[BegeMoT]

Just received this report from Kendo world-traveler friend. It this is indeed the case, all kenshi are advised to avoid British Air in any possible case.

"BA’s baggage policy specifically allows sporting equipment to travel free. Their website even gives examples, e.g. Skis as one bag and boots in another, hockey sticks in one bag and kit in another. Unfortunately this doesn’t apply to kendo equipment, mainly, I think, because it isn’t a common sport in the UK. Now, when we left London we managed to talk our way in. However, the girl at Narita check in was quite adamant and told us that BA in London had told Japan that they should not accept shinai bags as sporting equipment within the policy. Thus they systematically charge Japanese kendoka going abroad 75 pounds each way to check their shinai bag even though hockey sticks, archery bows, skis, tennis rackets, even bicycles travel free. This is a complete rip-off. Have you any idea what other airlines do? I don’t know myself but will check. Anyway, could you please warn Hirakawa-sensei and the Federation that this is going on and that they should avoid BA until and unless the issue is sensibly sorted. Perhaps a word in the right ear in Japan would provide resolution."

Anyone else with similar experience(s) please come forward and make report!

[EbrsaRynleot]

I think this sounds like discrimination.

Kendo is a sport and when they have the policty to allow sporting bags for free then they should do this for all sports. If they don't then they can see discrimination charges their way.

Does BA specify which sports fall under this rule?

[sztc38tg]

Please note that the International Kendo Federation (FIK) to which we all belong, is a member of the General Assoc of International Sports Feds (GAISF). GAISF is the world authority that recognizes the official international governing bodies of sports throughout the world, which in turn allows each country to formally verify that the organization is legitimate, to provide state recognition, funding, and appropriate treatment as sporting activity, whatever it may be in that country. GAISF membership is one of the essential criteria for consideration to become Olympic event. Only one federation in the world is selected as the international governing body for that activity.

The British Kendo Association (BKA) is a charter member of the International Kendo Fed. It is also a charter member of the European Kendo Federation (EKF). The president of the BKA is a board of directors member of both the EKF and FIK. Kendo is being taught in British schools as an elective activity in London and other areas right now, and several UK universities have teams. The British team has participated in every Kendo World Championships (WKC) and will participate in the 14th (42nd year of the event) next year. The BKA has fielded a full complement of both mens and womens teams, and has placed in every category at one time of another. The BKA has hosted the World Championships twice, first in 1976. The British Queen (yes the real female one) attended the WKCs conducted in Glasgow, Scotland, in July of 2003. With little doubt, the BKA will host the event, cyclically, on into the future.

If British Air is not aware of kendo's status in the world, and provide equal treatment as a sporting event, they are terribly remiss, should be identified, and dealt with accordingly.

[sniskelsowwef]

I would say that kendo ranks way down the bottom somewhere on British Air's extensive list of woes!

[JEWELMARGY]

I would say that kendo ranks way down the bottom somewhere on British Air's extensive list of woes!

Top of which is 15,000 lost bags from Terminal 5.

I wouldn't use British Airways for their baggage handling record alone (which is apparently the worst in Europe) never mind their fee structure. Pay for your shinai to be lost? No thanks!

[Usogwdkb]

Here is BAs sporting baggage police information. I emailed BA and asked them is it indeed official policy. Its probably more likely that the girl was in a bad mood, or just a bitch!!

p.s. not that I actually care of-course!

[Uzezqelj]

i have never had to have the shinai bag count toward the luggage limit or been charged for it. i have traveled internationally with a shinai bag on both the japanese airlines, both the korean airlines, northwest, american, united. my experience generally also, is that there are a lot of flexibility regarding the luggage at the counter, so smiling a lot and having a good demeanor and speaking the language "strategically" (sometimes you want to be fluent, sometimes not ) will go long ways.

as for BA, one of the few time where my luggage was misplaced on an international flight, was on BA (though not carrying a shinai at that time). i had to buy the needed toileteries, simple sleep wear, etc. and had to write a letter to BA asking to be repaid, which they did fairly promptly. but nevertheless, they did misplace my bags.

[Galvanoidum]

As I posted before that is why I made this bag.

http://www.kendo-usa.org/images/bagfront2.jpg
http://www.kendo-usa.org/images/bagback2.jpg

I just check it as one of two bags. Holds shinai, dogi or whatever.

