Ted,
I've flown to San Diego for Long Range trips quite a few times. Lots of good ideas already discussed. I settled on using 6-8 inch strips of bubble wrap - wrap the rods in the bubble wrap so they are just the diameter of the inside of the tube and slide them in. Alternate the butts to tips so that either end of the rod tube only touches the butts. Use one strip near each end and one in the middle of the bundle. Using a rod sock or cloth rod sleeve will help protect each rod. If you take them on the plane and TSA opens the rod tube, they can easily verify what they are and with the bubble wrap "bushing" it will be easier for them to slide the rods back in.
For me personally, I found shipping to the boat office or the landing was MUCH easier than schlepping the rod tube into and out of the terminal. Always sent mine out a week or so ahead of the trip - enough time to account for any shipping delay. When I was checking them on the plane, fortunately never had anything delayed or lost. But that is ALWAYS a possibility. I've never used Mike Morris, but what he charges is a bargain for the service and peace of mind that your gear is being looked after by someone who knows fishing equipment.
Good luck on your trip - you are going to have a great time.
I've flown to San Diego for Long Range trips quite a few times. Lots of good ideas already discussed. I settled on using 6-8 inch strips of bubble wrap - wrap the rods in the bubble wrap so they are just the diameter of the inside of the tube and slide them in. Alternate the butts to tips so that either end of the rod tube only touches the butts. Use one strip near each end and one in the middle of the bundle. Using a rod sock or cloth rod sleeve will help protect each rod. If you take them on the plane and TSA opens the rod tube, they can easily verify what they are and with the bubble wrap "bushing" it will be easier for them to slide the rods back in.
For me personally, I found shipping to the boat office or the landing was MUCH easier than schlepping the rod tube into and out of the terminal. Always sent mine out a week or so ahead of the trip - enough time to account for any shipping delay. When I was checking them on the plane, fortunately never had anything delayed or lost. But that is ALWAYS a possibility. I've never used Mike Morris, but what he charges is a bargain for the service and peace of mind that your gear is being looked after by someone who knows fishing equipment.
Good luck on your trip - you are going to have a great time.