taking Shinai with you on a flight

[GENKYO]

Does someone have experience to take a shinai with you on a flight? Is it allowed to declare shinais as handluggage or is it required to check them in?

[stuartwilson]

I have always checked them, in a case. They are too long to be carry on items here in the US.

[SmellsLikeBogu]

I have taken them on several flights, you haev to check them in with the special luggage stuff. dont worry, they;ll be fine as long as they are packaged ok :)

[R Stroud]

Does someone have experience to take a shinai with you on a flight? Is it allowed to declare shinais as handluggage or is it required to check them in?

From my experience, you can a) borrow shinai from someone when you get there, b) have shinai shipped to your destination directly from the supplier, c) check them as luggage, or d) carry them on the flight.

Option d is good if you want to get them on the flight when you are already at the two bag limit for the airline. The only trick I suggest for doing it is to take them completely apart and put the set of four staves into a regular cloth shinai bag. Then when the security person asks what they are you can state truthfully and without issue "four pieces of bamboo". When you get to your destination, get the removed parts from your checked luggage and reassemble. Because you can build up a shinai so easily this extra step is worth it to avoid any issues with travel due to having swords...

[mark]

From my experience, you can a) borrow shinai from someone when you get there, b) have shinai shipped to your destination directly from the supplier, c) check them as luggage, or d) carry them on the flight.

Option d is good if you want to get them on the flight when you are already at the two bag limit for the airline. The only trick I suggest for doing it is to take them completely apart and put the set of four staves into a regular cloth shinai bag. Then when the security person asks what they are you can state truthfully and without issue "four pieces of bamboo". When you get to your destination, get the removed parts from your checked luggage and reassemble. Because you can build up a shinai so easily this extra step is worth it to avoid any issues with travel due to having swords...

Great idea! I will give it a try next time.

I normally am able to check my kendo equipment as sports equipment and have avoided the 2 bag limit. I describe shinais as bamboo sticks and bokutoh as wooden stick. To date, I have always checked my shinais tying them together one upside down two rightside up. Tied together the three are almost imposible to break.

I was once surprised to see someone enter the plane (post 9/11) on a flight Toronto to Vancouver with a shinai (no bag) as carry-on lugage.

These days we suggest that even in a city bus shinais always be carried in some sort of a bag in order to avoid issues with security people.

[JoDuncan]

Does anyone know if "they" count 2 shinai in one bag as "one piece of sporting equipment" or "two pieces".

ta.

[kartoffelngeist]

One piece, as long as they're in one bag.

I do this at least six times a year, going back and forth to uni. I've never had any trouble with them in an ordinary canvas shinai bag. As someone said, you'll have to put them through as outsize luggage, which is maybe better, because that's also where fragile stuff goes.

Any issues I've had with check-in people have been easily resolved by assuring them that I've taken them on flights several times before without a problem.

[JoDuncan]

cheers tattie, have some rep

[MikeH]

One piece, as long as they're in one bag.

I do this at least six times a year, going back and forth to uni. I've never had any trouble with them in an ordinary canvas shinai bag. As someone said, you'll have to put them through as outsize luggage, which is maybe better, because that's also where fragile stuff goes.

Any issues I've had with check-in people have been easily resolved by assuring them that I've taken them on flights several times before without a problem.

It is worth adding to this that I had my iaito snapped in two above the habaki by putting it in outsize luggage. Don't know what they did but the tsuba was also slightly buckled, the tsuba being quarter inch think steel gave me a shock when trying to guess what it was they could have done.

Also, check the passenger conditions for the airline. When they broke my iaito I was flying with BMI and they had a specific provision regarding swords which stated that they had to be given permission by the check-in staff to be loaded. It also stated that they weren't liable for fragile or valuable items. Which is what they used to try to fob me off with when I asked for compensation. My reply was a rather nasty letter which said that I failed to see how something designed to be strong and flexible enough to slice through a man can be considered fragile, and that I also wanted their definition of 'valuable'. They paid up... grudgingly.

So, just a warning that outsize luggage doesn't mean they treat it any more tenderly.

Mike

[Spendius]

I've never tried, but somebody on this forum suggested using a golf club bag which provide good protection and might spare you explanations.

[kartoffelngeist]

So, just a warning that outsize luggage doesn't mean they treat it any more tenderly.

Mike

True.

Also worth noting that any time I've flown with BA, my shinai bag has failed to accompany me. All my other luggage has been fine, but the shinai bag always comes a day later. Never had a problem with any other airline.

