Rucksack Covers for Airline Check-In

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whitey112
14/05/2012 at 01:57

I am about to fork out a small fortune for an osprey 70 litre backpack and I want to protect my new baby when I have to check it in on upcoming flights. I've been googling and a lot of the travel sacs out there seem to be pretty crap quality, only lasting one trip. Equally, the more robust duffle bags / military kit bags etc are just too heavy and bulky to have to carry around afterwards.

I have come across a few possibilites I may consider, so wondered if anyone has experience of these and could suggest which they think is best?

  • Osprey's own Airporter - http://www.snowandrock.com/osprey%20airporter%20lz/osprey/ski-snowboard-outdoor-sports/fcp-product/4355
  • Deuter Transport Cover - http://www.trekkinn.com/outdoor-mountain/deuter-transport-cover-2012/19353/p?utm_source=google_products&utm_medium=merchant
  • Travelproof Sac Bag and Raincover - http://www.travelproof.co.uk/product/4290/Sac_Bag_and_Raincover_Medium_
  • Sacbag Air by catch22 - http://www.catch22products.co.uk/Security.htm#Overland

The last one seems to get a good few reviews, but since it is so light I am worried about it's durability and strength when lifted?

I know some people will say don't bother with a cover, just tuck all the straps in properly, but having had bags and even suitcases ripped & damaged in the past, I'm just not even risking this with a new expensive Osprey!

Thanks in advance

GOF
14/05/2012 at 07:08
Cling film. Wrap the pack just before check in in multiple layers of cling film - leave the grab handle free for the bag handlers to grab. pull the film as tight as you can, really cocoon it.

At the other end, rip/cut the film off so you can use the pack - do it again on the way back.

The cling film will take the battering and is surprising robust (as you will find when trying to get your pack out of it - more importantly, it gives a nice clean and smooth profile so nothing to catch.
GOF
Paddy Dillon
14/05/2012 at 07:52
I just use any old hard-wearing cover that I happen to have lying around the house. Weight and bulk aren't an issue, because I'll wrap it in a couple of plastic bags and hide it near the airport (or some other location) at the other end. I don't need to carry it, and so long as I intend returning past the point where I've hidden it, I can pick it up at the end of my trip. I've frequently hidden pack covers for anything from two to ten weeks.
William Chilton
14/05/2012 at 09:23
I have done the same as Paddy when I've been rreturning from the same airport. On trips with a different airport, I've used an oversized Sea to Summit packliner, which serves as packliner for hiking, then as a cover for flying. It's not the cheapest option but it seems stronger than the travel sacks I've looked at.
Paddy Dillon
14/05/2012 at 10:23

Actually... I hid one cover in a really great place... only to return after ten weeks and discover that it had gone!

As I was walking away, I noticed another guy start looking all over the same place, investigating every nook and cranny. Was he the thief? Nope... it turned out that I'd hidden the cover in the same place as a very popular geocache. Bloody geocachers!

Owen Bennett
14/05/2012 at 11:57
Just buy some 99p per metre parachute ripstop from Fabrics-n-stuff and sew a bag with a cord lock around the top .Keeps all the straps covered so they dont get trapped on the conveyors.Weight about 90 gms so easy to carry in your rucksack until your return.i have made a few for friends and easy to knock up.You are usually sent to the special luggage area to check it in though .Used mine for five trips so far and still good.  
Chris, OutdoorsGrub.co.uk
14/05/2012 at 12:34

Cling film is a cheap option and avoids having to carry a cover.

I've used a Sakbag Air (http://www.catch22products.co.uk/Security.htm#Air) for some years for domestic and international air travel (with an Osprey pack!) with no issues, found it plenty robust

morton moschild
14/05/2012 at 13:39
On each trip we have used heavy 'rubble' sacs. We place our kit inside one rubble bag. Then use parcel tape to secure the rubble sac around our packs. Upon arrival we then unwrap the pack, use one of the 'rubble' sacs for a liner and hide the rest, including the parcel tape. 2 weeks later we return, rummage amongst the undergrowth and reverse the process. Its worked for us over the past 10 or more years. Our main reason for this was to stop straps dangling about the place and being damaged. 
captain paranoia
14/05/2012 at 18:27

> I'll wrap it in a couple of plastic bags and hide it near the airport (or some other location) at the other end

Make sure you do this well away from airport security systems and personnel, unless you want to end up very familiar with someone wearing a rubber glove...

