Bring my own gear or rent?

[gunslinger808]

Just wanted to get some feedback on how you divers in the Philippines haul your gear to all the wonderful destinations in your country. I just booked R/T airfare on AirPhilEX
and was only allowed 15 kilos in checked bag. I am pretty sure my dive bag loaded is over that. So I purchased the extra fees. Almost came out over half the price of full airfare. Is there a better way? A secret all you local divers know about. Of course I know about the ferry, but time is limited, so that option will have to wait for a time when I have more of it.
Of course all seasoned divers like myself will tell you that the tactile advantage of diving your own gear is priceless. It's a comfort/familiarity thing.
Any hu, I appreciate any wisdom I can gather from the more seasoned travellers. Mahalo and God Bless

:ar15:

 

[boljakool]

I would usually bring just the very basic gear that I would use when I have to travel by air. I use a light weight bag so it wont add to the weight of the gear. Sometimes I also put my mask, booties & wetsuit (wetsuit is optional for me most of the time) with my hand carried backpack. full-foot fins would also help lessen the weight, or you may simply hand-carry your find with you.
you can also travel without the heavy walking shoes, flip flops will do.

 

[DevonDiver]

Tiny baggage allowances + Huge excess baggage fees seem to have become the norm in Asia now.

If you travel a lot, it might be worth putting together a new kit configuration for travelling.

For example:
A lightweight BP&W, with non-metal backplate (for instance, an Oxycheq 18lb Mach V, with Ultra Lite Travel Plate and Hog harness).
A set of basic Mares footfins
A mask.
Dive computer (in hand luggage)
Your regulator set (in hand luggage)
Super-lightweight 4th Element Thermocline 2-piece neoprene free 'wetsuit'.

In total, it'll only add a few lbs to your checked-baggage....

The weight of the bag itself chews up a lot of your allowance. Get yourself a lightweight nylon hold-all.

 

[Rogersea]

this topic resurfaces every couple of months, I always recommend joining the pal frequent flyer program and purchasing the sportsmans plus package.flying PAL or pal express ends up being a good deal...

Depending on ur itenerary Inter-Island Ferries can be a great mode of traffic for example if you were making the CEBU.Bohol, Negros trip I would not consider any other way of travel..

Finally in my travels I have found the quality and condition of most rental gear to b fine (if not just go to the next biz).

 

[h2odragon1]

Most dive shops let you rent gear for as little as $5/d or /dive. which is greater the rental charge or the excess baggage fees?

 

[Centrals]

I am off to Philippines tomorrow and packed my full kit in the check-in bag which weight in about 13kg. My hand carry is about 3kg.
The check-in soft bag weight less than 1 kg.
Equipment list:
BC, Apeks reg, Fins, booties, 3mm wet suit, vest with hood, thermal T-shirt, smb, spool and mask.
Never ever paid excess luggage or stuff excessive items in my hand carry. NO CHEATING.