[joekc6nlx]

This topic came up a while ago in another thread. The suggestion was to use plastic plumbing pipe, such as PVC. A 10cm diameter tube, long enough to contain the shinais (and a bokken and/or iaito). Seal one end with a cap, so that it won't come off. Put another cap on the other end, without sealing it. Some people go so far as to install a threaded end on the unsealed end, so that it can be opened for inspection. Put all of your identifying information on the outside, check it into checked baggage, or maybe if they'll let you carry it on (not likely if you have an iaito).

PVC is relatively inexpensive, less than a golf bag, and much more durable, and has the added advantage of being quickly recognizable when you go to baggage claim. If it turns up missing, you can always tell the airline to look for a big piece of plumbing in the cargo bay. I don't know what EU regulations are for using PVC and its associated cement, but it's widely used here in the States for indoor plumbing as well as some outdoor plumbing, too.

[nikozamo]

always check it, just one time when i went to colombia they said me i can take them like hand luggage.

[Curtis]

......

I normally am able to check my kendo equipment as sports equipment and have avoided the 2 bag limit. I describe shinais as bamboo sticks and bokutoh as wooden stick. To date, I have always checked my shinais tying them together one upside down two rightside up. Tied together the three are almost imposible to break.

......


So baggage checked as sports equipment gets around the 2 bag limit?

The difficulty I face now with the 50 pound limit is with bogu and dogi in the bag and then clothes and such I am soon over the 50 pound limit. I also have a sleep apnea machine that I either have to carry on or try to pack, there goes all my room. I use an oversized shinai bag so I can stuff my dogi into it. I tried to find a suitable bag to use for shinai and clothes but they are all too long or some other problem.

I am now making a custom bag that will be a backpack bag that will hold shinai and dogi that is modeled after my bag that holds 10 shinai.

[JoDuncan]

True.

Also worth noting that any time I've flown with BA, my shinai bag has failed to accompany me. All my other luggage has been fine, but the shinai bag always comes a day later. Never had a problem with any other airline.


Shit, i'll be flying with BA to london.

Hopefully there will be a stall, 9 circs or emai.... hopefully!! Just in case!

[Nige]

Does someone have experience to take a shinai with you on a flight? Is it allowed to declare shinais as handluggage or is it required to check them in?

I dressed as an old man an pretended mine was an obscure walking stick.

p.s not really :)

[Leinheart]

About the comment on taking shinais on a city bus with you, I had no problem with that I just recently started kendo and did not have a shinai bag so I would just take it on the train with me in Nyc so nothing happens

[Kaoru]

About the comment on taking shinais on a city bus with you, I had no problem with that I just recently started kendo and did not have a shinai bag so I would just take it on the train with me in Nyc so nothing happens

You ought to get a shinai bag soon. It may not be a problem now, but in the future it could be. It might be a law that any weapon can't be carried loose. Not sure though. I know you can't carry guns and bows loose without a case. :) Besides, it protects the bamboo and then you have a place to keep your tsuba and tsubadome, plus your bokuto and it's tsuba/tsubadome, when you get it. Also, you really should not leave the tsuba and tsubadome on the shinai in case you are doing that. (Can't tell. Sorry!) It stretches the rubber on the tsubadome and can make the tsuba wiggle loose over time and therefore, make the tsubadome not good to use in practice. It needs to hold the tsuba in place firmly. Always remove it after class, if you haven't yet found this out from someone. :) If you have, well, please forget I said it. ;)

Oh, and what do you mean by "so nothing happens?" That confused me...

Kaoru

[Charles Lockhar]

About the comment on taking shinais on a city bus with you, I had no problem with that I just recently started kendo and did not have a shinai bag so I would just take it on the train with me in Nyc so nothing happens

Yeah, but have you actually had a cop who wasn't busy eating a donut look at you, while you're carrying your shinai, a big long stick kind of thing with a handle, made specifically for hitting people, and let you keep going? If that hasn't happened yet, I'd be interested in hearing about how it goes when it does.

Martial artists sometimes carry around martial arts gear. But then, so do crazies.

-Charles

[Charles Lockhar]

I know you can't carry guns and bows loose without a case. :)

Laws vary from state to state, and city to city. Assuming Nyc is New York City (somebody get a rope), I'm thinking you may not be able to carry guns and bows around even in a case. I could be wrong.

However, having your gear stowed correctly is definitely a bonus to how one appears in the community, and I think it makes the kendoka look more "professional" having the shinai put away in it's case instead of just carrying it around bare. How a person projects themselves matters.


