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I have flown with Alaska Air 7 trips from the lower 48 to Alaska for hunting and fishing.  You should see my duffle bags, gun case and insulated meat tote bags.  They look like they were thrown out along the side of the runway before the plane landed!  

This year my SKB double bow case ($230, and high quality) containing one rifle and one bow was dropped so hard on the end that the rifle barrel nearly poked a hole through the plastic.  It made a severe dimple that stretched the plastic out about 3/4 of an inch.

I took it back to the counter along with one of my insulated meat tote bags that had the nylon web handle completely ripped loose from picking it up upside down.  The supervisor at the counter explained that the damage was normal wear and tear.  He said the case did exactly what it was designed to do since my gun wasn't damaged I didn't have a claim.  The tote bag in his opinion wasn't designed to hold 50 pounds and therefore even though they accepted it when I checked in (that agent even remarked how good they were), Alaska Airlines would not take any responsibility for the damage.  Don't forget I paid them $50 extra for this excess baggage.

My duffle is the Cabela's Alaskan Guide model 2500 denier ballistic nylon.  This is very tough stuff.  They somehow ripped a tear in it about 3 inches long on a previous trip.  My aluminum pack frame was bent while packed inside the duffle and surrounded with soft clothing for padding and protection.  

Now that they lowered the weight limit to 50 pounds they can really throw it around.

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