Hawaiian Airlines Checks Golf Bags

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Word to the wise, get at least one golf club and some balls if you are going to Maui. Not sure if it would have helped or not, but both me and Nicole got screwed coming back from Maui with an $80 oversize fee. We curb checked going there, but coming back there was no skycap so we were stuck.

When we checked our bags (which were well under 50lbs) they asked what was in them. We said they were golf bags, then they asked to look in them. This happened to myself, Nicole, and Toby. Some how Toby gave them the right look even though they clearly saw he didn't have golf gear and got off without a charge.

I wrote them a letter which I included below. (have not sent yet)

The whole golf vs. kiteboarding thing is really pissing me off. For some reason we are lumped in with the same charge as surfboards and windsurf boards, even though our boards are much smaller. Our bags are lighter and smaller than windsurfing gear, and our boards are strong and durable unlike fiberglass surfboards.

Honestly I think what gave us away is the Naish golf bag we had. No disrespect to Naish, and it is a great bag, but having "Naish" on your bag in Hawaii is basically saying "I am a windsurfer." Everybody there associates the Naish name with windsurfing.

A big selling point on Hawaii is its relatively cheap to fly to, but at an extra $80 each way it quickly becomes expensive as anywhere in North or Central America. I really had a great time on my trip and hope I can go back, I think I might need some closure on this before I do though.

Sorry for the rant, hope my experience can help somebody else out there.

Nak · Tue Feb 26, 08 6:58 pm

Hawaiian Agents can be very unfriendly... I had to check my board the day I came over and hung out with you guys; first time I've ever had to do that. I was in uniform, but the agent wouldn't even let me ask the working pilots if I could stow my board in the cockpit. (A request we both knew the pilots would honor...) She didn't even let me door check the board, instead making me go back out through security to check my board. Net result, I had to take the 11:30 flight instead of the 10:00.

When I was based in Hawaii I traveled back and forth between PDX and HNL extensively. The agents in PDX were fine, but a lot of the agents in Hawaii were pretty unfriendly to "non-locals". (And I had a Hawaii Driver's license...)

Anyway, the 80 charge does suck. NWA does not charge for kiteboarding gear, but you have to stop in HNL...

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

They asked me too, but I told them kites, they then had me open my bag and thankfully I lost one of my vacume bags and my 13m was stuffed on top of everything and burst out when opened. They said they were sorry for making me open it and checked it in. Guess I got lucky.

guest · Guest

Thanks for writing the letter Phil. Stringy and I along with 2 other kiters got nailed for $80.00 on Hawaiin, for saying we had golf bags. They inspected the bags, saw the boards and charged us, the ticket agent said he was a surfer and had to pay to travel with his board. I've never been charged with any other airline. From now on when they ask you, say "Kites".

windwatcher · Since 18 Aug 2005 26 Posts B.C. Canada Â

Just flew Frontier to Cancun out of Seattle. On the way down, no problem, I placed the bag showing the NSI golf label toward the clerk, they weighed it and told me to take it to oversize and drop it off. Coming back in Cancun they asked me what was in it? I replied kites, and they asked me to open it. I had two kites a 13 and a 17 in clear plastic bags on top, with my board under them in a denim bag. The check in clerk had to ask his supervizer if the kites where okay and he got the okay. but before we left he had my wife write kite on a piece of paper so he could research it (maybe the next guy will not be so luck when he finds out a board is involved). Then in Denver I had to recheck my bags to Seattle and the asked me to open it and they ran their metal seaching wand all through it. It's possible the the clerk in Cancun couldn't read "golf" in english, so truely wanted to know what was in the bag, while the clerk in Seattle could read it.

