Airplane Travel

Many people have questions about how to travel with skates on an airplane.  Traveling with your skates is no big deal.  You essentially have one decision to make. Do you check your skates in your luggage or do you carry them on the plane?

The answer depends on several factors:

• ·      How much do you value your skates?  If you highly value your skates and would hate to see them bent, definitely bring them on as a carryon item.  If you have recreational skates that can stand a beating, go ahead and check them.

• ·      How much do you need your skates? If you are on your way to a skating marathon, you should carry your skates on the plane yourself. You won’t want to chance the airline sending them to Berlin, Wisconsin when you are flying to Berlin, Germany. If you are on your way home and won’t need them soon, you have more flexibility.

• ·      How high is your hassle tolerance factor? There is no doubt that carrying your skates onto the plane is a bit of a hassle. They will easily fit in most planes … except that passengers seem to be carrying more and more luggage with them and overhead compartments are often full. Having no carryon luggage can be a real pleasure, especially if you are making connections.

If you do decide to check your luggage, pack your skates in the middle of your bag and surround them with clothes.  If you decide to carry them on, you can either purchase a skate bag or just carry them on as is.   You likely won’t have any problems at the security check, although we have heard reports of hassles in some airports.  If your skates have Velcro straps, you can generally strap the two skates together, making an easy skate holder!