Questions and Answers

Hi Ben:

I recently saw a story on IG posted by surfer Greg Thompson ([URL]https://www.instagram.com/p/CDNJTzFpMC_/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet[/URL]). Long story short, his surfboards suffered an extremely high casualty rate while fling with AA. This is actually not the first time a brah has had a run-in with AA’s handling of shred sticks (see [URL]https://www.surftotal.com/en/news-all/america-mn-news/item/1703-american-airlines-reimburses-alex-gray-3-500-for-broken-surfboards#:~:text=A%20little%20over%20a%20week,him%20for%20all%20damages[/URL]…). And to be fair, AA is definitely not alone in this. JetBlue also does not exactly have a stellar track record ([URL]https://www.theinertia.com/surf/joel-tudor-board-becomes-most-recent-victim-jetblues-careless-baggage-handlers/[/URL]).

I have been extremely happy with the development of surfboard baggage fees in recent years. For one I can just fly Delta (where most of my mileage are with) and not split my trips between Delta and Alaska (which had a much better board policy). However, understanding that all airlines have some kind of disclaimer over sports equipment damage, what is our recourse when they completely destroy surfboards (to a level that boggles the mind)? It seems that in the COVID world airlines might hold the line and not reimburse at all cost. Maybe we just have to fly at our own risk now?

Thanks!