are backpacks OK at airports

nanstallon · Feb 12th, 2006, 16:01

My friends are telling me that a backpack causes loads of hassle and delay at airports. Is this so, in UK or India?

Help; I'm going on Tuesday evening!

John

sudzindia · Feb 12th, 2006, 16:25

I have had no issues anywhere...no probs!

ddevadatta · Feb 12th, 2006, 17:55

I would avoid backpacks at all costs. They only raise supicion and are not worth it. Buy a back pack upon arrival if you as so used to carrying one, but avoid them for travel.

rab · Feb 12th, 2006, 17:59

Are you serious?

john.sw · Feb 12th, 2006, 18:38

In the UK, backpacks have to be checked in at a seperate desk.

The best course of action is to buy a lightweight backpack cover, so you have no loose straps or other things dangling about that are liable to be caught or trapped in coneyor belts. If you don't have a cover, you can get the backpack wrapped in plastic film at many airports.

I have never owned a backpack myself, but my wife has done a lot of trekking in South America and this is her advice.

sarkywench · Feb 12th, 2006, 18:45

My hubby has travelled extensively and always with his trusty backpack. I too have a backpack and we've never had any worries .... of course mine is usually inside a case when we start our hols so I have plenty of room for presents and goodies to bring home!!!

sarkywench · Feb 12th, 2006, 18:47

We've never had to go to a separate check in either btw. As long as your backpack straps or tied up securely there is no problem.

phobal · Feb 12th, 2006, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddevadatta

I would avoid backpacks at all costs. They only raise supicion and are not worth it. Buy a back pack upon arrival if you as so used to carrying one, but avoid them for travel.

What the hell kind of difference is there between a fabric bag that can be carried on one's back, and a roller board?

Feb 13th, 2006, 05:12

You can get the packs that actually have a cover that zips up over the straps while traveling. we have done this for years - infact since 1993 i have ONLY traveled with a backpack! i couldn't imagaine entering india with a suitcase but i suppose it depends on what kind of holiday/vacation/adventure you are taking. if your taking your best clothes, getting picked up at the airport, going straight to your resort where you will stay for the remainder of your trip then a suitcase is cool BUT if you'll be moving at all, and you want your hands free, and your back to stay strong...go for the trusty backpack! i have never had a problem in asian, european or australian airports.

Feb 13th, 2006, 05:16

and what's with the raising suspicion bit? sorry but i don't get it!

davey · Feb 13th, 2006, 05:22

I'm 56 and carry a large backpack, never had a problem, coming from India I have it wrapped in plastic and never experienced a problem yet. There must be millions of travellers carrying packs in India the airport would not move if they were sus of every one of them.

ruthie808 · Feb 13th, 2006, 05:34

never had a problem in any airports with my backpack.
not in europe, asia, america, aus and definately not in india or sri lanka either.
my first backpack didnt have a cover for the straps and was not a prob anywere
i got anew one before my trip to india and SL, and it had a built in cover to zip up over the straps.

i dont know why there would be any suspician either...

very odd

youre so lucky heading off so soon...

and go with your backpack!!

phobal · Feb 13th, 2006, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ambika

and what's with the raising suspicion bit? sorry but i don't get it!

I don't think anyone really would..backpacks causing suspicion...wth..

Nick-H · Feb 13th, 2006, 15:34

I often travel with zip-up laundry bags tied around with string (the zips are not very strong. I do this because I'm usually trying to get the maximum out of baggage allowance, and they have almost no weight.

NRIs seem to favour cardboard boxes, again tied with various bits of rope (and often containing valuable electronics...).

I'm not a backpacker (I'm a wimp who perefers to put any weight to be carried onto wheels) but I can't see why a backpack should cause problems.

Zips? most of my suitcases have zips (which get reinforced by bits of string, of course)

Nick-H · Feb 13th, 2006, 15:36

Suspicion of bbeing a hippy? Suspicion of Anti-American Activities? (Do you now, or have you at any time, travelled with a backpack?)

...or was it "un" -American?

