What Gear to take on a Plane Trip

[sdorn]

Also don't forget that dive gear looks suspicious. Make sure ALL of your luggage (checked or carry-on) is well organized so that if inspected it's easy to look at. Clear plastic baggies are your friend.

This is definitely true. The TSA checked our bags manually every time we flew and left their little flyers in there saying they had cleared the bag.

 

[ScubaTerp]

I think I'm going to ask for the Pelican 1510 for Christmas so I have something for carry on. It's probably (okay definitely) overkill, but I figure it's worth it.

Pelican™ Products 1510 Carry On Case

 

[parkerco]

My girlfriend and I picked up a couple of the Akona Carry-On Rollers and Pro Regulator bags at our LDS for a recent dive trip to Cozumel -- I have just lost way too many bags travelling for business to trust anything delicate or required for a trip to airline baggage handlers. Checked fins, wetsuits, boots, save-a-dive kit, clothing, toiletries and our boat gearbags in a hockey duffel bag and used the Akonas for everything else and carried it on (BC's, regs, computers, logs, battery rechargers and batteries, masks, laptops, etc.). Nice setup, the reg bag just zips right up in a special pouch on the front of the carry-on roller.

Had room to spare, including space for the ridiculously large Toblerone bar I picked up in the Cozumel airport =)

Akona Carry-On Roller

 

[Doc]

the Pelican 1510 for Christmas so I have something for carry on. It's probably (okay definitely) overkill, but I figure it's worth it.

Yes, it is overkill.

Why would you want the extra weight and very limited internal storage capacity afforded by this superb product that is designed to withstand 100x worse than any cabin bag would be subjected to?

Pelican cases are designed to be checked-through or tossed madly into a truck. You should never open them in any sort of open boat environment. If you want to cradle it in your arms as you muddle through the airports, it's a waste of effort. Hermetically sealed boxes such as a Pelican are a major red flag to TSA.

A nice bit of padding (with a t-shirt) and then inserting cameras into a comfy back pack- that's the way to utilize your "personal item" baggage allowance.

After hundreds of dive trips, we carry prescription masks, computers and camera gear. If you're flying to the Bahamas or Mexico, I suppose you can elect to burden yourself with your entire dive rig and live to tell the tale.

Once you start traveling beyond the usual places in the Caribbean, checking it through in a well tagged bag is the only way to survive the ordeal of 20 hours of plane flights and multiple stop overs.

Regulators are essentially bulletproof, using your wetsuit to pad the checked bag, and you're off. The incidence of theft of dive gear from baggage is an urban myth. No one will bother with bulky gear that has limited resale when the pickings are much better in the next bag.

Tag your bags with full routing info, hang three tags on each bag. Never fails.

Put THREE on every bag:

Laminate them at Kinkos, or just clear tape them onto scraps of bleach bottles. Use wax coated string.

How to keep your travel locks:

 

[ScubaTerp]

Actually it wasn't so much specifically for diving as it was just me looking for a decent carry-on. It costs the same as most mid-grade carry-on bags, is by definition incredibly durable, and since it's a hard case you're guaranteed to not exceed specified volume requirements. And I wouldn't worry too much about TSA; it's a hard-sided case and chances are pretty likely you'll be inspected anyway thanks to all your gear.

What bags do you guys use then?

 

[dmoore19]

Actually it wasn't so much specifically for diving as it was just me looking for a decent carry-on. It costs the same as most mid-grade carry-on bags, is by definition incredibly durable, and since it's a hard case you're guaranteed to not exceed specified volume requirements. And I wouldn't worry too much about TSA; it's a hard-sided case and chances are pretty likely you'll be inspected anyway thanks to all your gear.

What bags do you guys use then?

I use an average looking bag that doesn't indicate there is anything of value in it. I think bags that have markings making them appear to say SCUBA GEAR INSIDE are an invitation for some with less than honorable intentions. As long as it will stay together for 1 more trip, I use it regardless of what it looks like.

 

[vladimir]

Just to save keystrokes, can we all agree that there are very few vacation divers bringing their lead weights or (non-pony) tanks on board commercial flights?

 

[Scubagolf]

Because I like my own gear, I know how it has been maintained, and don't like putting anything in my mouth that someone else has had in theirs. I take everything, (except tanks and weights) all my own gear. When I go I take my reg, computer and camera carry on. The rest is checked. I am going to be going someplace warm and tropical. I don't need too much for clothing, leaves more room (and weight) for the things I need on the trip.

Ditto on all of the above.

 

[*dave*]

When planning a trip on a plane, what gear do you take with you and what gear are you reluctant to leave home? What gear do you keep in your carry-on bag?

For me, it depends on the types of dives I'll be doing and/or how many. If I'm planning on doing less than 6 recreational dives, I'll bring my bottom timer, mask, snorkel(I always snorkel), fins and booties. I can rent whatever they have on site and won't lose a moment's pleasure. Lot's less stress in packing to weight limits and I honestly don't miss schlepping 100lbs of dive gear through airports, cleaning gear at the condo or worrying about it getting ripped off as I do other things.

If I'm on a dive vacation, I'll carry on gauges and regs. The rest of my gear is checked.

Just to save keystrokes, can we all agree that there are very few vacation divers bringing their lead weights or (non-pony) tanks on board commercial flights?

Actually, I'll pack whatever lead I can. I usually slip it into the wife's luggage, as she never breaks 35 lbs with what she packs. But, yeah... I'm sure very few pack lead.

 

[vladimir]

Actually, I'll pack whatever lead I can. I usually slip it into the wife's luggage, as she never breaks 35 lbs with what she packs. But, yeah... I'm sure very few pack lead.

Wouldn't an extra pair of swim trunks or underwear have more utility?