Quote Originally Posted by hailstreak View Post
I have air traveled with a fully loaded 65l pack a few times (no fuel, just a tuna can stove) and never had a problem with it as checked luggage. I usually just lash my trekking poles to the outside of the pack really tight. I plan on doing the same when I fly to Atlanta this March. My poles are cheapos and my pack is fairly durable (not ultralight), so it can tolerate some tossing around by the baggage handlers.
You're risking your trekking poles or something else being damaged or missing doing this.