I certainly agree that there is a shift towards itemized charges in the airline industry but can also understand the need to do something as the profitability has been way down for some time.

Also, great call on shipping the clubs. I will certainly look into it and the idea of not having to wheel them around the airport AND avoiding the $50 fee from the airlines is very intriguing.

Potentially consumers will not accept these itemized charges the airlines are trying to tack on every place they can but instead, like you, become more creative about how they can avoid them.

It is crazy to watch the airlines crack down and charge for everything. I read recently that one airline is going to charge $2 for the, traditionally free, non-alcoholic beverage.

Regarding your clubs, it’s worth checking into one of the shipping companies (especially if you don’t need them the week before because the ground shipping is much more inexpensive). It doesn’t cost too much more to ship them considering the new charges and then you don’t have to lug them around the airport.

http://www.theluggageclub.com
http://www.golfbagshipping.com