No more zippers on my baggage!!!

[ozziworld]

I came across this video and it made me think twice about zippers on baggage. Seems hardcases are the way to go but what about TSA?

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What do you think? I tried it and it is so easy to do.

 

[fdog]

You are correct - there is no real way that you can be sure your stuff will stay secure. Sad but true.

We accept this fact, and carry-on the gear we would be miserable without - mask, reg & computer, and custom wetsuit - and live with the risks.

There are things you can do; avoiding airports like San Juan, using regular luggage bags (not scuba luggage that screams out "valuable stuff inside"), packing so dirty clothes are on top, etc. We use colored zipties so if they are cut open we know it immediately.

The "TSA locks" are a joke; the thieves have copies of the keys, and if the TSA gets backed up they just cut off the locks anyway. Save your money.

Yes, it's a brutal travel world out there, but with some care and the right frame of mind, worth it.


All the best, James

 

[cloudswinger]

Yes, I carry on anything of real value. The luggage reimbursement limit from airlines is something like 800 dollars, so anything beyond that would not be replaced. And there are people who even have luggage alone that's almost worth that much! Some places like Miami offer a wrap service, where your bag is wrapped in plastic for security reasons. I'm not sure how that works with TSA though. I think it's already been scanned by the TSA, and then you can pay extra for the wrap. But then again, Miami has already had those kinds of issues.

 

[Froid]

Fdog is correct. Never ever put valuables in your checked luggage. I always put any valuables into my carry on. Masks, computers regs all come on the plane with me. Then there is no worries about theft.

I also do this when I fly for business, my laptops ( I carry 2) and all my toiletries go into my carry on.

 

[Gilldiver]

If you can, pre ship your gear by UPS or Fedex. If you can't, do whatever you can to hide the fact that you have dive gear. I have one friend who put his gear bag into his old army duffle. No one like to get into a army duffel as they always hold dirty laundry that just may smell real bad.

 

[Doc]

Thefts from checked baggage are a microscopically small problem.

SCUBA gear is bulky and all but impossible to secrete on one's person to facilitate such theft.

SCUBA gear has limited resale value and limited market audience once it leaves the Dive Shop.

Paranoia about this subject far exceeds the actual situation.

 

[Damselfish]

If someone wants they can get into any bag. I wouldn't choose hard sided over soft because of the zippers. Soft luggage has advantages over hard. Generally weighs less and I've found it's actually more durable for travel - bends instead of breaking. The gear in it is fine as long as you pack carefully. And we've never had anything taken from our zippered rolling duffles.

I'd say it does more good to avoid problematic airports if possible, and have bags that look uninteresting. I don't worry about scuba gear in there. I wouldn't check anything valuable/small/delicate/easily concealed and sold, like a camera or small electronics (including dive computers.) Scuba gear is simply not valuable in this context.

The only time we would take a hard bag anymore, is if we might be forced to check camera gear. And then it's a generic case, not something like a pelican.

 

[DiveMaven]

I've seen far too many hard cover cases that looked like a Gorilla played with them, busted open, with stuff attached to the outside with a plastic bag (from the bag handlers). Also, after knowing a couple of bag handlers for awhile, I know how they handle stuff and would rather have something that can take abuse.

 

[tvictory]

Soft luggage has many advantages when travelling to dive destinations and particularly with liveaboard or cruise ship travel. The collapsible nature allows empty soft bags to be stored in spaces that are often very limited. Roatan Man is right that nobody is going to steal your BC or fins from your luggage. I carry our regulators wrapped in beach towels and packed in a gym bag which I place securely in the overhead bin, next to my camera bag. If you have a lot of elaborate camera equipment you may need the hard-cover, padded cases that get checked in and probably do attract the attention of thieving baggage handlers.

 

[scubadada]

I've traveled reasonably frequently with my scuba gear for more than a decade. I take my regulators, computers, and camera with me on the plane. The rest is checked in a lightweight, generic looking, soft, zippered piece of luggage. My baggage has been searched several times by TSA and they have left a note inside. I've not lost any TSA locks nor have I ever lost any equipment from my bag.

Now, delayed luggage from the airline, that's another story.

Good diving, Craig