I am just completing 2 light surf rods for use during a Florida vacation in February. They are 2 piece 8 foot rods.

I am debating whether to send them ahead by UPS or USPS , or taking them as part of my luggage on the plane flight from Michigan.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks,

Herb Knowlton

Ship them via USPS. Safer than the airlines conveyor systems, they rip luggage apart and I am sure they could snap a PVC pipe. Not to mention it will be much more convenient with air travel being what it is in these days. They won't cost much to ship since they will be in a 4'6" tube - no balloon rate.

I have taken mine in a plano rod tube as part of my luggage. Normally a 10'surf rod, 7' spinning rod and 2 fly rods. all are 2 piece. I have one of those cheapo fleece blankets that you can get at any wally world and I try to wrap each piece individually in the blanket. I'll explain, put in one piece then fold the blanket once, put in another piece, fold again, etc. I try to align the guides so they are facing each other (nesting) and I also make sure I put half of the butts facing opposite directions that way if there is any room for them to slide there is a strong section to keep form crushing the tips. By using the blanket, the rods fit snuggly in the tube and don't bang around. It has worked for me the last 3 trips.

Tony

BTW, if I was to ship rods UPS or USPS I would package them the same.

If you decide to ship use UPS instead of USPS. UPS has a better tracking system than USPS. Last time I used USPS, they lost my rod so I now use BROWN when shipping rods.

I agree with Phinla. From my personal experience, the UPS (Brown) tracking system and transit time service is more reliable. The USPS regular shipping can also be very slow in comparision and the tracking system very slow in updating. One gets the impression that odd shaped packages shipped first class are assigned the lowest priority by the Postal Service. The only comparable service that the Postal Service has to UPS is priority mail but again the customer service end doesn't seem to be as good. I would ship the rods via UPS or carry them on.

Sam Stoner

Check ahead with the airline. Last time I flew and took a rod, it was my 6' one piece Tuna rod with reel. They let me carry it on and put it in the coat closet right up front (no hooks of course). They just gave it back to me as I exited the plane. I got ALOT of looks but there is no damage to my rod and I had it instantly when I got to my destination.

I was working in Panama and took my 7ft rods every time. I used a PVC tube (sch 40 with end caps). I checked with the airline in advance and was assured there was no problem. Well, there was not a problem but they tried everything to break the tube. You should have seen it after my 7 trips down there. But I never had a problem on either end. Best advice is to check with the airlines first if you decide to go that way. I would trust on the following heirarchy order: UPS, Airline, USPS, other carriers.