Flying with a Backpack
gryhound
for a week. I will have only my internal frame backpack, loaded to the max
with all my gear and food, and then a small carry-on with a change of street
clothes, personal items, ect. I don't think that even loaded, the bag will
be oversized, but I am more concerned about having the straps catch in the
luggage belts or having items inside be crushed during loading. Anyone have
any experience they can share with the group? Also, I plan on cooking with
a MSR stove. Am I right in thinking that I will have to leave my fuel tank
at home, no matter that it's empty of white gas, and buy one at my
destination? The airline web site only says I cannot transport fuel, but I
remember hearing somewhere that even trace amounts of fuel in a empty, dry
canister are a no-no.
Steve Silberberg
wrote:
>The airline web site only says I cannot transport fuel, but I
>remember hearing somewhere that even trace amounts of fuel in a empty, dry
>canister are a no-no.
Don't even try to fly with a stove or fuel bottle. I have been told
by the airport people that they can be fired for allowing either of
them on a flight, no matter how empty they are or even if the fuel
bottle is filled with water.
The rules are stupid of course, but fear causes all sorts of stupid
results.
The last time I tried to bring either of these on a plane, they were
appropriated. To add insult to injury, they said very cheerfully, "we
can dispose of these for you sir", as if throwing out $75 worth of
equipment was somehow doing me a favor.
Since I had a little time, I took a quick walk over to the airport
hotel and gave the concierge a few bucks to hold it for me. The items
were still in the hotel coatroam when I returned the next week.
--------------
Steve Silberberg
mailto:steve.si...@alum.mit.edu
Read "We'll Kiss For Food"
http://www.kissforfood.com/
Pat in TX
> Don't even try to fly with a stove or fuel bottle. I have been told
> by the airport people that they can be fired for allowing either of
> them on a flight, no matter how empty they are or even if the fuel
> bottle is filled with water.
We flew to and from Ireland last year with our stove. We just left the fuel
bottle behind. No problems and this was on US Airways.
>
> The last time I tried to bring either of these on a plane, they were
> appropriated. To add insult to injury, they said very cheerfully, "we
> can dispose of these for you sir", as if throwing out $75 worth of
> equipment was somehow doing me a favor.
At DFW there is a vendor table where you take out one of their bags or
boxes, insert your item in it, and mail it to them. For $7.50 they will mail
it to your house. I had my bicycle's multi-tool with me and was stopped by
security.
Stove=okay. Allen wrenches=not okay.
Jimmy
Wrap in our carry on, wear the backpacks to the checkout line, then take out
the Saran Wrap and wrap our backpacks with it making it several layers thick
and pulling it tight as we do it. We found this to work very well, is
fairly cheap, and we don't have to go find a special place at the airport
where they provide some sort of service or sell a box or whatever. We have
done this with child car seats also with really good results.
Jimmy
"gryhound" <nor...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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gryhound
"Steve Silberberg" <steve.si...@alum.mit.edu> wrote in message
news:sueh82pdqbmlpev0o...@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 08 Jun 2006 22:17:13 GMT, "gryhound" <nor...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Don't even try to fly with a stove or fuel bottle. I have been told
> by the airport people that they can be fired for allowing either of
> them on a flight, no matter how empty they are or even if the fuel
> bottle is filled with water.
> hotel and gave the concierge a few bucks to hold it for me. The items
> were still in the hotel coatroam when I returned the next week.
Just to clarify, did you try to carry the stove in your checked baggage or
in a carry on? I'm wondering if I can get it thru by packing the stove in
the middle of my pack which will be checked luggage. I can get a fuel
bottle at my destination and won't feel too bad about donating it to the
nearest outfitter, but my stove is a different story. But I'd hate to
arrive at my destination to find my bag didn't make the trip with me because
it was confiscated or whatever.
Puppet_Sock
[backpack and fuel by flight]
It's an evergreen question, and the answer is always changing.
Phone your airline and ask. Some airlines will provide a plastic
tub for things like backpacks and sports bags with straps.
