Going to Angels camp in cali in June, but have never traveled with a rod/reel on a plane?

How does it work?

I would ship it to your destination using fedex or ups.

I'm heading to Fla. this spring.  Southwest airlines allows poles as long as the tube is 3" dia. and no more than 96".  I have a tube that my last poles were shipped.  Going to wrap them good.  Can't be any worse than reg. shipping!  Besides, it won't cost any extra.  (noticed I didn't say free!)

x2 on this if it isn't outrageous I may try to bring a few combos as well when i head to Texas.

I would ship them before I trusted the airline.  But that is just my opinion.  Then carry the reels on board and pack whatever tackle I wanted in a suit case and check the bag, especially since bags fly free with South West.

SJ

IMO-there many more hands touching and loading into trucks than loading into one plane.  I'm going to plaster all over the tube.  Be careful!  Glass!  fragile!!!!  Not going to say that will work but lately FedEx and USPS has not been doing a super job getting my packages here, on time and in one piece.  But, that's IMO!

I made my own tube when I flew with rods.  I used a PVC pipe and zip tied a cabinet handle on it to carry with.  One end was permanetly capped and the other with a threaded cap.  I painted it and put my name and address on it with a permanent marker.  I had no issues.  Security just had me open it up so they could see what was inside then then put it on the plane.  This was about three years ago if that makes any difference.