Airplane with helmet, HANS, suit, etc

[zookie]

I'm flying to a race school and renting a car so I need to travel with my safety gear. I'm going to check a bag but it's going to be the stuff that won't ruin my weekend, like regular clothes, etc.

I want to take all my race gear as a carry-on. The problem is the airlines rules.

Here are their rules because my flight is a regional US Airways Express flight.

Carry-on rules for US Airways Express
Not sure if you're on a US Airways Express flight? Please check your confirmation. If you're on a flight operated by Air Wisconsin, Mesa, Piedmont, PSA, Republic, SkyWest or Trans States, you're allowed to carry on 2 items:
1 personal item (such as a purse or laptop) in the cabin, and
1 small carry-on bag, which will be tagged, placed in the cargo bin and returned to you plane-side or on the loading bridge when you arrive


Their carry-on rules are:
Your carry-on bag can be up to 45 inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (23 x 36 x 56 cm) including handles and wheels.

I've read a couple posts on this forum and on the web about absolutely keeping your helmet (and everything for that matter) with you inside the plane but given the above rules I just don't think that's going to happen on this little regional jet. I'm going to ask if they will put it in the first class cabin, if they even have one, or keep it in their area maybe.

The question is what type of bag you think might work out the best. I don't have one of those helmet specific bags but I've been looking at a few helmet/hans bags online. I'm just not sure if there is enough room in these small bags (and even they barely meet the carry-on size limits) to surround the helmet with either my suit or some other soft cloth for when it gets handled by the airline.

A cracked helmet, etc will ruin my weekend so that's what I'm trying to avoid.

[racerdad2]

You could put your helmet, Hans, race gear all in a back pack to carry on. Check a small suitcase for other stuff that doesn't fit.

A pair of jeans will get you. Remember, shirts are good for at least two days. When it gets dirty, turn it inside-out. Now, you have a 'clean side' for another day.

Seriously, get there early with all your driving essentials in one bag and plead your case. IF your budget allows, buy the seat next to you for your gear.

Most importantly. .. Enjoy the experience !

[Pop Chevy]

Why don't you put it in a box and ship it ??

[Swift17]

Why don't you put it in a box and ship it ??

We, as a four member family, traveled for many years, at least three if not four times a year, from Fla to PA, to visit family. Once the airline began charging for bags that is EXACTLY what we did - FedEx Ground, (4 days) total costs was less than $50.00 for four for "all our stuff" just packing the essential in a carry-on - May I suggest drop off at FedEx Kinkos then to the Hotel - then back to where you work (Business to Business Discount)

- The suggestion of Helmet and Hans in back pack excellent -@ motorcycle 118.com (who sell monster branded bags - $29.99)

http://www.motorcycle118.com/new-bag...e#.VMYIXbl0zPQ

this back pack can hold ALL your racing gear was well as the helmet/hans and take a small carry-on bag as well just for the essentials ............

OOPS .......... HAVE FUN !!!!!!

[Brian]

In the last 6 - 9 months many airlines got serious about carry on bag dimensions. About the same time as they started charging for the first checked bag. That backpack, loaded with stuff and a helmet, might not fit the 9" dimension.

Brian

[Swift17]

.......But they will "gate check" at the plane - drop off at the steps - bring it to you at the steps; no chance of loss, risk of damage alot less ......!

[DB4 Tim]

so are under-ware.....

You could put your helmet, Hans, race gear all in a back pack to carry on. Check a small suitcase for other stuff that doesn't fit.

A pair of jeans will get you. Remember, shirts are good for at least two days. When it gets dirty, turn it inside-out. Now, you have a 'clean side' for another day.

Seriously, get there early with all your driving essentials in one bag and plead your case. IF your budget allows, buy the seat next to you for your gear.

Most importantly. .. Enjoy the experience !

[Chris Livengood]

Mail your equipment to the race shop who is prepping the car. You can mail it long in advance, and you know that it will be at the track with the race car.

