Paddles on planes?

I'd like to take my (2-piece) paddle on a trip, by commercial airline. Has anyone tried taking a paddle as a carry-on? Did it work?

It seems very scary to trust the paddle to the baggage gorillas.

Tried Mauritius and Cape Town with split paddle recently. Stopped both times in both directions - paddle to oversize baggage. No breakages fortunately.

I've always had to check my paddle in but never had any damage. Last time I bought a new paddle I kept the heavy duty cardboard box and have kept it for plane trips. Fill the empty space around the paddle with towels, clothes etc, tape it all up, no problems.

www.nrs.com/product/3093/nrs-two-piece-k...-paddle-bag-closeout

I have always had to check paddles as baggage. Many kayak instructors on the "symposium circuit" use a rolling golf bag (for two-piece paddles). I haven't yet tried this, so can't offer much advice. The general consensus is not to lie if asked about the contents of the bag, or give a vague answer such as "sports equipment", when asked. I have one friend who adds one golf club (a putter) just for good measure.

I check it like baggage into Mocke paddle bag and goes fine.

mockepaddling.com/product/mocke-deluxe-paddle-bag/

Why not try using some storm water pipe with screw caps?
You can then make a cheap, custom hard case.
Actually, I might make one so I don't have to wrestle the bag in the car.
Should do the trick fine!

I fly a fair amount with paddles, and to date, no problems (always checked in).
What I have seen, is guys being allowed to take guitars on as carry-on, so if you really are concerned, a guitar case may an option.
alternately, if you are in the US, Mark Porter makes a 4 piece paddle for the adventure racers, that will be short enough for carry-on

I travel with the Gara paddle/kit bag and have had no issue to date with damage. I've found them a great bag for travelling as it has a couple of small compartments for clothing. I also pad around my paddle with additional clothing for added protection. I ordered it off the website and it arrived SA to Aust in 7days.
Here's a link www.gara.co.za/products/paddle-bag-6-detail

I've never tried to take a paddle on a plane as carry on luggage but have taken them as checked luggage many times. Up until last year I was using one piece paddles in a padded paddle bag and never had a problem with damage. My newest paddle is two piece to make travel easier but that was more for car travel than plane travel.

The key thing is to make sure the paddle bag has fragile and/or top load labels.

I've flown many times between Australia and New Zealand and well as internally in Australia with my paddle,in a padded bag, always had to check it in, usually as oversized baggage. Only downside is that it counts as one of your two allowed pieces of baggage (Qantas anyway) Only issue I've experienced is that sometimes it gets put on the conveyor belt at the end of the flight and once was wedged across the entrance where the luggage comes out. Luckily I was right there and able to retrieve it before other bags built up behind it.

Gav

last time I flew I put my paddle in a Plano gun case I got at Walmart for about $17. Worked well but I would tape the latches.
TSA may check but that's OK. Really secure protection but does count as one bag at check-in