How do you travel on airlines with your large backpack?

[Silvereagle50]

The 3000 would work fine as a carry-on any any big airline. A duffle bag would have to be awfully big to get flagged for no carry-on. I’ve travelled everywhere with my 26” stay Kifaru and my 25” stay Stone Glacier and have never once been refused them as a carry-on. Some f the small airlines like Air North May flag them, but I’d be surprised if the biggies would ever be an issue.

You are probably right. Mostly would depend on how full you filled it I guess.
Kuiu shows the dimensions of the Taku 3000 to be 24”x14.5”x12.5”
Alaska Airlines gives a maximum of 22”x14”x9” and the 3 #s can’t add up to >45”
Guessing they have a box at check in that if your bag will fit in it, it’s ok. (Tell me if I’m wrong here)

 

[Kotaman]

You are probably right. Mostly would depend on how full you filled it I guess.
Kuiu shows the dimensions of the Taku 3000 to be 24”x14.5”x12.5”
Alaska Airlines gives a maximum of 22”x14”x9” and the 3 #s can’t add up to >45”
Guessing they have a box at check in that if your bag will fit in it, it’s ok. (Tell me if I’m wrong here)

In my 54 years on earth, nobody has ever told me to put anything in one of those check in boxes either!

 

[Jimss]

Not exactly sure why anyone would want to lug a duffle carry on around airports when you can put a backpack on your back and head to the terminal, get checked through security, and get on the plane? I load my Kifaru so it fits in the overhead bins and it has always worked great!

 

[keller]

Depends which airline. they keep changing the rules.I changed my flight from Kodiak to msp early.a good thing.flight changed from delta to ak air.3 checked bags they made me pay both delta and Ak air. $700 baggage fees. I wasn't losing my bear skull.they all have different carry on rules as well.just depends how they enforce them.

 

[Dos Perros]

Not exactly sure why anyone would want to lug a duffle carry on around airports when you can put a backpack on your back and head to the terminal, get checked through security, and get on the plane? I load my Kifaru so it fits in the overhead bins and it has always worked great!

Do you do this on the little Embraer planes or just the big ones?

 

[Jimss]

Not sure what embraer planes are? It's the same Kifaru backpack I use when hunting so yes I use the same pack on float planes, supercubs, boats, etc.

 

[Dos Perros]

Not sure what embraer planes are? It's the same Kifaru backpack I use when hunting so yes I use the same pack on float planes, supercubs, boats, etc.

The little planes that are only three seats across and have tiny overheads that fly into most any smaller western regional airports:

 

[MTElkChaser]

I stuff my 6000ci pack in this REI Pack Duffel and it has worked great 6+times:

Link: REI Pack Duffel $35

Use a small TSA Cable lock to keep it shut and I’ve never had a problem. YMMV.

 

[cbeard64]

I have never had an issue using my 5200 CI pack as a carry-on. Can’t imagine schlepping 2 big duffels and a rifle case. Not to mention the extra bag fees.

If a carry-on doesn’t fit in the overhead bins of the small jets like the Embrauers, they simply gate check it for you and it’s brought to the jetway upon arrival. No problem.

 

[Charlottes]

I try to take less stuff, or buy a smaller bag!

 

[Superdutch]

I load Kifaru Fulcrum, then put that inside a Kuiu Taku 9000, along with my camp clothes, right at 50#. I use a Kuiu Taku 3000 for a carry on with optics. That works pretty well. The backpack straps on the Taku are removable so it becomes a big rubber/canvas waterproof duffle. Its held up well and protected my Kifaru bag. I don't like checking the Kifaru separately as, with any pack, buckles etc can get caught in conveyor belts.

 

[Payaso]

I’m thinking I will put my big pack in a duffle and take the foam out of my gun case and fill that extra space with gear (possibly optics). Thinking about wearing crocs for the flight and packing my boots, optics, and a few clothes and absolute necessities in a back pack to carry on. Anyone have thoughts on this? I’m also planning on bringing an extra duffle to hopefully bring cape and head back in on flight.

Any suggestions on a backpack to get to use as carry on that I could also use in the future for day hunts? What about duffles? One to fit big pack and one to bring head and cape home in? TIA

 

[Wiscgunner]

I’m thinking I will put my big pack in a duffle and take the foam out of my gun case and fill that extra space with gear (possibly optics). Thinking about wearing crocs for the flight and packing my boots, optics, and a few clothes and absolute necessities in a back pack to carry on. Anyone have thoughts on this? I’m also planning on bringing an extra duffle to hopefully bring cape and head back in on flight.

Any suggestions on a backpack to get to use as carry on that I could also use in the future for day hunts? What about duffles? One to fit big pack and one to bring head and cape home in? TIA

I would HIGHLY recommend wearing your hunting boots on the plane. All other gear, worst case scenerio, can be replaced or sourced from walmart, guides, or buddies on the the other end of a flight but you don't want to go in with new boots that aren't broken in yet.

 

[Wiscgunner]

Best thing...If you can, upgraded your flight for priority boarding. This is a free upgrade when booking with AMEX and allows you first access to overhead storage.