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

Phil- Sorry that happened- I had my NSI Golf bag and it weighed in at 52 pounds and they let it go through no problem Shocked

. I wonder if this is going to become a bigger problem as United has now proposed charging for anyone with two bags. Seems airlines will charge for as much as they can when they want to Crying or Very sad

Pepi · Tue Feb 26, 08 10:30 pm

Word from our customers travelling this winter has been that the Naish, Dakine and Slingshot bags are likely all attracting attention due to the logo/name, while the NSI Golf bag is still making it through much of the time.

Phil's suggestion of adding a golf club and some balls is a good idea. We've had a few customers utilize this idea as a standard practice for their kite trips. To keep the weight down, use a driver (they're the lightest club), a few practice wiffle golf balls (also very light) and a golf club windbreaker (which you can find at most any Goodwill).
When you tell the ticketing agent that all you have is Golf gear, you can prove it by unzipping the top of the bag, pull out your club and Club windbreaker, or unzip a side pocket and show them the practice golf balls.

Pepi

wjb · Since 14 Aug 2007 223 Posts Nor Cal Stoked

Flew ATA to Maui from Oakland in December. Checked in at the counter both ways and no problem. It was an NSI bag. Probably just the luck of the draw as to who checks you in.

bustingbladder · Since 12 Jul 2006 387 Posts Seattle Obsessed

I travel to Maui every year and pack with an NSI Deceiver. They are within the correct measurements as well and I have only been asked once what was in it. I replied "Golf clubs" and made a gesture towards the golf logo on the bag. There were no questions asked. So yeah, the NSI works everytime. Thats why I got one of these over many other bags. And yes, vaccume packing your kites is the only way to go.

Maui baby! April 22-May 13th. Who's in?! Razz

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

F%#^&#k hawaiian airlines.
I know who you're talking of..I really can't remember her name now, but she is the floor manager at maui for Hawaiian, and she is the direct cause I have slept at the F#@&$^ing airport twice...both times I had time to run for the flight..she just didn't want to let me on, because I wasn't 30 minutes before departure...once I was there are about 25 minutes before..and once 10-15 minutes....it was the last flight of the day...

The thing is though...otherwise Hawaiian is great..but the past few times I have flown I have used Aloha...

I have never had to pay for a golf bag, even after they have checked and found anything from boards to diving gear. Most of them are nice and really couldn't care less...it is just the maui one..she is a bitch..sorry for the working..I am not the only one...my friend ended up getting $400 worth of vouchers from Hawaiian after he wrote a complaint about her. Same person.

Phil, you will not believe how much I agree with you. I have written long and at first nice emails to different airlines, but after while the customer service representatives are just such ass holes I get pissy...thing is, if I keep on writing these letter I will not be able to fly with anyone, as it generally ends with me promising to not use them until they change their policy....

Arrrghhh, I get all annoyed now. Sorry you had that experience..I actually have both the Naish and the NSI (I was going to sell the NSI one since the Naish one has a lot of compartments, and the NSI I have to leave screwdrivers with the kites...makes me feel that the kite will be killed at any moment...maybe I have to keep it...I am not sure if Naish is so recognizable...most people actually do not surf or kite...and even if they live on the Island..many has no clue about kitesurfing...

anyhoo....

A.

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

It's been several years since Hawaiian airlines has nailed me. However, I have been asked what is in the bag a few times and I always answer, "It's a golf bag". Of course, this doesn't really answer the question! Now that they're searching, I guess that won't work. Perhaps there's a loophole if you're into the sport of Kitegolfing. Wink

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Bettyboarder · Wed Feb 27, 08 7:28 am

Nak · Wed Feb 27, 08 8:06 am

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 425 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

Now you have me worried about my trip to Puerto Rico next week. I also have a Naish bag and will be flying Delta on the way home.

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

You can always try the Slingshot Golf bag.

No one at the airlines has a clue about Slingshot and Nike Golf even has some clubs called the Slingshot.

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

I've carried my kids clubs from toy'r'us, and some practice balls like pepi said. I just put them all at the top --just in case-- A full size club, like a driver would be ideal for those light wind days...