Can I Heat Form A Pelican Case?

[xroad]

I have a FAA compliant Pelican travel case that I can put into the over head bin on a commercial flight. I cannot fit a helmet into it because it is only 7" tall. The helmet is 10" tall.

Can the plastic be heated and stretched to form a dome, 3" tall at the center, maybe 6" diameter, to accomodate the helmet? It will still fit the overhead bin as the bin height is taller at the front than the rear.

The next size bigger Pelican that fits a helmet is not FAA compliant.

 

[rsanter]

depends what the material is
they do make cases that can be formed, we have some at work they formed our logo into

bob

 

[kbs2244]

I am sure it can be done.
It was heat formed in the first place.
But why not just a canvas bag for the helmet?

 

[rsanter]

arent some of the pelican cases injection molded?

bob

 

[xroad]

I am sure it can be done.
It was heat formed in the first place.
But why not just a canvas bag for the helmet?

One carry on bag, one shoulder bag/purse/laptop bag, and with that, I still get picked to force me to check my FAA compliant bag. Besides, as a road warrior, I need to minimize the number of items I have to shove through the x-ray machine... main bag, computer bag, laptop and plastic bag of liquid bottles in a separate bin, coat and shoes in the bin. I'll be happy if they don't tell me to separate all of them into individual bins.

I don't need another item to be falling off my Pelican as I am racing 1/4 mile from one end of the airport to the other end to catch a connecting flight.

 

[kbs2244]

When I traveled I always jut used simple a "gym" bag.
Nothing fancy. No outside pockets or anything.
Even put my suit and starched shirt in it.
It was flexible and everything in it was too.
I would guess something like a helmet would go vertically at one end and you could stuff things into it to save room.
Are we talking a hard hat, a welding helmet?

 

[xroad]

The original intent was a motorcycle helmet. I travel often. On the longer trips, I want to rent a motorcycle so I can go for a ride on the weekends.

My job often requires a hard hat. One time I had to carry a hard hat, I wore it on my head so I don't have to carry it. It definitely brings a lot more attention than I expected. One TSA agent ask me if I am trying to use it as a disguise to get access to restricted places in the airport. I told them I just want one less item to carry by hand. It took them another minute of conference (feels like 10 minutes) before they decided I can go.

Anything out of the ordinary raises suspicion.

 

[great white tj]

Time for a RV.

 

[Jononon]

It's PP, so it will lose its structural strength on heating and become very sticky. Possible? Maybe, with a heated former. Practical? No.

 

[Daddy_Rabbit]

Why are you carrying a helmet onto a plane?

Why not ship it to your final destination ahead of time and say "screw you" to the airlines?

 

[bushpilot]

stuff the laptop in your roller bag !

i've always used these <when i carry on my arai's>

theres are some "rigid" helmet bags available -

 

[-->]

Make one out of Kydex. Good stuff. Tough, moldable Thermoplastics.

http://www.kydex.com/

 

[Skyline]

I think the solution is a carry on bag (with wheels) with a stiff frame, but made with strong nylon fabric instead of hard plastic. I have one like this, and not only can it be packed to the bulging point, but it has a zipper all around the front allowing an extra 2" or so of expansion. I could easily get a helmet in mine. While a Pelican provides extra security for checked luggage, you don't really need that level of strength for something only you will handle. Take your helmet to a luggage store and see what works.

 

[FLACOMAN]

You could heat it up and form it , but the liner would be a mite unhappy. Grab a bowling ball and use it as a former for the bubble.

 

[kmacht]

It would all depend on the type of plastic. There are thermoplastics and thermosets. The thermoplastics can be re-heated and re-formed. Thermosets can not be re-formed after being heated the first time. They will just burn when heated. Unless you know what type of plastic it is I wouldn't attempt it unless you are ready to throw it out if it doesn't work.

Keith