Best way to transport ski?

[Than_Bogan]

I have a 2-piece hard case that I bought way back before 9/11. The problem now is that I have to rely on the TSA guys to put it back together properly after opening and inspecting it. They often seem to do this quite poorly, and in one case it arrived without anything holding it together at all.

 

For the short term, I'm going to get a clip (like a carabiner) that should be easier than the little bolt I've been using.

 

But I wonder if folks have found a better way to transport a slalom ski in this era where bags have to be opened by TSA.

[Chef23]

Than, Ray has the same case and he has traveled with it multiple times and hasn't had any problems. If you need I have a soft sided case that was designed for a snowboard that I use to travel with my slalom ski. That case has a hard plastic bottom with wheels. Using that case combined with a fin protector and a ski bag has protected my ski so far.

[Than_Bogan]

Thanks. Do you know what he uses to close it? In the old, old days, I'd just put a little lock on. But that's not allowed any more, of course.

[Ali]

Than,

 

you can get TSA approved locks. They can open them

 

cheers

Ali

[Wish]

I use a TSA lock on my hardshell case and to be honest it's been hard to tell if they even looked.

[Than_Bogan]

Sweet! Link? Or do I just get them in at like a Walmart or something?

[Chef23]

Ray doesn't lock his.

[thager]

I just tape a packet of plastic safety ties to my case and they have attached one to lock when finished

[jayski]

Carry on!!

[Wish]

TSA locks at Walmart

[Hugh Nichols]

I use a bolt & wing nut on my SportTube. TSA has all ways put it back together ok.

[Horton]

My ski is always safe in my truck

[Than_Bogan]

Horton, why transport a ski? You could just get a new ski when you arrive at the tournament. Should feel just like practice then!

 

It was a bolt & wingnut setup that didn't get put back on one time. I'll go grab one of those TSA locks ASAP. Thanks!

[davemac]

Than, Looks like many good and cheap options for those "TSA locks" on Amazon as well. I like the ones that uses combo (so you don't have to worry about carrying or losing a key). Also has an alert indicator to show whether or not security opened it up.

[Horton]

@Than Bogan you may have a point. I think it would be fun it we all skied on a random ski at every event. Can't be worse then the ZO surprise.

[MattP]

TSA puts a note in your bag if they go through it. just FYI

[fu_man]

Is it just my good fortune or does TSA search everyone's skis every time they fly? I think they are profiling us.

[Than_Bogan]

Mine is indeed searched quite frequently, but it sounds like some others' almost never are. I'd blame it on leaving from Boston (which just happens to be where most of the 9/11 terrorists departed from), but some in my club seem to never have their ski searched. Shrug.

[Old MS Accout]

It depends upon the airport that you originate in. Most large airports have the machines that you can stick a ski tube through. If not, they have to do a trace detection inside and out. They have to open it up, wipe down the surface and send it through a sniffer.

[skidawg]

@My ski is always safe in my truck

REALLY??????

[rayn]

I just use the latch that came with the sporttube.

 

Than, I also have a TSA approved lock you can borrow.

[Than_Bogan]

Thanks! I found something suitable today, as it turned out.

[Dirt]

Someone told me to buy those water weanies, cut them and tape them around edge of the ski.

Ski is safe in the truck if u remeber to close the tailgate

[Ed_Obermeier]

Just got back from Rini's in Orlando last week. I use a soft Masterline travel bag. I put my yogo mat under the ski inside the case and wrap it around the ski (which is in its ski bag), cinch it in with the built in cinchs. Stuff my life jacket, rope, knee brace etc inside the case for added padding on top. Been doing this for years, never a problem. Upside of the yoga mat is besides the additional padding I have something to put on the motel room floor to stretch on. Had TSA notes inside the bag both directions so they definitely looked in it.

 

Ed