Longboard on aircraft

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NPCtom

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#267984 22-Feb-2020 00:35

I'm flying to San Francisco in late March to take advantage of Air New Zealand's North America sale (get in uick, ends this Sunday).

I am going to take my electric longboard with me but Air NZ says these items are prohibited and cannot be taken on-board:

Hoverboard, Mini-Segway, solo wheel, air wheel, balance wheel, Lithium powered skateboard or Personal transportation devices with on-board storage and similar lithium battery powered small recreational vehicles

I will be taking the battery off (and renting one in San Francisco) so it cannot be powered on. The only items still attached would be the two small motors and the ESC.

I emailed Air NZ but they have yet to respond. What are my chances on my board getting rejected?

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eracode

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#2425216 22-Feb-2020 02:17

If you’re able to hire a battery, presumably you could hire an entire board? Would probably be a whole lot easier all round.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

lxsw20

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#2425218 22-Feb-2020 02:37

You are relying on ground staff to understand all the reasons why the longboard isn't supposed to be on the flight, and to understand/believe you have removed the battery. They are not going to be experts in this. I would think safer to hire one over there.

xpd

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#2425226 22-Feb-2020 07:58

As above. Don't think its worth the hassle for a short (I assume) trip.

But yes, you should be OK since the battery is removed - once you get someone to understand that. :)

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NPCtom

418 posts

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#2425290 22-Feb-2020 10:37

eracode:

If you’re able to hire a battery, presumably you could hire an entire board? Would probably be a whole lot easier all round.

I've looked around and people are wanting $100USD a day.

eracode

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#2425331 22-Feb-2020 11:54

NPCtom:

eracode:

If you’re able to hire a battery, presumably you could hire an entire board? Would probably be a whole lot easier all round.

I've looked around and people are wanting $100USD a day.

Yes but weigh that up against the hassle of getting your board from the airport to where you’re staying, storing it there, then getting it to the beach - then all of that in reverse (unless you’re staying with someone who’s picking you up). Public transport or taxi > potentially a major PITA.

Sometimes convenience is worth a few bucks. How much is a battery per day? You’re only looking at the additional cost between battery and board. And you avoid any hassles with the airline getting there and back.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Dingbatt

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#2425332 22-Feb-2020 11:57

I would suggest you have a talk to the people at Air New Zealand Cargo. They are the ones that deal with dangerous goods on a daily basis. It is possible you may be able to take the board, without the battery, if it is inspected, accepted and loaded as cargo on your flight.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

eracode

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#2425365 22-Feb-2020 13:17

eracode:

Yes but weigh that up against the hassle of getting your board from the airport to where you’re staying, storing it there, then getting it to the beach - then all of that in reverse (unless you’re staying with someone who’s picking you up). Public transport or taxi > potentially a major PITA.

Sometimes convenience is worth a few bucks. How much is a battery per day? You’re only looking at the additional cost between battery and board. And you avoid any hassles with the airline getting there and back.

My apologies - I’m sure you’re wondering what the hell I’m on about. By longboard I thought you meant a powered surfboard - shows how out of touch I am. Clearly there’s no land transport hassle and please ignore my dumb comments about beach etc.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

djtOtago

980 posts

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#2425429 22-Feb-2020 14:05

Also check what rules and connecting flight airlines have.

Just because Air New Zealand may say its OK, does not mean the connecting airline company will say OK as well.

NPCtom

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#2425430 22-Feb-2020 14:09

djtOtago:

Also check what rules and connecting flight airlines have.

Just because Air New Zealand may say its OK, does not mean the connecting airline company will say OK as well.

I'm flying with Air NZ the entire way and they say:

Hoverboard, Mini-Segway, solo wheel, air wheel, balance wheel, Lithium powered skateboard or Personal transportation devices with on-board storage and similar lithium battery powered small recreational vehicles

NPCtom

418 posts

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#2426062 23-Feb-2020 22:47

Dingbatt:

I would suggest you have a talk to the people at Air New Zealand Cargo. They are the ones that deal with dangerous goods on a daily basis. It is possible you may be able to take the board, without the battery, if it is inspected, accepted and loaded as cargo on your flight.

Lithium battery powered small recreational vehicles are not allowed on our aircraft, either as checked-in, carry-on or cargo items

NPCtom

418 posts

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#2426063 23-Feb-2020 22:49

xpd:

As above. Don't think its worth the hassle for a short (I assume) trip.

But yes, you should be OK since the battery is removed - once you get someone to understand that. :)

It's a week long trip and I am wanting to ride around SF on it.

I hopefully think everything goes well. The only components on it would be the ESC and two motors.

Batman

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#2426124 24-Feb-2020 06:59

How big is the battery? 99 Whr is allowed as carry on luggage.

frankv

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#2426171 24-Feb-2020 09:46

I wouldn't expect AirNZ cargo to be able to ship it on your flight specifically, and then there's the hassle of figuring out where to pick it up from in SF. And of course it wouldn't be included in your air fare. But if you decide to go this route, you could ship it maybe a week ahead so it's hopefully waiting for you when you arrive in SF. You could also try DHL or some other international courier company, which would be less hassle and more certain.

$100 a day seems steep for hiring... what about buying one there? This site says you can get one for $999... you should be able to get a better price by shopping around. It's a bit more than hiring for 7 days, but then you could ship it home (without battery). And only have one-way shipping instead of two.

Or maybe another mode of transport might be cheaper to hire? e-scooter? e-bike?

NPCtom

418 posts

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#2426194 24-Feb-2020 10:28

frankv:

I wouldn't expect AirNZ cargo to be able to ship it on your flight specifically, and then there's the hassle of figuring out where to pick it up from in SF. And of course it wouldn't be included in your air fare. But if you decide to go this route, you could ship it maybe a week ahead so it's hopefully waiting for you when you arrive in SF. You could also try DHL or some other international courier company, which would be less hassle and more certain.

$100 a day seems steep for hiring... what about buying one there? This site says you can get one for $999... you should be able to get a better price by shopping around. It's a bit more than hiring for 7 days, but then you could ship it home (without battery). And only have one-way shipping instead of two.

Or maybe another mode of transport might be cheaper to hire? e-scooter? e-bike?

I'm just really wanting to bring it in my checked luggage without the battery. I can borrow a battery in SF for free of someone. It's just Air NZ regulations say lithium powered skateboards are not allowed. But it doesn't have any battery attached so I'm wondering if I can still bring it on.

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