Batbags on airplanes

[dadoftheyear]

So i am wondering for all of you that have flown with your DD batbag. so you really trust the baggage people not to steal her gear and bat??? I am worried about losing her stuff on the way to nationals. any one have experience they would like to share?????

[NumeroUno]

Glove and uniforms should be carried on. We have flown many times and have never had anything taken. A few years back we didn't get my DD's bag until 2 days after we landed. We went one place and the ball bag went somewhere else. When we finally got the bag it looked like it was caught in the conveyor. The bag had tears all over the bottom and 2 bats were ruined, air lines said they were not responsible for anything in the bag.

[Realist]

I put the bat bag inside of my hardside golf bag carrier and then seal it with plastic bag ties. I used to lock it, but airline restrictions prevent that now. With the plastic bag ties, it can be opened in case the airlines need to inspect it, but it is too much trouble for someone to open it for mischievious purposes. I have done this several times and have had zero problems.

[dadoftheyear]

thank you for your input i did see the hard cover for golf bags at big 5. i was thinking why dont they have one for batbags but ill just buy the golf one i guess. thanks again

[artomatic]

my kid has checked her bat bag about 6 times in the last few years. never had a problem. just make sure your bat bag zips up and doesn't have any rips or broken zippers, etc.

i agree about carrying on gloves, uni's, and cleats (if possible). not sure if metal cleats would be alllowed to carry on due to the metal...
I would carry on contact lenses and trading pins if you have those as well.

the airline lost our bathroom suitcase a couple years ago, and my kid's contct lenses and trading pins were in it. luckily, we got the bag back midweek the day before bracket play was starting.

[hit4power]

If you are checking the bat bag remove the straps b/c most times the damage results from the straps getting caught in the conveyors and then the bag gets torn up. I prefer to have DD carry her bat bag (the back pack kind) on board w/ helmet, glove, and cleats in it (plus whatever other stuff will fit). The bat gets wrapped in a zippered heavy cloth "sleeve" and goes in my golf bag as others have noted. Haven't had any issues so far with this system.

[etx bd]

We empty and fold up DD's back pack style bag and put the bats, cleats and helmet in a duffel type bag. Then put a wire tie on the zipper. Gloves and uniform in suitcase. It works fine...so far.

[ontheblack]

With baggage fees at $20-25 a bag, times the round trip, I think we'll see more teams sending team equipment via truck/suv this year.

[marlonbrando]

We check the bat bag, with the bat being the only softball gear in it. Stuff the rest of the space in the bag with extra clothes and other easy replaceable items. Other softball gear goes into carry-on sized suitcase. Uniforms and especially gloves would be most difficult to replace at last minute on road, so that suitcase never leaves DD's sight. Safe travels everyone!