Schlepping it?

[Buoyant1]

Ok...here's probably the most important question...

HOW do you transport your gear when travelling by plane?

The few trips I've taken the personal gear (mask, booties, fins, and snorkel) were no brainers...Mask in the carry-on, and the rest interspersed throughout the rest of the luggage..

but when it comes to the wetsuit, BC, reg, weights, save a dive kit, etc...What's the best way to transport?

Since the airlines have gone wimpy (50lb limits) how do you stuff your gear?

Thanks!

 

[Don Burke]

Ok...here's probably the most important question...

HOW do you transport your gear when travelling by plane?

The few trips I've taken the personal gear (mask, booties, fins, and snorkel) were no brainers...Mask in the carry-on, and the rest interspersed throughout the rest of the luggage..

but when it comes to the wetsuit, BC, reg, weights, save a dive kit, etc...What's the best way to transport?

Since the airlines have gone wimpy (50lb limits) how do you stuff your gear?

Thanks!

The BC goes inside checked baggage with the wetsuit inside it.

Regulator is in carry-on.

Weights stay home. The resorts I have been to provide them and even if they did not, I would just buy or rent block weights at my destination and wear them on a belt.

Everything else goes in checked baggage. If stuffed with socks and wrapped with a towel, a mask is pretty hard to break.

 

[mer]

Since the airlines have gone wimpy (50lb limits) how do you stuff your gear? Thanks!

My hint: often the limit is 50#s, but that's two bags. I used to just have 1 70# checked bag, now I have two 40# checked bags.

Also, since you're going to a warm destination, bring less clothes.

 

[mweitz]

Depends on the location. We just went on a trip and it was 70# per bag. Check with the airlines.

They make luggage for scuba gear. I've seen them from 180.00 to 300.00. I used one on my last trip. No problems, but I did purchase insurance for it since it was all in one bag (except for my computer, which I did a carry on for).

I used this:

http://www.scuba-equipment-usa.com/express/455.php
(first link I found from a google search, I don't even know the company).

Has wheels and is also a backpack. Worked pretty well. I carried one complete set of gear, and 2 extra sets of snorkel equipment in it.


Mark

 

[Quarrior]

When I went on vacation in May, I carried everything in a backpack. Weights stayed home. The airline didn't check the weight on the backpack because it was a carry on and fit in the overhead.

 

[Michael Schlink]

Carry on- Regs, computers, mask, 1 mil suit, swim suit(grape smugglin' banana hammock kind), 2 shirts, 1 pr shorts, meds, book,CD's,DVD's, external speakers for laptop, spare sunglasses

Check Bag#1- BCD, wetsuit, vest, hood, fins, booties, spare mask, SAD kit, spare high pressure hose with extra SPG, spare low pressure hose, spare LPI hose, clothes, misc. dive stuff, SMB, Divealert, SpareAir, reef gloves, dive lights, etc.

Check Bag#2- Video and Photo gear

Back Pack (ScubaPro DEMA Give-away!) Laptop

Fanny Pack-Sony Video camera

Carry on bag is a 22" Eagle Creek that fits perfectly in the overhead bin, Bag#1 is a Roller duffel weighs just under 70 lbs., Bag #2 is usually a Pelican 1650 at 69 lbs. or a smaller Pelican. My wife and I have travelled quite a bit with this "load" We haven't had to pay excess yet but we figure we have it coming one of these days so it'll all even out.
Usually when you are traveling Intl' you are allowed 70lbs for two checked. If you fly Bus. or 1st you can throw just about anything on the belt.

 

[Wendy]

make sure your computer doesn't freak out on the plane. I know someone who had their computer in their carry on and i started counting the plan ride as an ascent and started beeping controllably!

 

[Quarrior]

make sure your computer doesn't freak out on the plane. I know someone who had their computer in their carry on and i started counting the plan ride as an ascent and started beeping controllably!

Given the present level of stress in air travel, I can see how that could make for a plane load of nervous people. Any suggestions to keep that from happening? I'm not real comfortable with placing valuables in checked baggage.

 

[Wristshot]

I agree with mer. I used to bring one dive bag with less than 70 lbs, and a backpack for clothes, and regs and computers in a carry-on bag (laptop case without a laptop). Now with the 50 lbs limit (per bag) I check two bags, and one weighs about 48 and the other depends upon the location. Since I have two bags, I might as well bring extra everything. ---*big thumbs up to the airlines*---

Most dive gear goes in the dive bag, but I keep it at about 48 pounds just to be safe.

Batteries go in the second bag to even out the weight a bit.

Laptop case holds Regs, Computer (without knives!) and snacks, book to read, one underwear and one shirt plus medications.

Side note thought here: When I travel alone, I bring one rolling bag and a backpack because everything must stay with me at all times, including restroom breaks at the airports. When I travel with a buddy, I can bring two rolling bags because my buddy can watch my gear while I wash my hands.


Wristshot

 

[DORSETBOY]

Always being paranoid of the light fingered baggage staff who work in Thiefrow (Heathrow!) I carry as much as poss as hand luggage - generally this will mean everything - mask, fins, boots, compass, computer. When I'm abroad I dont risk taking a bc or exposure suit in the case and just rent when I get there.