Aussie's Jo Carter lost her skates...but lucky

[EastonSkater]

hahaha...I just heard on the news that australia's Jo Carter lost her skates on the way to Torino. I think on the news she said something about Colorado Springs...maybe that's where she was training. Then the skates (presumably her checked baggage with the skates inside) went on a walkabout. Fortunately, they eventually found the skates, which ended up in Frankfurt.

I would have thought that after all her competition experience, that it'd be better to have the skates taken on board to go in the cabin rather than check it in to the cargo hold.

[Micky-Fox]

Wow, Jo really was lucky they found the skates. If that was me, I would be freaking out. And yes, I also find it a little strange that she checked her bags into the cargo hold rather than take them on board with her in a smaller bag, just to be sure.

[angelskates]

"haha"?? You LAUGH about an Olympic skater loosing her skates because the airline likely MADE her check them in due to safety requirements? Ice skates have blades on them, 99.9% of airlines, 99.9% of the time, don't allow anyone to take them on board for this reason.

:roll: Ridiculous and sad that someone would actually laugh about that.

[EastonSkater]

Actually, it's only your own thought. I laugh because of how ridiculous the situation was. Should've flown United or something. No problem with skates going in the cabin. Especially when the blades are removed. You can always put the blades back on once you get to the destination. Or if they lose the blades due to baggage problems, you can pick up sets of blades that you send well in advance.... to Torino (by airmail to a receiver there).

[crayonskater]

United? Maybe they're better with ice skates, but the last time I flew with them my luggage was gone for a week. Perfectly labelled, too, they just couldn't fit it on the plane. Got everything eventually, after losing a week's vacation.

Last I checked, Olympic contender or no, one can't take skates with blades into the cabin area on a plane; and that policy shouldn't vary by airline. And if you have to pack the blades separately, it's really of no more use to you to have the boot.

(Plus, one more service involved increases the chances of them getting delayed or lost. Because the post office has never lost anything.)

[EastonSkater]

Actually, if the competition is so important, some blades should be sent to Italy well in advance. How far in advance is not my problem. It's up to the person in that competition to decide how far in advance. The boots can be taken on board without the blades. Naturally, you also pack blades in your check-in baggage, so you put them back on if the luggage gets through. A similar thing should be done for the suit/costume, otherwise best to take that on board too.

[blades]

8-)

good grief!

repeatedly removing and replacing the blades will wear out the screw holes in the LEATHER soles of the boots causing an early failure (blade falling off while skating)...

since 9/11, skates must be checked when flying...this has created many problems for the competitors...sometimes they ship the skates by fedex for better control...

as for the colorado springs issue...guess you "experts" forgot about the four continents competition already eh???:roll:

[EastonSkater]

good grief!
repeatedly removing and replacing the blades will wear out the screw holes in the LEATHER soles of the boots causing an early failure (blade falling off while skating)...

Although, this is the olympics we're talking about here hehehe. I think I'd rather take the blades off for this particular meet and get my boots on board...and costume. I'm not sure how long she was without the skates for though. I need to check on the news.

[PrayingForIrina]

hahaha...I just heard on the news that australia's Jo Carter lost her skates on the way to Torino. I think on the news she said something about Colorado Springs...maybe that's where she was training. Then the skates (presumably her checked baggage with the skates inside) went on a walkabout. Fortunately, they eventually found the skates, which ended up in Frankfurt.

I would have thought that after all her competition experience, that it'd be better to have the skates taken on board to go in the cabin rather than check it in to the cargo hold.

You are only allowed one carry on bag.....maybe she other things to carry on with her, like her skating dress, tights, makeup, etc, or who knows what else....but you can only take one bag on with you.

[Schmeck]

How do the synchro teams get all of their skates/dresses to international events?

[flippet]

8-)

good grief!

repeatedly removing and replacing the blades will wear out the screw holes in the LEATHER soles of the boots causing an early failure (blade falling off while skating)...

Not to mention that blade placement is a very precise, very individual sort of thing. That's the LAST thing I'd want to be tinkering with for who knows how long, when I should be worrying about Olympic practice sessions instead.

:roll::roll::roll:

[Bothcoasts]

United? Maybe they're better with ice skates, but the last time I flew with them my luggage was gone for a week. Perfectly labelled, too, they just couldn't fit it on the plane. Got everything eventually, after losing a week's vacation.


Naturally, you also pack blades in your check-in baggage, so you put them back on if the luggage gets through. A similar thing should be done for the suit/costume, otherwise best to take that on board too.

I'm sorry to hear about your lost luggage, crayonskater!

While I like United--I'm a frequent flyer with them--I'm the first to admit that any airline has extreme global variations with respect to the extent to which security policies are implemented. Each airport has its own way of implementing policies that have little to do with individual airlines.

Some airports in the U.S. still do not fully screen bags as you walk through through security; others require you to take off shoes and all jewelry before they'll let you through. When traveling with a pet, one airport told me to carry her through the X-ray machine--which is standard procedure--while another told me I could carry her entire pet carrier through the X-ray machine. At the most extreme end, it took 15 minutes, 3 security guards, 4 bag searches, and 4 times of my carry-on riding through the luggage X-ray machine before the Hong Kong security guards determined that I was telling the truth and that I did not, in fact, have a key in my bag.

