A Brief Guide to Air Travel With Hockey Gear

Travel can be a big headache for anyone, especially when traveling with specialized equipment. If you're not on a hockey team staffed with people paid to handle travel arrangements, you're in for some homework. You'll want to know, for instance, whether you can bring your hockey skates on a plane. And how about your hockey sticks? Or your helmet?

Flying With Hockey Equipment: Federal Rules

Airline rules and regulations can be challenging to sift through. They evolve without apparent notice and can vary from airline to airline and government to government. One reliable source of information for those traveling in the US is the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA. They have the answers, at the federal level at least, about what equipment hockey players must check at the ticket counter and what they can carry into the cabin.

The TSA has tools to help you figure it out. If you can't find an answer, they suggest you contact customer service. Here are the latest TSA protocols for bringing hockey equipment onto an airliner:

Hockey Sticks

• Carry-on bags: No
• Checked bags: Yes

Helmets

• Carry-on bags: Yes
• Checked bags: Yes

Skates—Including Ice Skates and Rollerblades

• Carry-on bags: Yes
• Checked bags: Yes

Rest easy—hockey pucks are allowed in US flight cabins. The TSA is crystal clear about hockey pucks. And why not consider using a puck bag to keep them all together? The TSA is also clear about the following: The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

What's that mean? It seems to mean even if the item is allowed, it's really allowed only at the discretion of the individual who happens to be on duty when you arrive at the checkpoint.

United Airlines

For example, United airlines offers the following from their website:

• United accepts one hockey or lacrosse bag plus up to two hockey or lacrosse sticks taped together per customer as one piece of checked baggage.
• United is not liable for damage to hockey or lacrosse sticks.
• If applicable, checked baggage service charge applies to hockey/lacrosse equipment.
• Hockey or lacrosse sticks carried in addition to the free baggage allowance will be assessed at current excess baggage charges.

Note: A duffel bag containing hockey equipment is treated as a normal checked bag. A duffel bag containing hockey equipment is subject to applicable overweight and oversize excess baggage charges.

Unfortunately, they offer no specific information about skates. Assume they're covered under “hockey equipment.” But, you know what happens when you assume. Does this mean the TSA guidelines for skates apply in this instance? It'll be worth a call to United should you plan to fly the friendly skies.

Delta Airlines

Let's see what Delta says about traveling with hockey equipment. From their website:

Hockey and Lacrosse Equipment

Hockey and Lacrosse equipment will be allowed as checked baggage only. Standard baggage fees and policies apply. Based on purchase date of ticket, other fees may apply as well. One item of hockey/lacrosse equipment is defined as one equipment bag plus two hockey or lacrosse sticks (taped together). If the total weight of the equipment is over 50 lbs. and/or over 80 linear inches (203 cm), special baggage fees will apply.

Ah, the old “special baggage fees.” One assumes that Delta allows travelers to check skates only with other hockey equipment. Their more specific “Restricted Items” link offers no relevant additional information. They do direct you to the TSA website for the “most current list” of restricted and non-restricted items. Best to have your smartphone handy.

Southwest Airlines

Finally, how about venerable Southwest Airlines? They have the most detailed information of the three airlines we've included:

Hockey and/or lacrosse stick(s) as long as multiple sticks are either taped together or encased in a suitable bag or container. Two hockey sticks and/or lacrosse sticks taped together and one hockey or lacrosse equipment bag generally consisting of pads, helmets, pants, jersey, gloves, and skates. When substituting hockey and/or lacrosse equipment for a free checked bag, Southwest Airlines allows up to two bags (containing hockey sticks and/or lacrosse sticks and one hockey or lacrosse equipment bag) to count as one item, even if they are taped or packed separately.

Everything listed may be checked, not carried on board.

Flying With Hockey Sticks (And Everything Else)

If you're a player, coach, or if you're a manager responsible for moving a team from point A to point B, you'll want to stay current on the latest travel rules and regulations. To do that, make sure to check with the TSA before making detailed plans. Also, consult your airline for more specific information. If players can simplify their travel with a hockey bag, a stick bag, and one carry-on bag for personal items, they'll be doing well. Unfortunately, even the youth Grit bag will be too large to carry onto most flights.

Of course, everything discussed applies to travel inside the US. International travel is a whole other hockey puck. So get your game face on! Do your research in advance, call ahead, and show up early to head off any last-minute surprises. And be prepared to check items at the gate. Flying with hockey equipment can be a headache, but it needn't be a misery.