Airplanes & Gear?

opposablethumb

opposablethumb

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Mid-Atlantic
Hey there treebuzz...I'm flying this weekend on a big ole jet airliner. Wondering if anyone has any recommendations about the most ideal way to transport one's gear while flying.

I'm thinking of checking one bag with my rope and handsaw and helmet. (I'm not bringing a chainsaw or heavy rigging gear - blocks, etc.) I'm thinking I'll keep my saddle in a carry-on bag, as that's the most valuable piece of the puzzle and the most hassle to re-assemble the collection of biners, pulleys, wrench, prusiks and whatnot should the baggage handlers mis-handle and I end up with no office chair for my culo.

Any idea if security will give me a hard time for trying to bring all those small ropes and hardware on board with me?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
I fly my stuff to hawaii every year. I pack it in a standard blue rubbermaid and duct tape it like crazy. I put the fragile stuff on the interior (helmet, saddle), surrounded by handsaws, gaffs, rope, etc to handle any unforeseen flight trauma. I just check it as an extra bag. Never had it looked through or any hassles. Hope that helps!
 
Throw everything in a solid gear back with a small pad lock making sure to keep sharp objects well wrapped in pieces of clothing even if the handsaw is in it sheath. All will be well on the other side. Have a safe trip and enjoy your climbing whether recreational or work related.
 
They *shouldn't* give you any trouble carrying your saddle and biners on, but the handsaw is a definite check-item, as is anything that the low-paid, low-trained TSA inspector might consider a weapon. Don't sweat it if you get called off to the side for a more detailed examination of the contents; when there's a bunch of metal they can't recognize they want to see what it is. I have one bag that ALWAYS gets me extra scrutiny.

I fly 30+ times a year. Piece o' cake.
 
One of the best suggestions that I've EVER heard for traveling with gear, either checked or carry-on------>>>


Bring an arbo supply catalog along or put it in the top of the checked luggage. It can be used as a de-coder for the TSA folks.

when I travel I put all of my biners and loose hard gear in one huge chain. clip them all together. If TSA does open your kit you don't want onsies and twosies flying around. Make it like a stringer of fish.

Throwbags will give the X-ray readers fits. You can imagine what they look like. Pack them at the top so they can be found easily. Ropes, slings and soft gear goes at the bottom.

Yes...handsaws get checked or you'll donate them to the TSA garage sale. If you have a pouch on your harness make sure that you don't have any surprises in there. I keep a small screwdriver for saw tuning along with a Leatherman so I sanitize the pouch if my saddle is carry-on.

Fifty pounds means fifty pounds...unless you're on Southwest. SW will give a little.

I found a plastic golf club container with wheels on the curb. That is the best travel kit! Nice and solid...free too. Easy to shlep through the airport too. I have Two of these on the golf club container:

http://hamptonproducts.com/images/cms/main_22361_original.jpg
 
I have found that as long as my pack is organized so they can easily see what everything is they leave me alone. I worried about my throw weights like Tom said, but they didn't hassle me.
 
Thanks everybody! So helpful...

I had also considered wearing my saddle with all my clickety-clank when I walk through the metal detector (Sir, please place all metal objects in these small plastic bowls BEFORE walking through...Oh, sorry, do you have 6 or 7 extra bowls?), and also trying to figure out how to get my throw line sucked into the conveyor belt rollers of the X-ray machine.

That way, they'd hassle me so much that I could complain and get a free plane ticket...That's how it works, right?

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On second thought, maybe I'll just follow the above suggestions...
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Handsaws in checked bags get opened every time for me (flying internationally, anyway). I always get the 'we went through your stuff' paper on the other end.

Helmets, biners, throw weights, ropes, pulleys... Never had a problem, even in carry on.

-Tom
 
I'm with you TTT. I flew domestic last fall and had my gear in a checked bag that was ransacked going both ways. Pissed me off a little bit. I've even had them ransack my flyfishing gear before also.
 
im supriesed they let you carry on a lot of that stuff, rope could be a nuse throw weight is a deadly weapon at least i felt like i was going to die last time i got hit with one lol best of luck travling
 
I tell the people when dropping the bags and before going through the metal detector, or nude-o-scope, depending on the line and airport, that there is tree climbing equipment packed. Don't bother telling them you're an arborist, as they might think you are an arsonist or abortionist or both.

Wet ropes make packing harder, as the weight is more. I didn't have an opportunity to dry them.

I had extra time at the airport last time I flew, as I didn't have a bathroom scale. Off to the side of the scales in use at the baggage counter scale, I made each bag weigh 49.5 or 50.0 pounds, and carried the rest carry-on. If you are going over the free allowed weight and number of bags, creativity in packing can save you some 10's of dollars, maybe even a 100.
 
I pack harness, slingshot, everything related to climbing in a rolling luggage bag and check it in. I don't lock anything, they will cut your lock if they want to investigate. I've found the TSA "We've inspected your luggage" piece of paper in my luggage. Never had any problems, nothing missing, no complaints from the TSA. The slingshot must've had them wondering.

I accidentally brought some throwbags and a mini grappel carry-on returning home once. They had a field day with that, they let me carry it through after 3 TSA guys stood around playing with the throwbags for awhile. Not a problem unless you cut your flight departure time tight.
-AJ
 
I tend to carry the saddle and saddle stuff in a carry on. I tell them before hand what is in it, I tell them as it goes through and I tell them when the back it up to look again.

Then I stand there while they take it all out and scan it again.

it is possible, I understand that if you are worried about it disappearing as checked luggage you can have it inspected and sealed in your presence with your own locks. I know a number of hunters who do this with thier gear and firearms.
 
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