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Post by LetsGo on Jul 8, 2019 8:48:19 GMT -8
Hello,
We're heading to northern California from VT in a few weeks. Wondering if anyone could give me some advice about flying with our packs. There will be 3 of us and what I'm thinking is we will each have our mostly full packs as well as one suitcase for post expedition clothing. It seems like checking the packs could potentially add the potential for damage? Is it even possible to carry them on?
This is our first flying/hiking trip (can you tell). Thanks for the help.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Jul 8, 2019 9:30:09 GMT -8
The best advice I've heard is to put the entire pack in a large duffel bag. Doing that will keep the straps and belt away from any moving parts in the luggage handling process. And, of course, don't pack any fuel. Check the airline for current rules about packing bear spray.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 8, 2019 9:59:45 GMT -8
The best advice I've heard is to put the entire pack in a large duffel bag. Doing that will keep the straps and belt away from any moving parts in the luggage handling process. And, of course, don't pack any fuel. Check the airline for current rules about packing bear spray. Agree about the duffles. If you get a decent-sized duffle, you can put in the packs and the post-hike clothing and everything, reserving some small bag for a carry-on. My son has succeeded in carrying on his backpack, but only when nearly empty, and most packs are a little too long for the overhead bins, so you run the risk of being told to check it at the last minute (though you are more likely to just end up having to stuff it under the seat in front of you, leaving you with no room at all for your feet). As an example of what you can do, on our recent trip to New Zealand we got a duffle as large as is allowed on the plane.* In that we were able to put pretty much all our camping/backpacking gear for 3 people, including our boots (which on a shorter flight you can wear on the plane, and in fact I recommend that to ensure they don’t lose something so hard to replace on short notice). We paid for a 4th bag among the 3 of us, but if it were a shorter trip, it would be easy to put all the gear and extras in one duffle each. (We were staying 4 months so had a fair pile of clothes, etc.). Definitely would not just check a full pack without some kind of protection, though people do get away with it. But who wants to take that chance with either your trip or your expensive pack? BTW, we had a disagreement over packing style, but I think in the end I won. It was more efficient to put the pack in the duffle empty and pack everything around it. This also allows you to put your trekking poles down the middle of the pack where they are protected and are unlikely to poke through the end of the duffle. *ETA: not that they check, but 90-100L seems to pass without a second look, and stays within the total size requirements.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jul 8, 2019 10:00:13 GMT -8
I fly with packs/gear relatively often. I check pretty much all of my gear, including the pack, in a wheeled duffel bag. Pretty much every time, I find a little note indicating that my pack was searched. I've never had anything confiscated but I'm careful to pack neatly and never pack anything prohibited, like fuel, lighters, any kind of fuel bottles even if empty or even never used.
You can carry on your pack as long as it meets the dimension rules (or cinch it down to the allowed size.) Knives of any kind are prohibited in carry-ons. And I wouldn't try to carry on hiking poles or any really sharp/needle tent stakes. Keep in mind that even if security lets you through with hiking poles on the way out, it may not work out the same way on the return at a different airport.
The two common backpacking things that you simply can't fly with are cooking fuel and bear spray. Btw, don't ask the airlines, it's TSA that makes the rules and screens your luggage.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jul 8, 2019 10:16:04 GMT -8
The first time I flew to my backpacking destination, my bags got delayed, I had to sleep in my rental car to wait on them, and it completely screwed up the logistics of the trip.
Nowadays I just pack it all into a large UPS box and ship it there a week early, assuming there's a reliable place you can ship to. I usually find the nearest UPS store or Fed Ex Kinkos type place, so I can go back there on the way out and ship it back home. Sometimes outfitters & gear stores will accept your packages as well. I've never had a problem and it seems like with baggage fees these days, its very nearly cost effective to do that (Not yet, but getting there).
