# Skateboard as airplane carry-on. Yay or nay?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [August 2, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914 "2010-08-02T18:39:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/1 "2010-08-02T18:39:11Z")
My son and I disagree on this. I say it’s inconsiderate of other passengers to stow a skateboard in the overhead compartment. He doesn’t have a case or bag for it.
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### Author:  [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/2 "2010-08-02T18:46:48Z")
I disagree that skateboards are cool, but I don’t see what the problem is.
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### Author:  [@GHO57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GHO57)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/3 "2010-08-02T19:00:24Z")
It takes up less space than a bag would… how exactly is it inconsiderate? Because it has wheels… unlike those drag-on bags people love so much? Then again, I rarely care what other people do. I wouldn’t bat an eyelash if he stored a 3 foot lifelike dildo there.
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### Author:  [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/4 "2010-08-02T19:05:30Z")
What’s the big deal about a skateboard?
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### Author:  [@RainGrowsBrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RainGrowsBrite)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/5 "2010-08-02T19:09:44Z")
This wouldnt phase me in the slightest and I dont understand why this would bother someone.
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### Author:  [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/6 "2010-08-02T19:36:21Z")
The top is covered with grip tape which is essentially sandpaper. Anything stowed with it is either rubbing on the dirty wheels or getting scuffed. I personally don’t travel with stuff that Is so delicate or precious that it would be a problem for me, but I can see how other people would mind.
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### Author:  [@CrimeThink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrimeThink)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/7 "2010-08-02T19:40:13Z")
I don’t see the problem at all. A lot of people’s luggage bags have dirty wheels on them as well. I don’t think the tape on a skateboard sitting next to someone’s luggage would be moving around enough to do any abrasive scraping.
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### Author:  [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/8 "2010-08-02T19:46:00Z")
I don’t think it should be a problem and it wouldn’t bother me as a passenger.
However, I might avoid it as the skateboard owner because airport personnel might hassle me in the terminal. (Thinking I was going to ride it)
If I were carrying a skateboard on a plane, I would probably remove the trucks and keep those in a bag.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/9 "2010-08-02T20:31:52Z")
A large pillow case/garbage bag/paper bag or two and perhaps some string or duct tape should make everyone happy. Well, except the fashionistas.
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/10 "2010-08-02T20:49:09Z")
It’s dirty and the wheels are more likely to tangle with the straps of other bags since they stick out. buy a cheap gym bag for it. You might want to check to see if they will allow it through security. Somehow I can imagine it being looked at as a weapon.
There’s also a tacky element to consider but nobody seems to care about looking nice on an airplane.
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### Author:  [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/11 "2010-08-02T20:54:29Z")
> [@Magiver](#):
>
> There’s also a tacky element to consider but nobody seems to care about looking nice on an airplane.
:dubious: If I am going to be stuck in one seat with barely enough room for my legs for 6 hrs, I’m dressing for comfort.
Yeah, those wheels on the bottom of rolling luggage are \*so \*clean.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/12 "2010-08-02T21:09:54Z")
There is also this space age material called cardboard and some fancy whatchamadoodle device called a box you can supposedly make with it. Never seen one around these here parts but my kin that were brave enough to visit the city a few years ago said they was all the rage in those parts. Some people even lived in em. I think they were making that last part up myself.
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### Author:  [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/13 "2010-08-02T22:59:35Z")
> [@awldune](#):
>
> I don’t think it should be a problem and it wouldn’t bother me as a passenger.
>
> However, I might avoid it as the skateboard owner because airport personnel might hassle me in the terminal. (Thinking I was going to ride it)
>
> If I were carrying a skateboard on a plane, I would probably remove the trucks and keep those in a bag.
I think you might have identified my real objection. He’s flying alone and probably wouldn’t hesitate to ride it in the airport despite admonitions. Trucks off might be a good compromise.
> [@Magiver](#):
>
> There’s also a tacky element to consider but nobody seems to care about looking nice on an airplane.
He’s 12. He doesn’t care about looking nice anywhere.
Constucting a box might also happen. Flight’s tomorrow. I wasn’t aware he intended to take it 'til this afternoon.
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### Author:  [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/14 "2010-08-02T23:35:52Z")
> [@gwendee](#):
>
> > [@awldune](#):
> >
> > I don’t think it should be a problem and it wouldn’t bother me as a passenger.
> >
> > However, I might avoid it as the skateboard owner because airport personnel might hassle me in the terminal. (Thinking I was going to ride it)
> >
> > If I were carrying a skateboard on a plane, I would probably remove the trucks and keep those in a bag.
>
> I think you might have identified my real objection. He’s flying alone and probably wouldn’t hesitate to ride it in the airport despite admonitions. Trucks off might be a good compromise.
>
> > [@Magiver](#):
> >
> > There’s also a tacky element to consider but nobody seems to care about looking nice on an airplane.
>
> He’s 12. He doesn’t care about looking nice anywhere.
>
> Constucting a box might also happen. Flight’s tomorrow. I wasn’t aware he intended to take it 'til this afternoon.
As an unaccompanied minor he’s going to have an airline person with him. I wouldn’t much worry about him trying to ride it. Often they’ll carry his ‘carry on’ so he might have a tough time even getting it to try and ride anyway.
Considering how crowded flights are these days I’d be appreciative of a skate board as a carry on it makes more overhead space for everyone else.
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### Author:  [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/15 "2010-08-02T23:45:45Z")
My 13 year old is a skater and has a skate backpack that has straps to hold the board – his is like [this](http://www.skateamerica.com/store/Element-Backpack-Mens-Schooner-Brown_P70369C54.cfm). He’s used it for flying numerous times without a hassle.
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/16 "2010-08-03T00:23:50Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#):
>
> > [@Magiver](#):
> >
> > There’s also a tacky element to consider but nobody seems to care about looking nice on an airplane.
>
> :dubious: If I am going to be stuck in one seat with barely enough room for my legs for 6 hrs, I’m dressing for comfort.
Case in point.
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### Author:  [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/17 "2010-08-03T00:28:42Z")
His dad opted not to pay the UM fee so as far as Southwest is concerned he’s on his own. He’s made about a dozen round trips as a UM and says he feels confident and comfortable that way. I’m anxious but also trust him to have told us if he didn’t really feel ready.
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### Author:  [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/18 "2010-08-03T02:03:07Z")
> [@tygre](#):
>
> My 13 year old is a skater and has a skate backpack that has straps to hold the board – his is like [this](http://www.skateamerica.com/store/Element-Backpack-Mens-Schooner-Brown_P70369C54.cfm). He’s used it for flying numerous times without a hassle.
My eleven year old went off to camp with his skateboard strapped onto a much larger version.
I wouldn’t mind as another passenger, but as the mother of an eleven year old with a skateboard, I think trucks off for the journey is probably wise. Airport WAY TEMPTING…Airport security NO SENSE OF HUMOR.
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### Author:  [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/19 "2010-08-03T02:09:42Z")
> [@gwendee](#):
>
> He’s 12. He doesn’t care about looking nice anywhere.
Wait till he turns 13, he’ll care 🙂
Seriously he paid for a ticket he’s entitled to space. Stick a grocery bag over the wheels and call it a day
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skateboard-as-airplane-carry-on-yay-or-nay/548914/20 "2010-08-03T02:48:21Z")
Pack it in the suitcase with everything else.
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