ok, i knew that the new surfboard charges went into effect but i wanted to investigate. not only for me, but for all us surfers that travel on japan airlines. so i pack 1 board in my board bag along with my dive guns and fins so my bag is kind of heavy. i pull up to honolulu airport and check in. the girl at the counter asked me how many boards i have in my bag. i say 1. she asks me again. i say 1. she told me to open my bag. i said no. she asked me again to open my bag, i said no. i was smart and put a lock on my bag so they couldn’t open it. she asked me again to open it. i said “why do i have to open it? i told you that there is only 1 board in there.” but she insisted and even called the security guard to open it. i didn’t want the guy to break my new lock so i opened my bag. she felt around and made sure that there was only 1 board in there. then she told the other girl “yeah, there is only 1 board”. i just stood there and shook my head…
*then my JAL friend met me near the gate and i told her to tell the girl sorry. i didn’t want to be mean or anything, i just wanted to know how far us surfers can go without being drastically over charged. times have changed. airlines hate surfers. why can golfers take a heavier golf bag for free? why can you take a bicycle on for free? why can seth moniz tell the agent that there is a guitar in his surfboard box and get it on for free? i don’t get it. i’m kind of bummed at the new charges but i guess we have to live with it. what can we do? either travel with only 1 board and hope you don’t break it and ruin the rest of your trip. or marry a millionaire and take as many boards you want. but just remember this, the JAL staff WILL open your board bag and count your boards so don’t bother trying to be sneaky. it won’t work…. good luck surfers….
