folding skateboards

[Bobby Peru]

I had a European trip about 5 years ago, and only traveling back to the US is where I encountered problems.

Entering into London from the US I could carry it on. Later on I flew to Barcelona from Heathrow. There was no problem boarding the plane with my board strapped to my backpack as a carry on, for both flights JFK to LHR, and LHR to BCN.

On the way back to the US was a different story...

Leaving London Heathrow Airport to the USA I couldn't take it on board the flight. I was stopped at security after I checked my bag in. Instead of going all the way back through the terminal, and have them put my board in a box, and have 2 pieces of checked luggage, I just left my board with security, and went to my gate. They thought it was weird I didn't want to trek back through the airport and go through the trouble of checking in another bag. I told them, "Give it to your son," and the person said, "we have to destroy it." I thought what a waste, then I went and waited for my flight, minus my board.

If you're planning an international trip and are checking in a bag no matter what... I recommend purchasing a bag before your trip, that is long enough to put your board in. Wrap your skateboard with garbage bags so it doesn't get your clothes dirty. Then no problem.

A similar thing happened to me in New Zealand. I went through bag checking, asked an attendant for instruction, and through customs with a board attached to my backpack and nobody said anything. It wasn't until I went through security that they stopped me and told me I couldn't take it. Since I had already gone through customs, they wouldn't let me go back and check it, so they took it and gave me a number to call. Spoke to Qantus when I got back in LAX and they told me to go to somebody else. Called the number security gave me when I got home and they told me to talk to Qantus. Bastards. I probably could have done more damage with the pen in my backpack than my skateboard if i were a terrorist.

[Pike St]

Skateboarders on a plane!! That sucks you got the run around.

I just checked out the link to the SNAP deck and it's made of "aircraft grade 6061-T6 aluminum" ....I wonder how that slides...

There's a video too:

Doing Tricks with SNAP Skateboard on Vimeo

There's a few more on their vimeo page...The comments from the article are pretty funny I guess it's a Canadian invention, and the last comment: "seriously, foldingskateboard.com if you want to see it done right"

Ok... http://foldingskateboard.com/Stowboard.html

[LUGR]

I had Aussie customs try to confiscate my board int he late 90's saying "You are trying to import foreign wood to our country".....they ended up letting it slide.

[finecojeffe]

did they pat you down to find come to such a conclusion?

[Patey]

no not never and neither should you


for the record though i have brought my skateboard as carry on luggage on a flight from the states to canada

[fulfillthedream]

I was flying within the US once and this old asshole saw i had my skateboard as a carry on item and started yelling to the air hostess about the fact  that he had his water confiscated before flying and he thought that it was "wrong" because i was allowed to bring a skateboard on the plane.

my experience flying outside the US to Costa Rica I was able to take my board flying outside the US but returning was a different story. The airport folks in CR made me take my trucks off my board and I was able to take just my deck onboard. Same thing flying to and from Jamaica.

[finknoos]

"You are trying to import foreign wood to our country".....they ended up letting it slide.

Theres gotta be a penis joke in there somewhere

[foureyedjim]

"You are trying to import foreign wood to our country".....they ended up letting it slide.

Theres gotta be a penis joke in there somewhere

that in itself is already a penis joke, albeit an unintentional one.

[Pike St]

That is a great aussie joke. These boards are sick as fuck!

[REALtoREEL]

"snap can cruise and trick"

[layzieyez]

I just check in a board bag with a couple spare decks when I travel.  I get refunded my bag fees since I'm active duty.

[sexualhelon]

I've only had a problem once with checking my board with the airline telling me they weren't allowed in-cabin. I'd just check my board if I wasn't charged a fee - which these pesky airlines have that "sports equipment" fee now - but also I don't trust those baggage handlers with my shit. Here's the easy solution - Get one of those 65 liter backpack's for trekking/backpacking and a deck will fit in it fine as well as your clothes. Take the trucks off and put them in the bottom of the back, put the board in the front, and put all your shit above that and behind your board. If you're afraid of the grip fucking up your clothes then get a new deck - cheaper than checking a bag - and just grip it once you get where you're going.

Boo ya.