Fountain pens are classic writing tools that have been around for centuries. The idea of a fountain pen evolved from the earlier dip pen which in turn evolved from the quill pen.
Writing with a fountain pen feels different from writing with a regular ballpoint pen. Any fountain pen enthusiast can attest to the feeling of elegance and grace that comes with using a fountain pen.
The use of your favorite fountain pen doesn’t have to be restricted to your home or local environment. Flying with fountain pens is relatively easy, and we’ll go over everything you need to keep in mind.
Flying With Fountain Pens
For fountain pen lovers, it is not uncommon to want to take your set of pens along on your trip. However, many people have issues with flying with fountain pens because they’ve never tried it before and don’t know what to expect.
From the moment you start packing until you land at your destination, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about bringing your fountain pens on a trip.
Let’s get into it.
Packing
Packing is where the problem usually starts for most people because it can be so hard to pick which pens to take.
While packing, there are some things you should keep in mind that will determine which fountain pens go into your luggage.
Writing Needs
When packing, you need to consider what type of event you’re going to and the number of pens you will be carrying along. The best thing to do is to maintain moderation and avoid carrying any unnecessary load. Bringing three to four pens is more than enough.
While just taking one is the ideal option, taking multiple pens gives you the ability to rotate between pens. It also helps you avoid putting too much strain on any particular pen.
The Ink
The ink is another factor you need to consider. If you’re using a refill, you need to take into account the number of ink bottles you have to carry. It is safer to carry as few as possible to reduce the risk of any ink accident.
If you’re using a replaceable cartridge pen, you can pack extra ink cartridges with you. The use of cartridges is a bit safer than ink packs because it poses a lower risk of spilling.
Replaceability
The world is very unpredictable, and accidents can happen at any point. Airlines are known for losing or damaging luggage frequently. We recommend that you pack fountain pens that you can do without or are replaceable to you.
You might end up misplacing your pen or it might stop working on the trip. Avoid taking your best collection or most valuable pens on a flight.
Preparing for the Flight
After you’ve packed and decided which pens you want to carry with you, there are some more things you need to keep in mind. Let’s look at some of the steps you should follow when getting ready for the flight.
Why Do Fountain Pens Leak on Planes?
If you’re going to protect your pens against accidents due to high altitude, you need to know what causes these accidents.
If you’ve traveled at a high altitude with your fountain pen, you might have noticed that your ink spilled or burst when you reopened your pen. This incident occurs due to the imbalance in pressure that exists between the ground and the air.
When you’re in the air, the pressure of the air drops rapidly, and the change in external pressure causes the internal pressure of your pen to also rise. By the time you land, the external pressure regulates, and there is already a build-up of internal pressure inside your pen. When you open the pen, the ink will splash out.
How To Remove Ink Stains
Now that you know why fountain pens leak after flights, it is important to know how to deal with an ink stain. Obviously, it would be great if the ink didn’t spill at all, but if it does, here are some effective ways to clean it out.
Keeping hand sanitizer handy is a great way to deal with ink stains immediately. Apply drops of the sanitizer to the affected areas and scrub with a toothbrush or cloth until the stain comes out completely.
You can also use detergent if the stain is large and requires proper washing. Wash in hot water and allow it to soak for a few minutes.
Empty the Pen Before Takeoff and Refill After Landing
Emptying the pen before going on your flight is one of the best ways to avoid spillage or ink damage. This is why we prefer cartridge refill fountain pens because it is easier to remove the ink cartridge and replace it upon landing.
Once you’ve gotten to your destination, you can now refill your pen with the pistons converter or replace the cartridge.
Packing Your Ink Bottles
When packing ink bottles, ensure that you arrange them properly. It is safer to pack them inside a tight container or bubble wrap to prevent them from rolling into each other and breaking.
Carry-On or Checked?
Now that we’ve covered packing and preparing for the flight, let’s look at when you’re on the plane.
There are two options for carrying your fountain pen on the plane, either carry-on or checked. A lot of people have questions about carrying their fountain pens with them or leaving them in the checked section.
If you’ve packed your pen and ink in an airtight container or plastic bag, you can check them in the cargo area. You’re also allowed to bring both the pen and ink with you as carry-on, as long as your ink or toner cartridges are 16 ounces or less.
If you’re worried about ink spilling, it is safer to carry it in your carry-on luggage so you can keep an eye on it. If your fountain pen is on the expensive side, it’s always safer to keep it with you as well.
Conclusion
Flying with fountain pens and ink is not difficult if you’re prepared for it, and we’ve given you some tips that will make the process easy.
Follow the steps we’ve provided for every step of the process and flying with fountain pens won’t be a challenge. Enjoy using your elegant fountain pens wherever you go!
