Internal frame backpacks through security / as carry-ons
 

Mrs. and I are trying to travel as light as possible for our upcoming trip to Thailand and the Philippines.

We are looking at getting a couple of backpacks that are relatively small, yet have internal frames for support.

Your input would be helpful with these two questions:

1. Will the aluminum and composite stays in the backpack raises eyebrows during x-ray? I assume that since many rollaboards have aluminum handles and such, we should be okay;

2. From my research, it looks like the linear dimensions of the packs we want to purchase fit within the carry-on limits. Can I assume they'll fit in not only the overheads from LAX to Manila, but from Manila to Bangkok as well?

Philippine Air posts a 15-pound carryon limit which should be easy for us to go under.

My only concern is that we may jump on a smaller plane to get to some smaller islands and I assume overhead space on those planes is quite tight, if any at all.

Comments and tips are greatly appreciated!

The small planes very likely will not have overhead space. I have flown on several Beech 1900 puddlejumpers. Very little space on those for carry on bags, even under seats. The crew will stow your backpacks and you will pick them up planeside when you land.

I took my backpack onboard the plane this past summer for my backpacking trip. It has aircraft-grade aluminum stays and the top part of the stays (the "bayonets") can be pulled so the pack is smaller. The "bayonets" (no, they are not sharp) stay loose in the bag with the other part of the stays remaining to provide support. No problems on that trip.

Thanks for the info - I figured those interisland puddlejumpers would be worse than the ERJs that I take between DFW-OKC.

I'll plan accordingly!

Can't speak to puddlejumper bag space, but in terms of security having an issue with internal frames, no problem at all, I've done it lots of times.