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I seem to have a sore shoulder all the time now and I noticed if I stop carrying suitcases or even pulling the ones with wheels, it doesn't bother my shoulder as much. I got one of those book bag backpacks and it has made a world a difference.

That got me to wondering about traveling with larger backpacks instead of suitcases. I have several large ones ranging from cammoflauge ones for outdoor sport activities to plain ones that you see yuppie hikers using. But, I have never flown any where with one packed and used it as a suitcase. Has anyone used one of the larger backpacks for air travel? Did it cause any problems with the airlines or TSA? How did it work out as luggage?

I have, though only once.

I didn't find there to be any difference between checking in a suite case and checking in a back pack.

I agree, much more comfortable to carry a back pack instead of a suitcase.

I do it a lot, I don't check it, just assume it is a carry-on. Sometimes that works and I stuff it into overhead, other times they take it as I board and hand it back as I deboard. saves a hassle in customes too.

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My English teacher said "I before E except after C". Then she told me to go to science class!

If you've seen "The Amazing Race" then you know that you can travel using backpacks.

For one of my 4-day CR trips I only used a single medium-sized laptop backpack, stuffed everything into it and brought it onboard as a carry-on. Normally I check a suitcase as well and use that pack as a carry-on, but I wanted to see if it could do a trip with only the pack. I agree, it's real nice not dragging or carrying a suitcase.

Thanks everybody! I think I am going to do it. I don't think I'll use any of my military or cammo ones, but just the plain one. I guess I just need to watch the liquids and gels thing that TSA is always worried about, which would be tooth paste, shaving cream and maybe cologne.

I filled one with books and walked a mile just to see how see how it compared and it didn't bother my shoulder at all. What bothers my shoulder is pulling or carrying.

I have a backpack that is also a suitcase. If I get tired of carrying it on my shoulder it has a metal handle that comes out and wheels so I drag it like a suitcase. It's also small enough to carry-on but large enough so I get everything I need in it. I also have a bag I carry that just fits under the seat if I need more things.