Flying horror stories

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

I have a vacation booked for April to Turks and Caicos. I will be bringing all my dive equipment with me. I plan to pack it all in my checked luggage.

Now, the thing is, if I get the direct flight, it's $400 more than getting flights with a connection. But is the savings of $400 worth the extra risk of lost luggage? I just don't want to get to the resort and then have to pay extra to rent all my gear, which will, of course, not be as comfortable for me. Not to mention the extra expense, that I'm not sure the airline would cover.

Anyone have any experiences? Any airlines you'd suggest staying as far away from as possible?

Oh, and the direct flights are with American Airlines, while the connection flights are with Spirit Airlines. I'm not sure that makes any difference.

 

[robint]

YOu really should pack your regulator, mask, and a swimsuit in your carry-on bag. Also, your dive log and c-cards.



robin

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

Good suggestions Robin! Thanks!

I actually don't own a regulator yet (that is one of the items I will be renting) and I have put my mask in my carry-on so I don't crack it). But the dive-log I have put in the packed bag before. I will make sure those items are in my carry-on. And I always bring at least one bikini in the carry-on (which I did even before learning to dive)

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Exactly what gear are you taking if you don't have a reg? I'm leaving for Bonaire on Saturday. All of my dive gear is going carryon. One of the advantages of a BPW! Fins strap to the side of the backpack. Unimportant stuff like clothes get checked. I just don't like having to pack my 3 mil in checked. Especially since it's new but we only have one connection in atlanta so it should be ok.

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

I'm taking my 5mm wetsuit, beanie, mask, snorkel, fins and boots, dive log, and all the accessories like my slate, camera lanyard, etc. That's my dive stuff. There are other things I'll put into a carry-on that I won't check. Expensive items don't get checked (like my camera and it's underwater housing). Irreplacable items (or at least not replaceable until I get home) don't get checked (like the gear I need for the other sport I do when I go there ... flying trapeze, which cannot be "rented"). And I also have to take with me one bikini and one change of clothing, in case luggage gets lost.

Yes, I guess it can all fit into my carry-on. It just begins to get heavy (especially the fins and wetsuit).

 

[Doc]

I have a vacation booked for April to Turks and Caicos. I will be bringing all my dive equipment with me. I plan to pack it all in my checked luggage.

Good idea.

Now, the thing is, if I get the direct flight, it's $400 more than getting flights with a connection. But is the savings of $400 worth the extra risk of lost luggage?

Are you posing a math question? Really now, Turks isn't exactly the ends of the Earth. Your luggage is quite likely to follow you easily.

I just don't want to get to the resort and then have to pay extra to rent all my gear,
which will, of course, not be as comfortable for me. Not to mention the extra expense, that I'm not sure the airline would cover.

B]Unlikely as that might be, no... the airline will pick up that tab.[/B]

Anyone have any experiences?

Hundreds

Expensive items don't get checked (like my camera and it's underwater housing).

Pad your bulky housing well and check it. Take you tiny camera as carry on. A housing has zero value comparatively to the camera. Very little gets stolen from luggage, certainly nothing as of little value as used SCUBA gear. Difficult to conceal, worth nothing to a fence.

Irreplacable items (or at least not replaceable until I get home) don't get checked (like the gear I need for the other sport I do when I go there ... flying trapeze, which cannot be "rented"). And I also have to take with me one bikini

That sounds interesting.

and one change of clothing, in case luggage gets lost.

Yes, I guess it can all fit into my carry-on. It just begins to get heavy (especially the fins and wetsuit).

That is why, after hundreds of trips, we check everything except the cameras (they have a resale value), computers (they are delicate), prescription masks, and that bathing suit & t-shirt.

The rest gets checked. Wetsuits, regs, BC, all of that heavy junk.

Put three separate laminated luggage tags on your suitcase. List your complete airline connections, the dates and your final destination address.

Never lost one yet.

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

Doc,

GREAT idea to put the complete information in my luggage tag! I'll definitely do that!

I will try to pack the housing in my packed luggage. I guess if it gets lost or even taken, at least the dive itself won't be effected, just my taking photos during it. I'll still get to dive, right!

As for trapeze ... VERY much fun! Although, most divers avoid it, and most fliers avoid diving. The "submerged in water" is not great for the hands of a trapeze flier. Soft skin will rip off easier! But the way I figure it, if I just do trapeze all week, and stay completely out of the water, I end up with ripped up hands anyway. So why limit myself?!?! If you ever get a chance to try trapeze ... go for it!

 

[Diver Dennis]

That is why, after hundreds of trips, we check everything except the cameras (they have a resale value), computers (they are delicate), prescription masks, and that bathing suit & t-shirt.

The rest gets checked.

Put three separate laminated luggage tags on your suitcase. List your complete airline connections, the dates and your final destination address.

Never lost one yet.

Yup, what he said...

We travel a lot and do the same except for the 3 luggage tags which is a great idea. We use HD luggage tags and put a printed sheet of our destination address as well as our home address inside each suitcase, including cell numbers in case they have questions about the contents at the airport so we can avoid any luggage delays.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Thanks guys. I'm going to add a few tags to my bags. I have had my bags delayed but never lost totally.

I fly about 15 times a year for work with usually 1 connection (sometimes direct sometimes 2 connections). I check my tools which would be very easy to sell and I have never lost anything even to China.

I still carry on my reg, computer and mask. The other stuff I can dive with rental if needed (I like my BC but, will dive with a rental and rental fins if needed).

Edit:
No specific airlines I have flown a lot of different ones (except Spirit and Jet Blue)

 

[DandyDon]

Lisa you've already received really good suggestions here. You and your probly bags will probly be fine on the connections. I pack my housing in my roll-on, well padded - as the roll-on is often gate-checked on small planes, which you'll probly end up on into T&C. I carry cameras in my small backpack that never leaves my body as I have known cameras to be broken on gate-checked roll-ons. I could go on and on about how I pack, plan, back-up plan, and execute a trip like this, or my recent trip to nearby Exuma, but I'll try to be brief.

I always take trip insurance for international trips, in part because of the $9.07/pound = $907 luggage liability of the airlines and because my medical insurance does not cover me out of country. I presume you have DAN or similar dive insurance.

Your other sport does sound fascinating, and there are a few possibilities about mixing the two on the same days. Probly be fine, but I avoid strenuous exercise for a few hours after diving just in case I have more nitrogen in my blood than I thot.

Have a great trip. ilot: