Airport tip...

[sharky60]

One thing I noticed leaving Coz. The rules for carry-on items is different than going to Coz from the U.S.

This couple who were in line with us going thru security to get into the gate area had alan wrenches in a small pelican box that the security guys took from him saying you could not carry on ANY tools.

He & his wife were more than a little PO'd, they were already complaining in line about having to pay a fee for carry-on luggage, it must have been over weight or something, and I think they had another issue going with the airline as well, so they were already upset when go to the security stand.

The security guy, by the way, are they ALL about 15 year old down there? Anyway, he just said, rules are different in Mexico than in the U.S. ... the couple stormed off.

They also tore thru my carry-on like they were looking for a stow-away or something. Finally, they found a wine screw with a tiny blade less than 1" long on it, tucked in a lower zippered pocket on the outside of the bag...I had no idea it was even there! and it made it through security GOING to the island just fine.

...just a word to the wise, be careful what you got in your bag going home, the "rule" could be different than it was coming down.

 

[ggunn]

Add duct tape to the "not allowed" list for carry-on when leaving Cozumel.

 

[jimbeeler]

Add duct tape to the "not allowed" list for carry-on when leaving Cozumel.

Seriously? What security threat is Duct Tape?

Jim

 

[dmoore19]

I think the same can be said for other places. I had a multi tool taken in Roatan and another guy on that trip lost a small cressent wrence taken from him. This isn't unique to Cozumel.

 

[ccannon707]

Ladies, your really nice tweezers are at risk too. Mine were confiscated from a carry on at the Coz airport. That took some searching too! (they are tiny)

 

[ggunn]

Seriously? What security threat is Duct Tape?

Jim

I have no idea, but they took mine.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You can tie people up with duct tape. Or make a nice sap with it and knock someone out.

But the more I hear about all the hassles traveling to other places these days makes me want to say the hell with traveling to dive and restrict my diving to US destinations and US territories. I had no problems going back and forth to Puerto Rico.

Bonaire was ok up until they confiscated my late wife's fork with the built up handle she needed due to her muscular dystrophy. It had been to a number of other places via flights. They didn't give a rats ass that she was disabled and needed that in order to feed herself with some dignity.

TSA in the US was fine with it on several trips to Florida and back. They understood.

Right now if I was going to dive out of the country I'd try to find an op that had the type of gear I prefer and rent it. Or not go there if I could not get it. Confiscating some allen wrenches? Batteries? No thanks. Definitely off my list of places I care to visit.

Not worth the bullcrap.

 

[cvchief]

Definitely off my list of places I care to visit.

Not worth the bullcrap.

Then you certainly have never been.

I am a Coz-aholic. I would bring extra allen wrenches and batteries if that was price of admission.

 

[ggunn]

You can tie people up with duct tape. Or make a nice sap with it and knock someone out.

I could do the same with my belt and socks.

 

[Mossman]

But the more I hear about all the hassles traveling to other places these days makes me want to say the hell with traveling to dive and restrict my diving to US destinations and US territories. I had no problems going back and forth to Puerto Rico.

Not worth the bullcrap.

Sure, if you think U.S. diving is all that. From my experiences with Florida and Puerto Rico, I'm very glad I've been diving elsewhere. Hawaii has its merits but it's very pricey and SoCal is beautiful, but cold. You won't find the Cozumel combo of clear warm water and drift wall diving anywhere in the U.S. AFAIK (back wall of Molokini is nice, but limited). And there's simply no U.S. comparison to pelagic diving in Cocos or Galapagos or the amazing diversity of the Indo-Pacific. Feel free to stay at home and read books about all these places, but personally I'd rather experience them first hand no matter how much of a pain the traveling might be. And then there's the added benefit of foreign cultures, meeting people from very different backgrounds, and eating local foods.

Each to his/her own.