Aarn Natural Exhilaration Pack- OK as aircraft hand luggage?

[johnw]

I have the 32L (large) version as my current daypack. Leaving for Launceston AM Monday. Has anyone with this pack taken it as hand luggage on a domestic flight (Virgin Blue). It's about 60cm along it's longest length. Rules say max is 46cm, so I might be pushing it? It's pretty compact otherwise. If too big I'll take my old Berghaus Dart which is more compact but not waterproof. Thanks if anyone can help.

[photohiker]

John,

I've travelled Virgin and Quaintas repeatedly with my Osprey Stratus 24 Large (26L) and it's 61cm high. Never had a second look and it fits across the width of the overhead luggage compartment fine. I've just upgraded it to an Exos 34, and as long as I don't load the top pocket it's the same height so should be good to go.

No guarantees of course, if the checkin crew are having a bad day I've seen them screw up a lot of people's days...

[johnw]

No guarantees of course, if the checkin crew are having a bad day I've seen them screw up a lot of people's days...

Thanks Michael. Yep, that was my main concern, although 99% of the time it's probably fine. I'll think it over a bit more. Anyway back to packing .

[photohiker]

Just pack a HD garbag and packing tape in the top pocket. If they make you check it, wrap it up and you're good to go.

I'd take it as long as it's not packed to bust. Remember the spec is 7kg. I'd be more worried about that than a small bending of the length rules.

One time I was in a hurry to catch a flight to Canberra and I had a carry-on that was only slightly large but very overweight. Anyway, I tried to nonchalantly swing this heavy bag as if it was lightweight, but to no avail. The Ansett dragon was onto me, pulled me aside and started to hassle me about my bag (while people with even more outrageous bags walked straight past us onto the plane). This old witch met her match that day though, because I pulled my heavy coat and jumper out of the bag, put them on, and proceeded to stuff the remaining contents of the bag into my many pockets. I boarded the plane with an almost empty bag under the sizzling glare of that stroppy hostie and proceeded to stuff everything back in. Surprising how many passengers gave me a grin and thumbs up!

[BarryJ]

Personally, I prefer not to take any risks with my gear when flying. If it doesn't comply with carry-on rules, I always check it in. It is too late to go back and check in your gear if you get as far as the air-craft and find the cabin crew decide it isn't carry-on. You only have two options at that late stage; miss the flight or lose the gear.

[johnw]

Thanks guys. I'd rather not take any risks either. Visiting Tassie with bushwalking as one of the main objectives (as usual ), so I can't lose the gear. Weight should already be under 7kg; if it isn't it will be before we leave. I've decided to take the old (smaller) pack, which is still serviceable. Just that the Aarn has such a comfortable harness plus a dri-liner built in. I can fix the latter with dry bags though.

p.s. Love the Ansett story Michael, well done.

[Singe]

I feel compelled to speak out...

You'll probably get away with it nine times out of 10... but filling an overhead locker with carry-on luggage that you know is oversized is a little inconsiderate of your fellow passengers!

[BarryJ]

I feel compelled to speak out...

You'll probably get away with it nine times out of 10... but filling an overhead locker with carry-on luggage that you know is oversized is a little inconsiderate of your fellow passengers!

I fully agree. I would go even further and suggest that it is creating a possible safety hazard (i.e. overloading the air-craft) and thereby potentially endangering them and yourself.

[photohiker]

overloading the air-craft) and thereby potentially endangering them and yourself.

On that score, my conscience is clear. I've sat next to people who weigh more than twice my weight including my luggage. I've also never been on a plane when all of the carry-on baggage didn't fit. Believe me when I say I have been on quite a few planes...

As long as the bag fits under the seat or in the overhead lockers and is at or below the maximum weight (7kg) there shouldn't be a problem. In fact I'd rather get clocked by my backpack than one of those duty free bags with bottles of plonk in it.

[Ent]

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[photohiker]

that score, my conscience is clear. I've sat next to people who weigh more than twice my weight including my luggage.

So we have met in real life?

Does your 'midriff' ooze over the armrests?

[Ent]

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[Son of a Beach]

Last time I travelled, two of the planes had all of the overhead lockers full, and the planes were significantly delayed while the staff took bags out and had them checked in as unaccompanied baggage.

I managed to get mine under the seat in front of me (just) instead of in the overhead locker, but that left me with no leg room at all, and very uncomfortable leg cramps.

[Taurë-rana]

Whereas I always put my bag under the seat in front of me so I can access it, but still don't get leg cramps

[Son of a Beach]

show off!

[Ent]

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[Penguin]

overloading the air-craft) and thereby potentially endangering them and yourself.

On that score, my conscience is clear. I've sat next to people who weigh more than twice my weight including my luggage. I've also never been on a plane when all of the carry-on baggage didn't fit. Believe me when I say I have been on quite a few planes...

As long as the bag fits under the seat or in the overhead lockers and is at or below the maximum weight (7kg) there shouldn't be a problem. In fact I'd rather get clocked by my backpack than one of those duty free bags with bottles of plonk in it.

I have been traveling on aircraft a bit recently. On two flights there was a significant delay as people brought on too much carry on luggage. Most of which will not fit under the seat infront. As there is nowhere to store it, they had to break the plane seal, get the luggage put in the hold, reseal the plane and then get new take off paperwork. In one case I missed my connecting flight purely because of this - 45 minute delay.

I used to be the relaxed traveller and saunter on the plane when most people had settled. Now I rush on early so that my meager computer back pack can fit in the overhead locker. Why should somebody else being too disorganised (a 5 to 6kg backpack does me for three days including computer - I love netbooks), too lazy (could not be bothered waiting for the luggage at the other end), too impatient (not willing to be in the queue to drop off luggage) or too selfish (my needs are more important that others) make my trip a cramped misery.

What do people not get - three people with tow bags each does not fit into one overhead locker. I hope the airlines start to get a bit more vigilant, particularly on the Melbourne/Sydney run.

Here endith the rant.

P

[johnw]

Well my conscience is clear. I've been down here (Tas) since Monday. I took the smaller pack which definitely fit the rules. However you should have seen what many other people were getting away with. The mind boggles.

ps Can you please fix the weather .

[Son of a Beach]

Can you please fix the weather .

Crumbs... if we did that we'd be overrun with you mainlanders. It's the weather that keeps the plebs out!

[Ent]

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[johnw]

ps Can you please fix the weather .

To experience Tasmanian fully you need the rain, snow, wind, frozen finger, etc

But that happens every time I come here .

[Taurë-rana]

See what we have to put up with to live in paradise? Many Tasmanians spend a large portion of the year dreaming about being somewhere warmer. At least when the weather is nice, like the last couple of days, we really appreciate it.

[corvus]

See what we have to put up with to live in paradise? Many Tasmanians spend a large portion of the year dreaming about being somewhere warmer. At least when the weather is nice, like the last couple of days, we really appreciate it.

Never ,
Thats why we live here to avoid unbearable heat ,dry barren countryside to enjoy pure clean air and water c

[Ent]

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[corvus]

Oh my big freen oh hight an stature
in what your backpack hae ye captured
twas it a wee and mealli Tarp tent
or is it an Hilliberg resplendent

a nice wee hoose

with apologies to the Bard
c

[Ent]

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[corvus]

Yours Aye Brett
c