Trip Report Scuba Gear Suddenly Not allowed as carry on from Cozumel

[flyboy08]

I've carried a Pony into and out of CZM in my carry-on without issue. Valve removed.

Now, I just leave my gear in CZM cause its the only place I dive now

 

[ggunn]

I have never had any negative experiences with TSA agents. In fact, I have had quite the opposite. On a trip to Little Cayman about 5 - 6 years ago, had it not been for some super friendly TSA agents, we would not have been able to get our large 45-50 lb bags full of gear onto the plane. We were very very late due to a connection and they allowed us to put our bags, which were meant to be checked, through the security x-ray machine. We were then escorted to the jetway by some very nice TSA agents (so that we did not switch anything from checked bags to carry on) and tehn Cayman Air gate checked the luggage.

Using the term 'thug" to describe a an entire workforce that is predominantly non-white is terribly troubling. Perhaps this is why they have so many negative encounters with the agents.

My experience mirrors yours, even in the last two times I flew out of the Austin airport when it was a mob scene with people running all over the place, standing in lines for very long times, and expressing their frustration to those around them in various verbal and nonverbal ways. The TSA folks I encountered were cordial, patient, and professional, and some of them were actually cheerful.

 

[Kimela]

if they checked two bags at initial checkin, the planned carryon would be a 3rd checked bag @ $200, so maybe a new bag or fees for the extra $50?

They charge $200 for a third bag? Holy cow!!!!! That's robbery.

 

[kelemvor]

I would be careful if you are bringing in 2 cameras plus a camera equipped drone--seems like someone had a problem with that (but I am not even 100% sure that was in Mexico)

Bringing a drone isn't a good idea in the first place, as tourists cannot legally fly a drone of any kind in Mexico. Whether it has a camera or not is irrelevant. I guess there's no law against having one in your hotel room, you just can't fly it.

 

[30taper]

This situation occurred at the Cozumel airport going through Mexican security. It was stated that Mexican law precludes allowing my empty and un-valved rebreather tanks being taken on board the aircraft. The official would not allow my other scuba gear onboard without reason. The only ramification was the $250 charges for extra baggage. I have made this same trip the same way for years without issue and was taken totally by surprise.

 

[Scuba.Cat]

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[rick00001967]

This situation occurred at the Cozumel airport going through Mexican security. It was stated that Mexican law precludes allowing my empty and un-valved rebreather tanks being taken on board the aircraft. The official would not allow my other scuba gear onboard without reason. The only ramification was the $250 charges for extra baggage. I have made this same trip the same way for years without issue and was taken totally by surprise.

sounds like you had an agent that did not know their job. i can see why they might question the tanks. many agents do not know it is usually accetable with valves off. but not allowing basic scuba gear that people carry on every day ? thats BS.

 

[tridacna]

sounds like you had an agent that did not know their job. i can see why they might question the tanks. many agents do not know it is usually accetable with valves off. but not allowing basic scuba gear that people carry on every day ? thats BS.

“Everyone has a plan until someone hits you in the mouth.” Mike Tyson.

 

[2airishuman]

I've never tried to take a cylinder or weights as a carry on. USA TSA doesn't like things that can be used as hammers or bludgeons and I would assume there is a chance tanks and weights could be refused on those grounds.

Most USA airlines charge a higher baggage rate for sporting equipment -- typically things like golf clubs and bicycles, but scuba gear is also on the list, which could be why the OP paid $250 instead of $200.

 

[hilljo88]

I've never had a problem carrying on "high-end" camera gear, strobes, DC, regs into or out of CUN and CZM. Occasionally, I've had a large, metal, telephoto lens flagged and rescreened, but never denied any of the foregoing for carryon.