Airplane - Converter Or Cartridges

[Jordan N]

I’m traveling to Europe soon and looking for some advice about carrying my MB 145 with me. I’ll have to pack my pen in packed in carry-on luggage, so it won’t be possible to keep the nib pointing up all the time. Also, what to do with ink? To use some small plastic bottle?

 

Does it make sense to replace converter with the cartridges?

[professionaldilettante]

It won't matter what you use. It depends on HOW the pen is handled during the takeoffs and landings. It is during this time that the air pressure changes the most (hence the popping ears). If you have a pen, carry it either filled, nib up for these times, or empty, because any air bubble will expand, pushing ink into the feed and possibly overwhelming the feed, resulting in a leak. Search this forum. There are 10's of posts with this exact same question.

For the ink in bottles, I usually put it in with my checked in luggage, sealed in 2 bags, and then wrapped in clothing, so that it would be protected.

[meiers]

Zip-lock bags are very useful for storing bottled ink in flight.

[smk]

I have traveled with piston-filled pens in my hand luggage. I make sure that there is no air in the barrel and have not had any problems with the pen in horizontal position - if there's no air in the barrel it can't expand and force ink out :-)

 

To get all the air out I hold the pen nib up and retract the piston all the way down so it sucks all the ink out of the feed. I then move the piston up a bit and pull back a couple of times to make sure I've got all of the ink in the feed. Keeping the nib pointed up I slowly move the piston back up until ink starts coming out the feed - then pull the piston back just a tad.

 

I do keep the pen in a pocket where it would do the least damage even if the ink does leak out.

 

Although this is what I do I'm not going to guarantee or even recommend it. I'm just sharing it as my experience has been good with this method. If you decide to do this, kindly understand that an ink-filled pen is still a risk e.g. the air behind the piston can expand and try to come out the front - I know this is unlikely but it is possible!

 

Salman

[Mags]

I fly with the full cartridges in my Montblanc traveller. No issues.

 

My MB Traveller has a case with 6 cartridges. Covers me for over 2 weeks of busy use.

 

A nalgene bottle is another solution to tje ziploc bags. I take the clear liquida bag in security and place other pens that use fillers in case they drip a little.

 

Carrying ink in 50ml or less bottles also helps.

[osnofian]

As most of you have already highlighted, the problem is air in the system. C/C or Cartridge will be exactly the same problems. Personally, I would prefer the converter, but it's just an opinion.

 

I have a Visconti Travelling inkwell for large trips. On normal occasions, I usually travel outwards with the pen completely full, and in the last day, I empty it for the flight back. Never had a problem...

[karmakoda]

I know I've been fortunate, but, my pens have not leaked when flying, and I always carry three, almost full, 2 149s and a 146. They travel in a tiny carry-on bag with my passport, sketchbook, and tickets. The ink is carried in a standard MB Bottle, double ziplocked for checked baggage.

Always been concerned about that ink though, so the traveling inkwell that was mentioned interests me.

Have a great trip!

[Jordan N]

Thank you everybody. It looks the easiest option is to insert a new cartridge before the flight. Since I’m expecting to have 6 separate flights in 2 weeks that’s probably what I’m going to do.

 

However, must admit I like osnofain’s practice to fly outward with a completely full pen, and return with the empty one. Looks like a perfect solution for short trips.

[meiers]

Happy trails.