backpack as checked bag
 

Going to the Carribean for 4 days, seems like my hiking backpack would be good luggage. Is AA cool with wrapping it in clingy shrink film ? If you do that what happens if TSA wants to long inside ? Maybe a big trash bag is better. Or, do they offer bags to out your backpack in ?

Definitely want it in a bag to prevent the straps getting caught in any belts. TSA will cut it open if they need access.

Put it in a cardboard box. It's easier and less likely to get caught on something.

Yeah, if I could find the right size. And one for the trip home - I don't want to carry the box around the whole time :-)

put it in a large (cheap) duffel bag, then roll up the duffel bag and shove it back in the backpack upon arrival?

I have checked an ordinary backpack unprotected on AA before since I accidentally accumulated too much stuff and did not want to buy an entire extra roller bag. Nothing bad happened with the straps, but granted this was a regular commuter backpack (that I did not particularly care about) and not a nice hiking bag, so I totally understand you wanting to protect it. At least ex-LHR, ground staff there asked me to check my bags with bulky/oversized items so presumably it was treated slightly more gently (or more likely that it had to be separated since maybe it would not have done well in the automated LHR baggage system.)

Is there way to secure the straps otherwise? A clip or something to tie through them / around the bag? Cheap duffle wouldn't be a bad idea either, and you can just stuff it at the bottom of the bag...

No. There's also pouches on the sides and on the back, pretty flimsy and prone to damage. Gotta put in a bag or shrink wrap.

Oh, what about one of those waterproof hiking backpack covers that cinch together? They are relatively cheap, although not sure how well something like that would hold up either.

...or those plastic bags AA may have for car seats and strollers - or at least the ones AS has.

If you are worried about the straps, buy a duffle bag or Christmas decoration bag to hold the backpack. I have made several group backpack trips to Colorado which started with air travel in WN. No one in the groups had any problems with damage to the packs.

Actually, cardboard boxes are restricted to/from certain destinations, particularly in the Caribbean and LatAm. There are some seasonal restrictions, as well as year-round embargoes, on certain types of items as checked baggage, including but not limited to boxes.

Full details:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...imitations.jsp

"(F)limsy and prone to damage" is not "good luggage".

Regardless, options to mitigate the situation include nylon laundry bags, 6mil trash bags, contractor grade trash bags (minimum 3mil), binding straps, reusable zip ties, shipping tape, etc.

The best option would be an appropriate checked bag such as a duffle bag. If budget is an issue, endless used duffle bags for sale online. The military bags are indestructable.

Cardboard boxes are a good option if the box is heavy duty / 2 ply and if the box is a good fit for the item in the box. And the box must be taped shut with heavy duty tape. Heavy duty sized boxes are not inexpensive and generally are only sold in quantity of 10.

I don't see what the issue is with wrapping the bags at the aiport in that plastic saran-type they use. My onoymconcenr would be it not being available at the aiports you're using. Every time I go through DOH on a long connection I've hed them wrapped at MIA with no issue. No need to bring or buy any extra luggage.

The bag may be treated as oversized baggage and staff may bag it like they do with car seats.

My buddy's bag was treated as oversized baggage but it got caught in the baggage system at JFK melting some clips.

I second putting it inside of a duffle bag if it's a nice hiking bag.