I've been looking around for a deal on an internal frame pack for my husband because I know they do fine being a checked bag, but I have a chance to buy a brand new external frame backpack for him for very cheap from someone who never used it. It fits him fine. Does anyone have experience with using one as your checked bag for your AK trip? I'm wondering if airlines even take them (nothing on any of the likely carriers for our trip) and if they do, whether that exposed frame will fare well being baggage. Ours are external frame backpacks....and No Way would I hand them over to the gorillas that work for the airlines......those frames are made of aluminum and they may never be the same after the experience......be happy with the new one you have a good price on.....the fact that the pack fits your hubby comfortably is also a major consideration, enjoy it locally.....but if your plans call for backpacking here in Alaska, if it were me I would just rent the pack once you get here........

That $25 checked bag fee each way could go a long way toward rented equipment....... I put my backpack inside a duffel bag with all my other backpacking equipment when I fly for a backpacking trip.stm bags laptop sleeve I've checked my backpack with an external frame with Alaska Airlines many times. best backpack for canon 600dNever had a problem. backpack idiomsI'm not sure if it would be accepted outside of Alaska. gear rental mount rainierMy external frame is pretty robust for carrying heavy loads. backpacking idyllwild

If it were easy to break by the ramp rats I don't think it would hold up to what I put it through on a typical hunting trip. If it were me I would ask the airline by email if they will accept it. tf2 backpack key priceIf they reply that they will accept it print a copy of the email and bring it with you to the airport when you fly. Keep track of the weight of the pack. The airlines are looking for any reason to give you an extra charge. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff people check as luggage on trips within Alaska. Are you guys flying the same Alaska Airlines as I am ??I have had so many unusual items absolutely crushed over the years....ie: plastic caps on shaving cream (twice !!) even when wrapped and padded with clothing.....I have just got to the point now that I don't risk anything I don't want broken.......maybe Denalicat has the right idea, though, they stack the suitcases on top of each other, but throw the rounder shaped duffel bags on top.......naw, I'm still not going to risk it !

Edited: 10:06 am, May 14, 2011 I even put my collapsed hiking poles & backpacking stove in the duffel with no problems. I do pad the stove & put covers over the tips of the poles. Denalicat, is this just flying within Alaska ??I'm wondering if maybe those plane changes in Seattle or other lower 48 cities is what's doing us in.......It seems like our checked bags have always been "tossed"......things totally rearranged and unpacked and shoved back willy-nilly....... One destination mentioned in this post 'I put my backpack inside a duffel bag with all my other backpacking equipment when I fly for a backpacking trip.' That's what I do, too. I got a cheap big duffle once and it's very handy for this. I'm more worried about one of the straps catching on a belt or something and getting ripped than anything. Mombear, I've flown a lot in the lower 48, Alaska and others and I've even packed glass bottles in my suitcase more than half a dozen times with no issue.

I've packed many things around it, but no trouble and I've not had my things re-arranged in my bag, even when flying in and out of DC after 9-11. I have only flown through Seattle a couple of times, though. Sorry, once, twice, a dozen times burned, a dozen times shy.........I will keep anything important or breakable with me.......glad it all worked out for you guys though.......Kind of reminds me of this woman I spoke with in Orlando.....she had purchased a brand new suitcase for her trip and checked it (not sure which airline).......after retrieving it, it was crushed and had a large very prominent dirty wheel tread running right across the suitcase......she filed with the airlines who claimed it was not their fault and refused to reimburse anything, even though they had full custody of the bag for the entire trip.......soooo she was out for the crushed suitcase and anything inside that may have been damaged........that one incident has remained in my mind on just how little responsibility the airlines assume.........

Well how about another horror story.....this time Alaska Air.....we had checked our bags, one with a declared firearm, carefully packed and inspected in Juneau, but it did not arrive at our destination at the end of the day.......if fact it didn't show up for 5 days !!......who knows where it went ??.....we called several times each day to check on it and felt lucky to finally get it back, but hubby received no apologies or explanations at all when he was called to pick it up........ 2 destinations mentioned in this post I fly from Alaska to Colorado to backpack with friends & home again with all my equipment. I like the duffle bag idea. It gives padding for the frame, won't have security needing to unpack every nook and cranny of the backpack if they decide to search it after it is checked. In the awful baggage stories category--for goodness sake don't ever check your dog into cargo if you can find any other way to get him/her to your destination. I watched baggage handlers loading a crate with a retriever in it one time from my seat in the plane.

They didn't put it fully on the conveyor belt and it made it to the top of the belt where it ran into the side of the plane and the dog plunged all the way to the ground. They didn't even look to see if it was OK, they just threw it back on the belt. I told a flight attendant, trying to get her to make an announcement to find the people flying with the dog so I could tell them what happened and she wouldn't do it. Feedback on our Alaska itinerary needed Denali shuttle issues ( let's be honest) Great Alaskan Holidays Motorhome Rentals Getting to cruise ship in Seward. How long/far to walk to St. Nicholas Church from Cruise dock Public transportation Fairbank to Anchorage Independent Float Plane Operator..... Itinerary suggestions for 10 days (24 June - 3 July) ANC to Talkeetna for a flight seeing trip Family friendly fishing charter air charter services based in Seward? Vacation Rental--Crow Creek Cabin (Alyeska Accommodations)?