carryon, 2 items?

[polarbear]

i was considering this, but honestly have no idea because i have never flown before.
i am planning on taking this as my main pack for my 3 month walk of europe

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/...=NA&model=AM4J

but can i also bring this along as well? i mean take the pack as a carry on, and put this in my lap for the flight? or is that not allowed?

http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/...stic-messenger

can i put one in overhead and keep one on me at all times?
or whats allowed and whats not?
any advice from seasoned airplane travelers?

[maracle]

That backpack is about the size of my Samsonite carryon bag, which is a regulation size carryon. And the messenger bag looks like its not much bigger than a laptop bag, so I bet you'll be ok.

That backpack seems a bit small to be a primary pack for 3 months though! Have you got it already? You might want to take a dry run on packing it with everything, as though you're leaving tomorrow. I'm not sure you'll be able to manage unless you're going to be traveling VERY light.

[polarbear]

so it is allowed to carry a laptop style bag on your lap throughout the flight?
im a total newb when it comes to flights, and i have not bought this pack yet, so if its thought to be to small then i will reconsider. is it a pain to check your pack if its to big? what about flying in europe from let say .......london to ireland, is it the same type of idea? carry ons and checking? or what?
answerers may be obvious, but i have no clue lol
thanks!

[freespiritz]

You can take one carryon-sized item and one personal item, and you can stow them overhead or under the seat in front of you. The photos aren't loading for me but judging from maracle's post you should be alright.

[marc873]

That pack will fit easily in the overhead. I am a FIRM believer in not checking my pack. The day pack will have to go under the seat, and the pack in the overhead. You will have NO worries. Let that be the last thing you need to worry about.
Happy Travels

[polarbear]

good deal, i am planning on packing really light for this trip, the last thing i want is to be packing around a ton of weight. is it ok if i ask where you guys got your main plane tickets from? like expedia, travelocity or whatever?
thanks!

[maracle]

Originally Posted by polarbear

so it is allowed to carry a laptop style bag on your lap throughout the flight?

You can't have anything on your lap during takeoff and landing. But there is enough space for a bag that size under the seat in front of you. It'll take up your foot room, but once you've taken off you can move it under your legs and it should be perfectly comfortable.

im a total newb when it comes to flights, and i have not bought this pack yet, so if its thought to be to small then i will reconsider. is it a pain to check your pack if its to big?

Checking your bag is not a big deal, its just the risk that the airline will lose it. Thats only about a 1% chance but obviously you'll be in trouble if you lose all your stuff while on the road.

Most people that are traveling for a couple months have a pretty big pack, usually a full sized backpacking backpack with a capacity around 4000-5000 cubic inches as opposed to the daypack you linked that is 2450 cu in.

It is possible to go with something that small, but you're going to be limited to like 1 change of clothes, no special clothes for different types of weather, etc. Its about the size of a full size roller carryon luggage, so if you can find someone to borrow one from to test out that will give you a good idea. Try packing it with EVERYTHING you'll be taking. Don't forget to get all the miscellaneous stuff, you'll be amazed how fast cameras, chargers, toiletries, warm clothes "just in case", rain gear, etc will add up.

Otherwise, check the return policy of the place you buy it from to make sure you can send it back if its not going to work out.

Marc, what kind of bag do you take that you can avoid checking? Are you able to get by on a carryon-size bag for extended travel?

[marc873]

I just did a quick google search for a pic, here ya go http://www.travelgearblog.com/archiv...-backpack.html

I do not want to jinx myself, but I have taken 22 flights with this pack and haven't checked it once. I always take the daypack off for ticketing and boarding. I have been overweight before and simply told the ticketing agent that my entire life was in the pack and that I really didn't want to check it. They have all been cool so far

[pinknic38]

this is what I always do. if it's over the reg for carryon (but not obscenely noticible) the people when you first check in don't usually look but a quick glance over. esp if you have it on your back. when you board at the gate they can check it inside if it's too big and you get it right when the plane lands. I always try to do this and play dumb that way no one loses my luggage and/or I'm not hung up at baggage claim all day

[pinknic38]

and I'm with the crowd that maybe a 40L is too small for a few months travel. I'd suggest a 60L, that's what I use.

if you like north face (which is what I carry too, so I feel ya) check these out

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/...J8&language=en
(this one is a 55L, still a bit small but bigger than a 40L and very reasonably sized)

http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/...H9&language=en
(this is a 60L, I carry the women's version of this pack and love it - this also comes in a 75L bag as well)

[pinknic38]

and ps I might be obsessed with the timbuk2 messenger bags,. I am building my own right now

[clanshrapnel]

PolarBear,
I've used that same bag as my 2nd carryon bag, and I never have had a problem. I brought it to south america (Buenos Aires, to be exact). As long as it fits under the front seat in front of you, you should be perfectly fine.

[c0urt]

Originally Posted by pinknic38

and ps I might be obsessed with the timbuk2 messenger bags,. I am building my own right now

I am trying to find fabric to make another bag right now. haven't been able to find anything cheap.

I already have free buckles and someone asked me to right up a tutorial. so that's on my list of things to do

[polarbear]

That would be awesome if you could craft a homemade messenger bag, ive been wearing my Timbuk 2 bag for school and it is great, i highly recommend them to anyone!