I leave for Moz in 24 days (yahoo). I have several backpacks for travel however they are all camo. what do you reccomend for plane carry-on and possible day pack for the hunt??

I like to take the largest carry on allowed with wheels. I put all optics: binoculars, range finder, cameras, video cameras and one complete change of clothes.
This usually leaves a little room to put souvieners in on the way home.
I also prefer a fanny pack for the bush.

Have you ever had a security problem with your optical equipment?

Day pack of some sort is nice once you get there. I try not to carry camo through airports, as I think its possible to attract some undue attention.

Never had any problems carrying on optics on.

A Friend said TSA in Tampa would not let him take a spare Rifle scope in his carry on and almost did not let him take his Range Finder.

He was able to get it in his gun case.

I have flown about a dozen times on hunting trips since 9/11. No issues or problems at all with any of my binos, rangefinders, cameras, or video recorders. My hunting partner has had similar results. The last 3 or 4 trips, they have specifically asked me to remove the video camera from the case, and looked at it separately thru the x-ray.

Last month's trip had 3 binos, a rangefinder, 2 cameras, video recorder, cell phones and a video game (for the wife, in blinds). They never batted an eye.

I find that if you are polite, answer their questions, and let them know where you are going that they are usually quite pleasant back to you.

If you are a jerk, however, they can be too!

I have also had "issues" from TSA folks about my rifle scopes being in my carry-ons.

I've gone to using a 3 1/2" piece of PVC inside of which I store my scopes, wrapped in a cloth with ends taped-off...I then put this rig in my hard case. Short of a run-over by the luggage tractor, ain't nothing going to hurt that glass!

Politeness always helps, but seems that every airport has its own interpretation of the "rules"...You never know who will cause a problem...Better to pack it with the rifle and breeze through security.

JW

quote:

Originally posted by huntnjim:
Have you ever had a security problem with your optical equipment?

None on the carry on -- just went through with binos, range finder, GPS, video and digital cameras. Was never asked a question.

But -- the jerk that searched my checked baggage was a total A-hole. They sent both my bags to the x-ray cuz there was ammo in one (rifle in other- hard case). The TSA knucklehead went out of his way to literally brutalize my bag and its contents including dragging it upside down around the room and kicking it several times to get it where he wanted it. Really wish I had fired up the video camera for that one. He literally emptied the bag and then jammed everything back in. Fortunately all was ok.

quote:

Originally posted by huntnjim:
Have you ever had a security problem with your optical equipment?

I do the same, including videos cameras and a laptop computer.

Never had any problems whatsoever.

I have used this one and been happy:



but it is a personal thing -- how much room you need will make a difference.

Charles did you get that at the store, or order it from the catalog? Sometimes they have things in the catalog that they don't stock in the stores!

I got it online. I bought a couple and then my wife bought some for the kids. Two of my three kids use them for school as they outlast the ones you get at the stores for school.

Click the words "this one" in my original post to bring up the Cabelas page with the backpack.

Thanks Charles, looks like a nice size for a carry-on!

My wife and I are leaving for RSA on 6/29, and I'm taking the exact same pack! I've had it for a year or so I guess, and it's proven to be a great little pack. I think I only paid $15 for it from Cabela's. It doesn't have 57 little secret compartments or a night light, but it just works.

I use a Tactical Tailors 3 day pack for all the junk I carry in the field. Mine is desert tan

quote:

Originally posted by Bryan Chick:
I use a Tactical Tailors 3 day pack for all the junk I carry in the field. Mine is desert tan

Bryan I was also looking at the tactical Black Hawk in tan. Does this military special forces style pack attrack attention from TSA or SAPS??

Not yet.

Charles, The UPS truck just dropped off two of the German isssued backpacks I ordered from Cabelas. Thanks for the recommendation. I can't wait to break them in.

I hope you like them. One of mine has made the trip twice now.