Adventures in carry-on baggage

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Gombessa

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Location
NorCal
# of dives
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The last time I went on vacation, I packed all my gear in a huge check-in bag, probably the first time I've used check-in in 10-15 years or more. I hate check-in. It drastically increases the time you spend at airports, submits your gear to unsupervised handling and/or abuse, and big bags are a pain to deal with. This time I was determined to pack lighter and tighter.

So I got out a standard carry-on roller-bag, laid out all my gear, and brushed off the decades-unused tetris portion of my brain. Here's what I got to fit:

1. BC (backplate, sta, wing)
2. Regs
3. 13.5ah can light in soft carry case
4. backup flashlight
5. neoprene boots
6. fins
7. waterproof camera case
8. misc. tools
9. Mask
10. Computer, compass, watch
11. SMB + spool

Everything else I needed for the trip (clothes, etc.) fit in my old school backpack.

The great thing was, this is pretty much everything. All I needed from the dive shop was a wetsuit and tank; I didn't even need weights since the BC I packed is -12lb.

It's definitely dense and heavy, and I was taking my chances that the airline wouldn't screen the bag for weight (if they did, I figured I'd move my light and camera case to my backpack and check in the roller case, putting me exactly where I'd be otherwise). However, over the course of four flights, no one batted at eye (though TSA couldn't x-ray through the plate plate so they needed to hand-screen the bag at every security checkpoint).

So I took a bit of a chance but it paid off (this time). How much of your gear have you been able to stuff into carry-on??
 
Consider shipping via UPS, FedX etc. direct to your hotel (& at the end of the trip direct back home). Only carry on critical items like reg & computer.

Added benefits is that the TSA and assorted baggage handlers don't Christmas shop through your suitcase.

I've been doing this for a while now without any problems. I always coordinate with the hotel to make sure that they know a package is coming for me.

It is more expensive (out of pocket) than carryin or checking it but it is more secure, less for you to carry and you can count on your gear actually getting to the site. For me it is worth the extra cost not to have to struggle though the airport, taxi / bus etc to the hotel when I can have it picked up at my house & delivered directly to the hotel and knowing that everything that I pack will actually arrive without any of our TSA professionals getting a free gift.
 
Consider shipping via UPS, FedX etc. direct to your hotel

The places on my list don't have any such delivery services.

...that the TSA and assorted baggage handlers don't Christmas shop through your suitcase.... without any of our TSA professionals getting a free gift.

Urban Myth. SCUBA gear is difficult to sneak out because of it's bulk, and resale value is very low. It may get misplaced, so label your bags better... it simply isn't getting stolen enough to make a blip on the list.
 
Urban Myth. SCUBA gear is difficult to sneak out because of it's bulk, and resale value is very low. It may get misplaced, so label your bags better... it simply isn't getting stolen enough to make a blip on the list.


-- Sorry, I know from personal experience that it is not a myth.
 
-- Sorry, I know from personal experience that it is not a myth.

Same here, and I have a family member who works in checked baggage screening for TSA tell me about all the stuff they see and can do.

I don't put anything valuable or desirable in checked baggage regardless of bulk.
 
Its hard and very expensive to ship things to other countries, unless somebody knows something I dont.

I carried lots on the plain last time including my plate, its worth it to carry some stuff but it does require more time. Its hard to carry everything though unless you are only a single tank rec diver. I had an 02 analyzer, 3 lights, 4 regs, plate, 2 bottom timers, mask, spools, and Ipod in my carry on but it was no small feat. all the regs were tore down so all I had were the stages and not the hoses which got checked.

I would prefer to ship when I do the tech stuff, it would save alot of hassle when I go to rebreather for sure.
 
Consider shipping via UPS, FedX etc. direct to your hotel (& at the end of the trip direct back home). Only carry on critical items like reg & computer.

Added benefits is that the TSA and assorted baggage handlers don't Christmas shop through your suitcase.

