Anyone ever flew with their frame pack as their "personal item"?

[gentleman4561]

I wouldn’t recommend it, if forced to gate check a bare pack will get destroyed.

I normally do pack in a large duffle and then bow case checked. I put handguns in both bags as the airlines keep a closer eye on bags with guns in them.

 

[Coffindaffer]

Thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like I’ll probably just have a second check bag or gate check my carry on and carry the SG to put in the overhead bin

 

[johnnycake]

I've used my eberlestock mainframe with dry bags for a carry on many times, and I'll use it that way many more. Never had an issue.

 

[hunt1up]

My buddy uses his Exo 3500(and now 4800) as his carry-on all the time. Just don't overfill it and it's not a big deal, keep it sucked down reasonably tight. Carry it on with 7 days worth of gear and that might not work so well.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Everytime I hunt outta state and fly I carry my pintler or sawtooth as my carry on and have never had an issue.

 

[khunter]

OP do you mean as your ‘carry on’ which can be larger (must fit overhead bin) than your additional personal item that is to be smaller than carry on. Even so, my frame pack (filled with my clothes/gear) would not hardly fit in overhead bin if at all so no.

 

[Sinistram]

@Coffindaffer I wanted to wait until I was back, but I just took my Badlands MRK2 to Colorado and used it as my personal, under-the-seat item with absolutely no issue. Four different flights, too. I made sure to not jam it full of stuff, but it had all my travel stuff in it and an extra set of clothes. I also compressed and tied up the excess on all the straps and wrapped the hip belt around the pack to make it as compact and unassuming as possible. Didn't even get a second glance from gate workers or attendants. It's a 2400 cu. in. pack, so it's not exactly small but didn't raise any eyebrows.

 

[menhaden_man]

Yes, Exo K3 with no problems on several occasions. Used to fly 30-50k miles/year, not that it means anything other than being pathetic. You could pull it off worst case they check it plane side.

 

[Burney Mac]

I just flew with my EXO 5000 with the 25" frame and a Yeti Hopper 30...EXO was my carry on, cooler was my personal item. EXO went in the overhead bin, cooler under seat in front of me. Just to save any questions on size. I kept the shoulder straps pretty loose so the pack hung down lower on my back and hip belt buckled behind my back. Also, I didn't put much in it to keep the size down, also cinched it down all the way. Cooler was empty on the way out and was easily smashed down to provide better leg room. Cooler on the way back was full, so leg room was slightly uncomfortable but manageable.

Only eye brows that were raised was more questions of what I had killed as I had some blood on my pack. Then I was deemed "the hunter" lol. I flew Southwest.

 

[Bluumoon]

Sounds like you’re trying to be one of the people who makes boarding/getting off the pain in the ass that it is. Check a bag. I wish the airlines would actually enforce carry-on rules. I’d probably fly more. I don’t get it- the cost of checking a bag is well worth the cost just in not having to schlep extra crap through the airport and on and off the plane.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Airlines are 50:50 at best for me on checked baggage actually arriving w me over the last 2 years.

 

[longsprings]

I think most people pack their clothes in their pack and then stuff it in a duffel to check it in.

All one can do is try. The size and quantity of carry ons these days is