Diving with a Pony - key tips for a newbie?

[JohnN]

Both Continental and American. Return flight to Belize from the UK was going to cost me an extra US$400.

And the mystery is solved. . . from the United web site:

United accepts one dive bag containing diving or scuba equipment as part of a customer's standard checked baggage allowance. A dive bag containing scuba equipment that exceeds the standard checked baggage allowance will be charged oversize or overweight baggage charges.

Dive bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kg) that contain other items in addition to or in place of appropriate dive equipment will be subject to the applicable overweight checked baggage service charge.

Dive bags measuring greater than 62 linear inches (158 cm) that contain other items in addition to or in place of dive equipment will be subject to the applicable oversize charge.

First or second checked bag service charges may apply.

An empty dive tank or up to three rebreather tanks will not be included in determining the baggage allowance and will be subject to a service charge of $150 USD/CAD (each way) for travel between the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A service charge of $200 USD/CAD (each way) applies for all other travel. The empty dive/rebreather tank must have the regulator valve completely disconnected from the tank. The tank must not be sealed (i.e., the tank has an open end). The tank must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection by a TSA Security Screener.

This seems bit like an intelligence test. Pack your pony in a dive gear bag and it will cost $200 each way. Pack your pony in your suitcase and it rides for free (assuming you stay under the weight limit).

Gee. . . that is a tough one. . .

 

[idocsteve]

Nowhere in your quoted link does it say that a traveler is somehow immune to the fees for a pony bottle if he puts it in his suitcase. The link you provided specifically says that pony bottles are in fact subject to the additional fees (regardless of where they are placed) so where you get the idea that it "rides for free in a suitcase" is beyond me.

You're right, it IS something like an intelligence test and you didn't do so well.

 

[uncfnp]

The wording on some of the airline sites has always been a bit iffy to pin down but I think that if you go in and declare scuba gear and tank you will be assessed a fee. But if you go the "don't ask, don't tell" route, follow the TSA guidelines and stay under weight there is no issue.

Another possibility is carry-on since the fee only applies to checked bags. To my limited knowledge the TSA requirement is the same, checked or carry-on.

 

[idocsteve]

I always carried on my 19 cf pony bottle, along with my regs, dive computer, mask, and other smaller accessories.

 

[mi000ke]

I just flew to Grand Cayman from Boston with a new 13 cf pony and valve (off the tank) in my suitcase and no problem, no extra charge.

 

[BertStevens]

Once again Southwest rocks on this! (disclaimer - I work for Southwest)

From the Southwest Contract of Carriage:

Sporting Equipment. Any of the items listed below may be checked in substitution of one piece of the free Checked Baggage allowance for each Passenger at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight or 62 inches in size (outside length plus height plus width), excess weight and size charges may apply in accordance with Section 7f.

(viii) SCUBA equipment, provided air tanks are empty and all accompanying equipment (e.g., BCD, weight belt, one regulator, one tank harness, one tank pressure gauge, one mask, two fins, one snorkel, one knife, and one safety vest) are encased together in a container acceptable to Carrier.​

 

[JohnN]

Nowhere in your quoted link does it say that a traveler is somehow immune to the fees for a pony bottle if he puts it in his suitcase. The link you provided specifically says that pony bottles are in fact subject to the additional fees (regardless of where they are placed) so where you get the idea that it "rides for free in a suitcase" is beyond me.

You're right, it IS something like an intelligence test and you didn't do so well.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but airlines do not open your bags. TSA (insert foreign security here) does. The airline has no way of knowing what is in your bag and once it is checked, their obligation is to get it to your destination.

This isn't complicated, you apparently failed the test

 

[macado]

I'm going to go with @JohnN here. What is in your bags is of no concern to airline companies provided it's allowed to travel by TSA. If it's not against TSA regulations, isn't overweight, and fits dimensions then bring it as carry-on or simply check it and don't worry.

I've lost count of how many times I've blown with rebreather tanks (basically AL19 pony bottles).

Pop valve off, put a piece of clear packing tape over valve opening so the very smart government employees can see inside. I even go as far as printing out TSA regulations from their website showing that SCUBA tanks are allowed and highlight that section and tape it to the tanks. No problems whatsoever.

Pop valve back on when you get to your destination. The majority of the dive operators in the Caribbean are used to this and they're not going to charge you to re-visual the cylinder. If they do, consider it your tax for bringing a pony bottle.

 

[Edward3c]

Doesn't really matter I stopped transiting the US a few years ago. I now take my business to the Far East.

Back to the OP's question: I fitted an extra D-ring to the jacket so a 3Lt pony runs down my right front with the reg clipped-off to a D-ring on my right shoulder, the hose is held to the cylinder by bungee and can just pull out when required.

I practice at least once a year, from 30-35m, switching over to the pony, deploying an DSMB and making a direct ascent.

 

[idocsteve]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but airlines do not open your bags. TSA (insert foreign security here) does. The airline has no way of knowing what is in your bag and once it is checked, their obligation is to get it to your destination.

This isn't complicated, you apparently failed the test

Oh sure, if you have no issues violating airline policy because you probably won't get caught because the airline doesn't check, then sure, you can do whatever you want. You can also cheat on your taxes and probably get away with that too, and you can get to your destination faster if you break the speed limit. Other people take things further and put masks on their faces and a gun in their hand and walk into banks and demand money.

This isn't about intelligence it's about honesty.