First time flying with gear- Do's and don'ts

So in a couple of weeks I will be flying from LAX to provo, and will be hitting up some awesome climbing. I am taking a checked bag and carry-on. I will be taking trad gear but what bag should I put it in? What gear should I put in the carry-on and what gear should I put in a checked bag? Also if you know great climbing in Provo or American Falls(5.5-5.10 Sport or trad) comment please, and thank you!

I always put my climbing gear in my carry-on. To be honest, I usually never check a bag, though I have checked a crash pad. I put all my clothes and gear, including my tent, sleeping bag, etc., in m 45L pack and I put my rope in a smaller rope bag sized pack as my personal item. Everything stays with me, nothing gets lost.

I pack everything that is critical for my trip in my cary on.. Rope, Rack, ect and TSA has never given me any problems.. I would probably not put my nut tool in there but that's easy to replace. I've only had TSA open up my bag once when I was traveling with my full rope and rack so they seem to be aware that it's nothing to be worried about.

If you can't easily replace it or rent it out there.. you're trip could be completely ruined if they lose your checked bag.. That's not a risk worth taking in my opinion..

Also, if you do check a backpack, make sure you put it in another bag. Had to replace a sternum strap off a brand new bag because it apparently got caught and popped off.

get a bag for your bag. i also take all my cams and bundle them with saran wrap it will take up less space in your pack

I fit a double rack + 70m rope + all personal gear in my 40L CAMP M4 and carry that on. Put nut tool in friend's checked bag. I got a pretty good pat down after they x-rayed my bag.

One nice trick if your primary bag is too small (or you want to avoid checking it) is to stuff your rack into your rope bag and to carry it on as a personal item. Helpful if you want to bring useless crap like clothes, toiletries, etc ;)

nut tool needs to be checked. the rest is fine to carry on.

"cams and bundle them with saran wrap"
That's funny, I came up with the same idea a few weeks ago, but apparently I bundled them too tightly together since when it went through the x-ray they said it was "too much metal" and unwrapped the whole thing to inspect it. So your mileage may vary. I was able to cram it back together when they got done - but don't think the saran wrap will work again.

I've carried on nut tools before, but mine don't have knives...

I've always checked my gear and haven't had any problems. I guess I put too much trust in the airlines. I've checked climbing gear, skis, snowboards and bicycles and only had one problem. Air Canada lost my snowboard in Calgary. They paid for a rental.

I fly twice a month and often bring climbing gear. I have never once had an issue with any climbing gear including a nut tool. The only problem I had was a 45 minute search and rip apart of my JetForce avalanche bag which in the end they determined was safe to fly since it doesn't have a canister. Pack what ever where ever and have fun.

Bill Kirby wrote: I've always checked my gear and haven't had any problems. I guess I put too much trust in the airlines. I've checked climbing gear, skis, snowboards and bicycles and only had one problem. Air Canada lost my snowboard in Calgary. They paid for a rental.

They Probably won't lose your gear.. but if they do you're fucked.. you can rent a board.. you can rent a bike.. what do you do when you land in Calgary for you bugaboo trip.. with no rack /!?!?.. cry.. a lot lol

hopefully you have receipts for everything. Lost a boatload of money (~$1,000) when my gear got lost in Africa, not to mention it altered the trip plans. South African Airlines acknowledged losing my shit, but since I couldn't produce ALL of the receipts I received NO compensation. Make sure you photograph everything before you put it in the bag and keep your receipts, invoices DO NOT COUNT!

Clay

crakatoa wrote: They Probably won't lose your gear.. but if they do you're fucked.. you can rent a board.. you can rent a bike.. what do you do when you land in Calgary for you bugaboo trip.. with no rack /!?!?.. cry.. a lot lol

No doubt but I would do the same thing as if there were bad weather. I'm just saying I've traveled a lot and only had one problem with delayed baggage. Because of that I play the odds that my luggage will arrive when I do.

Oh and I would go for a bike ride. I bring my bike, Burton trunk and TNF duffel full of climbing gear when I travel to Western Canada. I realize not everyone does this though :)

I have checked and carried on gear. Flying in the US with gear as carry-on seems to be fine. I did a friend who was stopped from carrying on his crampons.

Internationally I think they are a little more strict. Security in Heathrow wouldn't let me carry on a tent because of the poles

I have brought my tent poles and nut tool both in my carry on multiple times without issue.

I've had TSA investigate my rope almost every time. They say it can be used for strangulation. I tell em it's for rock climbing and it's very expensive and taking it from me will ruin my trip. They've never taken it. I stuff all my climbing gear into checked baggage, now. They've also seen my trad rack and contemplated the thought that it could possibly be used to hit someone, ha! I'd prefer they take my rope than that! There are things on the plane that could be used as weapons! P

i only took gear with 1 time and it was just personal gear no full rack, i put the important things in my carry on, and cloth and everything else in the check bag. i would rather have the important things with me. i have done this with business trips where i had to have actual tools with me that i didnt want to risk being checked , never an issue

I have always just check my gear. Put a pair a shoes in the carry on.

There is a phone app called "My TSA." On it you can search to see what items are allowed in your carry-on luggage. I just looked up climbing rope and carabiners, both of which it says are allowable.

It might be a handy thing to reference if someone is questioning you about your gear.