Pack safe

Ben Hedley

25/06/2003 at 15:01

Im planning to use my karrimior cougar to take all my stuff out to crete with me but somehow it doesnt seem very secure and could easily be opened by baggage handlers etc.

Has anyone used that wire mesh type pac-safe thing and would you reccomend them for using on planes or are they likely to get snagged on other things etc?

cheers for any info
Ben

Jon Doran

25/06/2003 at 15:15

I've used one and wouldn't bother. Just get a big, cheap, kit bag and stick you pack inside it. Even with a Pacsafe on, they'll still treat your pack as 'weird luggage' and make you check it in separately I think.

In S American I used to stick a long zip tie around the neckof the main compartment of the sac and zip-tie or padlock zips closed. But an exterior sac is a better idea really. Big, cheap hold all should do it, or there are some specialist designs out there as well. See the thread about a big pack for one example.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com

25/06/2003 at 15:54

Jon C has this huge stuff sack type thing. Its got a shoulder strap and one handle, fastens a bit like an old fasioned army kit bag. Stops stuff gettin snagged on conveyor belts and the like. You can use cable ties to secure the top, same as JD suggested.

Only problem with the cable ties, is that you cant carry anything to cut them with in your hand luggage, so work out a solution before you fly!!

Si(C)

Evil Genius Darren

25/06/2003 at 17:01

The Pack safe is really designed to stop bag-slashers pinching stuff. Trouble is the mesh is pretty big so unless you are packing an elephant, stuff can be still be passed through.

It's also suppose to allow you to lock your pack to something solid if you leave it somewhere. Personally I think putting a pack safe on a bag is just one big advert saying "Rich foreigner. Rob me!!!"

Discretion is the key

Ninja Marmot

25/06/2003 at 17:12

Ben - we just stuff everything in holdalls and have never had a problem with the airline. The shoulder strap goes in the zip pocket and the zip is padlocked, then we put a brightly coloured strap round as there are lots of black holdalls!

Nairy a problem, and much lighter and easier to lug round / fit on board boats, strap to top of jeeps etc than a suitcase.

Ben Hedley

25/06/2003 at 17:31

Ok thanks guys. Will go get a hold-all to pack it all into.

on the zip-tie front, are you allowed to carry lighters in hand luggage?

Evil Genius Darren

25/06/2003 at 17:37

I believe lighters are allowed, but only 1 per person. I took my turbo flame in January to Boston and no-one batted an eyelid.

Damo

25/06/2003 at 17:55

We were stood in Beijing airport in August 1999 awaiting our lifts out to the university. One of the girls had taken the opportunity to buy a pack of cheap disposable lighters, and put them in her bag, which she then left in the 40o+ sun.

You can guess what happened next. A series of pretty cool explosions, and some pretty angry looking chinese policeman, and an awful lot of explaining to be done by our host.

I've never taken cheap ones anywhere remotely warm ever since...
:~)

Ninja Marmot

25/06/2003 at 18:45

No lighters in hand luggage in British airports that I've used recently. Big signs as you approach the check-in.

Just don't risk it. Some of the check-in clerks have NO sense of humour....got threatened with being chucked off the flight once cos when we were asked if we were carrying any weapons or firearms, I turned to Tim (who was only a little boy then) and joked 'You didn't bring your Kalishnikov, did you?' and she went APE-SH*T. Basically she said that if I thought that that was humorous then I wouldn't be flying that day or any other day.

No I don't look like a terrorist and Tim was about 5.....

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