Travel Advice

[Jeff Toorish]

Hello All,

In a couple of weeks I'll be flying on a commercial airplane with dive gear for the first time. In the past, I have either driven with my own gear or rented gear at my destination. This time I am flying and intend to take my own equipment.

I'm looking for any advice or thoughts on this. I have not yet purchased a travel gear bag so I'd be interested in hearing thoughts on that, as well.

Some background...

I'll be traveling in the US, so there are no international considerations. However, I plan to make some trips outside of the US in the near future, so that is worth factoring in.

I won't be taking tanks of course, although I would love to take my pony and spare regulator. I will be taking a 7mm wetsuit, ScubaPro Knighthawk BCD, fins, mask, gloves, booties, dive tools, a couple of lights, etc. I have a mesh bag or the boat. And I will take camera gear, an Ikelite housing and Canon G1 camera with external strobe light.

The only things I will rent are tanks and weights.

I already plan to carry the regulator(s) in carry on...but the rest is going to be checked.

A final point, while in Florida, I will be taking my stress/rescue diver course.

So, any thoughts, advice, cautions, considerations?

As always, I am grateful for your thoughts and experience.

Jeff

 

[DandyDon]

(1) I always take my Pony!! Drain it completely, slowly - so the metal doesn't chill. Remove the valve and pack it in a heavy zip lock, then wrapped in bubble wrap. Tape the neck with 2" electrical tape. I know, it's supposed to be openly visible, but you gotta keep it very clean, and the TSA agent can pull the tape off of a peek. BTW, duct tape can leave residue you don't want. Make prior arrangements to have it filled ASAP, and just pop the valve back in privately. You're the one who is going to breathe from it.

(2) I carry 2 regs, 2 masks, 2 computers, and 2 camera on board - either in my roll-on or backpack, as you are allowed both. No tools allowed in carry-on or roll-on - none!

(3) Be certain you remove batteries from lights and strobes. Look bad on X-ray, and is a fire hazard in luggage.

 

[paschen]

I highly recommend that when you go gear bag shopping for the plane you weigh the bag at the store - my lds has electronic scales as they also do boat charter fishing there - I picked out this fantabulous dive bag - perfect for everything - till we weighed it - just under 6kg with no gear - OUCH.
My second choice bag was not available in Australia - so I went for my 3rd choice - a TUSA backpack with wheels - at 4.5kg it is OK - and it doesn't say - EXPENSIVE SCUBA GEAR INSIDE PLEASE STEAL.
Good luck
Tae

 

[Jeff Toorish]

I completely agree with the anonymous bags that don't scream scuba gear. In the event I can't find a bag I like that doesn't have emblems on it, I will use a marker to darken the logos.

And, Don, incidentally, you can actually carry three bags on a plane legally if one of them is exclusively a camera bag. That was negotiated between the Professional Photographers of America and TSA about a year ago. Of course, gate agents still don't seem to know about this little rule.

Do you carry your pony on, or check it?

Oh, I should have mentioned, I travel extensively, so I know the rules about what can be carried onboard.

Jeff

 

[Doc Harry]

Don't get a huge gear bag - when it's packed it will be too heavy. Airlines will charge you excess baggage fees. Consider either packing extremely light into one medium bag or getting two (2) smaller bags. Keep the total packed weight under 50 lbs. each bag.

I have one large gear bag. For airline travel I pack light - 45 lbs. Then I have a second small carry-on with dense, heavy items (regulator, dive light, etc.).

For local travel in car, I can pack the big bag as heavy as I want.

 

[paschen]

Yeah - don't go too heavy in one bag - but you do get an extra 10kg for dive gear on most airlines - call yours to check. I have a soft bag about as long as my arm that is cylinder shaped with no stiff parts. Wetsuit-BC-Towels-Togs (you call them swimming costumes?) in the small bag - dive gear bag with the rest of the gear and my clothes - then the onboard bag with camera gear, torch, regs/gauges etc and the usual travel stuffs if they lose your luggage.
Dunno what it is in pounds - but an individual bag can't exceed 32kg.

 

[DandyDon]

I completely agree with the anonymous bags that don't scream scuba gear. In the event I can't find a bag I like that doesn't have emblems on it, I will use a marker to darken the logos.

Like that would fool anyone...?

The vast majority of my dives have been after flying, but I just don't worry about my bags saying "scuba gear here!" There's just not much street value in used BCs and wetsuits. Now, for international travel, where the airline is liable for only $9.07 per pound rather than $2,500 for domestic flights, I do carry trip insurance for additional coverage.

I used to use red, orange or yellow ribbons to ID my bags, but that is so common I've started using red & yellow both in each knot. This is most important on roll-ons that are gate checked for small planes, as so many just grab a bag without checking.

And, Don, incidentally, you can actually carry three bags on a plane legally if one of them is exclusively a camera bag. That was negotiated between the Professional Photographers of America and TSA about a year ago. Of course, gate agents still don't seem to know about this little rule.

Really?! It's not the TSA agents who limit number of bags, though, but the airlines. Do you have a link to more info along those lines...?

Do you carry your pony on, or check it?

Checked. By the time I put my 2 regs, 2 masks, 2 computers, a carton of smokes, my hypochondriac bag, toilet kit, and first 24 hours of clothes in my roll-on, the cameras, paperwork, etc in my laptop backpack, there's no room for the pony.

Oh, I should have mentioned, I travel extensively, so I know the rules about what can be carried onboard.

Jeff

Yeah, that might have helped, but then - I often over answer for the benefit of any who may read. I am spoiled to checking 2 - 70# bags even on domestic flights, as my airlines give me Elite status breaks. I'm flying a different one to Florida in December, tho, for a week long stay. I may ship some stuff ahead.

BTW, I like to take 2 - 1# weights, as operators never have them, and they're handy for trim.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Do you have a link to more info along those lines...?

PM sent.

JT

 

[DandyDon]

PM sent.

JT

Yeah thanks

 

[Doc]

Stealing SCUBA gear out of checked luggage is absolute fairy tales and hogwash.

Ever try to sell (even almost new) SCUBA gear? Can't get a dime for it, can't sell it to a pawn shop. The stuff is worthless.

The only place gear ever gets stolen is out of a ratty airport coming from a dive destination, and that is very rare and there's no defense.

SCUBA gear is absolutely worthless the moment it walks out of the shop.

Go ahead, carry your hoses and regulators aboard to protect them from the theives. I'll carry a pillow, instead.

Oh- and be certain to always pack your carried on camera gear in a Pelican case. That makes perfect sense.

We over-analyze everything.

The dive industry (and god bless them) has created the aura around "owning your gear" and has therefore given it a higher value than reality would dictate. You gotta love it when you find a bonehead with Titanium anything.

Carry your prescription mask, carry you meds. Stuff in swim trunks, sunglasses and two t-shirts. Done.

Pony bottle? Oy vey. Manage your gas... and I'm not talking jalapenos.