Taking your pack on your flight?! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

mkingphoto · 10-22-2007, 08:29 AM

I everyone. . . I am leaving TOMORROW (Tuesday) for 2.5 weeks in the UK. . . As of right now I have no solid plans, just a railpass and a plane ticket.

My only plan is that I want to pack as lightly as possible, carrying my one pack. . . Does anyone know where I can lookup rules on size / etc. of taking this as a carry on for my flight? I'd hate to get to the gate and have them start chucking my cosmetics / etc. . . Also have people had problems with packs being checked and then damaged/straps catching on things/falling open/etc.?

Thanks!

**MeTurk** · 10-22-2007, 08:36 AM

I would think it's a nit unpractical in Europe the bag your allowed to take on the plane is very small. I've always been made to put my backpack in the oversized luggage and I'm not sure if that's because of all the straps and dangly bit's more so than it's oversized (it is big though). Never had any problems and my pack seems to be out very quick on some flights so I think they take out the oversized luggage first.

The airline that sold you the ticket would have all the sizes on they're website.

**marc873** · 10-22-2007, 09:01 AM

I've responded to this a dozen times so far. You CAN!!!!! take your pack on the flight. I took mine on 22 flights on my last trip. From small puddle jumpers, to transatlantic. When you get your boarding pass, just keep your pack on, and tell them you have nothing to check. You WILL be fine. And if you do go to board, and they actually want to make you check it, they will take it from you as you board, and upon landing, you will pick it up on the ramp, instead of baggage claim area.
All that said, this subject has been thoroughly discussed, and you will have no problem. If they want to weigh it, make sure you take of the day pack first, if you have one.
Have a great trip and be safe!!!
Cheers,
Marc

**benna2** · 10-22-2007, 10:32 AM

What about the rules on the liquids and gels on flights? Unless you plan on taking nothing like that and buying everything there. You may want to find out the size limits for carryons for the particular airline you are going with. They can be strict with this stuff and you would hate to be at the gate ready to board and then be told that your carryon is too big and needs to be checked.

I tend to lean on the cautious side with this stuff!

**pinknic38** · 10-22-2007, 11:56 AM

for the liquid on the planes (and pretty much anything else phohibited on planes - its pretty funny!), check this out

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm

**simply_angelic** · 10-22-2007, 12:55 PM

OMG that's retarded. You can't bring 1/2 rolled up things of toothpaste?!

**pinknic38** · 10-22-2007, 01:19 PM

but thank god you can put a hatchet in your checked bag

**maracle** · 10-22-2007, 01:22 PM

Not in the US, and at a lot of airports I doubt they would let you through with a really big bag that was obviously not a carryon (although maybe a backpack would confuse them into letting it through). My guess is, the bigger the airport the more likely they are to stop you. But its worth a try in any case.

The main issue is just getting to your gate, as long as security is cool with it gate-checking should be no problem. I spent a year in a small town in New York and the best thing about the tiny regional jets was being able to gate check luggage instead of waiting at the conveyor belt after the flight

**maracle** · 10-22-2007, 01:23 PM

You can't bring toothpaste, but they let bombs through in 75% of tests by the government

I've actually managed to check through toothpaste and shaving gel several times with no problem, because they don't pay attention to the machine really.

**DC_Jessica** · 10-22-2007, 02:07 PM

I just got a text from my friend last week - she forgot to check a bottle of flavored lube and they searched her bag. Nice!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 10-22-2007, 02:12 PM

Yeah - if you can meet the U.S. liquid requirements for carry-on bags then by all means carry it on, lots of people do. If you do decide to check it and are worried about dangling straps and damage, just throw it in a heavy duty garbage bag right before you check it. It'll spare it some of the wear and tear as well as keep the straps away from conveyor belts.

**pinknic38** · 10-22-2007, 03:16 PM

when we flew to las vegas in june, we were in the columbus airport, and I had a nalgene bottle full of water that I was sipping as I was going through security and EVEN THOUGH they saw me physically DRINK the water (so ovbiously it was not some sort of explosive) they made me dump it out. so much for saving $ on no bottled water.

**c0urt** · 10-22-2007, 06:27 PM

i never check mine, i keep mine with me in the over head. i was actually irked last time i flew and someone checked my bag. i make it a point, one bag as light as possible

**c0urt** · 10-22-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinknic38

when we flew to las vegas in june, we were in the columbus airport, and I had a nalgene bottle full of water that I was sipping as I was going through security and EVEN THOUGH they saw me physically DRINK the water (so ovbiously it was not some sort of explosive) they made me dump it out. so much for saving $ on no bottled water.

i see your nalgene bottle and raise you

while i was in germany