So twice now in the last year I have gone to attend academic conferences where I must put up a large poster. These tend to come from the printer in cardboard tubes about 4 ft long a 4" diameter.

Now twice in a row the tube hasn't made it with my other bag when I checked it through.

Best quote from a CO representative when inquiring at the lost baggage station: "You should never check those. They get lost all the time."


Anyone else had this problem? Should I really just assume that CO can't successfully get that type of luggage through their system with any degree of success and just carry around that awkward piece with me?

Yup, I've had that same problem, so I always carry mine on. I've also started having the printer cut the poster in half - then it fits in a 2' tube which I can usually fit into my carry on bag.

Can't you just ship it to yourself UPS or FedEx to your destination? That's what we do for our conventions...

Unfortunately, my budget is limited....I would FedEx it but that would just mean one less steak dinner on the road or the the loss of 20% of first class upgrade fee

I have had luck putting the tube in a small black "luggage-like" case with a suitcase like handle. Mine have made it both times. The bag ads some weight to it and lets me put on a normal luggage tag.

The case I use is about a yard long and 5 by 5 inches sqaure with a zipper down the side.

Ciao,
FH

Instead of putting the poster in a tube try getting those triangle boxes. This way the tube does not roll off the belt or out of the bag cart. Also make sure all ups and fed ex info is scratched out. If not the tubes are taken to cargo with the impression it goes with the mail on that flights. Hope this helps.

http://www.papermart.com/Pages/tube_...=mailing+tubes

I got a good/used golf bag hard case for $20. Maybe something like that would work to store your tube and have less of a chance of being lost??

I second the suggestion of a triangular poster mailer - I stick my poster tube inside one of those, and it seems to fare better as checked luggage. The tube alone has gone missing a few times, but the larger package has always come out with my luggage.

When I'm on my way out to a conference, I carry the tube aboard to avoid risks. On the way back, I either pack in my two-layered tube system or ship it back. I read that your budget is limited, but the shipping is cheaper than a steak dinner - I shipped my tube back from St. Louis last Wednesday for $8 (UPS Ground; USPS and FedEx are comparable) and received it on Monday. They insure it, too, practically the opposite of the damage waiver that Continental makes me sign every time I check a tube.

You can also pickup some tubes from your local fedex station. Free!
Also; if you are a USAA member, you can create a FedEx account with a discount. (Like 15%)