TravelPhotographer

Will fly Frontier first time MIA-LGA in May;
Redeeming 2x10K;
as pro photographer with small Sony RX10 camera,
I normally wear fishing vest with many pockets;
can I fill those pockets with computer accessories,
toiletries, even laptop in back very large pocket,
so I can travel with under 18" backpack instead of
paying $60 rt for carry-on?

Accessories & toiletries would each be in single
bag for easier screening. Will wearing smallish
camera around neck be issue? Thanks in advance!

rsteinmetz70112

If you get through TSA it would probably work, especially if you had a "duster" to cover it.

I've often wondered whether a "ULCC jacket" with lots of large pockets including a large "camel pack" for clothes could defeat the carry-on charges.

When I was in college I wore a militay surplus tropical jacket nearly every day. It had large pockets but that was before TSA.

TravelPhotographer

> a "duster" to cover it.

By that, meaning protection-covering for laptop?
(not canned air duster)

Critical points, Frontier check-in & boarding, right?
One can even wear loose unbuttoned shirt over full fishing vest?

Vest goes in security screening tray & pockets emptied to trays:
laptop, cables-accessories bag, toiletries bag...?

Even wearing 3-4 briefs makes space in <18" backpack?!?!
(but might trigger screening double-check???)

Hopefully full vest can go overhead after take-off????

rsteinmetz70112

'Duster is an old term for a light cloth coat usually warn to keep clothes clean when riding an open vehicle (or on a horse) in a dusty environments.

Frontier is not that fastidious about checking people boarding and a decent sized back back (within their measurements of 14"x*"x18") will be allowed as a personal item. They do not prohibit personal items in the overhead bins which are usually pretty empty.

I kind of doubt a fishing vest would carry more than a permitted back pack.

TravelPhotographer

Its not either or. Its both.

frugal_flyer

TravelPhotographer....

You will be fine. I have used a Scottevest jacket with all kinds of pockets when flying both Frontier and Spirit, in addition to taking along a personal item. Neither airline is particularly vigilant about checking personal items so long as it is not obviously over the line big.

I put my toiletries in my personal item just to look like a little more "normal" traveler, but that is just my thing. I wouldn't necessarily think that toiletries in your fishing jacket pocket would raise any flags, but obviously that is not the usual way of doing things.

I put older socks and underwear in my jacket pockets, which I then threw away after wearing them. Also had phone charger, stocking cap, and gloves (was cold at destination) in jacket. But nothing that I was afraid I would have to take out.

Just my 2 cents. Welcome to fee-free travel!

TravelPhotographer

All of us can probably easily afford carry-on fees,
but I intend to convert 40Kmi to (2) MIA-LGA trips
& frugally can't stand spending 4x$30 = $120
that could go towards better destination food, etc.

Frontier's online calendar doesn't offer past Oct 2016
at the moment, so there's no way to reserve award
seats beyond that date now?

And $15 award fee is unavoidable, regardless of dates?

Thanks in advance!

freeflyer

This guy flew Allegiant and really stuffed his jacket pockets with stuff for the trip. One trick I liked was his idea of folding the jacket and carrying it over his arm, to make it look less awkward.