Bedouin
14/05/2012 at 18:48
I've travelled through many airports with backpacks and have to say I think your being a bit too precious about it. If you feel that the pack cost you a "small fortune" why are spending even more on what to me is pretty much a non-issue?
Luke
15/05/2012 at 11:53
Cling film is a cheap lightweight option, after a trip to the states with 4 out of 6 suitcases coming back damaged when I fly solo myself later in the year as i'll be carrying a pack it will get wrapped in clingfilm.
Bedouin
15/05/2012 at 16:55
Luke wrote (see)
after a trip to the states with 4 out of 6 suitcases coming back damaged

WHAT!!!!

I simply can't believe that any airline would still be in business if it was 'damaging' getting on for 70% of its passengers luggage.

How are you defining 'damage'?

 IMHO baggage wrapping at airports was thought up by accountants on a wet Tuesday afternoon who saw big fat profits on one side and stupid people on the other. They've been laughing all the way to the bank ever since.

 

GOF
15/05/2012 at 17:07
Bedders...its a business opportunity when offered in the airport...and a roll of cling film when you do it yourself

GOF
Luke
15/05/2012 at 17:09
1 with a rip, and 3 with large grazes along the edges meaning the outer fabric has gone and the inner piping is visible as there on the edges.
All cases were new for the trip, I suspect it happened when our connecting flight was waiting for us so luggage was moved pretty quickly from one plane to another for about 50 of us.
My fault for not buying hard cases but never mind they were brought in the sales at a good price making it cheaper to bin them then claim on the insurance, the contents inside were fine and that's more important.
Bedouin
15/05/2012 at 17:46

GOF, LOL!!!

The only real contact I've had with baggage wrapping is at the luggage carousel where people have got all irate that the wrapping has either all gone or is hanging off where the bag has obviously been opened. On further investigation it appears that the originating airport security opened the bag during security checks. I've heard that luggage wrapped thus is more likely to be opened. 

Luke, looking around generally at luggage being offered for sale it doesn't surprise me that its so easily damaged/broken i.e. £75 for a 3 piece set!. I think it would be instructive to look at what frequent flyers use..... TUMI I bought a carry-on at the sales in America about 6 years ago and I can't see why it won't me for a lifetime. Its crazy expensive in the UK $1= £1.20 but during sales in the US it gets down to 'worth it' sort of prices. Then again baggage handlers know about Tumi so its more likely to be nicked..... ho hum!

Parky Again
15/05/2012 at 17:59
Erm..why are baggage handlers messing with a carry on case?
Bedouin
15/05/2012 at 18:01
They aren't!

EDIT:

Just twigged what your getting at.....

For those that haven't/don't fly internally in the US you won't know that the carry-on size allowed is pretty much as big as what you'd be forced to put in the hold in the UK. SO when in the US I can get away with just my Tumi carry-on but when back in the UK it has to go into the hold hence baggage handlers

Edited: 15/05/2012 at 18:07
bailout
15/05/2012 at 19:36
Baggage wrapping is also recommended to avoid picking up bedbugs from other people's bags. A large percentage of hotels and hostels are infested and they can crawl into seams on suitcases and bags quite easily and then pass onto other bags they are stacked with.
Bedouin
15/05/2012 at 20:38
Gotta give it to these wrap companies they really do try.... "Protect your nice luggage from all those horrible dirty people, just £10!!!"
cathyjc
15/05/2012 at 20:55
I don't usually advocate baggage wrapping hold luggage. I would normally use bags durable enough to survive baggage handlers.
However, on a long haul flight recently my suitcase clip fastening was broken and I was very pleased to be able to wrap the suitcase (hard plastic type case).

I'll certainly consider the cling film wrapping next year when we will be travelling with backpacks.

Thanks whitey112 for raising the topic. Given me some good ideas.
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