Question about backpacking straps

[mwtzzz]

"I need to tie down the straps on the backpack so that they dont' hang loose and get caught in the conveyor belts at the airport."

This is a real tricky one for me, partly because I don't know the word for "straps" nor "conveyor belt." Let me take a stab at it:

"Hay que amarar bien las cuerdas del moral para que no se queden sueltas y ...."

and the rest of it I have no idea ...Help!

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by mwtzzz

"Hay que amarrar bien las cuerdas del morral para que no se queden sueltas y .... se atoren en la banda (del equipaje)"

The "formal" term for "conveyor belt" is "banda transportadora", but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "banda transportadora", but just say "banda" and let the context do the rest.

Your sentence can be well understood. In Mexican daily speech (no slang), I'd say something like: "Hay que amarrar bien las correas de la mochila para que no se atoren en la banda" or "...para que no las agarre la banda" (but this is more colloquial).

If you have in mind the airport security, I'd say "...que no se atoren en la banda a la hora de la revisión". If you're rather thinking about the baggage claim, then I might say "...que no se atoren en la banda del equipaje".

Happy holidays!

[mwtzzz]

Excellent, thank you Angelica!

[aleCcowaN]

strap = correa, not cuerda
cuerda = rope, string, cord -...s vocales: vocal cords-, spring (clocks and clockwork toys)

contra las cuerdas = against the ropes
dar cuerda al reloj = wind up the clock
tener cuerda para rato = to have energy to keep going for a while; (mature) old people: to have many years of (productive) life ahead.