Originally Posted by oldpenny16 (Post 17309679)

Fed-Ex. Period!

I ship specialized equipment now instead of having it fly along with me as checked baggage. I track my shipments with my iPhone app.

Originally Posted by NotaCriminal (Post 17308883)

While not specifically banned, and despite being told repeatedly it is up to the airline, I've never been allowed to carry on my skates. It's not the airlines making the decision - it's always the TSA that stops me. I figure skate, and travel to Sun Valley by air for workshops, lessons, etc. My skates are custom made and costly, and frankly, I hate being forced to check or ship my equipment. After my bag was delayed for 24 hours a couple years ago, costing me a day's worth of lessons/workshops, I now ship my skates ahead for such trips/competitions.

There are plenty of horror stories out there about elite skaters' skates being lost in transit. Brent Bommentre, an U.S. ice dancer, lost his skates on his way to the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships. In 2006, Canadian pair champions Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay withdrew from Cup of Russia when Langlois' baggage was lost. Jordan Noelle McCreary was competing in the 2011 National Solo Dance Championships. Delta Airlines lost her skates, but she competed anyway in rental skates! Elite skaters pretty much know the TSA/CATSA will not let their equipment through. That doesn't give much hope to us non-elite skaters if Michelle Kwan can't even carry her skates.

There are a few decent tips and alternatives listed here: http://www.sk8stuff.com/f_basic_ref/...ith_skates.htm

But I think your idea to wait to mount the blades until you get home and carry your boots as a carryon, is your best bet.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Allan38103 (Post 17310275)

I wonder if a hockey team has ever tried to travel by air???

Originally Posted by unLogical (Post 17311876)

CATSA does allow them now.

Originally Posted by LtKernelPanic (Post 17310239)

This. The razor sharp blades of a skate could easily be used as a weapon so there's about a 99.99999999% chance the TSA will deny them though the checkpoint (and for once I agree with them). I'd personally have them shipped to your hotel or where ever you're staying.

Originally Posted by cordelli (Post 17310228)

See also this thread

Originally Posted by aztimm (Post 17314104)

Thanks for the link to the past thread.

Do I need to change the thread title, sounds like Ice Skates may not be OK now?

Originally Posted by ontheway (Post 10759036)

My family is traveling with a pair of ice skates. Will the TSA give them a hard time? They checked on AA and on the TSA and there was nothing about ice skates.

Originally Posted by aztimm (Post 17314104)

Thanks for the link to the past thread.

Do I need to change the thread title, sounds like Ice Skates may not be OK now?

Originally Posted by 14940674 (Post 17315052)

I typed ice skates into the TSA app, and to my surprise it said that they are allowed in checked and carry-on luggage. The only prohibition mentioned is on blunt equipment that can bludgeon, but no mention is made of sharp sports gear. Regardless, I still would not try to bring them in my carry-on.

Originally Posted by NotaCriminal (Post 17316680)

I just did the same at the TSA website, and got the same answer. Go figure. I don't know if I'd want to give it a whirl unless I had a pre-addressed FedEx box ready to go and a spare day at my destination waiting for the skates. But, maybe if I do Sun Valley next year, I'll give it a try for the laughs of showing the TSA their own website and having them tell me "no, the website is out of date" anyway.

Originally Posted by N830MH (Post 17314998)

No, I think you can placed them the ice skates into checked bags and you can't have it go through at security. The sharp are very extremely dangerous. Besides, I think you have wait for final destination cities that you can get a rent the ice skates.