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.