Panniers on an airplane
12-04-09, 11:16 AM
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Plastic wrap them together!
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this cheap service that's available at almost every airport. People pay a few dollars to have this done to individual pieces of luggage to make them more secure. It won't look suspicious since it's so common, and with soft/oddly sized bags like panniers it compresses them into a more uniform, not to mention smaller, shape.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this cheap service that's available at almost every airport. People pay a few dollars to have this done to individual pieces of luggage to make them more secure. It won't look suspicious since it's so common, and with soft/oddly sized bags like panniers it compresses them into a more uniform, not to mention smaller, shape.
12-04-09, 11:18 AM
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Mine hooked together and I took them as my carry on bag.
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12-15-09, 06:19 AM
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Staeph: Yes I suppose that is the case most airlines but I wanted to make my baggage more manageable plus I keep a lot of metal tools in my handlebar bag so I thought it best to just chuck the whole mess in another pannier. A big benefit of bringing 4 full sized panniers is being able to do stuff like that.
Oh man to be back on the road again instead of riding to work in the snow.
Oh man to be back on the road again instead of riding to work in the snow.
12-15-09, 07:11 AM
#30
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Plastic wrap them together!
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this cheap service that's available at almost every airport. People pay a few dollars to have this done to individual pieces of luggage to make them more secure. It won't look suspicious since it's so common, and with soft/oddly sized bags like panniers it compresses them into a more uniform, not to mention smaller, shape.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned this cheap service that's available at almost every airport. People pay a few dollars to have this done to individual pieces of luggage to make them more secure. It won't look suspicious since it's so common, and with soft/oddly sized bags like panniers it compresses them into a more uniform, not to mention smaller, shape.
I too wonder about the TSA dismantling it all. Ever had an issue with that?
12-15-09, 07:12 AM
#31
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12-15-09, 10:27 AM
#32
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I have carried my panniers on commercial airliners twice. The first time I put them in a cardboard box with the rack, helmet and a couple other items. That worked fine for me. The second time I just checked the panniers as luggage and they went through fine. I did wrap the attachment hardware with masking tape to keep it from getting hung up on something during the process. That also worked fine with no problems.
Good luck.
Good luck.
12-15-09, 11:04 AM
#35
Macro Geek
I like the duffel bag idea that several people have suggested. On my trips that involve air travel, I clip my two panniers together, and carry it on board as a single item. I leave my tools attached to the seatpost and a small pack.
I have never had a problem with baggage handlers or customs officials doing this.
I have never had a problem with baggage handlers or customs officials doing this.
12-15-09, 12:55 PM
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It's offered in the check-in area. Most of my stops these days aren't in the US, so it's possible that they banned this service at US airports. Or maybe it's just not as common.
I've seen it at most major airports though. I can remember when I was a kid finding it fun to watch the machine spin luggage around.
But if the TSA is a real concern in people's minds these days, I think a duffel or very tough plastic bag works well too--or, if you're like me and don't like carrying anything you don't have to, a cardboard box. Toss it out upon arrival and find another one as you leave. It's pretty easy to find a box, often even at the airport. And I always carry a roll of tape when I'm traveling with my bike anyway.
Last edited by bexley; 12-15-09 at 01:01 PM.
12-15-09, 01:34 PM
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Enough is enough! I have had it with these mufferfarking panniers on this mufferfarking plane!
It had to be said
It had to be said
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
12-15-09, 08:59 PM
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I made a kind of lightweight kitbag out of that nonrip nylon stuff. I put rings in the end so I could circle string through to tighten the end, and it encased my panniers, groundsheet, tent and all quite easily. The bonus was it packs down to a really small size. Mind you saying that if I was certain all the airports had that clear plastic wrapping stuff, I would use that instead....
12-16-09, 01:36 AM
#39
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I made a kind of lightweight kitbag out of that nonrip nylon stuff. I put rings in the end so I could circle string through to tighten the end, and it encased my panniers, groundsheet, tent and all quite easily. The bonus was it packs down to a really small size. Mind you saying that if I was certain all the airports had that clear plastic wrapping stuff, I would use that instead....
There are tightening cords around these as well, so we stuff our four panniers in and tighten.
they have carrying handles as well. just as well, we don't always travel light, having 20kg's in those panniers makes them quite unwieldy.
12-16-09, 04:17 AM
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You can plastic wrap at home too. It just takes a lot more effort (to do well) than using one of those airport machines.
12-16-09, 05:36 AM
#41
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Another fan of the lightweight duffel approach. Came in handy mid-tour on a ferry that allowed only one checked bag, as well as a long bus ride we had to take at the end of the trip, and of course it will be used again on the plane ride home (tomorrow).
12-23-09, 07:32 PM
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I was able to fit 2 of my panniers in my bike box (emptied them so it would be easier to fit all my stuff in the box), so I checked one as my "luggage", and used one as a carry on. I had to completely repack my panniers when I got to my destination though. That was coming home when I had a small bike box. Going to my destiation with a bigger bike box, I didn't need to check any bags as luggage, everything was in my bike box and my one carry on pannier full of snacks and entertainment for the plane.
I keep tools with the bike ( in racktop bag) on the grounds that one is useless without the other. If I'm travelling light I carry on my clothes in a fold-away daypack. If I have camping gear I put the panniers in a zip-away nylon duffle. Same for a supported tour with bag transport - keeps the panniers together.
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