Originally Posted by
donho00
My buddy has flown with expensive firearms in pelican cases and never lost one. But I guess sh*t happens. I see tons of pelican cases of all sizes in EVERY destination baggage claims, so if they are all being stolen, I find it very odd.
the argument is silly. It comes down to this, no matter how many times you used a certain bag or case or pulley. No matter how overstuffed you made it. or filled with 20k of electronics. No matter how many times you claim it fit the overhead just perfectly. The size rules are very simple. If it fits in the sizer, you can take it on board. If it doesn't, Oh well, check it in!
The rule has been there for a long time. Just because you got away with breaking the rules all these years, doesn't grandfather you into not following them now
Well, I guess UA's website disagrees with you:
"Important information regarding checked baggage
Preparing to check your baggage
United recommends that you carry valuable items such as electronic equipment, cameras, film, cash, jewelry, medication, prescriptions and keys with you onboard the aircraft.
Place your name and address on the outside of your baggage. Nametags are available at all airport baggage check-in locations. We also recommend that you place your name and address inside the bag.
Be aware of items that are restricted from checked baggage. If you are not sure, review the list of permitted and prohibited items shown on the Transportation Security Administration website.
All checked baggage is screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Please refrain from locking your checked baggage, or use a TSA Accepted & Recognized Lock. The TSA is mandated by federal law to screen 100% of checked baggage. If the contents of your baggage require closer inspection by TSA agents, unrecognized locks may be broken to gain access. The TSA will not reimburse passengers for unrecognized locks broken as a result of the security screening process. For more information about the TSA, visit
www.tsa.gov.
Please remove any straps, hangers and protruding objects from each bag before checking it. These could get caught in the baggage system and cause damage to your bag.
Bags that are bulging or are not sufficiently constructed to support the weight inside may split during the trip through the system of conveyor belts.
Baggage is loaded into the cargo compartment of the aircraft. Due to the size of the compartment, bags may have to be placed flat and stacked on top of each other. Although the baggage compartments are secured with nets or straps, bags can shift during flight due to the plane's angle during take-off. As a result, breakage or damage to fragile items may be unavoidable. We strongly recommend that you do not pack fragile items inside your checked baggage.
Allow enough time for your checked baggage to be accepted. See our Airport Processing Times page for details. For flights within the U.S., as well as most international flights, baggage will generally not be accepted for check-in more than four hours before scheduled flight departure, although this policy varies by airport and based on daily check-in counter hours."
Bolding mine.
Obviously, with guns you have no choice.
However, just so you know. I have no dog in this fight. Everything that I have fits easily. But, when I see a GS architect with a 4" by 36" blueprint tube (an item that easily qualifies for the 45 linear inch definition) forced to check said tube because of capricious GA behavior, it offends me greatly.
The legal definition for acceptable carry-on sizes in UA's own website includes 45 linear inches, yet GAs seem to consistently ignore this and threaten deboarding when challenged.