PoleVaultPower.com

I am new to the pole vaulting world. My son started pole vaulting this year and loves it. He started competing this year in the USATF and AAU meets and we have been able to drive to the meets with the pole attached to my car. He qualified for the AAU JO meet at Drake U in Iowa and we decided to fly there to compete. Being new to this, I did not realize the some airlines do not let you check poles. Unfortunately, I picked one that does not (American). I can't change the flight at this point, so I tried to ship it. Fedex said no. UPS will ship it for $450 each way! So, I am stuck.

I am looking for a club in the Des Moines area that would lend (or rent) us a pole for the competition. My son is a little guy -- only 70 pounds. His competition is on Wednesday, August 3, so I don't have much time to work this out.

Next time I will choose an airline that is pole vault friendly!

Bax global or any shipping co. other than UPS etc. In the future travel in the US southwest is the only way to go. $50.00 one way, with not ever a problem. Continenal is $100.00 but you have to make sure the plane is big enough. All southwest flights will work.

Thanks, I'll try Bax Global. I heard that Jet Blue is also "pole friendly." Unfortunatley, this is a learning experience. I did not think it would be a problem until a friend told me that I better check with the airline. But I had already booked the flight.

I sent an email out to all of the youth club coaches in Iowa to see if anyone has a pole they could lend or rent.

BAX Global got bought out. They are now known as DB Schenker. They still ship poles. http://www.dbschenkerusa.com