Backpack help...

[The Blue Boy]

Hi all,

I've just received my Lowepro Pro Runner 450 AW Backpack. When I got it out of the box I was surprised by it's size. It's bulkier than I had thought.

Does anybody else own this bag and if so have you had any trouble using it as hand luggage on a plane?

Cheers,

[Andrew1]

I have the Flipside 400 which is 1.5 to 2 inches smaller than yours on all sides but nobody has ever even given me a second look. I'm sure the size is OK but I hope they never ask to weigh it. Other than an extra 2 inches in the thickness, your bag is well under the size listed for the airline I use. Nine times out of ten you'd get through easy but it's that tenth time that would cause you trouble. Check the website of the airline you use and see what they list for allowed dimensions and weight. Another thing to keep in mind is connections on other airlines. We did run into a problem once switching heavy suitcases from a charter onto a local carrier whose rules were different.

[Dave Humphries]

Going somewhere nice Mark?

[The Blue Boy]

Andrew, thanks for that mate. I've checked the airlines we normally use and it's pushing the limit. Was just a bit surprised at how bulky it is. Hope it'll fit in the overhead lockers.

Dave, just come back from Gambia and the Dominican Republic. Fed up with my old bag slipping off my shoulder. Thought a backpack would be the way to go. Not too sure now...

[William W]

I have a Computrekker AW - 13.4” x 9.1” x 17.7" (34cm x 23cm x 45 cm) (WxDxH)
Your backpack is deeper and longer by about 4.5 inches – 13.4” X 11.4” X 19.9” (34.0cm X 29.0cm X 50.5 cm) (WxDxH)

Apropos the dimensions – most of the airlines I have flown use an additive (W+D+H) and express the criteria for carry on.

That linear total usually has the caveat that “it must fit in the overhead locker”.

You should check exactly what the criteria is, (you mentioned you have) but I reiterate check how the criteria is expressed and also check the PARTNER airlines, should you be off loaded.

Your total is 113.5cm and is over the common limit of many Airlines I have used, (being 104cm) – I KNOW these linear dimensions and I have once needed to quote them to the desk check-in clerk.

Therefore I think you could come to grief and if this happens I suggest you squash it showing that its actual “squashed dimension” fits the criteria – which you should know.

***

Answering the question about have I ever had a real problem, the answer is yes once and that was leaving SYD airport, an airport which I have used often previously with this same bag and never been questioned, apart from the once where I stated the dimensions and the airline criteria confidently to the desk check in clerk and she was OK with that.

But the once only real problem I had was not at the check in desk, but rather the delicate and intense issue was at security scanning which most often occurs AFTER all baggage check for the flight is closed and it was about the WEIGHT, not the dimensions and I am also very careful about this matter.
The limit on this particular airline was 7kg and my bag weighed just over 10kg (and I knew it was) and I had got 10 kg through regularly before.

I got around this by taking one camera and lens out and slinging it on my shoulder explaining to the Security Check that the Airline allowed “in addition to” the carry-on bag of 7kgs – “also a camera”, which could be carried in the passenger’s hand.

Even though I knew the rules, it was a delicate situation, as the security officer held the position of power.

I suggest that you know the rules exactly and also (probably more importantly) have good people management and negotiation skills and also have a Plan "B" as to what gear could be redirected as baggage checked items - and leave enough time for that baggage checking, should it be necessary.

The only problem which cannot have a well controlled and pre planned workaround is if the boarding pass / ID check at the Airplane boarding dock, refuses the carry-on item, because as I understand the procedure the item will be checked and sent on another (different flight and or different route) and then it can be collected later at the baggage hold at the destination airport - at least these are the rules I know apply to my most recent travels.


WW

[The Blue Boy]

William,

Thanks for the reply mate. I think I'll be able to wing it, as I've been reading up on the dimensions and weights for the carriers we normally use. Also Manchester airports dimensions allowance are larger than my pack.

Cheers,

[krispix]

Hi Mark,
As far as I know all airlines have a uniform 'hand baggage' limit, except for Ryanair which is smaller than the others. Most of them have a 10kg weight limit but I've only had my bag weighed once in 50 years.
Your Lowepro doesn't quite make the dimensions being 4cms deeper than the limit. However, it's not as tall or as wide as the allowed dimensions so you might get away with it if you squash it down a bit (maybe don't put anything in the front pocket.) My bag is about the same depth as yours so also doesn't comply, but I've never been asked to check it for size and while it's a bit of a squeeze it will fit in the overhead locker.
My tip would be carry it by the handle at check-in, it doesn't look as big as it does when you're wearing it.

[Mark von Kanel]

I have this bag and have travelled extensively with it as hand luggage, i have never been refused to be allowed to carry it on. however it won't fit into flybe head lockers and is very easy to over pack. be carful when you put your lappy in its compartment that you don't fill the front cover compartment to much because it WILL be too deep to get in any locker! on air lines that have stupidly low weight limits i fill my coat pockets with lenses!

[rpcrowe]

One thing to note when purchasing a backpack that you intend to use as carry-on luggage. Some large backpacks have very heavy duty shoulder straps and waist belts. While these make carrying heavy loads over distances easier, they will someimes prevent the bag from fitting in the "measuring box" some airlines use to determine if the pack will be allowed as carry-on luggage.

Normally, when the manufacturer lists the dimensions of a back pack, they don't include the straps in those dimensions.

I use a Lowepro Mini Trekker backpack because, it will fit what gear I need for my travel photography but, will still be small enough and light enough to carry-on virtually any airplane. The Mini Trekker is light in weight and I have reduced my carry-on load to five kilos:

two 1.6x cameras
17-55mm f/2.8 IS
70-200mm f/4L IS
12-24mm f/4 Tokina
430EX and 270EX flashes
Batteries, chargers, memory cards and filters

However, if your bag is over the limit (the only places in my travels they paid attention to carry on weights was on domestic Mainland China flights and on small Alaskan aircraft) just sling your camera around your neck.

It is certainly nice not to worry about the weight and bulk of film. That was always a concern in my early days...

I don't attempt to carry my tripod attached to the backpack nor do I carry my notebook computer inside the pack.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Mark,

Fed up with my old bag slipping off my shoulder. Thought a backpack would be the way to go. Not too sure now...

I now have a Lowepro Inverse 200 AW belt pack, having used a backpack for a year and found it a PITA every time I wanted to get something out and before that a shoulder strap only holster (when I had just the one lens).

I use the over shoulder strap, both as insurance for the belt clip coming undone unexpectedly (never happened so far) and because you can undo the waist strap, swing it around from rear to front, and there are your lenses, ready for easy swapping without needing a flat surface to put things down on.

This video isn't quite the model I have, but shows the features.

I wear mine as a 'bum bag' with 90% of weight on waist strap, unlike at the side as the video shows it.

However, I haven't tried flying with it, so I've no idea whether it fits any limits on size - and the waist straps may be a problem, although they can be folded around.

I don't envisage ever needing another bag now I have this, it is the solution that works for me.

Cheers,

[krispix]

However, I haven't tried flying with it, so I've no idea whether it fits any limits on size - and the waist straps may be a problem, although they can be folded around.

Hi Dave,
Unless yours is markedly different to the one in the video you won't have any problems with any airline - even Ryanair. I use the Tamrac Cyberpak 9 which is about twice the size of the Inverse 200 AW and I still get away with it.