ski carriage at check-in

Hi i have been reading the various threads on here about transporting ski boots in your suitcase/holdall and putting your clothes in your ski bag. What happens if when you check in your ski bag and they ask you to open it? at east midlands i had to check in the skis at the over sized desk and a few were asked to open theirs, if they are opened and they find half your wardrobe in there will they still take it in the hold? or do you get a fine of some sort, i was worried about a couple of threads of boot bags going missing, up till yet no problems touch wood. as i go in 33 days i am now starting to panic what to pack in where or everything is going to be pinched at the other end

I've never had a problem with a double ski bag with 2 pairs of skis in and half a ton of skiing clothing, but I have also never taken it on Ryanair or Easyjet. I have heard of both those airlines opening bags and telling people to repack etc.
I have flown with skis from Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester, and never had such a problem, but I cant comment on E Mids. I honestly dont know what the policy is on what you can carry in your bag. You pay for ski carriage, which allows you to take a pair of skis in a ski specific bag, and my arguement with the clothing is that it gives the skis protection form damage, but I havent ever been asked to use that excuse yet!
I believe the airline are entitled to set a weight limit per ski bag, I'd check your small print if I were you.
Its a decision you need to take yourself as to whether you are prepared to "gamble" or play it safe and pack your suitcase to the hilt.

I can't see there being a problem with packing half your wardrobe into your ski bag so long as you don't exceed the weight limit,if they try to argue that it is a ski bag i.e.for the carriage of skis only,you could tell them you've got a suit case but there aint a suit in it!If your worried about potential theft,split your gear between the bags,then your not left with nothing to wear till you get sorted out.Otherwise,spread out at arrivals,cover all exits,not easy if your travelling alone!

thats the problem travelling alone, oh well im either going to learn how to tele port in 2 places at once or clone myself, thanks i like the suit bit

If you sort out the tele-porting bit just go straight to resort thus avoiding the airport,travelling alone does put you at a disadvantage!So,plan B,can you get all your gear in a ski bag?

Amanda n I'd try not to worry. Like Tony H I've never had a problem with putting a double ski bag plus clothes at the airport however I haven't flown with any of the "cheap" airlines.

I've never been asked to open my bag for the check-in staff to see whats inside nor am I aware of any of my friends having to do this. The only people that ever went into my ski bag were American customs and they just left me a kind note to tell me they had had a route around - can't have been thrilling for them but at least they didn't damage my lock which was a first!

As for people taking your skis etc I think this only happens in a minority of situations and to be honest I've known people to walk off with wrong suitcases so I don't think it is just ski equipment related.

As for you worrying about traveling alone and getting your stuff I wouldn't worry. I flew out to Canada a few weeks ago and had a layover in New York where I had to collect all my luggage and re-check it in. I collected my suitcase first and then had to walk to the opposite end of the reclaim hall to collect my skis but they were sat there waiting..... in fact a security guy with gun was kindly guarding them for me (although he didn't ask to ensure they were mine just let me walk off with them!). When I got to Canada I was fortunate that skis came out on the conveyor with suitcases.

dont be daft a women get all her clothes in a ski bag? sure it'll be fine thanks guys. ok next thread, how do you cope with the annoying chilkd you always get behind yoyu on an aeroplane?

Depends how old the "child" is but a blast of hair spray or deodorant makes em sit back!