Oh, and what do you mean by "so nothing happens?" That confused me...

Sounds kinda like he's gonna go all Bernie Goetz on somebody, doesn't it...

Thanks for the note about taking off the tsuba dome, I didn't know that.

-Charles

[Leinheart]

Well Im a noob at kendo so I have no tsuba T_T and a cop saw me in the train station, he didnt care. I ordered 1 online since I cant find a kendo supplies store.

[Charles Lockhar]

Well Im a noob at kendo so I have no tsuba T_T and a cop saw me in the train station, he didnt care.

Well there ya go man, you're copacetic.


I ordered 1 online since I cant find a kendo supplies store.

Dude, I feel your pain. About every other year I wake up in Japan, manage to make it to the only kendo shoppe that I know, and drool over the shinai rack. But I totally suck, I don't even have the skill to pick out a good one to buy. I just take whatever the online place will ship me at home.

-Charles

[Kaoru]

Laws vary from state to state, and city to city. Assuming Nyc is New York City (somebody get a rope), I'm thinking you may not be able to carry guns and bows around even in a case. I could be wrong.


Oh, that's true. And, about NYC, you could be right right... Lots of people there. So, more laws on that stuff probably.


However, having your gear stowed correctly is definitely a bonus to how one appears in the community, and I think it makes the kendoka look more "professional" having the shinai put away in it's case instead of just carrying it around bare. How a person projects themselves matters.
I agree with you. :)


Sounds kinda like he's gonna go all Bernie Goetz on somebody, doesn't it...Well, sounds like he thinks he's going to use it or something, yeah. Who's Bernie Goetz? :confused:



Thanks for the note about taking off the tsuba dome, I didn't know that.

-CharlesOh, you're welcome! :)

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

Well Im a noob at kendo so I have no tsuba T_T and a cop saw me in the train station, he didnt care. I ordered 1 online since I cant find a kendo supplies store.

You need both a tsuba AND a tsubadome. :) The tsubadome holds the tsuba on the tsuka(handle). I'm surprised you don't know this already. Someone at the dojo would have pointed it out to you that you need both. :confused: Did you buy the shinai before the first practice without asking the dojo what you need? That would explain it... :) How many practices have you been to without these items? Just wondering... :) (I don't know when you started.) You really need both, because the tsuba won't stay on by itself.

And, there are only a couple brick and mortar kendo supply stores here in the US. The only two I know of are e-bogu.com, and e-guichi.com in California. There's Bogubag.com that's based here in the US in another state, but I'm not sure they have an actual store besides online. They have actual stores in Japan though. Lots, from what I understand. It's very easy to order online though. :)

Kaoru

[Kaoru]

Well there ya go man, you're copacetic.


What's that? Sounds like a disease or something... :D


Dude, I feel your pain. About every other year I wake up in Japan, manage to make it to the only kendo shoppe that I know, and drool over the shinai rack. But I totally suck, I don't even have the skill to pick out a good one to buy. I just take whatever the online place will ship me at home.Gee, I sure wish I'd wake up in Japan! I want to visit there so much! I've wanted to since I was about 13. And, me too. I don't think that I know enough about the types of shinai to pick out a decent shinai myself. I've never had the chance to even pick through any... :( Would be fun!

Kaoru

[Charles Lockhar]

Who's Bernie Goetz? :confused:


Subway vigilante. Got fed up with being a victim, got a gun, went fishing on the subway for criminals, shot up the first bunch of dudes who tried to mug him.

Copacetic: contemporary American English term of indefinite origin. Roughly defined as "very satisfactory, in excellent order, highly acceptable." Not considered slang.


Gee, I sure wish I'd wake up in Japan!
Mostly it's not too bad when I can remember how I got there. Though probably some things are better off not remembered. I enjoy visiting, not sure I could handle living there.

Save some cash, go check it out. It's fun and interesting.

-Charles

[Curtis]

Okay, thread resurrection.

My wife has finished sewing my new travel bag we designed. Complete with zip down front and hideaway backpack straps. Made it from #1000 cordura. Measures 5x12x49.5 inches.


http://www.kendo-usa.org/images/bagfront2.jpg
http://www.kendo-usa.org/images/bagback2.jpg

[Anonymous]

So, for transporting shinai on a plane I should just shove them in a pvc pipe with a cap on it? I'll be heading off island next semester so I'm having to start thinking about how I'm gonna move all my crap.