Some will simply put the thing on the luggage belt like mindless
automatons, never a thought for ripped off straps or damaged
airport equipment.
Some folks have suggested a duffle bag large enough for the
backpack. Put the pack in the duffle, and that should protect
the straps.
Be aware about packing stuff too efficiently. Security may
search your bags. If you've done the wrap-it-up-tight thing,
you may not be entirely pleased with the condition of things
when you get your bag back. Yes, I mean your checked
luggage may get searched.
Also, ask about what you can carry in the way of stoves.
And then abide by the rules, dumb as they may be.
An airport checkin counter is a poor place to assert your
civil rights over an item you could probably rent for $10
at your destination.
Socks
Steve Silberberg
wrote:
>Just to clarify, did you try to carry the stove in your checked baggage or
>in a carry on?
In my checked baggage. They asked me at the counter though, and I
told them.
>I'm wondering if I can get it thru by packing the stove in
>the middle of my pack which will be checked luggage.
Well now that the TSA checks bags, who knows what would happen if they
found the stove. They might not find it, but if they do, your entire
pack may be confiscated.
gryhound
A Google search of "flying" and "camp stoves" brought up several differing
views on the issue of trying to pack a camp stove. The end result was that
some got them in, and some got them confiscated. Some airlines allow them,
some don't. All advise to contact the airline, but with the caveat that the
person at the counter has final say, regardless of what you were told. I
tried to contact Northwest Airline by their 24/7 email line and got no
response. I ended up contacting a outfitter near my final destination in
Utah (Thanks Escalante Outfitters!) and made arrangements to ship my stove
there for me to pick it up. I will save the box and ship the stove and
empty fuel tank back home when I'm ready to leave. It just was not worth
the hassle or stress of having my stove taken at the airport, having to buy
a new one in Utah, and then dumping the new stove before flying home.
I also am going to pack my backpack in a large military-sized duffel back to
help protect it against the luggage handlers and conveyers at the airport.
Thanks for all the input from the group.
Bill Brabender
I have flown with my 85 litre backpack many times including with a stove in
it - the last time just over a year ago from Canada to the UK.
I have a very lightweight nylon duffel bag that my whole pack fits inside of
and it then becomes just an oversized bag - never had a problem with airline
check in people or customs/security. The duffel protects the outside of my
pack and also provides an extra layer of anti theft protection and can be
secured against "honest" thieves by a small padlock holding the two zippers
together on the top.
I do not carry fuel bottles or gas canisters just the stove and that meets
all airline regs that I am aware of and does not require any disclosure as
it is not flammable - check your airline's web site and the FAA regs.
Bill
William Ruscher
checked it in with my luggage, with no problems or damage. My advice is to
wrap all of the fragile items in your pack , in bubble wrap or newspaper.
Tuck in and clip (or pin) all of the loose straps and buckle the waist and
shoulder straps. Take your MSR stove WITHOUT any fuel canisters,empty or
full, and look into a place to buy the fuel at your destination, ahead of
time. I was unable to use my stove because there was no canister fuel
available. Consider this if you will travel international.
I was lucky enough to be able to hire a guide (very cheap and a great host)
to treck along with me in the PI. He carried my pack along with all of our
food and drink, and cooked for me by building a fire, where we camped,
leaving me hands free to photograph, record, take in, and enjoy the
experience.
Best of Luck !
Bill
"gryhound" <nor...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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Dave
"Jimmy" <jimmy...@comcast.net> wrote in message
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Pat in TX
>
> Just to clarify, did you try to carry the stove in your checked baggage or
> in a carry on? I'm wondering if I can get it thru by packing the stove in
> the middle of my pack which will be checked luggage. I can get a fuel
> bottle at my destination and won't feel too bad about donating it to the
> nearest outfitter, but my stove is a different story. But I'd hate to
> arrive at my destination to find my bag didn't make the trip with me
> because it was confiscated or whatever.
My stove was in the checked baggage.