Rucksack Wear & Tear

[speedbird]

Guys!

As the summer backpacking seasons approaches, I thought I would pass on a word of advice when checking in your luggage at airports for your flight. I'm about to set off on a four month backpacking trip myself and have worked on the ground at Vancouver Int. Airport for the past 10 months for it and I've seen a lot happen.

Please, please, please buckle all your straps together on your rucksacks, and if possible, zip them away under a cover or something because the number of times I've seen waist belt buckles torn off in the equipment we use just kills me - as it basically renders the pack unusable, and I feel terrible for the person.

Please guys, be as smart as you can when you travel. I've been fortunate enough to witness the way some of the luggage gets beat up (accedently) when we handle it and it's not good. So just be as smart as you can when you pack & check-in your luggage, and you'll have no problems! ;D

[Eagle]

speedbird, thanks for the warning! Fortunately, my venerable Eagle Creek Continental Journey pack has a "zip away" harness, so this hasn't been a problem for me.

At various times when travelling through airports, I've noticed that some carriers will "Saran Wrap" packs that have exposed straps. Is this not being done in Vancouver these days?

Hopefully none of our members here will have any problems?

[speedbird]

Sounds like your Eagle Creek has a very similiar feature to my Karrimor - lucky us!

We do get that on occasion with the saran wrap (which seems rediculous), but more common is the just clear plastic bag over the rucksack which works just as well, and am sure that if asked for - the airlines have no problem supplying for us. Just be smart