true or false?
when checking a big hiking backpack with lots of straps - do I need to have a large bag to put it in so the straps are out of the way? A friend told me you have to do this but I've never heard of this before

It depends entirely upon the mood of the person loading it onto the belt. However, having seen more than my fair share of packs that were "eaten" by luggage belts, I suggest that you obtain a large rice sack or feed sack and "ship" your pack inside that. The sacks weigh and cost next to nothing.

I second that. Some times on some airlines they will have a plastic bin that you can request to put your stuff into if you don't have a bag.

Another option is a really cheap large duffel bag that is thin and can be packed inside your bag. Somewhere I remember even seeing an actual backpack cover - maybe it was for rain or something.

If you absolutely don't want to do the bag, I would suggest that you at least tuck your straps in really, really well, and use gaffer's tape or duct tape (way more sticky, but harder to remove without residue) to fasten them to your bag so they don't get eaten.

British Airways ate my chest strap on my pack...

With that said, I'd do something as recommended above. I wasn't going to check it in originally, but they forced me to at last minute, so couldn't do a damn thing about it...

I've checked my pack many times without issue. Just tighten all the straps as much as you can and tuck/tie them down.

No airline has ever required a plastic bag, although United Airlines did provide me with a (free) plastic sack one time.

quote:

British Airways ate my chest strap

One could hardly blame it.

very first time i checked by brand new pack it was eaten by the conveyor belt in Riga. ripped one shoulder strap partially off and covered much of the rest in heavy grease. a mess, but thankfully the airline paid for the repairs.

ever since then I've put my pack in one of those large drawstring rain covers when checking it - have never had a problem since. I just put the pack in the cover backwards, so the straps are covered up. And I got an extra-large cover so it almost completely covers my pack. this was the emergency measure I dreamt up in Riga.

quote:

Somewhere I remember even seeing an actual backpack cover - maybe it was for rain or something.

Yup, I have one. You can use it as a flight bag or a rain cover. Your local camping goods store should have these.

And this is just another reason that I recommend the Eagle Creek Ultimate Explorer LT, as it includes a 3-In-1 Travel Shell: a seam-sealed rain fly, security cover, and packable duffel.
(and no, I don't work for them, I work for their competitor!)

quote:

Originally posted by static:
And this is just another reason that I recommend the Eagle Creek Ultimate Explorer LT, as it includes a 3-In-1 Travel Shell: a seam-sealed rain fly, security cover, and packable duffel.
(and no, I don't work for them, I work for their competitor!)

i own this fine piece of engineering.
the rainfly/securitycover/duffel is now the coolest foking thing i own.

My wife and I experienced damage to our backpacks several times and I finally started packing giant Hefty yard leaf bags to put our packs in. Unfortunately, these bags are heard to find in Europe and actually quite heavy if you need to carry more than one, which we have had to because we were travelling for a while and the life expectancy is only two flights.

Soooo, I looked for a different solution and found it at REI when I was home last summer for a work R&R. It is a giant mesh sack for storing sleeping bags and is very strong and has done a great job of protecting our packs this past year. We now always carry two of them everywhere we go. They only weigh a few ounces. Here it is:

http://www.rei.com/webservices/rei/DisplayStyle/612977?source=9039

Every backpacker should have one.

I know this question is coming - each bag will easily swallow an 85 liter backpack as long as you don't have a sleeping bag hanging off the side. My wife and I have a 55 liter and a 70 liter and have no trouble fitting them in(each in their own sack), sometimes including a thermarest and a loose jacket in the bag.

I had a tent and a mat tied outside the backpack, and it was checked in as 'oversized luggage'.

When travelling with the bagpack alone, the check-in staff usually provide plastic trays to put it in. I've never had problems with straps being eaten, but obviously tighten them as well as possible.

I have a cloth bag with a drawcord closure, which is custom made for my backpack by my dear mother. It's a great gear protector and not only for the straps, but also when I have to attach my sleeping bag and sleeping matress to my backpack.

If you buy/make a backpack cover, make sure it also has (or make yourself) a simple handle for your luggage tag. It's just easier and more visible for the airport staff to attach the luggage tag to a handle, than to a zipper or a long drawcord closure.

i have one from ems that works great, fit right around my pack...my friend once got his pack back with nothing left on it when we went to australia...i recommend one...you can get something cheap, i personally got one to protect it a little from the weather

I definitely reccomend having a cover/bag for your backpack, especially if you are going to be doing several connected flights where it'll get bounced around alot. One thing to be aware of is some airport security people get a little grumpy because it makes it harder to search your bag. Since I insisted my pack be covered after going through security I got to sit there while a security guy postured/bluffed/threatened as if he were going to pull everything out of my pack. He relented finally, I think it was the evil eye I gave him. Just be aware you most likely can't have a lock on it and they have to be able to get in and out of it.

This advice is not just applicable in the US which is where I had the least amount of trouble with my duffle bag/pack cover.