going abroad - take skates or leave behind?

[nicholasmith]

They weigh a lot and take up a lot of suitcase space. Is this a problem to most skaters?

[John]

No!

If can take them, I do.

[sonic]

Depends where you are going. For sunnier climes you don't need many clothes so it's easy enough to squeeze your skates in. For colder places you could take them as cabin luggage strapped onto a backpack or a skatebag. Take them! You will regret it if you don't.

[steph]

Depends where you are going. For sunnier climes you don't need many clothes so it's easy enough to squeeze your skates in. For colder places you could take them as cabin luggage strapped onto a backpack or a skatebag. Take them! You will regret it if you don't.

I've been thinking about this of late (not that I've got any plans to go anywhere); how twitchy are security about skates as hand-luggage now? esp. to/from the US?

[sonic]

I've taken my skates to Barcelona, Antigua and Estonia as hand luggage (strapped on a backpack) and security has'nt said a word so far. I suppose once they establish that there's nothing hidden in them they shouldn't have a problem, can't really use skates as a weapon, can you? Don't know about US though.

[Mickey2Names]

Take em with of course. Sonic, apparently Michaela was prevented from taking her skates as handluggage at Hamburg airport this weekend.

[Gerbil]

I've been thinking about this of late (not that I've got any plans to go anywhere); how twitchy are security about skates as hand-luggage now? esp. to/from the US?

I got told when I took my skates to boston that they were fine even with the metal frames that I pointed out to them and I took them as hand luggage.

[sonic]

Take em with of course. Sonic, apparently Michaela was prevented from taking her skates as handluggage at Hamburg airport this weekend.

I hope it was just a case of a single particularly stroppy security person! I can't see what reason could they possibly give for not allowing to take your skates as hand luggage.

[Slezzer]

I hope it was just a case of a single particularly stroppy security person! I can't see what reason could they possibly give for not allowing to take your skates as hand luggage.

There is always the fear with anything metalic than people could use the metal of the frames to disguise some other metal item. Ie: attach razor blades under the frames.

[CWK]

I'm wondering if I should bring my skates with me to Japan, since I'll be moving there hopefully this summer. I mean, skates and selected gear take up alot of space and weight...will it be worth the hassle I wonder?

[GadgetBoy]

Have taken them to America on my back, strapped to my rucksack, they didn't bat an eye, but stewardess on the plane asked me not to put them on during the flight! Then had to sign an agreement on my way home from San Francisco that I would not skate in the airport. Now that I think about it they did mention that some racer had done it while there. Was probably Eddy...

[n_prenom]

skate in the airport.

Wowww !!!! That sounds cool !!!

[GadgetBoy]

San Francisco International is basically one long concourse, with the central section taken up by the travellator, but the rest of it being smooth stone! looked absolutely fantastic but couldn't put my skates on!

[brandbarth]

... took my skates there and back again to NY City, no problem neither on Hamburg Airport nor Paris nor Newark, although my skates with attached bladelight plus alarm clock look rather alarming when x-rayed.

Had quite a prob with the metal fly on my trousers, which led security to the thought... and after the trip a framed picture of my wife was smashed to shards.

No problems in NY (that means Manhattan) skating on the pavement - only doing a T-stop every 80 metres or so skating northbound or southbound.

[Daveo]

Take them..

[Slezzer]

If I think I am going to have any spare time, I always take them. If you're travelling for pleasure it is a great way to see a city. I know a lot more of London than most of my friends purely because I skate so much, but I also got to know my way around Paris on my skates. If you're going sightseeing a pair of skates and a decent map are a much better solution that an open top bus.

When I had hypnos I used to skate in the airport. If anyone complained I could take the wheels off. CDG airport in Paris was always very relaxed about it, and it made the wait slightly less dull.

[GuinnessGirl]

Anyone skated on the canary islands? Going in March...I imagine what with the volcano's there's some pretty good hills LOL!

[saffron]

Just rediscovered mine after Sparks put my new wheels on them but I cant take them away with me!......I dont think icebergs and glaciers are the best of skating surfaces!!
Although penguin slalom could be fun!

However being all excited by my wheels You might actually see me skate when I get back!

[greazer]

Then had to sign an agreement on my way home from San Francisco that I would not skate in the airport. Now that I think about it they did mention that some racer had done it while there. Was probably Eddy...

I think you can leave the "probably" out... This has got Eddy Matzger written all over it.

[scarecrow]

good to know about the skates in the backpack. i have to get a few pairs through heathrow via washinton/dulles in 2 weeks. My speed skates are so long that i'm going to have to use them as carry-on. Hey, can you skate on the underground or do i have to carry shoes?