How to travel with gear

[Scotttyd]

Thanks to everyone for their input and insight. I'm planning to check my pelican case with housing, port and strobe since it is so well protected. I usually carry on my camera and computer with a Tamron backpack carrier that holds all of that gear. My second carryon is a double regulator bag that has room for my point and shoot housing and a book.

We'll each have a check dive equipment bag and then one large rolling duffel with clothers, etc.

From what I have heard (never delt with it personally), you might want to be carefull checking a pelican case through San Juan - I have heard it referred to many times as the baggage theft capital of the world. A checked pelican screams, "I have expensive stuff in me", with "regular luggage" one has no idea if it is dirty underwear or expensive camera gear, that is why I always take my regs/camera/computer with me as carry one.

but just my 2 psi's worth

 

[BDSC]

I have a pelican case for all my video stuff and the first thing I did was go to Walmart and buy a cheap suitcase that was just a little larger than the pelican. If I am going to check it, I put the pelican in the suitcase and put my wetsuit or beach towels around it to keep it from moving. Now it just looks like a regular cheap piece of luggage.

 

[phillybob]

I have my u/w camera stuff in a Storm i2500 carry-on and my regs, laptop, computers, iPod, video camera... in a Mountainsmith Spectrum backpack. B.C. wetsuit, fins... and clothes get checked in my Stahlsac Cozumel Cruiser. I used to overpack stupid crap, like clothes. I'm got better, though. Got hit with the $50 overweight surcharge once on the way home last time to Cabo. On the way out I was able to slip the skycap in Philly $20 and my bag miraculously got lighter. The Storm i2500 is the largest carry-on case allowable. Nice case. Cases4less.com

 

[phillybob]

From what I have heard (never delt with it personally), you might want to be carefull checking a pelican case through San Juan - I have heard it referred to many times as the baggage theft capital of the world...

Heard the same thing years ago. Never been to S.J.

 

[coralcruiser]

I'll be leading a dive group through San Juan this summer on the way to Dominica. However we are all going to overnight both ways so our bags won't be hanging around the airport.

I have heard though, that the theft problem was a few years ago and that it's no longer a problem there but.... better be cautious than without your gear!

I check 1 bag with my clothes, gear and other miscellaneous stuff and take my reg, notebook, housing, camera, etc with me in a rolling backpack.