Flying w/ MR Beartooth or Kuiu 5500 as Carry-On

[coloyooper]

Has anybody flown with either bag or anything similar in size? I'm headed back to Michigan next week for the rifle opener and the Beartooth is the only bag/frame I own. Based off Delta's carry-on regs - it needs to be 22" x 14 x 9. I see hippies in the airport with HUGE backpacks all the time so I don't think I'll catch flack but the last thing I want is a headache at the gate.

 

[Browninglover1]

I've been required to put my carry on in the "gage" right at the gate to prove it was small enough. I personally wouldn't chance taking something bigger than the envelope listed.

 

[THBZN]

If the Beartooth is loaded up fairly full, no way it will make it on as a carry-on. High chance you will get it past the ticket agent, and then you will face the wrath of the crew once you try and log jam that thing in the overhead bin...I would opt for checking it, but take out the optics, etc. and carry on with you, then cinch down all the straps, buckle the waistbelt, and you may even opt for a cheap, big duffel to zip it in. It's worth the $30 to help protect it.

 

[darcytribe]

I flew 4 flights this year with the beartooth as a carry on. That said I didn’t fill it and also did not use the top lid. The bag can be compressed when not full to pretty close to the dimensions for a carry on but the frame and suspension make it larger. I was not questioned once when boarding but there was some creative monkeying needed to get it in the overhead bins.

 

[Kotaman]

I have travelled all over North America with a 25”,26” frame and bag from KUiU, to Kifaru to SG. This includes 100’s of trips. Never been hassled, never been asked to put anything in the little metal box at the ticket counter to prove size.
Whatever pack you choose, compress it and you’ll be fine.

 

[coloyooper]

I wasn’t going to load it up too much. Just essentials. I have a checked duffle bag that I need to leave room in. I’ve got a Kifaru slick bag and a lost parka waiting for me in Michigan. Thanks fellas. I’ll leave the lid at home and cinch it down tight.

 

[Htm84]

Depends on the airline. I know Alaska air recently started cracking down on the carry size requirements. Not sure about delta, but Sometimes you can gate check it for free. I usually keep any high dollar items in my carry on so that’s not an option for me. I always put my pack inside a large duffel bag and stuff it to 50 pounds. Then just take a small backpack for a carry on with valuables and fragile stuff.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Remember that technically the Kuiu "regular" frame is at the max length allowed. Never rely on aline gate agents to turn a blind eye to their sizing requirements.

Only put the bare essentials in it (ex: binoculars, spotting scope) and cinch it down. I pack my full size Kuiu pack and put it in a bag and check that along with my rifle. I put my optics, and a couple of other small items, in a smaller Kuiu bag and attach that to the frame; this is what I take onto the plane. No other bags in case the gate agent gets a bad attitude. Frame is one carryon and the removed bag (with optics) is my second.

 

[Lowbrowroyalty]

I've been flying with a Selway 60 as carryon. Same frame, Guide Light MT. Measures 24" on my tape, which is legal, at least on the Airlines I've floated. Haven't so much as caught a glance, and I've had to do a fair amount of bag manipulation at the ticket counter to get my check bags synced up at #50.