Air Travel logistics?

[Terry Green]

Paul, that's a nice duffle, and not a bad price!

One needs to make sure that if you do buy a duffel, that it will accept your TD with allowance for padding.  Any 'case' type lugage will be subject to questions, but if its bows there should be no issues.  I have traveled with a Black Widow case before, and many times with Smokin Joe and his case.  Never an issue, just extra scrutiny at times, but all went well.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Check you airline's max dimensions for checked bags. Some of these monster duffles are way over. I've never had my checked luggage measured, but I saw a very sad hunter on a trip to Newfoundland a few years ago paying big $$ for his oversized bags.

Another tip - your carryon + personal items don't get weighed. You can stash a bunch of heavy stuff in there if you are approaching the 50 lb limit in your checked bag.  Don't discount the personal item, look at the measurement, often you can use a small backpack for this...in addition to a bigger carryon.


R

[Terry Green]

Yes Ryan!!!!

Great tip, i have yet to be charged with Delta and American...and here's a few more....

WEAR your boots to the airport, they are going to make you take your shoes off anyway, no need to add the weight and BULK to your checked bag for an overweight charg, I also wear or wrap my polar tech or wool pullover around my shoulders, it makes for a nice pillow during flight if you need it, and more room in your checked bag or carry on.

[Pauljr77]

Very good point Ryan, I tend to forget that I fly a lot so have status and the rules for me are different.
Another tip, I make sure my binoculars are in my carry on, I’ve had sunglasses stolen from check bags, use the TSA locks and carry valuables in your carry on.

[Terry Green]

Paul, yes, If you look close at my pics, you can see I 'zip tie' my zippers.....

[Pauljr77]

Terry, I’ve found these tiny TSA locks that work well. It certainly wouldn’t stop anyone really wanting in but is a deterrent.

[Terry Green]

I hear ya Paul.... I just can't keep up with another key!!! 

[Terry Green]

These come in handy... spend 20 save 50... but the save 50 keeps on going!!!

[fisherick]

Also keep some nail clippers and Ty-wraps in an outside pocket so when TSA check your bag you can replace Ty-rap locks or you reach your final destination and need to remove them.

[smokin joe]

This thread has some of the best information I have seen on the subject. Thanks to everyone for the good air travel tips. I will give a ditto to weighing your own bags at home before departing. I always do that.

Keep posting your tips and tricks for air travel.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

I zip tie too, if someone wants your luggage they will just take it, a lock is not worth much. Zip ties keep it from coming open by accident. I tape a few zip ties to a note asking TSA to replace zip ties if they inspect and put it right on top as soon as you open the bag. Had an inspection of my duffle and they actually did replace it!  They leave paperwork in there if they inspect.

For locks (when I take a bear gun to AK its required for firearms) you need to be sure they are TSA approved or they will cut them off with bolt cutters. I use the small 3 digit TSA certified combo lock too. Get em at Walmart.  I have them all combo'd the same. One on pistol case. And one on the bag the case is in. I hate travelling with a gun but have to sometimes.  Avoid if possible.

I don't take an extra riser...I figure if I do something bad enough to break a riser I'm probably broken too! Never needed the spare limbs but I always take a set and an extra string.

Be realistic about needs vs wants. Anymore I only check 1 bag except for Alaska where I'm taking a whole camp along and the bulk necessitates a 2nd bag. Everything you can get in 1 checked bag + your carry on you still will have stuff you never see or need the whole trip. Checking 1 bag makes everything easier...moving in the airport before and after...not to mention cheaper.


R

[Ryan Rothhaar]

I talked with a young dude in Fairbanks last fall coming home who had 4 of those great big kuiu duffels he was checking in....I don't know how much junk he needed on his caribou trip, but his story was "I had it so I brought it!". 
 

He was on a guided trip....so didn't even need any camp gear.  I don't get it. Generational, maybe 😀

It WAS comical watching him try to push an airport luggage cart around with all that crap on it!

R

[Pauljr77]

For lower 48 trips, back pack hunting I check one bag. I have my pack preloaded with everything except water and stove fuel. My pack , bow and my boots are in my duffle. Once i land, head to a store for fuel and water to pack in with and I’m off to the trail head. Being extremely organized and only carrying what i need, not what i think i might need works for me.
As a general comment about air travel, know what the rules are before you go, each airline has their own. Don’t try to carry your pocket knife through TSA, no matter how much you whine, they will take it, put it in your check bag. And when you board, its very simple, bag, butt, belt . There’s no reason to mess with your unorganized stuff, stalling boarding for everyone else.

[Terry Green]

Yes, extra zip ties and duc tape are in the duffel on top.  Once on the way home I had to ditch the duc tape to avoid a $50 charge.

[smokin joe]

What size cooler have you guys found to be good for air travel and bring meat, hides, skulls home? And what brand? The idea of using the cooler as luggage to the hunt and a meat cooler coming home seems pretty good. So, what coolers do you use?

[fisherick]

Most airlines have a size (62") and weight restrictions (50#) for checked baggage or pay a oversize fee. We usually fly SWA for two free checked bags.

The Igloo 5-day 60qt wheeled cooler mentioned in my post is 28"x16"x17" and weighs 12# fits all our camp gear, acts as a camp food cooler and returns with meat or hides when we get lucky. The only disadvantage is it weighs 12# and limits how much meat you can transport home without additional fees.

The second is a jumbo insulated cooler bag (10gal) (3#) and is 21"x17"x8".  We use this as a truck cooler for drinks and as a carry-on to bring 40-45# of frozen meat home on the plane.

A third option is a Igloo 45qt Marine cooler that is smaller but only weighs 6# to bring back more frozen meat (44#) as checked baggage.

We always duct tape the covers and add a strap to secure the cover of the coolers. Just keep weights under 50# to avoid oversize fees.

[MCNSC]

Very good information, doesn’t seem too bad or complicated , just different and takes some planning.  I’m used to just throwing everything I own in the truck , if there’s the slightest chance I might need it.