Originally Posted by
Duragrouch
My front panniers, and rear panniers, snap together, but even so, I used a long cam-buckle strap around each. So like stringing a square package, around once and then crossing the two strap ends to wrap in the other direction (90 degrees different), then engaged on the cam buckle, cinch tight, done. So 4 panniers equals 2 checked (or carryon) bags. No need to repack, and straps pack a lot smaller than another large bag. I forget the size limits on carryon. On the train trip I was on, tons of luggage space in racks at end of cars, and overheads.
For a plane trip, I might put the panniers in duffles, to protect against abrasion, and theft. But trainside checked baggage is not subjected to the abuse of airline baggage handling systems and personnel. More likely, my folding bike in a bag or box will have clothes in bags and empty panniers packed around it, and some stuff brought as carryon.
I have taken several trips where I got on the train at a small town that is not too far from my home. There was one staff person there that had an authority complex. He said I could not use a strap to strap panniers together. That way I would have to pay extra for more pieces of luggage. I had heard both ways, so fortunately I had an empty duffle in my vehicle. The first time I took a train from that station, I got there two hours early to make sure I had time to pack the bike, etc. He said he had an important conference call, would get me a bike box later. So, for an hour and a half I watched my thumbnails grow. Then asked him about the box and he said if I was not there more than 45 minutes before train time, he had the authority to refuse me service. I reminded him that I had been waiting for an hour and a half already because he claimed to have to be on an important conference call. Things went down hill from there, but I did get on the train. He apparently no longer works for Amtrak at that station, but for the next several years I saw him several times.
Just in case I run into another obnoxious Amtrak employee, I try to conform to the rules on sizes, weights and number of items without snapping them together, etc. But if you always use stations with more helpful staff, then the strapping bags together works for you.
I have some big mesh duffels that are quite light and collapse down to almost nothing that I do not mind putting in the bottom of a pannier for the duration of my tour.