Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Checking Backpack on Airlines

Hello, I have a basic question that I should pose to the airlines (US Airways in my case) but actually getting a human on the line is almost impossible.

Has anyone checked (not carry on) their backpack as luggage? I have a 5,000 ci BP with a lot of external straps. I know whenever I fly they like me to remove all straps from normal bags. Do airlines typically allow loaded backpacks to be checked?
Thanks,

Meckers

In the old days, you could get the airline to give you a sturdy plastic bag to put the pack in. I wouldn't count on that these days, though.

I'd try and find a bag for yourself, or get some of the larger "saran" wrap type of plastic to cover the pack. Another alternative that I use when I go overseas is to put the pack inside a large duffel bag.

I know some airports have palstic wrap you can use for a fee... I've seen backpackers doing it at LAX international.

I recently did this flying from Seattle to San Diego. I used a large 'soft locker' (duffle bag) from Campmor. It fit the pack plus a few other items. The duffle cost about $50. Watch your weight. Over 50lbs and some airlines will charge you extra. Mine was slightly over so I just tipped the curbside baggage clerk a few bucks and he let it slide.
They allowed my jetboil stove, but not the fuel. Plan on not carrying whatever fuel you are using.

I would also recommend putting your pack inside a duffel or some other type of protection. I'd be afraid of hip belts, etc. being torn off.

Their policy on weight is so stupid. Once, I had two bags, one of which weighed more than 50, the other less, and they were going to charge me extra. So I took some stuff out of one and put it in the other until they both weighed less than 50. What's the difference? All the stuff still went on the plane!

To answer your question, yes I've checked a loaded backpack, but inside a duffel. I don't think they'll hassle you if you just want to check your loaded pack.

Good luck and have a good trip!

Many years ago I bought a padded duffle made by Gerry for just this purpose. It is big enough to hold my Oprey (70). It's great because it is padded and I can cram in my pack, allmost fully loaded, boots, poles etc.. My biggest problem is keeping it under 50Lbs. I don't know if there is anything else like this on the market now. I would go with the large duffel bag suggestion.

I carry my backpack onto the plane with a few things in it and then pack all the rest of the gear into a big rolling duffle and check that in - the big rolling duffle was a good investment.

From what I understand, the baggage handlers union only allows them to handle a specific amount of weight. Any more, and the bag must be tagged as heavy, and theoretically handled by two handlers, thus necessitating the extra fee. Who knows if this is really the reasoning behind fees.

Maybe I am lucky...or naive, but
Just flew Southwest back to Sacramento and home...

10-year-old Gregory Shasta...fully loaded…
(Recent Cottonwood fishing dirt.)
Tent poles, fishing rod tube, hiking poles strapped in - outside in their normal spot,
all cinched down tight...unwrapped...Fuel bottle rinsed and full of water...MSR XG – dry and dismantled. Looking like nine days on the trail, I just walked up and dropped it at the ticket counter…
Later, picked it up at the baggage wheel… No problems.

Just curious...why did you fill it with water?

Crystal Lite really…
masked any residual white gas smell

Just happen to be heading out this weekend for a week of leisurely packing on Isle Royale north of Michigan off lake Superior for a family reunion.

When I was in France, tried to carry on my pack with climbing gear & they emptied the thing with many questions total hassle having to repack. After that we've used a large piece of luggage we call "the fridge". Will have to weigh it as it has been a few years now since we last used this method.

When I went a few years ago I just bought a fabric laundry bag and cut the large pocket off of the front of it. It was cheap - maybe $10 and came with a carrying strap. I was able to check it in Newark and fly to LA with no problems. I would definatly NOT carry or pack any fuel. The airlines are very wary of fluids these days "specially any that burn". Good luck!

Years ago, I made a very large stuff sack out of ripstop fabric with a drawstring. It is probably much like your laundry bag. It weighs almost nothing and takes up very little space. When I arrive at baggage check-in, I slip my backpack (both internal frame or my rather old Kelty framed pack) into the stuff sack, draw the string, tie a few knots in it. All loose straps, webbing, belts are now safely inside. Works well - probably not as protective as professional duffels but it has worked on a number of trips both domestic and international.

Worked really well for my Haute Route trip where the stuff sack accompanied me on the trip since I had no where to stash any additional luggage. It slipped into the bottom of the pack where it stayed for 14 days.

Thanks everybody for your good advice. I finally did get a human at US Airways' Tempe headquarters (didn't realize they were in Tempe). The gentleman (who was formerly a check-in person) said it is not a problem, that many families check infant car seats that are just as large. The only issue is the dangling straps. He recommended buying heavy duty trash bags and using two (backpack in a bag in another bag). He said they can stick the shipping label on the bag and off you go.

I like the idea of the military duffle bag but I'm running out of time.

Meckers

I recently flew from Seattle to OC with Alaska Air and I just asked them for a stroller bag to use for my backpack. They usually have them in big rolls and as far as I know, they're free.

-Julius

On Alaska at least they are free. I just flew up to Seatle to hike Rainier in late June and they gave me a very heavy plastic bag to put my fully loaded back pack into for check-in. Same bags were available coming back in Seatle.