Airlines are looking for all kinds of ways to get more money out of you.

[jimbomaxf]

...........double post

[Toninvell]

I just check it as one of two bags. Holds shinai, dogi or whatever.

That looks pretty flat. Can it hold bogu?

[RaicickKida]

I bought an iaito from Japan, it had to be returned and shipped with a new courier because British Airways wouldn't ship it. They said that it was because of the british terrorism. (What, was there a terrorist in the package also..?)

[bettingonosports]

I bought an iaito from Japan, it had to be returned and shipped with a new courier because British Airways wouldn't ship it. They said that it was because of the british terrorism. (What, was there a terrorist in the package also..?)

I hardly think British terrorists are going to attack an iaito in transit. I mean what have they got to gain from such attrocity? BA are ridiculous.

What this needs is a letter to BBC's Watchdog. They'd love to have another reason to go at BA and there may be some residual promotional benefits for the BKA as well. Y'know National team at risk from refused baggage. Sport dismissed etc. They love the human interest side they're bound to show some training event to illustrate it.

[Thunderzee]

Ah yes BA...They've got a great new slogan!......"breakfast in London, lunch in Toronto, baggage in Madrid".....

Please feel free to use the appropriate airline for your individual situation. Used to say "Jetsgo, just like riding the city bus, only not as clean"
"Air Canada, what a great fight, now where do I get branded and have my hooves dipped?"

Seriously though, thats complete crap. I'm still amamzes at some policies in place with airlines. What a bunch of morons........and they sometimes cite security concerns as a cause to.

[Zpxbawtz]

Well just maybe..... BA would much prefer having rifles, pistols and live ammo. on their aircrafts,
then bamboo shinai ????

Those darn Al-Kendo terrorists keeping BA. in a paranoid state

[giftbestcom]

Well just maybe..... BA would much prefer having rifles, pistols and live ammo. on their aircrafts,
then bamboo shinai ????

Those darn Al-Kendo terrorists keeping BA. in a paranoid state

I wonder if its the smell of Bogu and gi that has them charging extra......

[CoenceLomneedtrue]

Domestically, I have had no problems using BA (Aberdeen Dyce to London Heathrow) Heathrow is bad for luggage but all i did was go to the outsize luggage bit and check it in just like you'd have to do if you were tkaing golf clubs. No issues

BTW why not pack your shinai in a golf case with a zipped-top?

[Singukil]

Before everyone gets their knickers in a twist over this.

Most European airlines charge a premium for sports luggage, not just kendo and not just British Airways.

Just check your items (shinai, bogu bag) in the regular way, without declaring them to be a sports item.

Shinai bags can go into the oversize luggage belt at no extra charge, we always do this when travelling to and from Dublin. We check everything in as luggage.

Also keep in mind that foreign airports usually enforce a stronger policy as they are acting as the airline agaent. Aer Lingus rarely ever charges me for having luggage go overweight when departing from Dublin, however I am always charged in Madrid and I am always told that this is an Aer Lingus rule, not their own. They are just taking things to the letter to avoid penalties/complaints from the airline for mishandling baggage.

[thierabess]

That looks pretty flat. Can it hold bogu?

Not meant to hold bogu. It goes in the suitcase.

[temansertewek]

Before everyone gets their knickers in a twist over this.

Most European airlines charge a premium for sports luggage, not just kendo and not just British Airways.

Not quite. British Airways (and some other airlines) allows sports equipment bags in addition to the normal bag allowance. (Not weight, just amount of bags).
With most of them now having gone to a '1 checked in bag only', being able to declare your shinai bags as 'sports equipment' was very convenient.

[rsdefwgxvcfdts]

Not quite. British Airways (and some other airlines) allows sports equipment bags in addition to the normal bag allowance. (Not weight, just amount of bags).
With most of them now having gone to a '1 checked in bag only', being able to declare your shinai bags as 'sports equipment' was very convenient.

They all seem to be getting in line then, our experience here for the last year or so is that there is an additional charge for sports equipment (it sucks). It looks like no one wants to loose an opportunity to make a few quid.

Out of curiosity, what's BMI doing?