Good reminder to never plan trips this time of year if you want to harvest figs at their peak.  I have Abeberia (sp?) and 2 other varieties on the brink of picking.   Not sure if I should pick them before or after my two day trip.  On one hand, I sacrifice flavor.  On the other hand, I risk splitting or damage (ants/birds).  First world problems!  ;)

Take the plants with you;)

Rafed, I like the way you think.  Show us a photo.  Have you ever wrested a truely ripe fig from the critters?

Rafed, it seriously crossed my mind.  The van will be full though.
Then, next weekend I'm doing a 4 day, 330 mile cycling trip across the state to raise money for cancer with a team of 14 guys.  I'll be thinking about my figs, but they are the last priority in this case.

Fig trees used to travel with me all the time.

Great to hear what you're doing though.

Frank,
Do it a half now and a half after your are back.
I would probably cover the figs with something strong to deter the easy hunters.

Green Greek and my leg. Yes, that is an air-layer on it (GG, not my leg). I had another tree fully under the seat in front of me.

James they didn't give you a hassel about carrying it on the plane?

 aren't some of yours in pots? if  so, they like hanging out in the kitchen, as long as you does with dish washing liquid to kill bugs.

No, Gloria.  I've lost count of how many trees I've carried on planes.  It is well over 20 just for myself.  I used to be a fig mule in the days when we all were in the Gardenweb forum.  I was living in Texas and working in NJ.  I would carry trees both ways for members... until I let Adriatic JH (before they were so widely distributed) cuttings in Houston mold and rot before they got to NJ.  To be quite honest, I'm surprised I wasn't expelled from the forums all together.  The fact that anybody here still likes me is a testament to the generosity of our community.

I normally get asked what kind of trees they are about 20 times in the airport (not just TSA).  Everybody seems to have a fig story to share.  One time I offered a TSA official at the Philly airport a fig tree on one of my passes through.  He got really excited and took my email address, but I never heard from him.  On this particular flight, Barbra was worried the whole day that they would not let me on the plane with the trees.  The flight attendant was worried they wouldn't fit under the seat.  Since the trunk was curved, I was able to put the container under the seat and you can see how the top rested.  She was okay with it.

I think Susie has the right idea.  If you have a bright spot inside the house where you can put the trees, the pests can't get to them.

I would bring the tree inside the house, if only for 2 days.. that way it is protected from the creatures... and you may return to a very good ripe fig.

Leave the kids in charge of them. I'm sure they will enjoy. :)

Great tips, everyone.  Tough decisions.  ;)

I say leave them. This may be a way to taste a fig riper than you would normally get, you may find yourself saying...hmmm I like them like that. But, like you said you might come home to nothing, or fig mush allover the place, or figs that are over ripe to your taste.

Back from our trip.  I'm glad I decided to let them ride.  A couple of split figs, but I attribute that to the SWC system.  Roots stay wet which is not optimal conditions.  Having said that, I still had some delicious figs.

Congrats Frank.

did any wrinkle up at all? if so, can you compare the taste?

as far as i can tell, if some water leaves the fruit, flavors are concentrated.