No soccer ball
May 21, 2001 | 1:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
No soccer ball
Last week I flew Grupo Taca's flight #441 DFW-GUA.
A gentleman wanted to bring a soccer ball with him. The check-in agent stated that the ball would need to stay in Dallas since it could explode mid-flight?
Does this make sense? Has anyone heard of similar stories?
A gentleman wanted to bring a soccer ball with him. The check-in agent stated that the ball would need to stay in Dallas since it could explode mid-flight?
Does this make sense? Has anyone heard of similar stories?
May 21, 2001 | 1:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
The pressure inside the cabin is less than at sea level (or near sea level) when you board. The difference in pressure could make the soccer ball explode. However, I doubt it would happen, given that the ball is designed to withstand all of the forces of being kicked. Explosion is more likely with a balloon or something like that.
May 21, 2001 | 2:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,293
If it did explode, it would scare the h--- out of a lot of people and might easily be mistaken for a gunshot. I would say that would not be a situation I would want to experience.
May 21, 2001 | 3:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: MCI. AA Plat, UA PrmEx., Mrrtt Gold, Hz Pres.Circle, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,070
SI Eng: You beat me to it! Literally my first thought upon reading the initial post.
As an aside, I've traveled with a basketball as a carryon a couple of times. Nobody tried to stop me and nothing happened to the rock during the flight.
As an aside, I've traveled with a basketball as a carryon a couple of times. Nobody tried to stop me and nothing happened to the rock during the flight.
May 21, 2001 | 7:15 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Jersey Isle
Programs: BA Gold, BMI Gold, LH Senator, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,175
Soccer ball on the plane? What, just for kicks. He's must have a lot balls to bring one on board. 
Just put a sticker on it, gate check it and get on board, we are worried about ontime departures to make our connections here!
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"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."
Just put a sticker on it, gate check it and get on board, we are worried about ontime departures to make our connections here!
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"Fly me to the moon and let me earn alot of miles."
May 22, 2001 | 8:40 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: you can't affordably get there (anywhere) from here (central MT)
Posts: 345
Originally posted by siliconengineer:
Not sure . . . if I've been insulted.
Not sure . . . if I've been insulted.
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May 22, 2001 | 11:43 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Dallas, Texas
Programs: AA Gold, Lufthansa Frequent Traveler
Posts: 107
Hmmm, isn't there an American Airlines ad out there describing the benefits of MRTC by having the passengers in the cabin kicking a soccer ball around?
Maybe that guy should have brought that one up!
Maybe that guy should have brought that one up!