Flying with Reg ?

[Callie]

I just got back from Coz today. I put my regs, computer and BC in my carry one. Not enough room in my checked bag. Had no problems with the gear in carry on. Was way over limit on wieght but they let me through. Another person got charged an over weight fee (just depends on the person you get). Our weight limit was 44 lbs per person, my carry on was 24 lbs and checked bag was 48 lbs . If you are part of a family group they take the number of people in the group X 44 and get a total weight, so if some of the group are under weight it might average out ok.

The one problem I had with equipment was coming back, when the checked bag went through customs they made me pick it up at the domestic flights baggage claim area. Took about an hour to track down where they sent it. The checked bag had my dive knife in it, meant to leave it at home since you can't wear them in Coz but forgot to take it out of the dive bag.

Have fun in Cozumel! I really enjoyed my trip and can't wait to go back!

Kathy

 

[joewr]

Hey, Blondie,

Back in the 70's when highjacking airplanes was in vogue, syndicated columnist/humorist Art Buchwald suggested something similar to your proposal: arm all passengers with .45 caliber pistols; he thought that would end highjacking for good. Note, however, Buchwald is a humorist....

Joewr...

 

[Natasha]

I have been reading this post since it started and I haven't posted a reply until now. Why? Because my answer is the unpopular one.
But, alas, I have to say it anyway. I just got back from the Caribbean. I was on a cruise ship, so I didn't fly out of the country. My flight was from Chicago to Ft Lauderdale. The security was like I have never seen before. A woman told me on her flight from New York to Lauderdale, security took every Kleenex out of her Kleenex box. And he opened her chapstick, like she had put something in her little bitty chapstick. The line in Lauderdale was 90 minutes to get to the counter because they were opening everything! I know not every airport is this tough. But some are.
I dreaded the fact we still had to go to the other security point, for the carry on and gate part. Another long line. My advice is to carry on as little as possible. I know everyone wants their regs with them in their carry ons. But if someone who is looking through your carry on stuff, doesn't know what it is, they can take it away. Yep, they can. And your checked luggage is already checked so say goodbye to your regs. Or get back in the long line to check it. I know no one will listen to me, and this is the unpopular answer. Blondies' high heels sound much more attractive. (Welcome to the board Blondie)
Take a book, and some gum. Believe me the airlines want to tell you that's all you can take. It would make their jobs so much easier. And the lines so much faster.
((((((((OK waiting for everyone to sling insults at me))))))))))))))))

 

[Blondie]

Hey, thanks Joewr for pointing out my unoriginality, LOL. Buchwald may have been right...guess we will never know...or if things get bad enough we might just find out. I would go with the stun guns though, rather than bullets from a .45.

PS I've seen Buchwald and he would have looked awfully funny in my spike heels!

 

[joewr]

Blondie, why you would think that a plump. short, man with thining white hair who is chomping on the stub of an unlit cigar would be unattractive in spike heels? Well, I guess you don't live near San Francisco!

And, Natasha, for our next dive trip, we are considering taking books, camera, toothbrush, etc., change of clothes, and not much else in the carry-ons. As others have pointed out, times have changed. However, as the trip approaches we will check with friends to see how things are going at A/P's.

Joewr

 

[Bob]

Hey Guys,
My rescheduled trip to Belize is coming up in a month. I'll be carring my regs on board with me. Will report back as to how it turned out.:tree:Bob

 

[martinjc]

I agree with you! I just got back from a business trip to Orlando (sadly - no diving) and in my carryon bag (nylon computer case) was: my laptop computer, a cell phone, palm pilot and book. If I was bringing my dive equipment - my carryon would have been exactly the same. (I just bought a fairly inexpensive small pullman type piece of luggage that will hold all my gear - I measured my fins and BC before I purchased to make sure everything would fit.).

Myself and several others were 'chosen' for random inspections before we boarded my first flight - and because of my abbreviated carry on I sailed right through. The woman being 'inspected' next to me had a very large purse and an over flowing computer bag. They took everything out of both - and the plane full of people waited while the inspection was completed. Please don't read into this that I am against the random inspections - I think they are fine - it's just that now that they are in place - the flying consumer needs to change how they think about carry ons and personal bags (purses, briefcases, diaper bags, etc.). This will be very unpopular, but I actually support a NO carry on rule - except for personal bags. This would make the boarding and check in process much faster.

 

[neilstewart]

I am going to TCI from London on 10th Nov. I have checked with both BA and American concering dive luggage.

BA (London to Miami) - 32kg hold luggage will accept all scuba equipment in checked luggage including knife/speargun (not that I'm taking one). 8kg single bag hand luggage - I asked if I could take Regs,Gauges & Camera - after calling me back these were OK'd.

American (Miami to Provo) - 20kg hold luggage and 18kg of 2 bags carry on, can this be right? Encouraging travellers to take less carry on but allocating almost half of my luggage allowance to carry on bags. I have been told by my tour operator American will ask me to pay $50 excess although overall I will be underweight.

Back to the point - The UK office of American have advised that all (including knife/speargun etc) Scuba equipment can be taken in the hold, again I asked for carry on Regs, Guages and Camera and this was OK'd excepting anything sharp. They also asked for some proof of my dive qualification and my intention to dive at my destination, neither of which is a problem although I can't yet see the point to this.

I got the impression that I will be alright with British Airways but American are a little sketchy on what carry on will be allowed. As I have a 3 1/2 hour change my intention is to have American Airline staff agree my carry on items before I check the hold baggage. I'll let you know the outcome.

Neil

 

[Bob]

Hi Neil,
AA told me as late as yesterday that I could take my carry on bag plus a personal bag. This has been explained to me as the size of a Ladies handbag or a diaperbag. AA has been consistant with this explanation for the last month. My bride and I will try this out Saturday. AA also tells us to declare our regs at the ticket counter and everything should be fine. Most airline employees in this part of the world are familiar with dive equiptment and most likely carry on gear won't be a problem. My friends who have flown in the Carribean since Black Tuesday aren't having any problems, however all of their flights have originated here in Florida. Seems as if those who are having trouble are on flights that are out of the North or Northeast. I never take my speargun when flying commercial, to easy to lose, if you know what I mean. Hope your trip goes well and you have great dives!:tree:Bob.

 

[Natasha]

The thing to remember is this.. The person you talked to on the phone is not the person you'll be standing in front of at the airport. And unfortunatly, they have far too little comunication with each other.
The Regs probably will be allowed. It will just cause added time to the line, and your fellow passengers.
:sunny: