Travel with Bp/w bcd??

[DennisC]

Hello all,


I purchased a Dive Rite stainless steel backplate with a dive rite wing this summer and i like diving with it a lot. I dont even need any weight in freshwater. However I went down to NC and I got to pick up an aluminium backplate which was way lighter and I started to think maybe i should have bought that in case I ever get the chance to travel somewhere I have to fly. So I am wondering does anyone use an steel backplate and still fly places? do you just pay an overweight fee? or is aluminium the way to go?

Thanks everyone,
Dennis

 

[ams511]

A steel plate is 5-6 lbs and an aluminium one is 2-3, so the weight difference is about 3-4 lbs. If your bags are close to the weight limit you could put the plate in your carry-on bag which is not weighed (at least by US airlines). Besides aluminum their are also fabric plates from Zeagle and Oxycheq that are even lighter than the aluminium ones.

 

[ronscuba]

I recommend getting the aluminum plate for travel.

Weight adds up fast. Fins, regulator, dive light, tank bands, are surprisingly not light items. Most suitcases weigh 12 pounds empty. It doesn't take much to get to the 50 lb limit.

 

[merxlin]

I fly mine to Hawaii, Fiji and other warm water destinations. Since there is no weight to shorts and t-shirts it doesn't make as big an impact on the luggage weight. I like having my own gear to dive.

 

[gbf]

I bought a backpack (a school bag) into which my ss plate will fit neatly. Regs masks etc fit thru the cam bands cushioned by a couple of swimsuits and t shirts. Then I carry it on. I like my steel plate because I can go with 2 lbs in salt & 3 mil.

its a dss rig, assembles and disassembles easily.

 

[TSandM]

I've flown my SS plate all over -- Indonesia, Australia, South Pacific, Hawaii. If you look at most BCs, they weigh as much as a stainless plate with hardware.

 

[tracydr]

I have a short backplate. The short SS plate only weighs 4 pounds.

 

[fisheater]

I've traveled to the Caribbean and the Philippines, as well as Hawaii with my SS plate and wing. It takes up MUCH less space than my conventional BC and weighs about the same.

I could go to aluminum, but I like the buoyancy characteristics of SS and the 2-3 pound difference isn't enough for me to make the switch.

 

[koozemani]

I've always brought my SS plate when flying, but it's always in my carryon luggage. Just don't pack any clothes.

 

[halocline]

The difference in weight is easy enough to make up in other areas in most cases, and as it's been pointed out, most jacket BCs weigh even more than steel plates with webbing harness. The big weight savings most travelers could get would be to switch from a bag that weighs 12+ pounds to a simple duffle bag. You can save close to 10 lbs right there, and use a combination of your wetsuit and the plate to protect anything delicate packed inside.

I usually travel to Mexico with a full doubles and single tank set up, two wetsuits, two wings, and I don't carry any of the dive gear (except the computer) on the plane. I've never gone over the weight limit.

That said, a lot of BP/W users, myself included, have both a steel and AL plate. It works out well to use the steel plate with AL tanks and vice-versa, at least in warm water with a thin wetsuit.