Hell Ta Delta

It's good to see surfers get angry every now and then. It's healthy to get some of that "fury of '66," kind of rage going on. This recent tirade is directed toward Delta Airlines.

And rightfully so.

As pretty much everything in the airline business is getting more difficult, annoying, and expensive, Delta recently announced on it will be raising the price of surfboard baggage fees to $175 for domestic travel, and $300 for outside the US.

Now, that's one way, which means that your Miami to San Jose round trip or LAX to Lima is going to be $600 for one board. That is likely more than you would spend on accommodations in one week in Central America. And there's no getting around it with charm like you used to do.

My buddy is a pilot of ten years, and has to pay to fly his boards. And he's even handsome!

Surfers have made note of this and have started a petition to "Stop Discriminatory Airline Surfboard Baggage fees" here.

According to the petition:

"We will use our collective voice through this petition and every other means necessary to let Delta and other airlines know that we will NOT fly Delta for ANY reason, business or pleasure, unless and until these discriminatory fees are changed."

Delta's baggage guidelines also state that any boardbags over 70 lbs will get an excess weight fee tacked on. I think that a bag that heavy is a little excessive anyway. Let's remember here, that a modern shortboard weighs less than 10 pounds. We just have to pack our wetsuits, towels, and pipe insulation around the things, as the same airline makes you sign a limited liability release that says, "We don't give a crap if we smash your new $600 Merrick." Even the LA Times has taken note.

So, I won't be flying Delta any time soon. And since the marketing geniuses over at Spirit decided to come out with an email promotion that said "We support offshore drilling," my options are getting limited.

American Airlines just jacked the fee from $25 to $100. Continental is right there too. The surfboard fee is an age-old battle, especially because there is no fee for golf bags (take note that Delta charges the same blood money for bicycles, kiteboards, sailboards, and scuba equipment.) And just so we're clear, you can travel with two shotguns, two shotgun cases and 11 lbs. of ammo, free of charge.

Yee Haw!

Check out Surfers Against Airline Fees for more information. And note their list of airlines who are surfer friendly.