Checking a backpack--Straps???
 

Do you need to remove the straps from a backpack when checking it as luggage?
Thanks in advance for the feedback.

I wouldn't trust the baggage conveyors with my backpack straps. Depending on the size of my backpack, I put it inside a garbage bag or giant ziplock bag (the XXL is big enough for a daypack). If you're feeling fancy, you can get a giant duffel bag from a discount store to transport your pack, but then you have to haul it around with you for your entire trip. I have friends who have had the straps of their backpacks ripped off by the conveyor belts-- not pretty if you're planning a backpacking trip...

www.REI.com has zipper bags that cover specific sizes of back packs for the reason that straps can not only be torn off, but can get nasty dirty. If you are about to travel, a local store likely can sell you one.

I backpack quite frequently & I have a large nylon laundry bag that fits my backpack. It takes up barely any space when it's not in use & it protects the straps. Just put the pack in & tie it off.

Something like this - http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1362037

Where do they put your destination tag with that?

Two ways -

1) They twist the top of it & put the destination tag around it (sort of like a twist tie on a bag of produce from a grocery store)

or

2) They put it through the white drawstring. I've never had the bag tag fall off.

The people at the check in desk should have clear plastic bags you could use. Big enough for even a giant backpacker-type bag. At least that's what they kept wrapping my pack in when I went on my AKL MR deal trip a few weeks ago.

They generally do (or they have the plastic bins to put the bags in) - but I prefer to rely on my own resources. Also, I find that its more likely that they'll have those at large airports & not the smaller ones. For example, we took flights into SGU a few years ago to go backpacking in Zion Nat'l Park & I wouldn't have expected the St. George, UT, airport to have the plastic bags available.

If you're talking large backpack for backpacking type travel, some of them have zip covers for the backpack straps. When I bought mine 10+ years ago, I bought an Eagle Creek pack that had an integrated strap cover with a side handle for picking it up off the luggage conveyor belt -- that's where the luggage tag & destination tags went. Are you looking to buy one, or do you have one already?

I have this bad boy and it comes with everything I need

http://www.tiso.com/shop/berghaus/jalan_60_15

I second REI. They have these awesome duffle bags that can fold into tiny little bags and weigh next to nothing but are perfect for putting your backpack in - AND they have a strap or two for ID and destination tags....

Alaska Airlines provides a large clearish bag for the asking at check in (think big garbage bag, only not tacky.) If you have a backpack with straps, many agents will offer you one. If they fail to do so, please ask! Your bags go through a Rube Goldberg-esque system of belts and conveyors with twists and turns, and some straps get caught and ripped off in the process.

I've sent my Lowe Alpine through with just the straps tightened/bound down as tight as possible without any problems... but I probably wouldn't do it again. I'd get a cheap nylon backpack cover (similer to or the same as a rain fly). A mesh laundry bag would probably work as well.

I also tighten down the straps and waist belt as much as possible and then I duct tape the loose ends around the main straps so there's less to get caught.

Backpack Straps
 

Just finished a trip to Morocco with a checked backpack - on NWA/KLM and easyJet via Amsterdam and Madrid. After tightening down all the straps, I put a couple of cheap sleeping back straps around it to hold things together. Had no problems.