I usually bring epoxy boards on trips so I dont have to worry about any airline damage, but decided to bring one of my polys on my next trip. Any tips to keep them ding free during air travel? Anyone use bubble wrap, or some sort of wood/ metal liner? Ive got some nice spongy things for the rails, but Im woory about the deck / bottom and nose/tail. Thx for any suggestions.

Use cardboard to make nose and tail protection. Works really well with some duct tape. Never had any issues. Also if you have a bigger board bag you can stuff clothes and tops in both ends of the bag to help protect.  

I slice up pool noodles. Cardboard is a good idea.

Keep bag lite as possible.

Ditto on the cardboard.

For the rails, I've used plumbing pipe insulation; like pool noodles, just a little slimmer, easier to work with, and already pre-cut.

For the deck and bottom, I've used a $7 2'x6' camping mat from Walmart. Closed-cell, baby blue foam, kinda like a yoga mat?

Not quite so necessary with my newer board bags, but then I haven't flown one on Spirit Airlines yet.

Take a ding repair kit and duct tape for sure!

Agreed with all the above except clothing. Clothing is good for cushion but adds weight. And weight is bad. Think "mr. Baggage handler" having a hard day coming to your board bag and he picks it up and low and behold- its big. Awkward as duck and now weighs way more than it should.

Newer board bags are much better than old. My Channel Islands bag is the shyt. Flew off the roof rack but still held on to the roof by one string and dragged on the road for 200 yds. Bag got tore up a little but boards (poly) were good to go. Used cut up fun noodles for cushion.

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I type on fone 99% of time. Let the typos slyde. Thanks

Thanks all, lots of great ideas

I just got back from Costa Rica and used pool noodles, both on the rails and on deck and bottom. It was difficult to fit into my travel bag, but no problems-Gracias Jet Blue. I also brought a new roll of tape in my bag for the return trip packing.