backpack
 

Hi, I'm going to Europe in May and I'm planning on taking my backpack as my carry-on so I don't have to check it.

The backpack is not the 'normal' sized pack, it's a 35L big one that you would go hiking with that clips around your waist. I'm not thinking I'll have any trouble taking it as a carry-on.

I've checked the continental website and can't find anything that says I'll have trouble taking it, but I'm not sure about airport security.

Here is the carry on bag policy of Continental:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../carry-on.aspx

If it fits within the size restrictions listed for your airline, airport security has nothing to do with it as far as I know.

I have rarely if ever seen full size backpacks as carry-on. My guess is that if you have to argue it as allowable (it does not have the configuration of a regular suitcase), you would have to compare the space of the backpack in cubic inches with the space of a 22" suitcase (maximum allowable, I believe).

It doesn't have anything to do with airport security.

Just see if the measurements are within the guidelines, that's all. It either is or is not. It doesn't really matter if what you have is a suitcase or backpack, it's just the size. I think that should be okay, a 35L backpack is about the same size as a 21" suitcase, in dimensions.

I use a backpack as a carry-on, and I have not had any problems. Just make sure it meets the size requirements, which are 51 linear inches for Continental.
As long as you don't overstuff it, you should be fine. Pack it and then measure it.

Make sure you tuck all those straps well when it goes through the scanner.

Try: Length + Width + Height = maximum of 45 in. Use straps to compress bag. Search <carry-on bag..

Nothing special about a backpack, you need to measure it and see if it qualifies as a carry-on for your particular airlines (same as a suitcase).

Sorry, I noticed that vjpb already posted the link. Everything you need to know is there.

The carryon size for "normal" airlines is around 66 litres, for budget airlines it's around 45 litres, so there shouldn't be any problem unless it's very oddly shaped and the airline has maximum single dimensions