Philippine Airlines and Scuba Equipment...

[jagfish]

I read on their website that their official policy is to charge extra for scuba equipment in luggage regardless of weight.

http://www.philippineairlines.com/

Products and services > All about Baggage > Special Baggage

For locals and frequent flyers of PA, what have you found to be the actual case?

 

[chip104]

just check your stuff in. It's a don't ask then don't tell thing. I've travelled on PAL to cebu with my diving equipment (small stuff hand carry) and didn't have to pay extra.

 

[jagfish]

I'll probably have to carry on two HID canisters and my regs. The lights are Brightstar so not so fragile, but just to be safe.

My 3 or 4 sets of regs are too heavy and would put me over the 20kg checked baggage limit in a heartbeat.

 

[pakman]

I read on their website that their official policy is to charge extra for scuba equipment in luggage regardless of weight.

http://www.philippineairlines.com/

Products and services > All about Baggage > Special Baggage

For locals and frequent flyers of PA, what have you found to be the actual case?

I forgot how PAL counter gals are in Narita but here in HK, if you smile at them and play innocent, they will give you some slack up to 25kg before they start slapping excess luggage charges even though the "official" limit is 20kg for regional flights. But I've never been charged extra just because it was scuba gear. I did get nailed for a small fee ($20?) last trip coming back from Manila as my stuff was still wet and I also had two heavy apeks regs, bp and two wings, etc and the bag tipped the scale at close to 30kg.

if its your usual narita japanese counter girl, just play the dumb gaijin act, smile, and say with a really bad accent "ah gomen nasai, shiranakatta"...

 

[Halthron]

Coming from the states, I'd say just stuff everything in a big cardboard box, label it Home Depot/Target/Walmart and you'd be good. Not sure what to say coming from Japan though.

 

[pakman]

Or befriend a cute filipino hostess on her way home and get her to check in some of your baggage... and don't forget to get her number too...

 

[jagfish]

if its your usual narita japanese counter girl, just play the dumb gaijin act, smile, and say with a really bad accent "ah gomen nasai, shiranakatta"...

Who needs to play...

Halthron, thanks for that, we do have Costco here...

 

[Diver Dennis]

Jag, since you are coming off an international flight, you have a 2 bag, 70 lb. each limit. Just make sure to keep all the paperwork when you leave the US and there won't be a problem. We are in the same boat and won't be telling them anything about scuba gear.

 

[clgsamson]

FWIW, you can get PAL's sports plus privilege card (golf, scuba equipment etc.) which would entitle you to an additional 30 kilos. I have availed of such privilege and it has served me well. It costs $20 and runs for year.

 

[Diver Dennis]

That is a great idea Caloy. We might do that when we get to Manila. Are there any airport delays due to what is going on there?