Katharine Dyson
Katharine Dyson is a regular contributor to GolfBrief, specializing in travel. She is a freelance golf and travel writer for several national publications and Web sites, including Fairways & Greens, Golf Living, The Wire and GolfStyles New England.
Bag Talk: Rethinking your travel style
- By Katharine Dyson
- Published 03/2/2008
- Lifestyle
-
Rating:
United recently announced a horrifying new policy that’s certain to strike fear in the hearts of frugal golfers. Beginning May 5, if you’re traveling domestically on a non-refundable cheapie ticket (is there anything else?) you can only check one bag (that would be your golf bag) or cough up $25 for the second and $100 for a third and forth.
Additional bad news for packing junkies: your checked bag can weigh no more than 50 lbs. or you’re socked another $100 for overweight luggage. (Just be happy you’re a golfer and not a surfer: surf boards will cost $200 to check.)
Returning from the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, one of the guys traveling with me was checking in his Club Glove. I was so tightly packed, it looked like he was dragging a 200 lb. gorilla. Yep, it was over the limit of 50 lbs. and he had to either redistribute his stuff in other bags or pay Jet Blue $50.
After a lot of reshuffling — how embarrassing is it to air your dirty laundry while everyone in the line checks out your tighty whities — his golf bag finally came in under the limit.
Other airlines are watching from the wings and could join in United’s game as airlines continue to crack down on the amount of luggage you can check as well as carry on board.
American still allows you to check two bags, but there are size limitations (62 inches (length + width + height) and weight limits (50 lbs). Weigh in at 51 lbs. and you’ll pay $25; Jet Blue charges $20 (up to 70 lb.; $50 71-90 lb..
Allowances are traditionally more generous on international routes, but airlines like Northwest are now enforcing a 50 lb. limit.
Used to be, especially if the counter staff was busy, you could probably sneak through if you were a few pounds over, but rumor has it that airlines are starting to award bonuses based on the extra charges they collect. Scary..
Personally I think the airlines should determine just how much weight each passenger should be allowed to fly with. When you get to the airport, they could have a giant scale to weigh your luggage, your clubs and yourself. Charges will be imposed per pound over the limit. Simple math.
After all why should people who weigh in at the low end of the scale not be allowed more checked baggage than those tipping the scales at the high end? Insurance companies and Weight Watchers would love it.
Ok, ok, only an audacious carrier with an extraordinary self image and a creative style like Virgin or Jet Blue would dare to try it. But here’s an idea: why not allow a combined weight of say, 75 lbs. up to three bags for each passenger?
The bottom line: Luggage polices will continue to change, so it’s important you check with your airlines before you fly so you have no surprises at the airport. When your golf clubs are coming with you, the 22” carry-on bag is going to be more important than ever. And is today if you’re flying United.
<b>Light is key</b>
A typical empty suitcase weighs 8 to 12 pounds or more depending on how sturdy it is and how many pockets. To balance weight and space, emphasis is being placed on streamlining and using today’s tech materials for things that count like outside fabric, zippers, handles and wheels. “People don’t want to pay for what’s not important,” says Stewart Sherman, Travelpro’s vp marketing.
Here are our choices for traveling smart.
Icon of wheelies
Travelpro who introduced the first Rollaboard, has two exceptionally durable yet lightweight pieces: the 22-inch TproXtreme Lite Rollaboard ($99.99), just 8.5 lbs. and the 22-inch TproXtremeRolling Duffel ($89.99), a mere 6.5 lbs. The duffle has less structure than the Rollaboard, but more packing room. Bags come in cool colors like limes green, blue and granite with slick red “racing stripe” accents. www.travelpro.com.
Computer and clothes
The ultimate single piece of luggage when you have to bring your computer, is the Briggs & Riley 20-inch Carry-On Computer Upright ($325). Weighing 10.3 lbs. it is designed in two sections: a padded organizer/computer file with a few sensible compartments and a garment section. Wheels are wide and sturdy and the YKK zippers are tough and self-repairing.
B&R’s 22-inch Carry-On Expandable Upright ($395) which weighs in at 11.9 lbs. carries enough clothes for five days and has a removable garment sleeve. Both pieces of luggage are guaranteed for life. www.briggs-riley.com
Un-tipable
Practical and smart-looking, Sportsman’s Rolling 22-inch Pullman from L.L. Bean is detailed with leather trim and a couple outside pockets. Sadly my 12-inch Apple doesn’t fit into the outside pocket, but I love the fact it doesn’t tip when fully loaded. I also like the center-seam opening that lets you pack in two mesh-covered sections. It weighs 10 lb. 10 oz. and comes in black, navy, sage and green. ($199). www.llbean.com
Golf Travel Bags
Unless you have deep pockets, you may want to rethink the size of your golf travel bag. and your habit of loading it at the end of the trip with dirty laundry. Club Glove’s Burst Proof with Wheels2 is exactly the right size for your clubs and a set of clubs and pair of shoes. I packed mine with a rain suit, extra jacket and sweater and a dozen ball and weighed in under 50 lbs. ($189)
Club Glove also has a very good carry-on hybrid between a rolling duffle and a traditional-style bag with lots of room, two clothing organizers, divider and comes in a ton of colors. ($279) www.clubglove.com
Golf Bags
Traveling with a feather-weight bag like Sun Mountain’s Superlight 3.5 (3.5 lbs.- $159) is another sensible way to lighten your load. Designed to “sacrifice nothing but weight,” it’s a sturdy stand bag with wide shoulder straps, full-length dividers, several pockets and a sculpted hip-pad. Or opt for Sun Mountain’s new Swift bag. It’s under 3 lbs. and has a 7-inch, 4-way top with a complete range of pockets. ($134) www.sunmountain.com
Additional bad news for packing junkies: your checked bag can weigh no more than 50 lbs. or you’re socked another $100 for overweight luggage. (Just be happy you’re a golfer and not a surfer: surf boards will cost $200 to check.)