I pack my Kifaru nomad2 26" frame with vitals/delicates like optics or titanium stove. My Guide Lid is quick detached as counts as a purse/hand bag. I priority board, stash my backpack overhead, and SXL stove and Guide Lid under the seat/inbetween my feet.

You will get away with more on the floor if you have a window seat than an isle seat as there is less scrutiny from the flight crew.

Worst case scenario you have them tag it like a strowler and put the bag under neath or in some planes have room up front for larger delicate items like strowlers, guitars, etc. Just my 2 cents.

I wear my hunting boots (vital) and basic gear on the plane and do not waste space/weight with non-hunting cloths. The rest of my gear goes in checked baggage in a large suit case (tent, sleeping bag, tripod, trekking poles, etc.)

I am picky about my food so I bring a duffle bag of food as you are allowed 1 bag (duffle) and a personal bag (backpack) and wait to break down my back pack (removing guide lid and stove) until on the plane.

I like to double check with the flight attendants before hand if I have time just as a courtesy and they tend to be very accommodating.

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

I mostly use a Stone Glacier Sky 6200 and just take the lid off, put it inside the pack then compress the pack down to 4000 cu in bivy mode and use it as my carry on. All my optics and electronics (remove lithium batteries) go inside it. Like Kotaman, I've never once had an airline request me to check the size of my carry on.

Here's a pic of of it ready to fly, along with my two checked bags with my entire camp and all my food for a 10 day hunt in them. My recurve and arrow tube are also in the large wheeled duffel. I try to stay at 2 checked bags as the price jumps pretty substantially after that.

 

[the hack]

I usually carry on around 60+ lbs of stuff. I get some funny looks going through the airport but it's always worked. I've flown with Alaska Airlines and never had a problem. I just make sure my bacjpack (large Kifaru AMR2) is close to the dimensions of the carryon so it fits in the overhead bin. A couple times it barely fit but sometimes I'm on older planes that have more than enough room in the overhead. I also bring on a giant camera bag that fits under my seat (or also in the overhead) with all my camera gear, etc). It's nice knowing my binos, cameras, spotter etc are with me and will make it! I've never had a problem with security. Just make sure you put your ammunition in a different bag than your rifle and don't carry on any knives, shells, etc.

Sometimes they even offer at the boarding window for people with large items to check them all the way through to my destination for free...but I usually want to carry them on so I make sure everything gets there ok. Alaska Air may be more leaninet than some of the other airlines?

In regard to my rifle and rifle case. Tell the person at the check in that you have a weapon. They'll have you sign a deal that you place in your rifle case that your weapon is unloaded, etc. Once checked in they will have someone escort you to an x-ray machine and check in your rifle. Make sure you have locks for your rifle case or they will likely make you buy them from them!

I gut the foam in my rifle case and replace it with clothes, trekking poles, flyrods, etc until it reaches 50 lb limit. My rifle case is on rollers. This makes it easier getting in and out of airports, etc. I often load other stuff on top of my rifle case on rollers to tote around.

What do like for a rifle case--so many options!

 

[PA 5-0]

Both my AK hunts I took my Kuiu 5200 on the plane as a carry on. Little big but they only bitched one time. I just told them I have $6k worth of optics in it and they waved my on. It fit up in the carry on overhead racks. If you check you pack, make sure its in some kind of lockable duffel bag.

 

[Theringworm]

Here is my bag/luggage set up this past year for Alaska.

I took two, yes two, Kuiu Taku 9000 dry bags (stuffed my packed Kuiu Pro 7800 backpack inside of one bag for transportation/protection during travel). I then turned the packed Taku 9000 bag, zipper side down and put it inside of another Kuiu Taku 9000 bag. I did this for added protection with opposing zippers in case it got caught out in torrential rain. Also, in case one bag tore and second was underneath it to protect it. 3rd, in case I needed an extra bag. I checked this bag on the plane.

Patagonia 55L Black Hole Duffel (my carryon on for all my optics, change of clothes, waders, wader boots, food and electronics). It served its purpose but I fell there are better waterproof carryon duffels out there than this one.

Kuiu Pro 7800 backpack with pack rain cover and quick draw gun holder

Whateve you do, i feel it’s an absolute must to put your backpack inside of another waterproof bag. My hunting partner did not, and on the flight in, his bag was next to locals return8ng to Alaska who checked what once was frozen fish. By the time we got off the plane, it wasn’t frozen anymore and had leaked out all inside the cargo hold of the airliner. His backpack wreaked of fish. He frantically spent the first hour at base camp, dumping his pack, whashing it completely and trying to dry it before ou super cub showed up. I didnt Have that problem at all. Always plan for the worse.

 

[FLAK]

Eberlestock J107 carry on.

 

[Steve O]

I usually take two Sitka Nomads for all my camp and gear. Inside is a Stone Glacier STOL 7200 that I can use as an extra bag if necessary to check for meat/hides/ect on the way home. SG Sky Archer 6200 is also inside one of the Nomads.Yeti Hopper 30 is the ultimate carry on as it will fit 55# of bones out and frozen Sitka Blacktail (or Dall Sheep in your case) on the way home. Optics and electronics and clean travel clothes go in for the trip to the hunt. Those go in a drysack carry on for the way home.

You will have much LESS stuff for a guided sheep hunt. Stone Glacier STOL 3000 would be a great carry on.