Stab Magazine | Kelly Slater And Bob Hurley Call Out Hawaiian Airlines
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Kelly Slater And Bob Hurley Call Out Hawaiian Airlines

This week in Surfers vs Airlines!

news // Aug 3, 2016
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Wanna know what the real cold war of surf is? It’s the incessant battle between those who partake in travelling to find waves, and those who fly them there. Since surfers first started boarding planes, they’ve been scrapping with airlines, the latter of whom realised early in the piece that they can rinse our kind for transporting foam crafts. And, sadly, it’s the airlines who are in the power position. But every now and then, someone with heft claps back – you’ll surely remember John Florence’s scrap with JetBlue. And today, we have the pleasure of Kelly Slater, via Bob Hurley, firing shots at Hawaiian Airlines.

Bob Hurley posted the Hawaiian Airlines logo earlier today, writing:

I get happy when I see this logo. I love @hawaiianairlines BUT, recently had a horrible experience. Normally airlines charge extra for surfboards. We all expect it. Had three small boards in a 23 pound bag. They only allow two…even itty bitty ones…Was told in Honolulu that it’s not possible to put them on the plane. I offered to pay xtra. Not possible says the manager. “Two is da rule.” I said “it’s possible, I travel a ton and weight is the litmus test… she said this one time she would do me a favor… let me pay for two bags although it was one and she would look the other way… when I said… But… I felt like I may get arrested. Super bad vibes… Not another word… I know a lotta surfers that will no longer fly Hawaiian. I would be so happy to help with a practical and profitable policy… but they have not asked.
So sad for me.
I don’t like doing stuff like this but I reached out to Hawaiian and they ignored me. Such a bum out.
Be careful cause you will get busted for being smart and honest… #dontflyhawaiianairlines

Kelly reposted Bob’s sentiments, adding:

This topic just baffles me… @hawaiianairlines should rectify their policy. It’s ridiculous and a default profit racket. They made over $70M last year in oversize/overweight baggage charges.

Trust dear Kelly to bring some stats to support his argument. Wanna help win the cold war? Follow your leaders! Boycott Hawaiian Airlines (and JetBlue) until they update policy!

 

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