[foundinsea]

I usually just put the stuff in a shinai bag and ask the person at check in for a fragile sticker...sometimes if they are in a really good mood you can get a priority tag out of the person so that your shinai bag comes out with the first and business class luggage. I try to take more than one shinai when I travel with my kendo gear cause 1) i finally found shinai I like to use and 2) a few shinai in 1 bag makes it a bit harder to break. Someone mentioned bogu...try just packing your do, men and kote in a smaller bogu bag and you gi and hakama (along with any other larger items) into your luggage. I do this and have no trouble taking my bogu bag on the plane as hand carry...I use the japanese canvas backpack style bogu bag when doing this (the standard one with wheels won't fit into the overhead bins).

[Oyaji]

If you fly from Japan with a Japanese carrier they take it off you at check in and put it in a special box. You cant take it on as luggage!:laugh:
I wonder why!

[hl1978]

So, for transporting shinai on a plane I should just shove them in a pvc pipe with a cap on it? I'll be heading off island next semester so I'm having to start thinking about how I'm gonna move all my crap.

ive done that before with my iaito and a bunch of bubble wrap, worked just fine.

consider a fishing pole case as well. I was going to do that but they were too pricy.

the no shinai/golf clubs etc rule on planes are really silly. you don't have nearly enough room to actually swing one sideways, and the only way you can swing one overhead is from sitting on the ground. tsuking someone would be pretty difficult unless the plane is super level. it makes more sense that they wont fit in overhead baggage than for use as a weapon.

[Reiver]

I use something called a KIS case, designed for carrying skis. It consistes of two tough plastic tubes, about 6 inches square cross section, one of which slides inside the other. The outer one has a handle and strap, and they are lockable. Since they accomodate different lengths, shinai, bokken, jo, iaito, shinken can all be carried.

I have used it for over ten years, and no airline has managed to destroy it, (touch wood) although it has acquired some creditable dents. I have been to Japan, Brazil, Europe and it has always managed to protect the contents, and I have travelled on some 'El rubber Bando' airlines.

It almost always has to go through the oversize luggage system, and when I check in, I don't use the word 'sword'. It's always 'sports equipment' or martial arts equipment.

One other thing I do is to carry a photograph of cases I take with me. It's much easier than trying to describe cases to an official in the lost luggage department.

[Koban]

they always just check them in for me! although ryanair won't let shinai on the plane at all. In japan we had to tape together 9 peoples shinai in bags (about 4 or 5 each) and plop it on! the check-in girl new exactly what to do amidst the laughter!

Koban

[Anonymous]

ive done that before with my iaito and a bunch of bubble wrap, worked just fine.

consider a fishing pole case as well. I was going to do that but they were too pricy.

the no shinai/golf clubs etc rule on planes are really silly. you don't have nearly enough room to actually swing one sideways, and the only way you can swing one overhead is from sitting on the ground. tsuking someone would be pretty difficult unless the plane is super level. it makes more sense that they wont fit in overhead baggage than for use as a weapon.



Well most of the guys I know that go fishing all over the place just use pvc pipes with a screw on cap to move their poles, I figured it would work just as well for my shinai...

[burgess77]

Shinai and bokken are not allowed as carry-on, even if wrapped and secured. As an airline pilot I have tried a few times to bring back shinai from Japan completely wrapped up, but no go....even crew members have to check them in baggage.

Steve

[nikozamo]

just one time when i flight to colombia i taked my shinai in the cabin... and still dont know why... :D

[Raindrop]

I have a question and I don't want to make a new topic for it if it's not needed.

I'm getting the feeling that for christmas I might be getting a wallhanger from some friends when I go home. (yeah no comment, my sources tell me it's all in good fun, I promise I will never swing it or anything, it's just for the wall :) cause my friends are cheesy like that xD )

Anyhoo, my problem is, I'll be flying. What are the rules and/or regulations regarding non-live "swords" such as the wallhangers? It's not a shinai or bokkuto I could just declare as simple wood. I guess the people at customs won't be very impressed with the fact that it's not sharpened. It would be going into special luggage I guess? Obviously I can't take it into the cabin with me, lol.

So does anyone have any experience with that? (it would be a flight between Germany and the Netherlands).

I'm still kinda hoping they're pulling my leg but if not I could still leave it at my parents house if I can't fly it over and just bring it next time I'm driving.

(sorry to hijack a shinai topic with a wallie question but I thought this topic was rather appropriate)