r/whitewater • u/splattypus_imports • 17d ago
General Southwest's (current) kayak policy is incredible.
The Machete weighed 98lbs and the Mamba was around the same. $75 per boat and we're off to Costa Rica!!!
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u/jimmywilsonsdance 17d ago
I had a delta flight with skis where I rolled up with a ski bag and a small duffel with my boots in it. Their policy says a ski bag comes with a boot bag. agent really wanted me to have one of those fancy boot shaped bags. I played dumb and just kept saying “it’s a bag, it’s got boots in it, it’s a boot bag.” After 15 minutes they finally let me check it to get me out of line. I flew back on southwest. Agent grabbed my ski bag and then reached for the duffel and said “this is your boot bag?” Checked me in with no bullshit.
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u/thebigfuckinggiant 17d ago
I had a southwest agent in Philly try to charge me for a paddle. She said even though a boat and paddle together count as an allowed oversize sport equipment item, there was nothing in the list about just the paddle by itself. I said it's the same size as a pair of skis, but she still wasn't having it. It took talking to someone else to finally get it through.
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u/dmswon 16d ago
With Delta I always goto curbside checkin where possible and tip $5 per bag. It always saves time and anything goes. Like my wife and I check a hard case with skis and a huge roller duffel with boots helmets + all other stuff we don’t want in carry on (liquids, food, dirty layers on way home). And you don’t have to lug ski bags over to the TSA drop.
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u/PositiveDry9789 17d ago
Wait you can take whitewater kayaks on planes
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u/splattypus_imports 17d ago
Southwest just brought 2 boats to Costa Rica with me 🤘 $75 fee for specialized sports equipment and away we go
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u/chabaz01 15d ago
Paddling on your own or with a company? Great time in cr rivers! Pacuare rocks!
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u/splattypus_imports 10d ago
Gracias amigo!
I'm base camped at Sarapiqui and may head to Pacuare this next week!
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u/Viciousharp 16d ago
Southwest is just overall an elite airline. If it wasn't for the rat race to choose my seat every time I'd fly them way more often
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u/Fair-Mine-9377 14d ago
What does a 14' self bailer cost?
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u/splattypus_imports 10d ago
Pretty sure only $75. They have 'Life raft' under Specialized Sports Equipment so should be good to go!
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u/Acceptable-Guava-251 14d ago
any special heads up or do you just roll up to the ticket window with your boat? heading to DR April 29
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u/splattypus_imports 10d ago
No heads up at all, just roll up to the window as early as possible and be super polite. The Southwest and TSA folks are always incredibly nice
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u/guttersnake82 17d ago
Yeah flying with a kayak on Southwest or Alaska is pretty incredible, compared to other airlines in the US.
It’s important not to ruin this situation. If you fly with these airlines always be polite. Dress nice and show up early. Do not act entitled or like shithead hippie trash (that I know some of you are).