How we pack to get around the "second bag"

[akscubainst]

My solution is to take my kids. My 6 and 11 y/o don't need alot and that gives me another 2 carry-ons and checked bags!

Of course the 11 y/o is certified so we take 2 sets of gear for 3 of us since one of the adults has to watch the 6 y/o.

DM

Dave

 

[rab]

My solution is to take my kids. My 6 and 11 y/o don't need alot and that gives me another 2 carry-ons and checked bags!

Of course the 11 y/o is certified so we take 2 sets of gear for 3 of us since one of the adults has to watch the 6 y/o.

DM

Dave

So, you're going to be in trouble in about 4 years then?

-Rob

 

[drbill]

I only take one bag... my diving gear. I wear all my clothes at once, layered... and I wash a lot when I travel. Seriously, I have yet to test this since I haven't traveled following the institution of these new airline policies. I wonder how many foreign carriers have followed suit? I generally fly them rather than domestic if I'm going out of the country.

 

[redacted]

My 6 pound back plate has probably gone on its last flying dive trip. The 10 oz. Oxycheq travel plate with 18 lb travel wing will be a big step towards one 50 lb bag.

 

[Kat]

It depends on the airline, as to the weight of the carry-on. The industry standard seems to be 25 lbs. for a carry-on. Most airlines don't bother. But if you've got a nasty attitude...

 

[DandyDon]

It depends on the airline, as to the weight of the carry-on. The industry standard seems to be 25 lbs. for a carry-on. Most airlines don't bother. But if you've got a nasty attitude...

Still 40# here: Continental Airlines - Carry-on Baggage

One free, 50# bag, second bag up to $100 each way: Continental Airlines - Checked Baggage Makes some rental gear look more appealing; some the travel should still take.

Oversized, overweight charges: Continental Airlines - Excess Baggage

Except looks like scuba gear bags might get a break here: "Continental does accept one dive bag containing equipment used in the scuba-diving sport as checked baggage. Scuba equipment in addition to the baggage allowance will be assessed at the excess baggage charge applicable in the market for a single piece. If applicable, the second bag fee ($25) applies to dive bags." I think it might be a good idea to have a printed copy of that page with your electronic ticket. Continental Airlines - Sports Equipment

Yet be forewarned to this on that page: "Continental is not liable for damage to Scuba diving equipment. Excess Valuation may not be purchased for Scuba diving equipment." Trip Insurance consideration if you don't have other coverage.

All this will vary greatly with airlines, and subject to change according to ticket contract date. See your airline's site for more info...

 

[DandyDon]

Ok, I just had a long talk with Continental, and the Res agent explained that it's $25 for second bag, $100 for third - each way. That is not unreasonable, but we need this in writing to prevent confusion - so she transferred me to Continental.com desk, who said the same thing. I requested that she show me, on site, not tell me - and she referred me to the Latest News and Offers area under the changing ad - New checked bag policy: link

$25 Fee for Second Checked Bag

Continental has implemented a $25 fee for customers checking a second bag when traveling on Economy fare tickets purchased on or after April 5, 2008 for travel within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.

The $25 fee also applies when traveling on Economy fare tickets purchased on or after May 8, 2008 between Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America* (excluding Brazil and the Dominican Republic) and the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.

Certain customers are exempt from paying the new fee and will be allowed to check second bags free of charge (bags must meet weight and size restrictions). These customers include:

* OnePass Elite members
* SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members
* Any customer traveling on a ticket purchased in Y class of service
* Continental Airlines Presidential Plus credit card holders (?! *)
* Active military personnel traveling on orders
* Any customer traveling to/from Brazil or the Dominican Republic

Customers traveling with the above exempt customers are also exempt as long as they are traveling in the same reservation. This exemption will not apply to group reservations including 10 or more customers.

All customers may continue to check one bag free of charge. Additionally, there is no charge for car seats, strollers and wheelchairs.

To learn more, see our list of FAQs below.

(and)

Does the new policy apply to international travel?

The new baggage policy applies to flights within the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada and for flights between the 50 U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada and Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America (excluding Brazil and the Dominican Republic).

An itinerary such as Austin to Houston and connecting to London, or Beijing to New York/Newark and connecting to Mexico City will not be subject to the new fee.

So there you have it: $25 for second bag, not charged for International travel beyond Western Hemisphere.

* $375 fee but includes Club Room membership and more benies. Continental Airlines - Continental Airlines Presidential Plus World MasterCard - FAQ Anyone who travels Cont 4 times a year should get it, save $200 on second bag charges!

I suggested that her web pages were not in agreement and should be updated. She said it was too new. A month...?

 

[Kat]

I work in the International Terminal at Chicago O'Hare. A quick check with my neighbors has confirmed my previous post.
My airline does not have a limit and there are 2 other neighboring airlines that have no limit.

It depends on the airline, as to the weight of the carry-on.

There are several others who are 25lbs or even less.

The industry standard seems to be 25 lbs. for a carry-on.

 

[goldenbear01]

Since I've only started diving recently, I don't have all my gear yet--just the basics (mask, fins, snorkel, boots). When I purchased that gear, I also purchased a backpack that was specifically designed to carry snorkeling gear.

On a trip last month, I noticed that there's enough room in the backpack to carry a dive computer, reg, and octopus. By using this as one of my carry-on items I still had room for another carry-on--a laptop backpack, which I also used to carry my toiletry kit and books. As for my checked-luggage, I used a duffel bag filled with my clothes, a beach towel, and even a pair of dress shoes--during one of my surface intervals, I was a groomsman in my cousin's wedding.

As an additional note, to save room on clothing space in my luggage, I prefer to stay places where there are either laundry facilities on premise or nearby.

 

[ScubaDiva]

Make sure you read the baggage allowance section carefully for all airlines before you travel. A lot of them allow SCUBA divers, golfers, etc. more weight per checked bag. A friend of mine got burned when we flew from Frankfurt to Marsa Alam last year. He paid more than the rest of us because he hadn't looked it up.

A lot of the carriers are also allowing more pieces of luggage/weight for international flights than for domestic.

I always carry on my BCD, reg, camera/housing, dive computer and bathing suit in a rolling suitcase. If nothing else shows up, at least I know I can dive...