SBK definitely makes the wallet lighter, but I think it's the only company that offers a $1500 contents damage insurance with their cases.

As for flying with a bow, never had a "problem," one time flying to Vegas the check in clerk did consider it a "weapon" and had me go through the special TSA screening... The agent opened the case and said "really????" closed it up and sent me on my way.

My bow did have problems coming back from Barcelona... Twice. Don't think it was because it was a bow, just rather how they handled oversized baggage, or my bow just wanted a couple extra days in Spain.

If the case is small/light enough, many airlines will check it as a "first" bag not a big help if you are flying alone but with another person it saves a little.

Another option might be to Fed-Ex [PirateShip] it to your destination; get a good shipping rate [HAHA] and it might be cheaper than taking it on the plane.

 

SBK definitely makes the wallet lighter, but I think it's the only company that offers a $1500 contents damage insurance with their cases.

As for flying with a bow, never had a "problem," one time flying to Vegas the check in clerk did consider it a "weapon" and had me go through the special TSA screening... The agent opened the case and said "really????" closed it up and sent me on my way.

My bow did have problems coming back from Barcelona... Twice. Don't think it was because it was a bow, just rather how they handled oversized baggage, or my bow just wanted a couple extra days in Spain.

If the case is small/light enough, many airlines will check it as a "first" bag not a big help if you are flying alone but with another person it saves a little.

Another option might be to Fed-Ex [PirateShip] it to your destination; get a good shipping rate [HAHA] and it might be cheaper than taking it on the plane.

The few times I took my bow by commercial plane it was marked as a weapon. Which if you really think about it that is exactly what it is.
OP I would suggest SKB. Don't cheap out on a case, you have an expensive bow.

 

I haven't specifically flown with a bow in my Pelican Vault 730. However, I have used that case to protect a shotgun on a trip. It worked really well and I have full confidence in that case should I need to fly with my bow.

 

I have flown with my Plano All Weather Now Guard case and had zero problems with damage.

 

Hard case = scary guns to airport people. Expect more hassle and hopefully you’re pleasantly surprised. Also, you might face oversized luggage fees unless it’s considered sporting equipment, and you’ll have to pick it up in a special oversized baggage area and maybe even IDed to pick it up. I’ve heard of people throwing in a golf club just so they can say golf clubs to get a different experience. The best will be SKB

A soft case that is durable, like the Easton bowtruk, will be far easier to fly with, might even be sent with regular luggage for retrieval on the turnstile. Can even pack your hunting clothes and every accessory imaginable in it without an issue, and soft cases weight less so you can keep it under 50 easier. They are reinforced to protect the bow just fine.

To keep costs down, maybe look at legend for soft case and pelican for hard case. There’s no doubt that a hard case will protect it the best, but it comes with some BS to deal with at airports.

 

SKB is definitely the best case for protection and ease of locking for flying. Keeps your equipment tight and secure

 

I would not hesitate to fly with my Pelican Vault. I have an SKB as well (new bow didn't fit) and it's a nice pc of gear too, but more expensive than the Pelican. Either would be a good choice and worth it for protecting your expensive investment.

 

A Longbow will fly in a PVC pipe. If all your other stuff fits in your carry on, the bow tube is your checked bag, no extra fees.

 

I don't think his rx4 is a long bow. Maybe you can take apart the carbon tubes the riser is made up and put them and the string and cables in pvc tube. Rest in carry on. That might void the warranty tho

 

SKB for me……8 have taken it to South Africa three times, Kodiak Island, Greenland, and Mexico with no troubles whatsoever.

 

Which case do you have? I am flying to Alaska in a week and looking at a few different ones. I’d like to be able to fit some hunting clothes in it as well but that’s not too important

 

SKB. Buy once, cry once.

 

The last time I flew with a bow Delta charged me as oversized baggage and it was expensive. I drive now.
Never understood way they don't charge for golf clubs or surfboard but double charge for a bow.

 

The last time I flew with a bow Delta charged me as oversized baggage and it was expensive. I drive now.

Crazy I pretty much just fly Delta and they never charged me oversize. 50 plus flights,with them and my bows and it's a double bow /4 rifle case size. it sure can just be the person behind the counter.

 

Another happy SKB owner here, but any quality hard case (Pelican or Nanuk) should suffice. I agree with others in saying no soft or hybrid case will adequately protect your bow as reliably. The difference you spend for the better quality will be cheaper than replacing your equipment (you will only be reimbursed used equipment value by the airlines and take a huge hit on your investment ). Allow extra time for the airline counter check-in and pick up will usually be at the oversize baggage counter which also runs notoriously slow at most major airports. Happy travels!

 

I have use Plano all weather twice and a skb more recently ( cheaper skb) all worked fine.

 

I have used my SKB double a few times and would highly recommend. I would recommend the double because you get more room for the same cost of checking a single bow case. You can split the baggage fee when traveling with a buddy. When traveling alone, use the extra room for clothes, binos, gear etc.

 

You can't go wrong with SKB. I have a Pelican Air Bow case which is one of the best, with tons of space, pouches for equipment, quiver, arrow holder, etc. I've travelled with it airline checked a few times without any issues, however, the problem can be oversize.

Airlines usually allow archery equipment but "officially" it must adhere to size/weight limits, at least that's what the fine print said for United. I was charged oversize fees once when flying United, pretty expensive, about $200. If the case is more than 62 linear inches (length + width + height) then it can be considered oversize.

I have flown United a couple of times and the counter assistant didn't care about the case size when I said it was archery equipment. On our last trip however (domestic) the lady did care and charged oversize since my case is 73" linear in dimension... no way around it if I wanted to fly. If I were to do it again I would buy a more compact case like the SKB single bow case to stay under this limit if possible, if it still fits my bow, to be safe. Just my experience.

 

Thanks for all the input everyone. I found the Pelican V700 on Amazon for under $200 brand new. Since the RX-4 is a shorter ATA it’ll fit so I am planning to go that route. I will double check the dimensions but with the shorter ATA on the RX-4 it should fit nicely.

Thanks for all the heads-up’s on checking it too. We are going Southwest this summer and they are usually pretty good about stuff like that… so I will fly it down then. We will likely drive in the fall.


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I never use a hard bow case and have hunted Africa, Australia and all over North America (have an archery Super Slam). I put my Prime Rival (35" A/A) in a Prime soft case with clothes, then put the softcase in a large Cabelas rolling duffel....the Ripcord XL...it is not sold anymore after the Bass Pro buyout. Stuff clothes around it especially at the cams, sight and rest. Never had damage or an issue. DO have a padlock for the zippers, as some places require them.

 

You can’t go wrong with a pelican or SKB hard case. I would be hesitant to fly with a soft case just because the last thing I want is a cam to get bent or tuning to get messed up from it being thrown around or banged up.

 

Protest your archery equipment and try not to go on the cheap side!

 

I’ve flown all over with my bow in a SKB double bow hard case. Never had a single issue with anything being messed up.

Bisch

 

I'm planning a trip to South Africa and purchased a Pelican Vault 730 just for this trip. I hear all kinds of stories about locks. Lock every grommet hole? TSA or non TSA locks? Or, leave it unlocked? What's your experience? Thanks