Packing Advice

Right, this may sound a little strange so let me explain it the best i can.

Im an avid kite flyer and have been for 13 years, as they say the older you get the more expensive hobbies get. Ive got 3 kites i wanna take with me with a combined price of �1100, i travel to America a lot and this time wanna take my Kites, the ones fairly easy cos it'll pack into my suitcase as its in a bag however 2 of them are each about 6 feet long when packed into their carry bags. As theyre kites theyre also fragile so im just curious as to what i could use to pack them in. People have suggested either Cardboard Tubes or Lightweight Drain pipe, but ive got a suspicion i'd get stopped in customs/immigration and them get taken apart, clearly i dont want this to happenl. Anyone got any ideas as to a 'method' i could use thats both sturdy and safe.

Thanks

Stu

Since they are 6 feet long, they'd be checked baggage, not carry on, so they won't slow you down in customs, as they'd be scanned, etc. I'd agree with the cardboard tubing for cost, or lightweight plastic pipe for more protection.