Carriage shall govern all published routes and services provided by the Carrier as
well as all fares and charges published by the Carrier. By purchasing a Ticket or
accepting transportation, the Passenger agrees to be bound by all of the following terms
and conditions.

Surveillance and Inspection of Baggage
All Baggage tendered to Carrier for transportation is subject to surveillance and
inspection by electronic and/or physical means with or without the Passenger’s consent
or knowledge by Carrier and/or authorized government agencies.

Free Checked Baggage Allowance
(1) General. Upon presentation by a Passenger of a valid Ticket, Carrier will transport
two pieces of Baggage without charge, each piece of which has outside measurements
(i.e., the sum of the greatest outside length plus width plus height) not exceeding 62
inches, does not weigh more than 50 pounds per piece, and provided such Baggage is
suitable to be checked for Carriage in the cargo hold of the aircraft.


Accepted Sporting Equipment
Golf bag in hard-sided golf bag carrying case provided by Passenger, including
clubs, balls, and shoes. (Hooded golf bags or golf bags in a soft-sided carrying
case provided by the Passenger will be conditionally accepted as outlined in
Section 7h).

7h: Conditional Acceptance
Carrier may, at its sole discretion, but is not obligated to, conditionally accept the
following categories of items for Carriage as Checked Baggage subject to the Passenger’s
assumption of risk for damage to or destruction of such items. Checking items in the
condition described below is considered by Carrier as Passenger’s agreement to this
assumption of risk.

(1) Fragile or perishable items
(2) Previously damaged items
(3) Improperly or over-packed Baggage
(4) Soft-sided cases or unprotected/unpacked items

[nitram]

I've flown SWA with a ClubGlove literally 100 times and never had to sign anything. They've treated my crap as well as anyone else has. I'll continue to use 'em.

[Insidious2]

I called SWA...they confirmed that they'll accept a BOX rather than a bag or traveling case.

I took the heads and my range finder out of the box, stuffed in some small clothing items and some other non-breakable golf gear to secure the shafts and irons. Makes me a little less nervous. I'm sure everything will be alright. The box is pretty sturdy...will take some egregious abuse to break a shaft.

FTR I'm flying home to see family, but am going to play about 6-7 rounds of golf with old high school friends at the courses we grew up playing. I'm sure everyone here can appreciate that! Nothing like playing the dog-track municipal of your child hood.

[putts4bogey]

Enjoy your trip. It's great fun playing courses of the past.