Feb 12th, 2006, 16:01	#1
nanstallon Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 42	are backpacks OK at airports My friends are telling me that a backpack causes loads of hassle and delay at airports. Is this so, in UK or India? Help; I'm going on Tuesday evening! John

Feb 12th, 2006, 17:55	#3
ddevadatta Finger Licking Good Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 907	Avoid I would avoid backpacks at all costs. They only raise supicion and are not worth it. Buy a back pack upon arrival if you as so used to carrying one, but avoid them for travel. __________________ Ayurvedic cure for an Indian headache

Feb 12th, 2006, 18:38	#5
john.sw Up in the hills with my head in the clouds... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: India/UK Posts: 1,019	In the UK, backpacks have to be checked in at a seperate desk. The best course of action is to buy a lightweight backpack cover, so you have no loose straps or other things dangling about that are liable to be caught or trapped in coneyor belts. If you don't have a cover, you can get the backpack wrapped in plastic film at many airports. I have never owned a backpack myself, but my wife has done a lot of trekking in South America and this is her advice. __________________ www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur

Feb 13th, 2006, 15:34	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	I often travel with zip-up laundry bags tied around with string (the zips are not very strong. I do this because I'm usually trying to get the maximum out of baggage allowance, and they have almost no weight. NRIs seem to favour cardboard boxes, again tied with various bits of rope (and often containing valuable electronics...). I'm not a backpacker (I'm a wimp who perefers to put any weight to be carried onto wheels) but I can't see why a backpack should cause problems. Zips? most of my suitcases have zips (which get reinforced by bits of string, of course) __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Feb 12th, 2006, 16:25	#2
sudzindia Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Malaysia Posts: 192	I have had no issues anywhere...no probs!

Feb 12th, 2006, 17:59	#4
rab Honorary Mod Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: McLaren Vale, South Australia Posts: 1,216	Are you serious?

Feb 12th, 2006, 18:45	#6
sarkywench Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lancs UK Posts: 2	My hubby has travelled extensively and always with his trusty backpack. I too have a backpack and we've never had any worries .... of course mine is usually inside a case when we start our hols so I have plenty of room for presents and goodies to bring home!!!

Feb 12th, 2006, 18:47	#7
sarkywench Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lancs UK Posts: 2	We've never had to go to a separate check in either btw. As long as your backpack straps or tied up securely there is no problem.

Feb 13th, 2006, 05:12	#9
ambika Posts: n/a	You can get the packs that actually have a cover that zips up over the straps while traveling. we have done this for years - infact since 1993 i have ONLY traveled with a backpack! i couldn't imagaine entering india with a suitcase but i suppose it depends on what kind of holiday/vacation/adventure you are taking. if your taking your best clothes, getting picked up at the airport, going straight to your resort where you will stay for the remainder of your trip then a suitcase is cool BUT if you'll be moving at all, and you want your hands free, and your back to stay strong...go for the trusty backpack! i have never had a problem in asian, european or australian airports.

Feb 13th, 2006, 05:16	#10
ambika Posts: n/a	and what's with the raising suspicion bit? sorry but i don't get it!

Feb 13th, 2006, 05:22	#11
davey Grumpy Old fart Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Australia (Buderim) Posts: 536	I'm 56 and carry a large backpack, never had a problem, coming from India I have it wrapped in plastic and never experienced a problem yet. There must be millions of travellers carrying packs in India the airport would not move if they were sus of every one of them.

Feb 13th, 2006, 05:34	#12
ruthie808 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ireland (its too cold!) Posts: 69	never had a problem in any airports with my backpack. not in europe, asia, america, aus and definately not in india or sri lanka either. my first backpack didnt have a cover for the straps and was not a prob anywere i got anew one before my trip to india and SL, and it had a built in cover to zip up over the straps. i dont know why there would be any suspician either... very odd youre so lucky heading off so soon... and go with your backpack!!

Feb 13th, 2006, 15:36	#15
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,763	Suspicion of bbeing a hippy? Suspicion of Anti-American Activities? (Do you now, or have you at any time, travelled with a backpack?) ...or was it "un" -American?

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