ARCHIVE: AA agent quibbles bag size & fees, "says curling isn't a sport"
Oct 17, 2017, 1:21 pm
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ARCHIVE: AA agent quibbles bag size & fees, "says curling isn't a sport"
It appears that there was a mini-squabble between an American agent and a Canadian curler. Washington Post story here.
As usual, the accounts between participants vary, but my favourite quote was from American. Responding to the assertion that their agent said curling was not a sport (it's in the Olympics), American stated:
Let the games begin.
As usual, the accounts between participants vary, but my favourite quote was from American. Responding to the assertion that their agent said curling was not a sport (it's in the Olympics), American stated:
“[The agent] said it wasn’t an ‘elite’ sport like golf,”
I'm someone who unfairly thinks that both curling and golf are games as opposed to sports, since there's no intentional contact, but I wasn't previously aware of the preferential pricing for sports equipment.Let the games begin.
Curling is now afforded “sports equipment” status on AA, so this thread will now be archived. For further information, please consult the thread entitled “AA Baggage: Special items and sports equipment”.
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Last edited by JDiver; May 21, 2019 at 10:22 am Reason: Restore original post title. Add moderator note.
Oct 17, 2017, 1:31 pm
#2
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The report also has AA denying that the conversation was as depicted by the person, but that the airline was correctly applying fees
Looking at https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...and-sports.jsp , there seems to be no special exemptions for curling equipment
Originally Posted by AA spokesman
Based on the information provided in the Facebook post by the passenger, and the statement from our team member: we applied the correct policy regarding sports items,” Feinstein continued. “The passenger presented herself with a bag that was over the standard bag size of 62 linear inches but containing sports equipment, her curling broom. Our agent explained to the passenger the policy on oversize bags and that she would be willing to assist the passenger by applying the sports equipment rate of $150 vs. the normal oversize charge of $200.
Looking at https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...and-sports.jsp , there seems to be no special exemptions for curling equipment
Oct 17, 2017, 1:49 pm
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why my fencing gear goes in a golf bag.
Oct 17, 2017, 1:49 pm
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Once the curler thought they had heard curling described in any sort of "not a real sport" terms, this was never going to end well - no matter what actually transpired 
Oct 17, 2017, 2:04 pm
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Guess I have an idea for a new venture; wonder how big the market for 2 piece screw-apart curling brooms is... 
Oct 17, 2017, 2:36 pm
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You really have to be trying hard to fill copy when every customer service flap becomes news.
I wonder if the curler wept during the exchange?
I wonder if the curler wept during the exchange?
Oct 17, 2017, 2:56 pm
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The article is paywalled - did the curler think there was some exemption beyond the cheaper price for sports equipment that was given?
Oct 17, 2017, 3:04 pm
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Oct 17, 2017, 3:35 pm
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Everything I can goes into an empty golf bag , hard travel case, golf clubs usually travel for free and you can put a ton of crap in the hard sided ones
A cheap one with wheels is usually $100 to buy so pays off quickly
A cheap one with wheels is usually $100 to buy so pays off quickly
Oct 17, 2017, 3:42 pm
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<response to deleted post removed by moderator>
I too had no idea that airlines cared what specifically you checked (its sportiness, anyway), only its size and dimensions. Although now that I think about it, they never measure my big hard-sided golf case, even though that sucker is definitely over 62". I do keep it under 50 lbs figuring they could weigh it, although they often don't bother. Perhaps they figure it isn't worth the effort to prop it on end and get it onto the scale.
I too had no idea that airlines cared what specifically you checked (its sportiness, anyway), only its size and dimensions. Although now that I think about it, they never measure my big hard-sided golf case, even though that sucker is definitely over 62". I do keep it under 50 lbs figuring they could weigh it, although they often don't bother. Perhaps they figure it isn't worth the effort to prop it on end and get it onto the scale.
Last edited by JY1024; Oct 17, 2017 at 9:48 pm Reason: Response to deleted post removed by moderator
Oct 17, 2017, 6:56 pm
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I hate when people play the curling card.
Oct 17, 2017, 7:01 pm
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Oct 17, 2017, 7:47 pm
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<response to deleted content removed by moderator>
Back to my on-topic question. What's the beef, if the curler was given the cheaper sports-equipment cost? Did she believe curling equipment has some type of exemption?
Back to my on-topic question. What's the beef, if the curler was given the cheaper sports-equipment cost? Did she believe curling equipment has some type of exemption?
Last edited by JY1024; Oct 17, 2017 at 9:49 pm Reason: Response to deleted content removed by moderator
Oct 17, 2017, 9:10 pm
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Originally Posted by AA Website
If the golf bag contains anything other than the approved items then additional oversize and overweight charges will apply. You may be asked to open your bag at the airport.
Last edited by HofstraJet; Oct 17, 2017 at 10:23 pm
Oct 17, 2017, 9:13 pm
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Regardless, what does a definition of sport have to do with AA other than that curling is not an activity for which any soecial allowance apply