Without knowing whether Jo left from the U.S. or Australia, and without knowing the policies of the specific airports in question, I would be very hesitant to make fun of a skater for checking her skates. I've heard of similar stories happening with junior-level skaters in the states--perhaps this happening to an Olympic athlete will force the TSA to create a standard policy at the national level.

Besides, for all we know, the only way she may have been able to bring her skates on board the plane was to check them--something I would have been much more apt to do than send them ahead of time. Despite all of the problems with airlines, I still trust checked baggage before most mail services.

[EastonSkater]

hahahaha... a funny thought would be taking the blades off and clamping something to the sole for protection, and wear them through screening and then onto the plane. I'm only kidding of course.

[Bothcoasts]

hahahaha... a funny thought would be taking the blades off and clamping something to the sole for protection, and wear them through screening and then onto the plane. I'm only kidding of course.

The worst part is that I don't think TSA would even notice if someone did that--they would probably just assume the skates were incredibly weird-looking shoes--if they noticed them at all! :roll:

[Kelli]

How do the synchro teams get all of their skates/dresses to international events?

Pretty sure skates get checked, other skating related stuff goes carry-on, and I think dresses are the manager's responsibility. I can double check tomorrow at the rink, if you're curious.

[EastonSkater]

The worst part is that I don't think TSA would even notice if someone did that--they would probably just assume the skates were incredibly weird-looking shoes--if they noticed them at all! :roll:

hahahahahaha...I agree with that. That's a good one.

[krisseye]

I just flew from Los Angeles to Seattle with a paring knife in my purse (I used it to cut up fruit for my 1-year-old at a restaurant the night before) and they're worried about skates?!?

[EastonSkater]

uh oh .... the feds are probably going to be on to you now krisseye.

[krisseye]

Well...I've had a pair of stitching scissors and a Swiss army knife confiscated so I wouldn't be surprised...

[PrayingForIrina]

repeatedly removing and replacing the blades will wear out the screw holes in the LEATHER soles of the boots causing an early failure (blade falling off while skating)...

*sigh* My daughter is starting skating in a few weeks....shoot! Now this gives me something ELSE to worry about :lol:

[Bothcoasts]

*sigh* My daughter is starting skating in a few weeks....shoot! Now this gives me something ELSE to worry about :lol:

No worries--just don't take the blades off unless someone who specializes in blades and/or boot fitting suggests it and then re-attaches them properly. I've had my Coronation Aces for 7 years and have only had them taken off once, I believe. After you have blades attached, check them occasionally to ensure that the screws haven't come loose.

[dbny]

*sigh* My daughter is starting skating in a few weeks....shoot! Now this gives me something ELSE to worry about :lol:

If she's young, she will outgrow the boots before she needs new blades. Even if she's not so young, she may well progress to new, stiffer boots before needing new blades.

[Schmeck]

Bothcoasts, you do not go through X-ray machines at the airport, you go through metal detectors. Your carryon bag does get x-rayed.

[Isk8NYC]

Oh, how sad that her skates went astray. I just found out that Joanne is the ONLY Australian figure skating competitor. The other skaters didn't qualify for the Olympics.

Everybody think good thoughts that her skates turn up immediately, no worse for wear. Concentrate, now -- white light and all that jazz!

[PrayingForIrina]

No worries--just don't take the blades off unless someone who specializes in blades and/or boot fitting suggests it and then re-attaches them properly. I've had my Coronation Aces for 7 years and have only had them taken off once, I believe. After you have blades attached, check them occasionally to ensure that the screws haven't come loose.

Where is the best place/company to get skates? I thought of ordering them from the back of International Figure Skating magazine or Blades Magazine but, not sure which route to take.

She currently just uses the facilities ice skate rentals when she has her group lessons

[Schmeck]

You should ask some of the coaches at the rink for a reputable skate dealer/fitter, etc.

[PrayingForIrina]

If she's young, she will outgrow the boots before she needs new blades. Even if she's not so young, she may well progress to new, stiffer boots before needing new blades.

She's 9yrs old and just got her first blister after taking Basic 1-4 Classes over a period of time. :lol: She's gonna start taking private lessons here shortly, and I promised her boots and a dress.....just wasn't sure where to get the right boots. Don't skaters have to have their feet "fitted" for boots and have them especially made?

Don't skaters have to get their feet measured or??? :?:

[Schmeck]

Skaters should get their feet measured by a properly trained skate dealer (ask your coaches for a reputable one in your area!) but unless they have odd shaped feet, no 9 yr old in basic 4 needs custom (think $$$$$) skates. A decent pair of Riedells or Jacksons, one of the lighter models, should be fine. Or check around the rink for a used skate sale? At that age/size, most skates don't get broken down before they are outgrown.

