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Old 11-29-2005, 01:34 PM   #1
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I am scheduled to spend some time packing around France and Spain over Xmas and through the New Year but have not traveled internationally with my pack. ome questions I hope seasoned vets can help me with:


1) When I pack and get to the airport, should I just send my pack through to the "throwers" normal style? Should it be wrapped in a garbage bag or have the straps tucked?

2) Is it wise to have locks on any, none, or all of my zippers?

3) what other good advice can some people give me....?


Thanks erebody!
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Old 11-29-2005, 02:57 PM   #2
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In my experience they prefer you to have tucked in as many loose straps as possible. I haven't had them say it has to be in a bag but every airport is different so I suppose it's a possibility. If that's the case though, you could quick get one from a packing type store inside the airport. Or just have one folded up in your pack in case you need and it and it could come in handy later.

And in my experience with locks, well, you can't have them because with security these days they have to be able to open your bag at any given moment in its journey to the next place.

You'll be fine!
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Old 11-29-2005, 07:14 PM   #3
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I travel pretty frequently with packs (military style, all sharp corners and straps) and have found that to make everything pretty simple, I buy a cheapo duffle or stuff sack to cover the pack in (large enough to hold the pack, light enough to pack inside or strap to the outside of the pack when not in use) It keeps all the straps and stuff from getting caught (many airports have automated luggage routers in the bowels of the terminal, they shuttle your bags from the counter to the gate without any human assistance, ensuring there are no witnesses when your bag gets routed to Ickistan by mistake)

It's not really enforced, but the airlines can be picky about loose dangly things on your pack.

locks, eh, they keep casual pilfering down, but they're not gonna make them pilfer-proof. The new transportation requirement has you using only approved locks, which the TSA guys can get into (which means anyone will be able to) I prefer it, to make it harder to rip me off.

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Old 11-30-2005, 04:49 AM   #4
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^The TSA locks unfortunately will get cut off just like the regular ones. I had this happen to me the first time I used one. Then, just this week I overheard a ticket agent telling a lady to unlock her TSA approved lock and he said the same thing...many TSA agents do not have the special tool and they will just cut the lock anyway, so don't bother with them. Leave your pack unlocked when checking it at the aiport, but bring locks for the hostel.

Also, some travelpacks come with a built in pack cover the folds out of the bottom to cover your straps. I know many Eagle Creek packs have this feature. Might check your pack closely to see if you have this. If not, use a garbage bag or nylon laundry bag.
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Old 11-30-2005, 07:43 AM   #5
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On your international flight, check and see if your departure airport has one of those shrink-wrap machine services. I don't know how much they charge, but they have the clear cellophane type material they wrap around your bag to seal it up. Of course, nowadays, these have to be located where they can do it after TSA checks your bag.

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Old 04-04-2007, 08:54 PM   #6
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Pulling up an old thread! But is it just me, I have NEVER checked my pack at the airport. To me, thats the beauty of the pack, even on the smallest planes, I have been able to fit it in the overheads.
I love this because you never have to worry about landing somewhere, and your luggage does not.
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Old 04-05-2007, 06:33 AM   #7
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I thought a pack was too big (length) to fit in the overhead area?
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Old 04-05-2007, 07:53 AM   #8
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yeah, would be nice to know what sort of packs can fit in the luggage compartment. would love to ifnally travel without checking in and out but nto sure how big/small a pack can be to get away with it.
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Old 04-05-2007, 08:23 AM   #9
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This is the pack I use, and I believe joe7f uses. Anyway, I take the day pack off, pull the compression straps tight, and it fits easily, even on express flight planes (smaller) I have squeezed it in. I have lived out of this pack many times traveling for long periods and had no troubles
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Old 04-05-2007, 08:44 AM   #10
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The first time I used mine was to the Czech Republic and it fit *fine* in the overheads. I didn't travel for a while after that and was pretty flabbergasted when I was told they'd have to either keep my bag up front or have it checked "valet" something (aka "for stupid people who try to bamboozle past flight regs for carry-ons"). Super frustrating, since I'm always complaining about having so little space because I'm not tall enough to have longer pack. Yet I *still* cannot fit it in the overhead.
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Old 04-05-2007, 08:55 AM   #11
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Ya know, the good thing about having it checked "valet" upon boarding the plane, is that they tag it, put it in cargo, but when you debark the plane, you can pick it up right there on the ramp off the plane. Kinda the same thing they do for baby strollers and the such. Far less chance of it getting lost
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Old 04-05-2007, 09:06 AM   #12
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Yes but I also imagine them accidentally leaving my bag/my baby on the tarmac while the plane takes off (re: baby in car seat in the gas station in Raising Arizona)!!
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Old 04-05-2007, 09:15 AM   #13
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I've never had issues checking my pack...I tuck in what I can. Sometimes they've put them in the basin things, other times they've bagged my bag for me, so I've never had to to it myself.

I'm tempted to see if I can sneak my pack as a carry-on for my next trip, though!
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Old 04-05-2007, 09:21 AM   #14
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Honestly, its a crap shoot if they make you check it. I work at Charlotte Douglas airport, and everyday I see thousands of people with roll alongs and packs way bigger than my pack. Once they are through the security zone, they aren't checking them, and they all get them on the plane. I guess I am lucky, and plan on continuing to be lucky, my pack has been on lets see, 14 or so flights, never checked once. Knock on wood and pray my next trip in 9 weeks, I am going to be on 16 different planes in a months time. And have NO plans on checking my pack.
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Old 04-05-2007, 10:06 AM   #15
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Yup Marc, we use the same sack (I love it and can't recommend it enough) but I am amazed you don't have to check it. The body is pretty big.

--Joey
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Old 04-05-2007, 10:22 AM   #16
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I check my pack...I keep necessities with me and I'm fine with checking it. On the way to Europe, they bagged it for me and then on the way home I just tied all the straps together and they sent it that way.
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Old 04-05-2007, 10:24 AM   #17
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Ok, so my wife and I are a little dorky, due to the fact that she has the exact same pack. go ahead giggle, but anyway, "seriously" We have flown with our packs on 14 different planes, of all sizes. I REALLY don't want to jinx us, I am just trying to help you tpunks not have to part with you pack when flying.
And about the airport, I see approx 40,000 people a day walk by, as I work out in the open in the main terminal. The point is, that over half these people have suitcases that are bulkier than my pack. And they are all on the way to board with them. Don't sweat it, just go through the check point with it and board the plane. No one will even notice
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Old 04-05-2007, 11:42 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joe7f View Post
Yup Marc, we use the same sack (I love it and can't recommend it enough) but I am amazed you don't have to check it. The body is pretty big.

--Joey
This backpack looks great, can you let me know the make or where i can get this from?

thanks in advance
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Old 04-05-2007, 06:37 PM   #19
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It is an Eagle Creek bag (I thought it was called something other than Grand Voyage when I got it but it appears to be identical)

It is a little pricey, but I think a good backpack can literally make your trip a lot more comfortable.

--Joey
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Old 04-05-2007, 07:44 PM   #20
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I got mine from Sierra Trading Post, and it was on clearance several years ago. I think I paid $160.00, got lucky and lovin it!!!!
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