Harness protection when flying

[weeds]

Just wondering what members don't protect their harnesses from possible harm.

My pack was on it first maiden flight this week.......I purchased a pack rain cover thingy and fitted it back to front do it protected the harness......than I thought the load guys might get annoyed that there is no handle as I discovered the tightening toggle on the soon comes undone when you grab the edge of the cover, actually the pack nearly falls out. To solve this I wrapped a tie down strap around the whole pack.........

Am I'm being over careful?? There was another pack on the baggage conveyor with its strap flopping everywhere, the lack was in pretty rough condition.

[GPSGuided]

I say the risk to harness depends on the sector/s you are travelling. Small airport to small airport would have little conveyor belt/sorting machine action, if any. As such, there's little risk from manual handling b/n the trolley, aircraft and luggage collection belt. If going through a major hub and international, you'll be well advised to use a pack bag or the service of one of those giant glad wrap machines from the airport. Getting webbings caught in the conveyor system would be the end of the pack and the workers would not treat your caught pack kindly for the trouble it caused them. Otherwise, airline checkin staffs would apply certain guidelines and advise accordingly, may ask you to tape down or wrap certain straps. Better to get them done at home. Rain covers are inadequate for the purpose. They are likely to get damaged and holed in the process.

[Lindsay]

The best thing is to put the pack inside another bag, If you cant do that tighten all the straps and wrap them around the pack, securing them so they don't hang loose. A few turns of duct tape around the pack can help here. In my time working at an airport I saw many packs damaged from loose straps getting caught in the baggage belts. I put my empty pack in a canvas holdall along with all my gear, and only load the pack before the walk.

[Strider]

Some good discussion on this topic here:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=15080&p=276577&hilit=ikea#p276577

[weeds]

Thanks guys.......yes a assumed the pack cover would get damaged.......

Totally didn't think about the large plastic bags available at check in......I had to use one only a month ago when a zip broke on my travel bag..... Cheap and light to carry.

Oh thanks for the link to the other thread.

[Gadgetgeek]

I use a pack duffel and its worked well for my uses. Knowing a few ramp-rats, the easier it is for them to move, the more they will look after it. A big heavy slick plastic pod will get punted around the apron. I'll sacrifice the duffel bag if needed, but its got a big obvious handle which helps the carrying. Mine is from MEC, so not available here, but fits up to an 80L pack. the zip is in one end, so the security guys, if they need to open it can quickly see its a pack, and can open it easily.

[nitro]

I got one of the heavy duty white bin bags from bunnings and attached a handle to it with some sling tape and a paracord tying point to close it up.

On numerous long distance flights with multiple transfers, my pack still looks new. I work in the airport and see how the bags get treated.

[walkon]

I got one of the heavy duty white bin bags from bunnings and attached a handle to it with some sling tape and a paracord tying point to close it up.

On numerous long distance flights with multiple transfers, my pack still looks new. I work in the airport and see how the bags get treated.

+1 here on that. I just cable tie the top closed and haven't had any problems.
Was in Hobart airport while back watching a distressed hiker who's pack only had one shoulder strap so it does happen

[weeds]

Umm , we will be flying into one airport and departing from another.....family of five......don't read want to carry five protection bags which seems to weigh around 500g and take up
valuable space

[GPSGuided]

Then do the disposable option with airport 'gladwrap' or airline plastic bag. Or just use packing tapes around the pack.

[Gadgetgeek]

If the packs have an adjustable harness, pull the harness off, stow it in the pack, tie all the remaining straps down, and carry a few spare ladder-locks and such. hip belts are harder to stow, but could be wrapped up tight.

[weeds]

OK won't be using the rain cover, I agree it won't be durable enough.....

When I checked in Virgin don't do the heavy duty plastic bag however they did offer a stripy bag........bag wasn't tall enough to do the zipper up.

Dropped into Bunnings today and picked up a pack of bin liners........grabbed the wrong pack as the ones I grabbed would fit three packs in them......grrrrr

Will pick up smaller ones tomorrow as I'm flying out again on Monday an Am taking my pack again.

[GPSGuided]

Ah, another wonderful story in the name of bushwalking.

[weeds]

Flying out again today......after two visits to Bunnings my pack is ready....

Much happy this time round......bag is really light as well.

[kitty]

Nice work weeds and definitely worth the effort!

Some years ago, I (ignorantly) didnt secure all the straps on my hiking pack. Strap got caught in some mechanism which chewed the strap, chewed a hole through the side of my pack, and chewed the top completely off one of my favorite shoes. Luckily I was on a car camping holiday with my hiking pack, not on a hiking holiday.