*UPS stores are typically privately owned and contract with UPS. If you can find an actual UPS customer center like a distribution center, the rates are cheaper and you won't get gouged on packaging.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Jul 8, 2019 10:24:17 GMT -8
Duffel, duffle. The trip to New Zealand must have affected your American english. In England; English, duffle is correct. In America; US-English, duffel is correct. In Australia; Australian English, duffle is correct. Quora
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jul 8, 2019 10:24:20 GMT -8
How big are your backpacks? I can carry mine on the plane. If yours are bigger than that, can you take the frames out to make them fit as carry-ons? Makes it easier, less likely for stuff to get lost, and saves on extra checked baggage fees. If not then 1) yeah, put them in a duffel or suitcase and 2) consider slimming your gear so that it will fit in a smaller backpack (your back, legs and feet will thank you).
Definitely check anything the TSA might look at funny, regardless of any official list of approved items. Stove, trekking poles, trowel, stakes, in addition to knife etc.
EDIT: ^DD, I can't argue with the dictionary, but I'm American through and through and have always spelled it "duffle".
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Jul 8, 2019 10:28:47 GMT -8
DD, I can't argue with the dictionary, but I'm American through and through and have always spelled it "duffle". I spelled it duffle at first. But when I got the red-underline showing a misspelled word, I did some searching and found the differences in spelling.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 8, 2019 10:34:43 GMT -8
Check your pack inside a duffel. Do yourself a favor and make sure it comes with a shoulder strap. Makes it easier to carry slung over a shoulder rather than in one hand. I do as rebeccad did, packing the pack empty and adding everything into the duffel. On a recent trip, i carried some of my food in my carry-on. I was surprised when they confiscated a 16 oz jar of P-nut butter. Yep, it can be confused with other things not allowed, even if brand new, still factory sealed. Any dense paste is limited to 3 ounces in carry on.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jul 8, 2019 10:37:43 GMT -8
I was surprised when they confiscated a 16 oz jar of P-nut butter. Yep, it can be confused with other things not allowed, even if brand new, still factory sealed. Any dense paste is limited to 3 ounces in carry on. Yeah, I check all my food. Ever since they tried to take my extra large bag of gummy bears in my carry-on.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jul 8, 2019 12:00:22 GMT -8
I was surprised when they confiscated a 16 oz jar of P-nut butter. Happened to me as well. It's not an issue of confusion, it was explained to me that it is specifically considered a liquid/gel.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 8, 2019 12:02:41 GMT -8
Duffel, duffle. The trip to New Zealand must have affected your American english. In England; English, duffle is correct. In America; US-English, duffel is correct. In Australia; Australian English, duffle is correct. Good to know--it explains why I can't get it straight. For some reason, it wasn't underlined on the iPad. I can't ever remember which is "right" so I depend on that to tell me. Computers fail me again :D I was surprised when they confiscated a 16 oz jar of P-nut butter. I had a similar experience. They let me take it out of NZ, but confiscated it at LAX. Too bad, because that was an important part of our lunch on the plane Yeah, I check all my food. Ever since they tried to take my extra large bag of gummy bears in my carry-on. That just sounds like someone wanted a bag of gummy bears!
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 8, 2019 12:04:32 GMT -8
How big are your backpacks? I can carry mine on the plane. The solid frame part of our ULA Circuits is about an inch longer than the limit (21" vs. 20", IIRC). That means they won't fit in the overhead bins the long way, which means they take up more than their share. I did consider that we could stack them up and probably take less space than most people, but didn't want to take the chance that we'd have to gate-check them and have them shredded.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jul 8, 2019 13:39:59 GMT -8
I have done the duffel (duffle) thing and had good success - Just threw my duffel in the pack when I picked it up.
I have also done the - get it small enough to fit as carry-on. I also had success with this method. At the time, they didn't care about my stove (had it washed but was concerned about having fuel residue), trekking poles (packed inside), or any of my firstaid kit stuff. They didn't even have me open it up.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Jul 8, 2019 15:10:38 GMT -8
What's all the kerfuffle about a duffel?
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