Returning from the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, one of the guys traveling with me was checking in his Club Glove. I was so tightly packed, it looked like he was dragging a 200 lb. gorilla. Yep, it was over the limit of 50 lbs. and he had to either redistribute his stuff in other bags or pay Jet Blue $50.
After a lot of reshuffling — how embarrassing is it to air your dirty laundry while everyone in the line checks out your tighty whities — his golf bag finally came in under the limit.
Other airlines are watching from the wings and could join in United’s game as airlines continue to crack down on the amount of luggage you can check as well as carry on board.
American still allows you to check two bags, but there are size limitations (62 inches (length + width + height) and weight limits (50 lbs). Weigh in at 51 lbs. and you’ll pay $25; Jet Blue charges $20 (up to 70 lb.; $50 71-90 lb..
Allowances are traditionally more generous on international routes, but airlines like Northwest are now enforcing a 50 lb. limit.
Used to be, especially if the counter staff was busy, you could probably sneak through if you were a few pounds over, but rumor has it that airlines are starting to award bonuses based on the extra charges they collect. Scary..
Personally I think the airlines should determine just how much weight each passenger should be allowed to fly with. When you get to the airport, they could have a giant scale to weigh your luggage, your clubs and yourself. Charges will be imposed per pound over the limit. Simple math.
After all why should people who weigh in at the low end of the scale not be allowed more checked baggage than those tipping the scales at the high end? Insurance companies and Weight Watchers would love it.
Ok, ok, only an audacious carrier with an extraordinary self image and a creative style like Virgin or Jet Blue would dare to try it. But here’s an idea: why not allow a combined weight of say, 75 lbs. up to three bags for each passenger?
The bottom line: Luggage polices will continue to change, so it’s important you check with your airlines before you fly so you have no surprises at the airport. When your golf clubs are coming with you, the 22” carry-on bag is going to be more important than ever. And is today if you’re flying United.
<b>Light is key</b>
A typical empty suitcase weighs 8 to 12 pounds or more depending on how sturdy it is and how many pockets. To balance weight and space, emphasis is being placed on streamlining and using today’s tech materials for things that count like outside fabric, zippers, handles and wheels. “People don’t want to pay for what’s not important,” says Stewart Sherman, Travelpro’s vp marketing.
Here are our choices for traveling smart.
Icon of wheelies
Travelpro who introduced the first Rollaboard, has two exceptionally durable yet lightweight pieces: the 22-inch TproXtreme Lite Rollaboard ($99.99), just 8.5 lbs. and the 22-inch TproXtremeRolling Duffel ($89.99), a mere 6.5 lbs. The duffle has less structure than the Rollaboard, but more packing room. Bags come in cool colors like limes green, blue and granite with slick red “racing stripe” accents. www.travelpro.com.
Computer and clothes
The ultimate single piece of luggage when you have to bring your computer, is the Briggs & Riley 20-inch Carry-On Computer Upright ($325). Weighing 10.3 lbs. it is designed in two sections: a padded organizer/computer file with a few sensible compartments and a garment section. Wheels are wide and sturdy and the YKK zippers are tough and self-repairing.
B&R’s 22-inch Carry-On Expandable Upright ($395) which weighs in at 11.9 lbs. carries enough clothes for five days and has a removable garment sleeve. Both pieces of luggage are guaranteed for life. www.briggs-riley.com
Un-tipable
Practical and smart-looking, Sportsman’s Rolling 22-inch Pullman from L.L. Bean is detailed with leather trim and a couple outside pockets. Sadly my 12-inch Apple doesn’t fit into the outside pocket, but I love the fact it doesn’t tip when fully loaded. I also like the center-seam opening that lets you pack in two mesh-covered sections. It weighs 10 lb. 10 oz. and comes in black, navy, sage and green. ($199). www.llbean.com
Golf Travel Bags
Unless you have deep pockets, you may want to rethink the size of your golf travel bag. and your habit of loading it at the end of the trip with dirty laundry. Club Glove’s Burst Proof with Wheels2 is exactly the right size for your clubs and a set of clubs and pair of shoes. I packed mine with a rain suit, extra jacket and sweater and a dozen ball and weighed in under 50 lbs. ($189)
Club Glove also has a very good carry-on hybrid between a rolling duffle and a traditional-style bag with lots of room, two clothing organizers, divider and comes in a ton of colors. ($279) www.clubglove.com
Golf Bags
Traveling with a feather-weight bag like Sun Mountain’s Superlight 3.5 (3.5 lbs.- $159) is another sensible way to lighten your load. Designed to “sacrifice nothing but weight,” it’s a sturdy stand bag with wide shoulder straps, full-length dividers, several pockets and a sculpted hip-pad. Or opt for Sun Mountain’s new Swift bag. It’s under 3 lbs. and has a 7-inch, 4-way top with a complete range of pockets. ($134) www.sunmountain.com
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Joe M)
Rating:
My comment is you can't get anything from free....
The fares and so low and people pay more for their hotel and car than plane tickets. Fuel is way up and people still want the things they got in the 1950's well it ain't going to happen if they want that..then fares will have to get up to an amount that only the rich can fly. Remember your airline employees have taken pay cuts, no retirement, benefits gone, to keep fares down...
Comment #2 (Posted by Gene L)
Rating:
You may want to look into The Luggage Club. www.theluggageclub.com
This is a luggage delivery service.
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