I've been doing this for a while now without any problems. I always coordinate with the hotel to make sure that they know a package is coming for me.

It is more expensive (out of pocket) than carryin or checking it but it is more secure, less for you to carry and you can count on your gear actually getting to the site. For me it is worth the extra cost not to have to struggle though the airport, taxi / bus etc to the hotel when I can have it picked up at my house & delivered directly to the hotel and knowing that everything that I pack will actually arrive without any of our TSA professionals getting a free gift.


What's your destination Necklinsberg?....that seems like alot of trouble--- We live 3+ hrs from Houston(where we fly out of most times)....I can not see the advantage(s) of preshipping my dive gear....When wife & I dive travel, I get 2 sets of(Caribbean) dive gear in one suit case & our personal stuff in the other checked-in suitcase, have never had one bit of trouble---- camera stuff, Regs, computers, etc in our carryons....What am I missing(lol, nothing so far, but next time is a different trip possibly).......
 
In my backpack camera bag:
DSLR
three lenses
housing
two lens ports
strobe
strobe arms
battery charger
extra batteries, cards etc.

Personal bag carry on:
reg
computer
laptop with cables
passport and travel documents
swimsuit
spare underwear
prescripton medication

On our last trip, we went through Ottawa, Newark, then Bonaire, Newark where we had to go through the screening.

In Ottawa you check-in to get your boarding pass then have to take your bags, all of them, to the screening area. The checked bags are X-rayed and you have to wait. Then you go through screening with your carry-ons, then through US Customs.

Pretty funny; the only place they hand checked my carry-on bags was in Newark on the way back home. The TSA chap told me that I should know that any item of electronics larger than a cell phone have to be taken out of the bag then sent through X-ray. We passed through Newark twice. They did not have me pull out my camera gear the first time, but the second time the bag was hand checked. The guy who checked my bag told me that everyone else was not following the rules.
 
Last edited:
In my backpack camera bag:
DSLR
three lenses
housing
two lens ports
strobe
strobe arms
battery charger
extra batteries, cards etc.

Personal bag carry on:
reg
computer
laptop with cables
passport and travel documents
swimsuit
spare underwear
prescripton medication

On our last trip, we went through Ottawa, Newark, then Bonaire, Newark where we had to go through the screening.

In Ottawa you check-in to get your boarding pass then have to take your bags, all of them, to the screening area. The checked bags are X-rayed and you have to wait. Then you go through screening with your carry-ons, then through US Customs.

Pretty funny; the only place they hand checked my carry-on bags was in Newark on the way back home. The TSA chap told me that I should know that any item of electronics larger than a cell phone have to be taken out of the bag then sent through X-ray. We passed through Newark twice. They did not have me pull out my camera gear the first time, but the second time the bag was hand checked. The guy who checked my bag told me that everyone else was not following the rules.

What kind of backpack (camera bag) is that I certainly have an interest and how do you get your housing/lenses + camera in there?
 
What kind of backpack (camera bag) is that I certainly have an interest and how do you get your housing/lenses + camera in there?
Sorry, I have been away a few days.

The backpack is a Lowepro CompuTrekker Plus AW.

I pack my camera with the macro lens in the housing. No o-rings, or a spare o-ring on the housing and port. This is at the bottom of the bag. The dome port fits in a compartment at the top. The two lenses are on the sides. Similarly the strobe is on the side. The strobe arms are separated and fit neatly in a small space, typically either wrapped in bubble wrap or other padding. The battery charger is quite small and fits in a small nook.

The are some pockets on the inside of the cover. This is where I have my cords (charger and download) as well as the diopter for one of my lenses and additional memory cards. I have a small plastic case with spare parts and silicone lub in the outer pocket. I also have spare batteries in a charger in the outside pocket.

It is a bit tight to zip because of the height of the housing, but not really a problem once I get it started.

I will pack it up and see if I can get a photo posted.
 

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