so i was wondering, how do you transport you bag and gear when taking an airplane? i have been looking for info on this but can’t find anything. i know how rough airlines are on your luggage, so whats the best way to make it travel and safe? also can you have you knife, trekking poles, and fuel canister(pocket rocket fuel) in your backpack? if not how do you get them to springer?
wondering
i tend to bring my pack as carry-on luggage with my clothes, sleeping bag, tarp and the like. then i mail my first leg of food, trekking poles, knife, and everything else i can’t carry-on. i pick up denatured alcohol and a lighter or two when i get there. you can mail canister fuel as long as it goes ground, no flying on planes with it at all.
the other option i have used is put everything in a duffle bag, and pick up lighter and fuel when i get there.
jerm
Jerm’s second option is the one I have always used. I have a big duffle bag that I put the fully packed pack in and send it in the cargo compartment. Pick up fuel and lighters when I get there. I have left lighters in the pack by accident and had no trouble but not a good idea. You can by a disposable lighter in the Airport on your arrival. When I go on a week vacation I put the duffle bag in an airport or bus station locker and pick it up on my return flight. Mailing your food and stuff ahead of time seems like a good deal. If its not there when you arrive you could forward it and buy at your start point.
Big B
I know this was a long time ago and I am ageing myself in this comment put I think the idea still holds true even today. In 1980 I few from Chicago to Bangor with all of my gear in my old Kelty external frame pack in a large box. Well it was so large and heavy that I had to rig a couple of handles on either side of the box so it could be picked up. I used rope for the handles. Once I got to the Bangor airport I took the pack out of the box and headed out of the airport. Funny thing was that I had in my pack my Coleman stove with a full bottle of Coleman fuel. That would be a real no-no now days.
In 1986 I took off for Atlanta for Cleveland using the same method, I put my pack in a box and sent it off with everyone else suitcase. I then broke the box down in the Atlanta airport and headed for the door. So I think the safest way is to put it in a box, well marked and check it in with the suitcase.
On other occasions I have taken section hikes where I have taken a local air shuttle using my lightweight internal pack. I would bring it on board and put it in the overhead compartment. In some cases the flight attended would permit it, in others they made me up it under the seat or some location in the plane. This was all before 9/11 and all the new rules that do not permit you taking much of your hiking gear into plans these days.
So I think overall boxing up your pack and checking it in is the best option and one that I will use again. And by the way, don’t take Coleman fuel or fuel canisters on the plane if you want to have a successful flight. 
Walking W
You can leave your lighter in your pack it’s not a problem. I always strap my poles to my pack, and have my first few days of food in my food bag. They have big plastic bags at the check in counter to wrap your backpack in. I’ve gone to Springer 3 times and never had a problem. As said above, you have to mail your fuel ground and make sure you tell the P.O. They like it if you mark it flammable too.
Nokia
I Put my Pack including food for the first four days into a Large Duffel Bay, ziped it up and put a small pad lock on it, Pack weight was 42 pounds, also took my fuel canister emty(white gas) also in the duffel was a folded up box and a little packing tape so when I arrived at the Hiker hostal I simply put the duffel into the box and mailed it home, staying at the Hostal for the frist night was pratical and then Josh drove me up to Springer the next day. Josh also has free white gas. www.hikerhostal.com
Patriot
it was my udersanding that you could not take lighters on planes any more. am i worng nokia?
thanks
boy who wanders
it was my udersanding that you could not take lighters on planes any more. am i worng nokia?
thanks
boy who wanders