When traveling afar to hunt, getting your meat and antlers back home is a challenge when traveling by air. As you are making your arrangements to travel for this upcoming fall, I thought I would present some of the rules on baggage that you want to keep in mind. Most of the areas in the West are served by Alaska Airlines. Their complete carriage contract for the domestic U. S. can be found on their website www.alaskaair.com
When it comes to traveling to and from a hunting destination, the main items of concern are firearms (which we will cover in another column) , and excess baggage coming and going.
Excess and overweight baggage
Alaska airlines, as well as many other carriers limits it’s non-military passengers to 2 checked bags 50 pounds or less, with a linear measurement (length + width + height) of 62 inches.
One Noteable exception is if you are travelling solely WITHIN the State of Alaska or to Guadalajara or Mexico City Mexico, three (3) pieces of baggage may be checked at no charge.
One item of fishing equipment, defined as two rods, two reels, and one tackle box will be accepted free of charge in addition to the free baggage allowance…. Fishing poles that cannot be broken down adequately to be stowed on board in an overhead bin must be checked.
Oversize charges can be from $50 for a 63-80 inch linear dimensional measurement to $75 dollars per piece up to 118 linear inches
Overweight charges are from $25 for up to 70 pounds and $50 for up to 100 Pounds
Extra Piece Charge – For each piece in excess (under 62 inches lin dim, and 50 pounds weight):
Excess Piece Number Excess Charge
1st USD 50.00/CAD 73.00
2nd USD 50.00/CAD 73.00
3rd USD 50.00/CAD 73.00
4th USD 75.00/CAD 110.00
5th USD 75.00/CAD 110.00
6th USD 75.00/CAD 110.00
7th or More USD 150.00/CAD 220.00
Western Wanderer Take Home Message: It is cheaper to have 20 extra pounds in your suitcase than an additional bag. If you have an additional 50 pounds, pack another bag.
From the Alaska airlines website.
Sporting equipment note: The customer shall sign a limited release for all sporting equipment not packaged properly. Excess, oversize, or overweight baggage is subject to the applicable fee(s). Items over 115 linear inches (length plus height plus width) and/or 100 lbs shall not be accepted as checked baggage. When special items are carried over the lines of more than one carrier, check with each carrier for acceptance policies and rates.
Antlers: Antlers will only be accepted as checked baggage when they are properly packaged in an enclosed container and meet normal size and weight restrictions.
Archery equipment: Archery equipment is accepted as checked baggage. A proper soft or hard archery case containing bows and arrows may be checked in lieu of one bag. If excess/oversize/overweight, subject to applicable fee.
