No Checked Bags

[asherlc]

For a variety of reasons depending on the trip (baggage fees, time checking/picking up, hauling when backpacking, etc) I generally strive not to check any bags when flying. Usually this works great, and encourages me not to overpack. I'm packing a trip to cozumel, and I can get all my gear in the bag on this trip, which is fine since it's a diving-driven vacation, and I don't need to pack much else other than a change of clothes. But for longer multi-stop non-diving driven trips, I'd be hard pressed to carry just about anything else -- mostly due to the size of the fins. Anyone have any strategies for going checked bag-less?

 

[diversteve]

Oceanic sells a travel fin. 3lbs. under 21" in XL - Accel

They also sell the JetPack - a backpack integrated with a BC which they advertise as:

A week's worth of travel friendly gear, no checked bags, under 20 lbs.

Another option are the newer travel bc's - Aqualung's Zuma or the Zeagle Covert. Both roll up and fit into a small bag - the Covert is just under 4lbs - the Zuma over. And include weight pockets.

A pretty flat BP/W could be another option - the plate is mostly flat, the wing rolls up on most when detached. Slightly heavier option if you go with a steel plate to take the weight off a belt - many seem to be 6-7lbs. or so.

 

[Doc]

This thread topic comes up every full Moon, so I gotta think that some people might actually try to do this once. I guess it depends on where you are going and how long you plan to stay there, how many dives you'll be doing.

...reasons (baggage fees, time checking/picking up, hauling when backpacking, etc) Anyone have any strategies for going checked bag-less?

Sorting through them... you have to be checked in 2 hours ahead of time, so "time checking" is rather a nil concern. "Picking up", well, yes, that can eat up a full 20 minutes of your vacation right there. "Hauling when backpacking".... I think that references putting all of your crapola on your back and wandering through the valleys and peaks whilst making tour way to (or from) the sea shore. I'm just not seeing that. This is how Sherpas have eeked out a living in the Himalayas. You're taking their living away. Think globally. Failing that, if you're really going on walkabout, get a roller bag. The flight attendants swear by them.

The cogent and inarguable concern that you do bring up is "baggage fees", which I entirely get.

1) Rent all yor dive gear at destination

2) Marry an airline employee

3) Borrow enough money to check a bag

4) Wear all your stuff, watch your step in the flippers thru TSA, sit next to a passenger who doesn't mind your stink in hot humid rubber

5) Give all your stuff to a friend and have him pack and check it

Dive travel is simply not an inexpensive proposition. Baggage fees or buying a ticket that includes "a 50 pound checked bag of SCUBA gear" are inevitable.

And it is right around the corner- the weighing of your carry-on bags for trips to even exotic locales like Florida, Cozumel and Jamaica. Then they'll have you by the short hose.

(See corollary threads in regards to disassembling hoses from reg sets to improve packability and the inherent dangers therein without the Equipment Specialist chevron firmly stitched to your dive jacket)

 

[WarrenZ]

I have made two trips this year with all of my dive gear carry on I use a dive caddy. On the last trip I was using a apeks soft plate my little wing and just a shorty wetsuit and was under 40lbs as a carry on. I have been steadily stripping back the pile of crap I carry on a dive trip.

Next stop a minimalist side mount harness for monkey diving in warm water.

 

[northernone]

+1 for next time a minimalist side mount rig.

Just back from a carry on only 19 day dive trip to Mexico (tulum and mahahual).

For length, bootieless open heel fins on the small size, armadillo sidemount bcd, regsets, mask, bu mask, canister, bu light tankbands etc and nikon 1 underwater housing. Oh, plus med kit, Hawaiian sling bungee and clamps, dingy, tarp and 3 person tent, blanket, sleeping bag liner and minimal clothing.

Rented reels, another bu light and of course al80 tanks. Regrettably also a wetsuit (full 3mil, 3mm shorty and a 5mm semi dry over the course of the various dives), which in hindsight carrying (or wearing?) My own would have gotten better mileage than the dingie.

