Carry on luggage

[brama2377]

When traveling, how does one fit their gear in 1 suitcase?

there is no way I can fit my BCD, Fins, Snorkel, mask, regulator, dive computer, and boots in carry on...let alone worry about fitting in some personal belongings and some basic clothing. any tips??

 

[boulderjohn]

What do you have against checked baggage?

 

[Noboundaries]

What I'm reading between the lines is you don't want to check your gear. Don't worry about it; check it. There's a chance there might be a problem, but that's life.

My wife and I carry on just the regulators/computers/cameras/camera accessories. We each pack the rest of our gear in separate suitcases and our clothes either go together in one suitcase or separate in two. Then we check the suitcases. I've never seen anyone carry on their dive gear.

We don't travel with "dive bags" that scream "expensive scuba gear inside." We use regular suitcases big enough to fit our fins plus everything else. Inside the suitcase we pack a duffle we use for our gear on the boat. When diving off the boat, everything fits in the duffle except our BC, which you set up on the tank anyway as soon as you're onboard.

 

[don Francisco]

You're generally allowed 1 carry-on and 1 50# checked bag. I put the regs, computer, mask, Camera & housing and all valuble electronics in a messenger bag as my carry-on. BC, wetsuit, & fins, tools, knife and my clothing get checked. I can pack this way pretty effectively for carribean trips of up to 3 weeks or more, with a laundry stop about 1/2 way through.

I've gone to Cozumel for a week or so packed similarly, but with carry-on suitcase, (messenger bag counts as a "personal bag", think big heavy purse, which works for short trips but, no knife or tools.

The secret is to get very organized & take only what you'll use. I learned how to pack light early-on as a bicycle tourist. Drag a ton of stuff up and down hills for 1,000 miles & you quickly learn what you can live without.

My method is to make a pile of the "must takes" which is mostly equipment & weigh it. Then I make a pile of the proposed other stuff & keep trimming that pile down until it fits within the limits. One trick is to put small heavy stuff into the carry-on, since that doesn't get weighed.

BTW- my wife Deb, packs almost equally well (now) and only ocasionally needs to "borrow" some space.

Good luck & have a great trip.

 

[Scuba-Stu]

I havent had any problems. Though, everytime I get my bags on the other end there is a sticker on it stating that it was inspected. Guess they think my first stage is a nuclear device. You can always take apart some of your gear to carry on, regulators, computers-transmitters, 1st stage, and whatever else and leave stuff in there like hoses if your worried about it getting tossed around. Just pad it well with all your other clothes and you should end up ok. I also use a big wheeled bag, I use my old hockey bag, you may be able to pick one one up from play-it-again or another second hand sports store.

 

[Diver Lori]

I like the LLBean Rolling Adventure Duffle for my gear. I'm on my 3rd one in 15 years. Only paid for the first one because it's guaranteed for life. The nifty feature of the duffle is it comes in a bazillion colors and prints....easy identification on the luggage carousel. It also has compression straps to snug it up, telescoping handle and wheels.

 

[fppf]

I addressed this issue in a thread
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ge...235616-how-we-pack-get-around-second-bag.html

 

[bfw]

When traveling, how does one fit their gear in 1 suitcase?

there is no way I can fit my BCD, Fins, Snorkel, mask, regulator, dive computer, and boots in carry on...let alone worry about fitting in some personal belongings and some basic clothing. any tips??

-Carry on convertible bag (internal frame backpack, with zip up flap to cover straps)

-Travel backplate on bottom, OMS pouch (containng lift bag/reel, compass, strobe, backup light, and shears) on waist strap hanging out over side of bag,
single tank adapter unbolted and bolted to front side of plate, which is facing up.

-Fins up against each long side of bag, heels in opposite directions.

-Halcyon 32 lb. pioneer wing, rolled up against bottom end of bag.

-Regulator coiled up, up against wing.

-Mask in mask box against top end of bag.

-Wetsuit, boots, swimsuit, shorts, t-shirts for week in space between mask box and regulator, and on top of regulator, leave a depression for pouch on belt, which is then folded over and into depression.

-Primary light stuffed into the mass of soft textiles in the middle of the bag.

-Throw ziploc bag full of toiletries on top, close flap, zip.

It's a carry on, unless you add a dive knife. I usually add the knife, and check this bag. Carry-on is a basic day pack with dive computer, iPod, cellphone, keys, documents, a couple paperbacks, and a Pelican mini S case with all the underwater photo gear (Panasonic TZ-1 camera/housing, Sea&Sea YS series strobe, 24 AA NiMH batteries (for strobe, primary, backup lights) charger, and cables/spares)

When it's time to go through Customs or hike across an airport with everything, the big pack goes on back, day pack on front, and go. Then both hands are free to help haul HER luggage, which is an entirely different story.

 

[bfw]

I like the LLBean Rolling Adventure Duffle for my gear. I'm on my 3rd one in 15 years. Only paid for the first one because it's guaranteed for life.

Better yet, buy Land's End stuff at garage sales and send it back for replacement.
Broken Craftsman tools, too. Same for broken Pelican cases.

 

[brama2377]

thanks for all the advice. i want to carry on b/c i am doing a live aboard and if my luggage doesn't show up, i'm stuck renting gear...which isn;t the end of the world in itself, but i want to use my own gear for many reasons.

thanks for the advice