Hard Case for Checked Bags?

[JessH]

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 ...

My BC is of the backpalte and wing variety. It fits very well when disasembled. Most BCs really shouldn't be a problem though. just fold it up and put it in the bag. Throw everything else on top. The thing that actually takes up the most space is the fins. My Jet fins are short enough to fit in my bag. A lot of other fin designs are too long. Force Fins seem to be some of the best fins for travel.

here is a list of everything I put in my backpack on my recent trip to Cozumel:
backplate and wing setup, jet fins, regulators(7ft hose included), wetsuit, hooded vest, booties, bottom timer, mask, camera, x-shorts, smb, 100ft spool, mirror, whistle, emt shears, a lot of bolt snaps and some misc. other things. This fit rather well into a backpack that fit easily into the overhead compartment. Just add a tank and 4# of lead from the dive op and I was ready to go. Everything else I put into a much smaller backpack that fit under the seat in front of me on the plane.

~Jess

 

[EvaL]

Depending on the size of your BCD, you may be able to put it in your carry-on. I pack BCD, Mask and Reg in my pullman, and camera+strobe in backpack.
To protect other scuba gear, I wrap them with my 3mm (or thicker) neoprene wetsuit. If wetsuit is only 1mm thick, I'll use bubble wrap or beach towel to wrap the gear and secure them with tape or thick elastic bands, so they don't move during travel.
Alternatively, you can use a hard case (Pelican if you're hardcore, or Samsonite, like me). I also have a smaller softcase with hardened sides for shorter trips - it protects better than a duffelbag.
Dive safely.

 

[DandyDon]

I like to take my Junior Dive Store with me, so it's good that my main airline allows me 2 - 70# bags as they usually both over 50#, even with a full roll-on and a full Laptop back pack - lots of cameras and stuff.

But if I have to fly another airline, and they want to charge me an extra $25 on one bag each way, it won't kill me - as long as there is not an embargo. Sometimes there is on busy route and dates.

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.

For out of US travel, usually cheaper to pay the fine at the airport, plus I don't know that I trust some of my hotels with my bags in advance of my arrival - even in the US.

But what does it cost to ship a couple of 50# bags across the US, anway...??

 

[Doc]

But what does it cost to ship a couple of 50# bags across the US, anway...??

You said a lot.

Hard Plastic Boxes? I checked the MalWart Website~ nothing. (except the Contico item http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2476189) but maybe go see what's in the stores, instead- I have bought nice rigid plastic models in the automotive section. Check K-Mart as well.

Shipping ahead might be viable for a US destination, but the impetus for "dragging everything with me" is a whole lot less than if I were travelling to a different country.

How much to ship? From Chicago to Florida, UPS? 50# will cost $32 with signature. If I insure it for $700 it's $38.

Again, the best cordura wheeled bag I have ever found is detailed in my BLOG below, see the entry for Jan 11 2007.

 

[DandyDon]

You said a lot.

Hard Plastic Boxes? I checked the MalWart Website~ nothing. (except the Contico item http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2476189) but maybe go see what's in the stores, instead- I have bought nice rigid plastic models in the automotive section. Check K-Mart as well.

Here is a rambling thread I posted not long ago on a larger hard bag and a larger roll-on: Luggage Shopping http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=175277

Shipping ahead might be viable for a US destination, but the impetus for "dragging everything with me" is a whole lot less than if I were travelling to a different country.

How much to ship? From Chicago to Florida, UPS? 50# will cost $32 with signature. If I insure it for $700 it's $38.

Sounds like it'd be better to just pay the $25 per bag fee for the overweight bags up to 70# and have them fly on the same plane. Again, be sure that there's not a baggage embargo that prohibits such at the time for the destination.

Flying out of US, I'm sure the UPS would be much higher. I have actually considered buying and shipping a 130 cf Nitrox tank as I like breathing a lot and these are so very difficult to find & rent. And I don't want to remove the valve to try to check one in a bag with my 2 - 70# limits, replace the valve, and then have the Op partial blend pure O2 in it. Could be a large explosion!

 

[Diver Dennis]

To send 2 - 32kg bags from Vancouver to Manila: Over $750 CDN.

 

[DandyDon]

$750 CDN = $643 USD today. Yeah, pay the $25 a bag if allowed.

 

[Doc]

To send 2 - 32kg bags from Vancouver to Manila: Over $750 CDN.

Thanks Don for translating that to "real" dollars.

I get two bags at #70 when I fly to Manilla.

That's a lot of SCUBA gear. We have been there twice to dive now, and it's good to see a national airline knowing which side it's bread is buttered on!

Philippines Air works for me.

 

[TeddyDiver]

Smaller hard case with all the "fragile" inside, and tossed in a big soft case with fins, WS, BC (no worries) and other soft or unbreakable stuff..

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks Don for translating that to "real" dollars.

Real?

32 kilograms approx equal 70#.

The USD is the more common unit of trade in North America and the Caribe, and since the excess/overweight baggage fees and advance UPS shipping fees were being quoted in USD, I converted for smoother reading and comparion. Would you like that in GBPs and other currencies...?