Had the AA counter make me do the bag size check both times, departing flight needed to wear the bcd as a "personal item" backpack to have my duffle fit the sizing bars. Return flight, I had abandoned the dingy (don't ask) and the duffle fit fine with the bcd included. Had the bag searched both tsa outposts and had to explain the insidious uses of a canister divelight and far too many wires that showed up on the imaging.

Yes it can be done, and having my own gear was worth it to me, in ease, cost and safety. That said, I have rented full cave gear when I knew I could trust the source and needed to be above water visiting family the rest of the trip. Also, rented full gear (mask included) for my padi IE after a last minute opportunity had me reschedule it. (Got in 6 hours diving the day prior to familiarise myself with the largely generic equipment configuration and see the princess anne in west palm as well) I digress.

Enjoy your diving!
Cameron

 

[diversteve]

I have made two trips this year with all of my dive gear carry on I use a dive caddy.

Have you ever been asked to put that into the sizing bars with the turtle pack or fin caddy attached? Did it fit or what happened when it didn't?

My fins are about 25.5" long and don't really bend near the tips due to side rubber channels so I don't see how that suggestion is even possible.

Given the current state of overbooking plus everyone trying to carry-on everything possible due to checked luggage fees - I suspect full dive caddy's are now noticeably oversized - just curious if you've had any airline employee comment.

 

[WarrenZ]

I leave the outer clothing bag off and didnt have any problem with the top bag in place. It helps that I am a big guy so it looks like a normal backpack when I am humping it through the airport. I use the jet fin clones so my fins are only about 20" long. The only problem with the bag im having is the fabric is shredding on one of the top panels I am going to try to repair it if that fails I will probably toss the whole setup and just use a roll on suitcase or small duffel for my sidemount kit.

When I was flying through Dallas on one of my non diving trips I watched people getting on a plane with dive gear in several plastic fin bags and other loose piles of equipment and several guitars being used as a personal items I dont feel the least guilty about my dive cady.

 

[Hawkwood]

For a variety of reasons depending on the trip (baggage fees, time checking/picking up, hauling when backpacking, etc) I generally strive not to check any bags when flying. Usually this works great, and encourages me not to overpack. I'm packing a trip to cozumel, and I can get all my gear in the bag on this trip, which is fine since it's a diving-driven vacation, and I don't need to pack much else other than a change of clothes. But for longer multi-stop non-diving driven trips, I'd be hard pressed to carry just about anything else -- mostly due to the size of the fins. Anyone have any strategies for going checked bag-less?

You will wait in line for immigration, by the time you are through there, you will not be waiting too long for checked baggage to be there.

Frankly, trying to get everything into carryon (especially dive gear) its not worth the hassle for international travel. Pay the $25 or $50 for the checked bag if it's not included. There are enough delays on the ground getting through immigration and customs, that there is not a significant delay in waiting for baggage. You won't be much further ahead of the game with just carryon. It's not like getting off a domestic flight and just walking through the airport - definite advantage to just carryon then.

Besides, you run the real risk of not having any space for your carryon. You are hooped then if you have to check it regardless. We did a three week trip to Spain a couple of years ago. We each had one carry on bag only, because we were doing a fair amount of train travel, etc. once there. We were stuck checking it anyway, because of the number of asshats cramming everything in to the bins.

 

[redacted]

I suspect you will eventually find you are leaving some things out that you should be carrying including safety gear. Where do you carry a cutting device? How about your save-a-dive kit including spare mask, extra regulator and computer, and tools? How about that pony with regulator?

No checked bag may be nice but you will be dependant on others and may be limiting your diving.

 

[asherlc]

My biggest concern is on multi-stop trips, where lugging an extra bag on busses, to and fro hostels, etc is a real pain in the ass. I like to be able to stay generally mobile and flexible when I'm traveling, and pre-diving that was never an issue. In my experience, carry on size is about the sweet spot for that kind of mobility, so you might as well reap the other benefits. If diving is too gear-intensive to fit, it sounds like the two kinds of trips may be incompatible.