backpack as checked luggage
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- bryanmertz
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Feb 28 2003 1:20 pm
- City, State: Phoenix, AZ
backpack as checked luggage
Hi - I have a trip coming up and I'm thinking of packing in my backpack. Just wondering if it's required to put the pack in a big duffle, or if it's generally ok to just tuck all the staps in?
Thanks,
Bryan
Thanks,
Bryan
- dysfunction
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Dec 20 2008 7:38 pm
- City, State: Tucson, AZ
Re: backpack as checked luggage
If I were checking my pack, it'd go in a duffle. I don't think I'd trust the baggage handlers otherwise. I might even pack it all separate in the duffle... Course, if I could carry on, I would (my pack would actually qualify!)
mike
"Solvitur ambulando" or maybe by brewers.
"Solvitur ambulando" or maybe by brewers.
- JimmyLyding
- Posts: 1323
- Joined: Feb 16 2007 3:17 pm
- City, State: Walnut Creek, CA
Re: backpack as checked luggage
I've carried on my Osprey Stratos 24, and it's a fairly good-sized daypack.
Re: backpack as checked luggage
Definitely a duffel or equivalent. Many airlines won't accept an unbagged backpack, although a contractor-sized garbage bag is sufficient for most. I use an Osprey Airporter, which is something in between. Besides the policy issue, there the risk imposed by machines. I've seen some awful strap dismemberment out there on the road.
Re: backpack as checked luggage
That's fine, as long as you don't have TSA non-carry items in it like a knife or trekking poles.Jim Lyding wrote:I've carried on my Osprey Stratos 24, and it's a fairly good-sized daypack.
- Al_HikesAZ
- Posts: 1351
- Joined: May 16 2005 1:01 pm
- City, State: Scottsdale, AZ
- Contact:
Re: backpack as checked luggage
Or fuel canisters, or lighters or ;)big_load wrote:That's fine, as long as you don't have TSA non-carry items in it like a knife or trekking poles.
Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
- dysfunction
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Dec 20 2008 7:38 pm
- City, State: Tucson, AZ
Re: backpack as checked luggage
funny, a friend of mine had no problems carrying trekking poles back from the grand canyon (he did mail them to me on the way out though) ..
mike
"Solvitur ambulando" or maybe by brewers.
"Solvitur ambulando" or maybe by brewers.
Re: backpack as checked luggage
Just to be clear, they're fine in checked baggage, but not for carry-on. People do sometimes get them through, but the screening line is no place to discover that you didn't get lucky.dysfunction wrote:funny, a friend of mine had no problems carrying trekking poles back from the grand canyon (he did mail them to me on the way out though) ..
- joebartels
- Posts: 7129
- Joined: Nov 20 1996 12:00 pm
- City, State: Phoenix, AZ
- dysfunction
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Dec 20 2008 7:38 pm
- City, State: Tucson, AZ
Re: backpack as checked luggage
In response to big_load:
yeah, the complete lack of consistency at the TSA kills me. FWIW he knew there was a chance he'd lose em
yeah, the complete lack of consistency at the TSA kills me. FWIW he knew there was a chance he'd lose em

mike
"Solvitur ambulando" or maybe by brewers.
"Solvitur ambulando" or maybe by brewers.
- Jeffshadows
- Posts: 2590
- Joined: Jan 30 2008 8:46 am
- City, State: Old Pueblo
Re: backpack as checked luggage
I've checked my large ruck with the straps all stowed by those Velcro straps you can get at outdoor stores and never had any issues, in the past.
AD-AVGVSTA-PER-ANGVSTA
Re: backpack as checked luggage
Lighters are ok now ... at least bic-style lighters. Not the windproof or zippo style.Al_HikesAZ wrote:Or fuel canisters, or lighters or ;)big_load wrote:That's fine, as long as you don't have TSA non-carry items in it like a knife or trekking poles.
Tonya Harding's triple lutz
Re: backpack as checked luggage
If you do check it, be sure to stow all the excess straps. I have had them get stuck in the moving belt and get torn up. Id go with a duffle.
"The Edge. There really is no honest way to explain it because the only people who know where it is are those who have gone over." - Hunter S. Thompson
Re: backpack as checked luggage
My gear has always fit into a large army rucksack. Durable and very cheap at any local army surplus store.
- JimmyLyding
- Posts: 1323
- Joined: Feb 16 2007 3:17 pm
- City, State: Walnut Creek, CA
Re: backpack as checked luggage
The last time I came back to AZ from Maui I forgot about my nice 3" Gerber knife. I hope that Hawai'ian dude who works at the airport is enjoying it. Of course I also had a checked bag.... My Osprey was just another thing to spread out the weight because my checked luggage was full of 100% Kona coffee and macadamia nuts. At least I got to enjoy the coffee and the nuts.big_load wrote:That's fine, as long as you don't have TSA non-carry items in it like a knife or trekking poles.Jim Lyding wrote:I've carried on my Osprey Stratos 24, and it's a fairly good-sized daypack.