To check or not to check ... that is the question!

[Gatsby]

My work since the first of the year has required more travel than I have traditionally done - and in some cases I've had no choice but to check bags purely due to size required by the length of the trip. In those cases, the Vic Minichamp and one of my EDC knives goes in the checked bag and along with a Leatherman Juice. All my other EDC stuff goes with me in my pockets and/or carryone. But I've generally checked my bags anyway just so I can take a blade and multi tool with me...

But the new $15 a pop fee for checked bags, plus increased issues with gate changes and delayed/misplaced luggage as a result have made me question my strategy for short trips where a smaller duffle bag would work just fine for clothes - but ... I'd have to give up a knife. For some reason I'm not really comfortable with that solution but it may be my only choice. I could, perhaps, overnight a knife to my location and then send it home, but that sure seems like a lot of effort...

Anyone else struggling with the same issue?

[echo63]

i generally buy a knife while im wherever im going, and then mail it home before i leave
solves the problem and you get a new knife :)

[MandM]

i generally buy a knife while im wherever im going, and then mail it home before i leave
solves the problem and you get a new knife :)


I think if I decided to use your idea... I'd beg to be sent on a new business trip every week! :laugh:

Seriously though... that's a good idea. Don't worry about having to check it in your bag, don't worry about forgetting it in your pocket and getting confiscated, no hassle... and a new sharp! I like where your head's at! :bounce:

[SALT]

i generally buy a knife while im wherever im going, and then mail it home before i leave
solves the problem and you get a new knife :)


+1 That's always my plan!

[sammyz]

I do a lot of travel for work and have sworn off bag checking for good.

I travel out of one bag always, and you can find some good tips on the methods and philosophy of one bag packing at www.onebag.com . My bag of choice is the Tom Bihn Aeronaut, which is perfectly sized for about 8 days worth of clothes PLUS a laptop for me and that is without doing laundry. If I do laundry (easy to do in a sink with fast drying polyester clothing) I can live out of it indefinitely.

One of the reasons I bought an Atwood was so that I would always have something handy that I could carry on for flights without worrying about the TSA. If you really need a knife when you get somewhere you can always just buy a cheap one and either chuck it or mail it home when you are done. I usually buy myself a $5 folder at a truck stop when I get a chance and toss it when I am flying back.

[bouncer]

I recently went to Mississippi for two weeks on business. I did not check a bag !! How's that pack your clothes really well . Oh and I was packing two laptops. My only regret a pawn shop had a killer deal on an Emerson Lagriffe I had to pass on.

[bpa]

When I was traveling every week from the West Coast to the Midwest, I never checked anything - I could get 4 days of clothing into a carry-on bag. It's not difficult if you don't need more than one jacket.

As to the knife - you probably don't need it. I did just fine with a keyring scissors that cost me all of $4. It does virtually everything a knife does except stab bad guys. I have had less trouble with that and my prybaby than with granola bars. :crazy2:

If you actually need to cut something, check out American Science and Surplus for cheap scissors and a cute little cutter that actually performs as promised:
http://www.sciplus.com/search.cfm?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=search&utm_content=cf&utm_campaign=celsearchtest

Look for Krazy Cutters and Penny Cutters.

[jemhouston]

I recently went to Mississippi for two weeks on business. I did not check a bag !! How's that pack your clothes really well . Oh and I was packing two laptops. My only regret a pawn shop had a killer deal on an Emerson Lagriffe I had to pass on.


One thing I do EDC are mailing labels, both return and shipping size. I usual end up shipping at least one box home during vacation.