[pct-l] Hiking gear on planes

[yogilists at hotmail.com (yogi yogi)]

You *can* put your knife in your checked backpack.

I would guess pepper spray would be fine in your checked backpack.  I would 
imagine that wouldn't be any different from someone checking a bottle of 
hairspray.

Everything else you listed is also fine in your checked backpack.  If they 
ask if your alcohol stove or fuel bottle have ever had fuel in them, your 
answer is NO.

Basically everything you asked about should be fine in your CHECKED 
backpack.


OTHER ADVICE:

This is what I've got in my book "Yogi's PCT Handbook" regarding airline 
travel for backpackers:


"Protect your backpack on the plane.  Put it inside a large duffle bag or 
plastic bag.  Many airlines have great big strong plastic bags.  Call the 
airline desk at the airport you?re flying out of and ask if they?ve got bags 
available.  Many people put baby car seats, strollers, etc., in bags like 
this.  They also work great for backpacks.  Tie an address tag both on your 
pack and also on the outside of the plastic bag.

If you do not put your pack into a bag, make sure you do not have ANY gear 
strapped to the outside:  sleeping pad, tent poles, etc.  Gear strapped to 
the outside of your pack could disappear.  Make sure all pack straps are 
tied down.  If not, these could catch on the conveyer belts used to move 
luggage.  Strap the hip belt around the pack.  Place a few straps of duct 
tape over the opening of the backpack.  This will help stop the pack from 
'accidentally' opening up.

Do not have any perishable food in your backpack.  No oranges, lunch meat, 
cheese, etc.
The plane could spend some time on a hot runway, and your food would spoil.

Be sure you do not have any contraband objects on your person:  tent stakes, 
pocketknife, little scissors.  You may be used to carrying these in your 
pocket or hip pouch when you hike, but you cannot have these on your person 
when you board the plane.

Be prepared to be ?chosen? for inspection at the airport.  Every time I?ve 
flown to or from the trail, I?m chosen.  In 2003, I finally asked why I 
always get picked.  The person with the magic metal-detecting wand told me 
it?s because I?ve got a one-way ticket."




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Hi Hikers,
I will be flying out from the East Coast to start the PCT at the end of the 
month and was looking for some advice as to what I can include in my 
backpack which I will include with my checked luggage at the Airport. I 
realize that I cannot include my penknife or my can of pepper spray, but 
what about my alcohol stove, fuel bottle, Esbit fuel tablets, trekking 
poles, scissors in my first aid kit. Any other advice as to any problems I 
may encounter.

Thanks, Rudy [Reindeer]

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