Quick note to say had really good experience with QANTAS (again) getting my gear to WA from QLD and back, no easy task this year with 3 kids under 12 and a +12 week old!
They even helped carry by board to oversize! or at least tried!
Kids all used carry on Bags nothing in the cargo, that allowed a 3 bags + board bag and rig bag.
no extra charges nothing, key Number is 32kg, kit bag has to stay under that which isnt that easy, the other key factor is rain, you dont want any of it and ensure board, sail etc is 100% dry before packing to keep weight down.
I have lucked it with the rain issue on all my trips, but the more I think about it the more I relaise it could throw everything pear shaped!
I have a thick oversized walled board bag, that I pack my board in an oversized SUP bag, fold the excess over the nose section, wetsuits, towles etc so its kind of doubled padded, so far have survived without a dent, good luck perhaps.
Nice to know.
That's a big haul with 4 kids - to WA. Good wife???!!!
More importantly, how was the sailing?
Well next tip, dont take the kids and the gear and expect a lot of sailing!
Which why we were in Perth, balance of things for all.
Would have been in Geraldton if was just I!
And now back in Qld and seeing the local doldrums feel happy that I got what I got!
Yes great Mrs, but wasnt a hassle really, pump up handi straps for the roof of the Imax van also key.
Got about 6 sessions in, (only had 1 Sail and Slalom board, so was limited to when and where) best fun was around Pinaroo point (nth of Hilarys) Ocean blasting and also at Pelican Point had a good session, LOC was a shocker for me, all went wrong! but still good to have done it again,
Was in Perth 10 days , sailable afternoons at least 8 out of those!
I have 3 kids (9 & under) so I get it.
just so many windy days there compared to the east coast!
Qantas have been a major sponsor of windsurfing in Australia for the last 3 years and as a result of working with our sport have an official windsurfing policy.
Believe it or not, this is a big deal....I'm actually really glad to hear some positive stories as it all helps to re-enforce a positive relationship with a carrier.
www.downunderpro.com
Big deal or not they still tin fruited my board, do I blame Qantas of course not, I blame the brain dead clown who on the day didn't give a poop but was charged with looking after my baby. I guess for that reason I shouldn't have mentioned Qantas, but it's not always going to be roses for for everyone, my experience.
Jonesy Perth is a great destination, I've done it 5 times from Cairns and have enjoyed every trip 
Yeh UF I might have to stop posting Green Island videos 
I dunno about carting gear, but our last trip east was with virgin, the best flight yet. New 'plane, free food and beer, and sexy hostess's
Last Quantas trip the chicks were old stinkers, grumpy, and cut us off after 2 beers!
The 'plane was so old it still had the ashtray in the armrest!
I've had no troubles whatsoever with Qantas on the gear front.
Having flown literally everywhere in the world with gear I can safely say that most of the damage I've ever had to equipment has come from domestic flights, rather than international ones. I assume this is because everything is a bit smaller on the domestic routes in terms of the plane sizes, corners they go around, workforce etc...?
I can't remember the last time I've dinged a board internationally... and I've flown with +100kg of gear with Qantas before :-)
I just followed up on your question about damaged gear, and was surprised how seriously Qantas take it internally.
Essentially Qantas know who the baggage handlers are on every flight, and monitor complaints (as baggage respect is all part of the modern service requirements).
In fairness, transporting windsurfing boards is not exactly their speciality and lets face it, the boards are not exactly build for taking knocks...
I guess that is why we have to sign a disclaimer every-time we give them a piece of over sized luggage.
I will see how they go tomorrow night. How strict are they on the max length? My largest sail is just over 3.0 m.
Interesting then that when i went to Taranaki in October from Darwin, qantas flat out refused to carry windsurfing equipment on the domestic leg from Darwin to Sydney. International is apparently fine but domestic is no go and confirmed in the fine print.
Keen to know how you got away with getting it from Qld to WA?
Good pilot training surely?
On my experiences with the Qld WA gig, I also should add the following, (3 yrs in a row all good!)
I get to the terminal early, pre booked seats on line, super polite, mrs does really well with that!
Travel light and small, so that's 1 board under 250 so typically a wave board or 100-110 slalom, 1 set of rig gear 2 fins, 1 sail ( wave would be 2).
So my board bag is not much bigger than a large surf board bag and my rig bag is like 2.3 x .5 x . 35 approx and no more than 30kg.
The rig bag has wheels and handles at each end.
So it's all not big or heavy, just a bit awkward, I wouldn't want to try it with big gear or lots of.
The two bags actually strap together but that's seen as too big and heavy and they didn't like it, so I present it as 1 x bag oversize and 1 x sport equip.
If you keep it light and around 2.5 max length can't see that you would strike any issues.
When I first did it I tried contacting Qantas first for advise, that was hopeless so just did the above and has worked well.
They weigh your gear at oversize and also check that two persons can safely and easily handle your gear, so need to keep that in mind also.
Just checked in 60 kg plus gear. Very easy, very helpful. 1 bag 2 formula sails and 2 masts, 1 bag boom and misc incl clothes, 1 bag formula board / witty etc. only had to pay an extra $40 as two bags where over 23 kg, ( approx 26 / 28).
Best tip is to bring your own skate board, made moving the pile of gear very easy by yourself, then at check in just put in it in the boom bag.
Gear just needs to waiting for me now tomorrow morning. Confident it will all be there ok. The little hire car will be the next challenge.
All made it. Looks in good nick. They even got it off the plane first before everyone else's bags. Great service. 12.0m sails (3.1m long) fit into a rav 4 just
