Hard Case for Checked Bags?

[ItMustBeJames]

I see that most folks tend to bring their computer, mask, dive log, etc as carry on items. This would imply that BCDs, fins, and anything else tend to be checked luggage, right? How do you protect these items during a flight?

My main concern is that I routinely store this stuff in a mesh dive bag, but I'm afraid that the contents will get squashed during the baggage handling process. Do most folks buy a hard case for airline flights? Do most just risk it with the soft bag?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Doc]

Wrap your goodies within the outside layer of your wetsuit.

Mesh bag- no, but a ballistic Cordura nylon- for sure.

I'm with you, and I do dive travel a lot- computer, perscription mask and camera go in my carry on- the rest goes in the checked bags. Pack it right, pack smart- it will arrive alive. I put my non perscription mask in one of those small hard plastic mask boxes and check it. Never a problem.

 

[Mossman]

Mesh bag- no, but a ballistic Cordura nylon- for sure.

I've long been a fan of indestructable plastic Samsonite clamshells, available for not much over $100 if you can catch them on sale at eBags.com. I pack lights, masks, sometimes even a nitrox analyzer or regs, and no amount of kicking, dropping, smashing, or even running over by the baggage cart will affect the contents inside (though I had a latch torn off one on my last trip).

I'm still going to use the clamshells for in flight peace of mind on trips where I'm land based. But I'm sick of having to share a small liveaboard cabin with them on the several boats I've done now where they didn't have any place else to conveniently stash them for me, so it's duffels from here on out on my boat-based trips. While I'm comfortable letting them kick around my unprotected BC and fins and I'll definitely be keeping the regs and computers with me, I'm a bit leery about the breakables, namely my lights. My next boat trip is the Galapagos, so I'll be bringing enough neoprene to pad a Faberge egg, but I'm worried about future trips where I'm just packing a 3mm. I suppose if worse comes to worst I can always rent a light.

 

[ams511]

James one of the problems for traveling divers now is the airlines are cracking down on weight and size limitations on bags. So if you go with a hard shell you may bump up against the limits. One poster suggested as a way to get around this is to use curbside check ins and tip the skycaps well. YMMY. I have packed using soft luggage before and bury the BC in the middle of the clothes, nothing has happened to it.

 

[Charlie99]

James one of the problems for traveling divers now is the airlines are cracking down on weight and size limitations on bags. So if you go with a hard shell you may bump up against the limits.

Which is why I like the Samsonite F'lite series. IIRC, about 11 pounds empty weight for the 29" and 31" cases.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Depending on where you are going it may be easier to do what I did last trip. Reg, comp, script mask went carryon. BC, fins, wetsuit and lights got shipped to the resort. Were there waiting for me and when shipped back was able to throw in the souveneirs we bought so we did not have to lug em thru the airport.

 

[JessH]

I just carry-on all of my scuba gear. Makes life much easier.

~Jess

 

[ItMustBeJames]

Thanks for all the tips guys.

I just carry-on all of my scuba gear. Makes life much easier.

Jess, how do you cary on your BC? I can imagine squeezing everything else into one or two carryons, but the only mental image I can get with the BC is wearing it as a vest. I'm not sure I'm ready to make that fashion statement. A few more dives, and maybe ...

Depending on where you are going it may be easier to do what I did last trip. Reg, comp, script mask went carryon. BC, fins, wetsuit and lights got shipped to the resort.

Jim, is this a Fedex kind of thing or did you ship it as cargo on the airline? I'm headed to Cozumel in mid-April. It'll be my first blue water trip (first dive trip period, as a matter of fact). If it isn't too expensive, this sounds like a real easy idea.

 

[ItMustBeJames]

James one of the problems for traveling divers now is the airlines are cracking down on weight and size limitations on bags. So if you go with a hard shell you may bump up against the limits.

Good point. Also, for what it's worth, if you travel a lot you can generally get an airline 'points' club card. I've had United Premier and Premier Exec cards and they've forgiven a few pounds on the plus side. At least flying out of most of the major US airports ...

Of course, this isn't guarenteed and you do have to fly a lot to take advantage of this.

 

[adrisen]

I travel often with my gear in a Akona rolling back pack. Before anyone starts on a bag advertising what is inside it, I have NEVER had a problem.

my mask, fins, snorkel wetsuit and and wing + harness with tank adapter in the bag. Boots reef gloves etc in the bag. I even put my reg in a the reg bag that zips on my bag in another section. I have a hard case that I carry on that has my camera, strobe, nitrox analyzer and my computer. Sometimes I put it all in my bag, zip it up and on I go. My plate often goes in my backpack that I do carry on the plane becasue it is heavy. I figure I have home insuranse that covers my gear. If I worry to much about it then why bother taking it. It is just gear that is replacable. I do notify the carrier before when i get my confirmation that I am traveling with sports gear and that I have an extra large bag that is heavy. I have never had an extra charge for it. Many airlines hace a curtosy for such items but often want to be notified in advance. I am heading out in a few days with the gear and I have no concerns with it on a plane. I just hope it arrives with me. If not i can always rent