[problemchild]

I've run into this situation before when the airplane's carry-on baggage area was too small for the allowed carry-on baggage. You left your carry-on with the crew when you went on, and then it was sitting on a table for you when you walked off the plane. It added about 2 mins to the process and was no big deal. The process appeared to be independent of the baggage handlers. It was a US Airways flight with Air Wisconsin.

[Matt King]

I fly with a motorcycle helmet and gear several times a year. On short trips I usually carry the helmet on in its own bag and I have never had a problem with it being counted as an extra carry on, even when I had a total of three bags. The only time I had an issue was on a small plane going to South Dakota where the overheads were too small to stow it, so I had to stash it under the seat. Helmets don't squish very well, but it would take a serious hit to crack one. Not something I would personally worry too much about considering my experience with them in various bags.

[Offcamber1]

When they ask you about it respond: "I've flown with this pilot before, have you?"

[veefan]

FedEx the most reliable carrier shipped 1,200,000,000 packages in 2012... with a FAIL ratio of 0.55 %.... so they LOST... how many packages?, yea want one of them to be your gear?

CARRY ON and be safe!

http://www.statisticbrain.com/fedex-company-statistics/

[dsmithwc04]

When they ask you about it respond: "I've flown with this pilot before, have you?"

[H_Mode]

When they ask you about it respond: "I've flown with this pilot before, have you?"

Would vacation insurance cover the cost of the event if the airline lost / damaged the gear?

If you ship, ship early and insure for replacement cost and have the school inspect when the package arrives.

Could we get a debrief after the event?

Have fun!

Chris

[Numbskull XIV]

I'm flying to a race school and renting a car so I need to travel with my safety gear. I'm going to check a bag but it's going to be the stuff that won't ruin my weekend, like regular clothes, etc.

I want to take all my race gear as a carry-on. The problem is the airlines rules.

Here are their rules because my flight is a regional US Airways Express flight.

Carry-on rules for US Airways Express
Not sure if you're on a US Airways Express flight? Please check your confirmation. If you're on a flight operated by Air Wisconsin, Mesa, Piedmont, PSA, Republic, SkyWest or Trans States, you're allowed to carry on 2 items:
1 personal item (such as a purse or laptop) in the cabin, and
1 small carry-on bag, which will be tagged, placed in the cargo bin and returned to you plane-side or on the loading bridge when you arrive


Their carry-on rules are:
Your carry-on bag can be up to 45 inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (23 x 36 x 56 cm) including handles and wheels.

I've read a couple posts on this forum and on the web about absolutely keeping your helmet (and everything for that matter) with you inside the plane but given the above rules I just don't think that's going to happen on this little regional jet. I'm going to ask if they will put it in the first class cabin, if they even have one, or keep it in their area maybe.

The question is what type of bag you think might work out the best. I don't have one of those helmet specific bags but I've been looking at a few helmet/hans bags online. I'm just not sure if there is enough room in these small bags (and even they barely meet the carry-on size limits) to surround the helmet with either my suit or some other soft cloth for when it gets handled by the airline.

A cracked helmet, etc will ruin my weekend so that's what I'm trying to avoid.

I have flown many times with my gear. Here's how to do it:

Helmet/hans in a backpack or hard shell helmet bag as a carry on. If the plane is full, you might have to tuck it under your seat or hold it but definitely have it as a carry on. Gear put in a small duffle bag or in with your "normal" clothes in a "carry on" sized suitcase. Again, if there's room take it as a carry on and put it up top. If not then have them check it at the gate. That way there are no baggage handlers to loose your important things.

I traveled a lot last year and did this all the time and have never had an issue. Basically, do whatever you can to keep it with you and protected.

[Albatross]

Was pilot for United Express (Mesa, UGH), worse case situation: wear the helmet: Doctor "requires you need to "b'cause you had an operation 3 months ago"