Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Transporting BackPack on Airlines

Has anyone tried fitting a fully loaded pack into the overhead bin on an airplane? I really don't want to check the pack and take the chance of it not arriving. I will check my suitcase and take my chances, but without the pack I will have lost the chance to hike. I figured I would load everything I would need for the hike, 2 nights and 3 days to summit. The largest items would be the tent and sleeping bag/pad. The pack is a Gregory Z65. I have read if you have to check a pack, it should be stored in a large duffle to protect the many strapes and buckles.
But, I have not been able to find any discussions on carrying the pack on the airplane.

Charlie:

You might check with the airlines as to the dimensions of their overhead compartments, then measure your loaded pack to determine if it would remotely fit. I can understand the worry about it not arriving, but you might be better served to put it in a duffel as recommended and check it. You might also avoid incurring the wrath of the crew and other passengers by not taking up the entire overhead bin with your gear.

-L

ok I had the same idea in mind, you need to check the air-line. NW for example has 45 inches policy .... summation of all dimensions should be not more then 45. This is not much .... my 45L backpack fits without top ....... be careful!!!

Charlie,

I've carried a lot of packs on airlines all over the world. It's doubtful you'll be able to carry one that large as carry on.

If you check it you'll be able to pack more efficiently by leaving it empty and packing all your gear in a duffle. It sounds like you aren't comfortable with checking it though.

Rather than do all that I'd suggest shipping your contents via Fed Ex to the Whitney Portal Hostel. You could ship it a couple days ahead and make sure it arrived which will give you the piece of mind that your gear made it. You will also not need to drag it to the airport. I have done this method sending bags to Anchorage when headed to Mt. McKinley. The cost vs piece of mind to me was well worth it.

they have no idea that MSR fuel bottle is %) it looks like popular this days aluminum drinking bottle

As long as it is empty, there is no difference that matters. If either one had gas in it, there wouldn't be a difference in threat between the two types either. If the fuel bottle was empty, they made the right call.

Maybe that -is- scary.

Dale B. Dalrymple

Never had a problem with a backpack in a duffel checked as baggage, even on overseas flights. If you'll be changing planes anywhere, try picking it up and rechecking at each stop to make sure it gets through; this also makes it easier to trace the lost bag. And use a colored strap around the outside of the full duffel; it'll prevent it from 'exploding' during handling, and the bright band makes it easier to find on the carousel at the airport.

If sending it by FedEx, weigh it first to make sure they'll take it. You might also call FedEx and see how it should be packaged - they can get pickey on both weight and odd-sized parcels. Also check UPS's rates and requirements.

Travel is just another part of the journey. Plan accordingly and you should have few (if any) problems.

charlie Kurt is right. Shipping it is the way to go. Prior to my trip I ran into three different people who had become seperated from their luggage. For them it was just a matter of going to a store and picking up a couple of pants and shirts and going on with their trip. Getting seperated from many hundreds of dollars worth of hiking/climbing gear is a different matter. I was flying into Reno and UPSed my pack and gear to their store nearest the airport. Piece of cake, piece of mind. I shipped the duffel with it so I could fly it back with me on the return. If your hip belt detaches do that for easier shipping.Side note: as I was waiting in the Reno airport for my return flight I happened to be sitting next to a group of rather sad looking individuals. They were members of a band from New York headed to Bishop or Mammoth to preform in some festival. The airline had lost their gear boxes of instruments and sound equipment. The airline rep came out every 20 min. or so and assured them they were still trying to locate their gear.

I think I'll take Kurt's advice and ship via Fedex.

Last year I flew out to the John Wayne Airport to meet my son and immediately head up with him to Whitney. I packed my pack and gear in a large suitcase, which, of course, I had checked in. Well, you guessed it. My son and I both met at John Wayne as planned, but my suitcase failed to arrive. Due to time constraints and other commitments, I had to abort the trip. Bummer. My gear arrived a day later, but definitely a day too late for me.

Quick question -- who should the pack be sent to, or in care of, if one wants to start the JMT from Yosemite? If I fly into either Sacramento or Reno, would there be a good place to send it there?

Bob

Phydeux, how do you arrange the above? (i.e. What do you instruct/tell your carrier?) Don't you have to go back out of security to the baggage carousel p/u your bag, and then re-check it back in for the new flight and back in through security again?

I carried a full REI 75 pack, with supplies for a week of kayaking and camping in the Discovery Islands in Canada, onto a plane last summer. No problems, and no questions from the airline. I used several bands to tighten around the pack. Made sure waistband and shoulder straps were tied down. Another idea is shrinkwrap it down a little, and attach a band to use as a handle to carry it. An internal frame pack can fit sideways into most overhead bins.

I believe Camp Curry (or presumably any other of the hostelries in Yosemite) will take stuff for people planning to stay there. If you're not, you might still be able to do it, but of course a phone call is a must.

Be insistant at check-in that you want to pick it up at your next destination. Its usually NOT requried if you will be changing planes using the same airline, but a good idea if going from one airline to another, and I would not recommend it if you'll be short on time at the airport where you'll be making the switch (yes, you have to go out and back through security). IF short of time, just put the address (AND phone # of someone at the final destination) of your final destination on the outside of the duffel IN BIG LETTERS AND NUMBERS WITH A DATE - it'll be the first lost bag they track.

BTW - if going through Chicago/O'Hare, you have my condolences. I used to have to travel through there on business, and that place was the black hole for luggage. Nothing ever went smooth in that place, and I will gladly pay extra $$$ to avoid it in the future.