[angelskates]

Jo's boots have arrived. Check out the photo: http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/carter-comes-back-in-from-the-cold-after-eight-years/2006/02/05/1139074110264.html

[PrayingForIrina]

Jo's boots have arrived. Check out the photo: http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/carter-comes-back-in-from-the-cold-after-eight-years/2006/02/05/1139074110264.html

*Whew* That's good to know. I'd be carrying those puppies with me from now on, as a carry-on bag though :lol:

[Isk8NYC]

Jo's boots have arrived. Check out the photo: http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/carter-comes-back-in-from-the-cold-after-eight-years/2006/02/05/1139074110264.html

Hooray! Good luck Jo - skate your best!

[Isk8NYC]

Where is the best place/company to get skates? I thought of ordering them from the back of International Figure Skating magazine or Blades Magazine but, not sure which route to take.

She currently just uses the facilities ice skate rentals when she has her group lessons

I will tell you the same thing I tell all of my students and their parents: go to a reputable pro shop. Don't cheap out and buy them from mail order and/or the local sporting goods stores. Ask the coaches/instructors at your rink, or ask some of the more advanced skaters' parents.

It's really very important that the skater be measured and fitted properly for skates. Pro shops cost slightly more than mail order and a lot more than your local no-nothing sporting goods store. However, they make up for it in service. Every good pro shop I've been to includes the first sharpening and (if applicable) heat-molding in their purchase price. They also don't charge for blade alignments or adjustments. If the skater's boots are giving them pain and/or blisters, they can adjust the boot to make up for it. If you bought the skates from them, they generally don't charge you for this.

Mail order may sharpen the skates, but you don't know how good the sharpening will be. There are numerous threads on this board about bad sharpenings - don't let it happen to you. The sporting goods stores cannot since they don't have a sharpening machine! They'll tell you the blades come pre-sharpened, but again that's a half-truth: they may or may not be sharpened well. Sharpenings take care of the business end of things.

You said your daughter's only nine years old. She's still growing and will no doubt outgrow the skates before they break down. Generally, growing kids don't make it through a year before they outgrow the skates. IMHO, the best benefit of buying from a pro shop is that they can remold and/or STRETCH the skates when they get tight on the skater. That adds a few months onto the life of the skate. Don't buy custom skates for a nine-year old beginner, save your money for the important stuff: hard and soft guards, practices, and lessons.

Please take some time to check other people's "Just starting out" threads. There's tons of good advice on buying, fitting, breaking in, and maintaining skates. You just have to look for it.

Good luck,

[AW1]

I don't know where she was before she left for Torino, but if she left direct out of Australia she WOULD NOT be able to take her skates in the cabin. In Australia at all the domestic & international airports ALL carry on luggage is Xrayed and any sharp objects removed. This includes plastic sharp objects after a flight attendant was stabbed with a chopstick or a spoon handle (I can't remember which, but it was absurd!) whilst on a domestic flight.

Unfortunately like always it's one bad egg that spoils it for the rest, but theres no way she was getting on the plane with the skates in the cabin, regardless of who she was and where she was going!!

And I can say this with absolute certainty because my mum is an Australian Customs Officer at the International Terminal!

[quixotic]

I don't know where she was before she left for Torino, but if she left direct out of Australia she WOULD NOT be able to take her skates in the cabin. In Australia at all the domestic & international airports ALL carry on luggage is Xrayed and any sharp objects removed. This includes plastic sharp objects after a flight attendant was stabbed with a chopstick or a spoon handle (I can't remember which, but it was absurd!) whilst on a domestic flight.

Unfortunately like always it's one bad egg that spoils it for the rest, but theres no way she was getting on the plane with the skates in the cabin, regardless of who she was and where she was going!!

And I can say this with absolute certainty because my mum is an Australian Customs Officer at the International Terminal!

Well said! And it's true!

I think even nail clippers are considered dangerous.

Can you imagine it, if you were allowed to bring your skates on? and they were locked safely away in the compartment above, when suddenly air turbulence causes the door to spring open and SMACK! the skates hit someone right on the head, and blood starts oozing out. 8O :lol:

Back on topic, it's very lucky she got her skates back! I'm sure they aren't cheap, especially professional ones.

[Blosmbubbs]

i havent brought my skates on board since sept 11 but I heard that some airports allow you to. This time i went with a screwdriver and some small sissors and they didnt confiscate them. Last time they took my screwdriver though.

[quixotic]

i havent brought my skates on board since sept 11 but I heard that some airports allow you to. This time i went with a screwdriver and some small sissors and they didnt confiscate them. Last time they took my screwdriver though.

LMAO what were you doing with a screwdriver?! sorry it sounded funny ;)

[EastonSkater]

i havent brought my skates on board since sept 11 but I heard that some airports allow you to. This time i went with a screwdriver and some small sissors and they didnt confiscate them. Last time they took my screwdriver though.

hahahahaha .... at least they didn't take your C4 and airline flight training manuals.

[EastonSkater]

LMAO what were you doing with a screwdriver?! sorry it sounded funny ;)

Probably trying to steal the taps and things like that in the rest rooms hehe