Equipment and Traveling?

[DavidHickey]

Just curious how most of you do it, I'm flying out to Bonaire Sunday and getting ready to pack my gear, I was originally going to carry on my regulators and computer. But was thinking since I have quick disconnect maybe I would pack the regs and just carry on the computers. Is this a Bad idea? Also, they were saying at the Divi Flamingo were we are staying they have a big communal room I guess you would call it were you store your equipment. The people that were there before said you just leave everything there unlocked with no guard and that you don't have to worry about it and that nobody would mess with it. ??????? After hearing about people breaking into cars I don't think I want to leave my equipment ANYWERE unlocked and unguarded. Any thoughts would be appreciated!!
David

 

[RICHinNC]

David....I guess it would depend a lot on the airlines you were taking. I normally take a regulation carry on size bag and in that bag I can get my bp and wing, mask and a few other items. I also carry a back pack and in that back pack I have my regs and computers and camera. I dont care if I am made to put the roll bag in the hold because it is a stout bag and can handle a bang or two.....but the regs and computers go with me. I take my bp and wing because I would hate to lose it or have it show up days later. All the rest of my gear ...fins, suits...yada yada...are in non descript suitcases which I seal up with electric ties. I tape a couple more ties to the handle in hopes TSA will replace them if they open it. I am running about 50 - 50 on them doing it.

As for leaving your gear>> No way. I have been places like that too but I would never leave my gear in a communal area. I am not sure how the diff insurance agencies view that either.

good luck and do a trip report.

 

[CAPNVINNY]

I wear my computer on my wrist always(Stinger) everything else goes in a padded dive bag with rollers,sometimes I'll carry my regs in a carryon backpack. Never lot a bag yet! Knock on wood!!

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

We always take our regs, computers, lights and masks in our carry-on's. Everything else goes in our plain luggage. We figure that if our luggage is lost or stolen, at least we have the equipment that is most important with us and we can rent the rest.

So far, no problems.

BTW, there was a post lately titled "Bonaire Disaster", in which the poster lamented about the loss of his camera and equipment when he flew through Puerto Rica. Seems that many people have been ripped off traveling through on their way to Bonaire.

Don't forget your booties and have a great time.

Dave (aka "Squirt")

 

[Meng_Tze]

light (can light only, all others in main bag) and regs go with me in cabin.. the rest is in a massive bag in hold. Have done this for 8 years traveling ALL over the world, never lost a bag/content. Knock on wood.

 

[downdeep]

We always carry on our regs and computers.

We stayed with Sanddollar in Bonaire and they had a communal storage building. We would leave wetsuits, fins, masks, etc there - even BCD, but never regs and computers. Never had any problem, but my reg always stays with me.

 

[AZ Desert Diver]

Like most of the others who have posted, I always carry on my regs. and computer. In addition to my primary mask and log book/C-cards, I would hate to be some where with out any of this. Everything elese I would feel comfortable renting if needed.

 

[bperrybap]

My rule of thumb for travel, is always carry on the things
that you would be most impacted if they were lost, stolen, or delayed.
Remember, that sometimes your luggage may not make the
same plane and may be delayed for several days.

For me that means I always carry on, my regs/computer, Wetsuit,
Camera gear, perscription mask, & C-Cards.

--- bill

 

[JDostal]

I carry the really unique stuff I won't do without in my carry on. Computer & bottom timer. My regs. My canister light. Everything else goes into checked luggage - wetsuit/drysuit, fins, backplate, reels, etc. I can get usable approximations of those items from rental - I don't want to dive without my "key" pieces of gear.

Personally, I wouldn't do the communal thing. I've spent a crapload of money on getting the best gear for myself, and I'm an utrusting soul. Last time I was in Coz the place had lockers for our gear at the diveshop.... I hauled my stuff back to my room, as did just about everyone else in our group.

 

[FireDiver443]

I carry the bulk of my gear (BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, lights, knives, save-a dive kit) in a non-descript suitcase that goes in the hold. NOT a fancy red one with a diagonal stripe that tells people "scuba equipment inside - steal me!" If I pack right, I can even fit my wife's gear in it too. Regulators & dive computers (and dive log w/ c-cards) go in a carry on and pretty much never leave my sight. Not that I don't trust the employees at the TSA or anything. Speaking of TSA, I also keep with me a copy of the TSA regulations relating to scuba equipment. You'd be surprised how many screeners think you can't bring a regulator in the cabin.

It makes the bag a little heavy, but it beats getting to my destination and not having my life safety gear to dive with. Additionally, I think my wife prefers it to the temper tantrum I would undoubtedly have at the loss of 2 regs and 2 computers. Heck, I'll be tough enough to deal with over the loss of rest of our gear. Losing our regs and computers would make me even more unbearable.

See you down there.