Traveling with motorcycle gear

[DankDirtyBird]

So I'm going to a buddies wedding in Austin TX in October, and I'm thinking about renting a bike for a day and hitting up hill country. I'd prefer to bring my own helmet, gloves and jacket. The question is how the hell do you pack a helmet for a flight?

Have any of you done anything like this before? Is it easier to rent gear there? Thanks for all the insight.

[aldend123]

Fedex? Just ship it all to your destination, insure it and you won't worry if it gets lost.

[Trouble]

Wear it. People wear hats onto planes all the time. Explain to security that it helps with your fear of flying, or maybe say that it was recommended by your psychiatrist because of your occasional violent outbreaks during stressful situations.

On a more serious note, when I went overseas I carried mine on in my backpack. I wouldn't trust the helmet after the baggage handlers pitched it around the tarmac.

[golden chicken]

When I flew to Florida, I packed the back pad and some sneakers, wore the jacket and boots and carried my helmet as a 'personal item' in the helmet bag. I would have worn the helmet for the flight if they had told me I'd have to check it or stow it in the belly.

[R7]

When I went to Europe last year for 2 weeks, I took all my gear with me. Packed my checked bag with my leather, gloves, boots, clothing, etc, and put my helmet in my carry on bag that was also full of clothing. I know the flight I was on, I was able to have 1 checked bag, 1 carry on bag and 1 personal item. I flew with AA and a personal item can also be a backpack...so really, you have 2 carry on bags to fit the stuff

[SVRACER01]

ive done this. put helmet in a helmet bag and carried it on.

[Evadd]

pretty much the same i did on my last trip to HI - put the helmet in a carry-on bag that would still fit overhead. IIRC, i packed my boots in a checked-in bag. i can't remember if i wore my jacket onto the plane and threw it overhead or packed it with the boots.

[DankDirtyBird]

I'm thinking I'll throw the jacket in the cary on bag, and rent the rest of the gear when I'm there. Good thing I have plenty of time to figure this out.

[typeone]

did a buy/fly/ride deal and did as these guys say... packed my gear in a few bags and just carried my helmet on.

[golden chicken]

put the helmet in a carry-on bag that would still fit overhead.

I was not given any grief for putting my helmet "under" the seat in front of me--again, I would have just worn it.

I REALLY REALLY wanted to get a picture of me 'hanging off' into the aisle, but I had an aisle seat and felt compelled to exit the plane in order rather than trap my seat row-mates. Someday.