So much for keeping critical gear with you on the plane.

[SeaHorse81]

It's not so much the extra fees that bother me (though they do) as that this trend means many of us will have no way to keep with us the items we would need to save a dive trip in the event of some lost luggage.

I've always packed very defensively, stuffing my backpack and carry-on with the items that would make diving at least barely possible if the checked bag went missing. Now, on some airlines at least, that will only be possible if purchasing really expensive seats, which is an interesting thought given how pricey even basic coach has become.

Is the Carry-On Bag About to Become Extinct?

 

[flyboy08]

It's all about generating revenue....Wall Street owns the airlines these days.

 

[jseyfert3]

It may not just be revenue. On my recent honeymoon almost without exception the overhead bins were always filled. My estimate is there is room for maybe 1/4 of passengers, at most, to store a standard hard sided carry-on in the overhead bins. They were always asking for people to gate check carry-on bags.

I just think that as more people try to bring larger carry-ons, there simply isn't enough room for them anymore. So the airlines are changing policies. Obviously they are going to take advantage of it to get more money, but there is only so much room available. Not everyone COULD fit something into the overhead bins on full flights if they all tried.

 

[mmmbelows]

It's not so much the extra fees that bother me (though they do) as that this trend means many of us will have no way to keep with us the items we would need to save a dive trip in the event of some lost luggage.

I've always packed very defensively, stuffing my backpack and carry-on with the items that would make diving at least barely possible if the checked bag went missing. Now, on some airlines at least, that will only be possible if purchasing really expensive seats, which is an interesting thought given how pricey even basic coach has become.

Is the Carry-On Bag About to Become Extinct?

Unless you're flying to a live-a-board what exactly would be on the list of dive equipment you couldn't rent from your dive operator? If you wear glasses and dive without them using a prescription mask I could see how that would count, but what else? Mask, fins, wetsuits, regs, dive computers.... everything is typically available from your dive operator with the exception of a few really exotic tiny out of the way destinations.

 

[jonhall]

Having travel gear makes it a little easier. I generally carry on bc/reg, prescription mask, computer, and camera. Everything else (wetsuit, fins, snorkel, video light, dry bag/box, collapsible gear bag) has gone in checked luggage.

When I return home from a trip, everything goes in checked except for reg, mask, and computer.

New rules will definitely make people think about packing. In a pinch, I think I can roll up bc and fit it with reg, mask, camera, and computer in my backpack, and maybe cram an extra set of clothes and swimsuit in. If not, the bc gets booted to checked (camera housing would be next.) I think I've gotten my moneys worth out of my gear, and wouldn't have a problem renting if my checked bag got lost.

Since the airfare for our next 2 trips this year are already paid for, I hope I don't have to worry about bags!

 

[SeaHorse81]

Unless you're flying to a live-a-board what exactly would be on the list of dive equipment you couldn't rent from your dive operator?

My trips have all been to liveaboards.

Critical gear includes my mask with prescription lenses and either a 7 mil wetsuit or a dry suit and the peripherals associated with them. Admittedly, my exposure protection needs are extreme compared to most. Then again, I do rent all the actual equipment at the destination because I don't want to lug anything more around in airports.

I'm also thinking of all the people I've seen who do bring their own equipment, including some very expensive camera rigs, and suspecting they want to keep the really high-dollar stuff in hand in any event.

 

[oldschoolto]

When they started charging for checked bags, People said.. Screw that I'll just bring everything as carry on.. They made this mess... Make checked free or like $5 buck...

Jim

 

[mmmbelows]

My trips have all been to liveaboards.

Now that is a problem. Have you ever had a luggage issue where your carry on saved you? Been lucky so far myself, but when you're getting on a boat this is definitely a problem.

 

[uncfnp]

I admit that Eric and I do the carry-on to the limit but we also make sure that our bags easily fit in the overhead (softsided backpack that molds to the shape of the overhead) and smaller pack that slides under the seat.

Unless you're flying to a live-a-board what exactly would be on the list of dive equipment you couldn't rent from your dive operator?

What could I not easily rent? Gear sized for a petite female. I travel to dive. My own gear makes this much more enjoyable and worth the hassle.

 

[mmmbelows]

What could I not easily rent? Gear sized for a petite female. I travel to dive. My own gear makes this much more enjoyable and worth the hassle.

Good point!