Ski Boot Bags

Well, after reading through the discussion so far, I think I will put out boots in our main hold bags this time. I could do without the hassle at check in.

I dread to think how I would feel if they lost our bags though. My feet do not like hire boots at all.....

To answer your questions:

No we weren't charged extra to put them in the hold. They would have had a riot on their hands if they had tried because the check in staff had happily let us through with them and there were laods of people in the same position as us. It was just the staff at the gate that were being difficult.

I have managed to take them on board as hand luggage on some flights but it is not guaranteed. It seems to depend on the staff on the day.

The security staff are completely separate from the airline staff and they operate different rules. They can probably tell the difference between a ski boot and an offensive weapon!

There does seem to be quite a bit of confusion amongst airline staff over ski boots. How is a ski boot an offensive weapon, and a litre of Whisky purchased airside not classified the same? Who made the classification?

I have read of Ski Tourers wearing their boots onto planes, there is not much difference between a ski touring boot and a winter mountaineering boot. Where will they draw their imaginary line?
I was refused a pair of Moonboots in my hand baggage at check in at Bristol airport, proper soft squidgy Moonboots. I was much younger :oops: I was obliged to sit on the floor and repack my main case, and subsequently got wet feet on arrival as I had no access to my winter boots, hey-ho.

Of course, there is money to be made from getting skiers to pay for hold luggage, however it's classified.

I have taken my ski boots as hand luggage in a backpack many times. The cost of my boots far outweighs the rest of my luggage, though mostly I travel with hand luggage only.
I do not wish to have a member of staff working for an airline, dictating what I can/can't put into my personal hand luggage, it's bordering on abusive. My carry-on bag meets current restrictions (depending on the airline). That should be enough.

It may be easier if I repeat:

Pack them in your case. You're usually allowed 20 kilos and with boots in your case, you can't seriously have more than 20 kilos in your bag?
If so, repack reminding yourself you're going skiing and not to fashion week in Milan.

Don't run the risk of problems at the airport, and the potential stress of worrying whether you'll be allowed them as hand luggage. Pack them in your hold case or check the boot bag in as my mate does - something I'd never do having seen them thrown about and coming off in pieces.

I find myself agreeing with Tony!!!!!!!!!!! :shock:

Why give the gate jobsworths an opportunity to satisfy their lust for misery.

Remember, rules and regulations are there to make the unimportant feel important!!

Put the boots in the hold luggage. :!:

Tony_H wrote:It may be easier if I repeat:

Pack them in your case. You're usually allowed 20 kilos and with boots in your case, you can't seriously have more than 20 kilos in your bag?
If so, repack reminding yourself you're going skiing and not to fashion week in Milan.

Don't run the risk of problems at the airport, and the potential stress of worrying whether you'll be allowed them as hand luggage. Pack them in your hold case or check the boot bag in as my mate does - something I'd never do having seen them thrown about and coming off in pieces.

That is why I put my post on to alert people that there are rules in place which may or may not be applied & you're now aware of the problems you may have if ducking & diving.As Tony says put them in your case for hold luggage as I do 8) also be aware that if you have 1 bag for the hold & you put a boot bag or any other in the hold as well you will be charged as your allowance is for one bag only, you cannot split your allowance, buying into an extra bag is the same price as the original but without additional weight.Proberbly best to have the sports equipment package.

I have had a go reading some of EasyJet's small print now, and Brooksy is quite right, it does say ski boots count as sports equipment and they should either go in the hold as part of your normal weight allowance or you should pay extra for them as sports equipment and then put them in the hold (with an extra weight allowance, which is 32Kg including your usual suitcase allowance).


Sports equipment

Sporting equipment can be carried in addition to Your Hold Baggage allowance. Sporting equipment is defined as:

Bicycles
Golf equipment (excluding golf shoes)
Skis (including boots and poles)
Snowboards
Surfboards
Wind surfers
Hang-gliders/paragliders
Sporting Firearms
Diving Equipment (Gas or air cylinders are not permitted)
Sporting Wheelchairs (unless this is one of the two items of mobility equipment per passenger)



If You wish to carry any of the above items You will be charged an additional non-refundable fee for each item carried. Simply select the 'Sports equipment' option when You book Your flights online. If Your item is not listed it must be carried as part of Your standard Hold Baggage allowance.

If ski boots are being carried without skis they can be accepted either within Your normal standard Hold Baggage allowance or as a sporting equipment item whichever is the more convenient option.



It doesn't actually say that ski boots are banned in your hand luggage, although I suppose it is implied.

However, under the fees section it also says that if you declare you have sports gear at the airport you will have to pay £35 at the airport, against £27 if you pre-booked it. So there isn't really a big difference:

You pay for Baggage allowance
0 bags, 1 sporting item

total allowance 1 item @32kg total
this item must be a genuine sporting good as defined

1 bag, 1 sporting item

total allowance 2 items @ 32kg total
1 item must be a genuine sporting good as defined
You may distribute weight between items as desired

1bag, 2 sporting items

total allowance 3 items @ 44kg total
2 items must be a genuine sporting good as defined
You may distribute weight between items as desired


Sports equipment per flight
Currency Per flight (when pre-paid) Per flight (paid at the airport)
GBP 27.00 35.00



http://www.easyjet.com/en/fees_and_charges.html

Always pack mine in my suitcase, don't need the hassle at the airport and in addition, soft boot bag coupled with baggage handlers that could throw the discus for Team GB = chance of knackered boots. Not worth it at all...