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??
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??