Traveling with a Meg

wedivebc

I thought you just strapped on the meg then jumped on your Harley

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Cheers,

Dave....

Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die

paintedfrogfish

I put the whole thing (can, canister, hoses, wing, counterlungs, breathing loop) in a large suitcase without the head and check it in. There is no padding. It seems to be very durable. I have to do this because my carryons are full of photographic equipment

Bobmac

Well...I spoke too soon. I tried to carry on my Meg in the Travelpro and ended up being oversize and weight. A very strict flight.

Anyway, I ended up in Thailand with all my luggage, a plus for me historically, but with a broken head fitting, definetely a minus. ISC has moved heaven and earth to get the parts to me and it looks like I'll still make my trip. Thank you ISC. Also a big thank you to Explorer for the major assist. I owe you one buddy.

Lessons learned:
1. I'll check my kidneys before I check my head again. Although, I may end up buying a N@90 head insert so there is less chance of bending the can out of round.
2. Carry more than the standard spare kit. I recommend the head hose fittings. I've got a broken one and seen others.

jkaterenchuk

I have mentioned on some other threads this very problem that has started to crop up now that so many of the airlines are looking for new sources of income. I took a flight to Thailand in Dec and my Inspo with a travel frame packed in a carry on bag was also caught and I had to pay $125 US (or mabe it was $150) for extra bag and it went in the hold. It did not arrive damaged but I was extremely worried it would.

I continue to say that more and more of us will get caught and when your standing inline to get your boarding pass with 100 people in line behind you you have no capability to do anything but pay the money and hope all goes well. I think it time for a backup plan.

John

Skipbreather

A hint guys: Dig out (or go out and buy) your old set of ‘wimp wheels’, otherwise known as a foldable luggage carrier. Before roll around suitcases were invented, these were how airline crew kept their knuckles from dragging the ground (insert pun here) as a result of carrying heavy bags everywhere. The roll arounds are great, but the mechanisms inside steal critical volume. Find yourself a non-wheeled carry on case (hard sided best) that meets the strictest standard and then strap it to the wheels to move it. So far I haven’t seen an instance of the unstrapped wheels not getting a pass.

Reason for hard sided: Vast majority of folks overpack and the crammed full case bulges out. At more and more airports I see ‘the frame’. It is a welded tube structure w/ inside dimensions 22” x 14” x 8” (or whatever size your carrier allows) sitting beside the podium or the entry to the jetway. If your carry on fits inside, you’re good to go. No fit, off to the pit- no arguments allowed. Bulging sides WILL make an otherwise legal carry on fail.

All that said, my rolling bag always bulges, but…. No one gets to check it and anyway, the jet can’t leave w/o ME!

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"Entropy RULES! Enjoy the interim."

Explorer

No prob Bob. Glad we were able to RUSH out your required parts so you can still make your trip.

Maybe one should carry a small soft bag to throw in the meg head as carry on just incase the airline does something like this again.

Have fun Bob.

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TRAIN WRECKED.....

jkaterenchuk

I was actually caught on weight. The bag was legal size and not bulging. Some of the airlines/flights are weighing carry on bags and the limit is very low. So my advise would be opposite yours in that you should use something that does not appear to be heavy and draw attention to the bag.

John

jkaterenchuk

Good idea. Do you know what kind of crushing weight the top edge of a cannister can handle before it goes off round? If the head is removed to carry-on and the cannister left in a checked bag this might be an issue.

John

Skipbreather

Hi John-

No argument, really. My point was one of *volume* only. That alone will getcha hosed if over. Point on weight is also valid, but separate. Key is to make it acceptable in both venues. Putting bag on wheels, which at least have chance of not being weighed, just might get an extra lens or reg into your bag. If push comes to shove, gate check the wheels, not the *legal* bag. If they want to charge you $150 to check a $20 set of wheels, throw 'em away & buy more later.

Hey, the CEO hasta pay for his bonus and his soon-to-be ex-wive's alimony- not to mention the child support to his former secretary- SOMEHOW doesn't he??? Give 'em a break!

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"Entropy RULES! Enjoy the interim."

Amarok

Hey John;
I made up some seperate "mini-cans" to protect the head electronics out of FRP ( unit goes in hand carry), a seperate mini can for the spare axial in checked bags and put the radial in the main can with one of John's Narked at 90 can lids also in checked. System protects all units - no problems so far in numerous trips to Mexico.

John - give me a call when you get into Coz next week to see if we can line up something.

Cheers

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'If you find yourself in a hole - stop digging"