Flying Commercial/checki Ice Chest question

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
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Dolores, Colorado
Planning a trip to Alaska next May, staying for a month. Will be flying Alaska Airlines and taking an ice chest as checked baggage. I will be putting rubber boots, some tackle and other assorted stuff. Coming home it will be full of frozen fish. I have a 55 qt Coleman Extreme I might take. It has no way to lock it with a padlock. I guess I'll just duct tape it shut OR buy a new chest that can be locked (Yeti style) with an approved padlock.

Any suggestions?
 

mallardsx2

Veteran member
Jul 8, 2015
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3,249
Your outfitter should have what they call fish boxes.

I would use those and just pay the fee.

You cant fit much in coolers and normally they hit you with a oversized fee.

The fish boxes hold quite a bit and my stuff was still frozen when I got back to Georgia.

As far as locking it. DON'T lock anything because TSA will be inspecting everything. You cant even tape up your fish boxes. They open them up and inspect everything. Then they tape them back up with TSA tape.

Talk to someone about getting some of those fish boxes for sure.

"Fish Box" is about as common of a word as "Alaska sneakers" (Xtratuff boots...) up there...lol
 

AKaviator

Veteran member
Jul 26, 2012
1,819
1,084
C.C., mallard is right. It's probably better to get some waxed cardboard "fish boxes" You can get them at the local grocery store most of the time.
Ted will know where to send you and take good care of you. If he doesn't, I will!