Not allowing regs with dive computer in carry on bags on flight leaving DR

[KentFromPGH]

My wife, Charlene, and I and I were recently returning to the US after a great week of diving in Bayahibe, DR. At the Dominican Republic security check point in Santo Domingo the officials told us we could not bring our regulators with dive computers on the airplane. They made us go back and check the small bag with the gear. It was not clear if the problem was with the regulator or the dive computers in the console or both. We have noticed that recently both international and US security seems to have issues with carry on bags with our regulators w/dive computers but have never been denied as carry on before this. Has anyone else experienced this?

[scubafanatic]

nope, have never (yet) experienced any pushback with respect to regs/computers on carry-on, I'm really hoping what you experienced was a freak event and not even remotely becoming a new policy. I'm very paranoid about damage/theft of spendy regs/computers and INSIST those items never leave my person so I'm gonna be VERY upset if I find out this is becoming 'policy'. Maybe it's just limited to DR ??? (I'll never do a dive trip anywhere this is/becomes the policy, so thanks for the heads-up!)

[Pelagicsal]

Ugh! And I was peeved at Honduras departure security! Glad your little bag made it home with you.

Are you going to post a trip report or tell how the rest of the trip was?
Glad the storms were kind to you...

Hmmmm... Didn't remember your having a split personality.... jijiji

[tstormdiver]

The only thing I've ever had trouble carrying on was my HID canister light when returning from Malaysia through LAX. I was forced to check my $800 light. I was not happy about that, to say the least & to boot that bag's arrival was delayed 24 hrs. Before that, I had never had any issues carrying on my light.

[Damselfish]

I have never had a problem. If there seems to be a certain destination where this is a problem, I too would have second thoughts about going there to dive.

I don't know if there is a pertinent part of the rules that can be printed and brought along that would help. (But of course even if you do that they can really do whatever they want.)

[scubafanatic]

I usually bring 2 complete reg sets (including duplicate computers) on all my trips, and as the replacement value of just 2 of my nicer complete reg sets (with computers) would exceed $ 10,000, that is definitely NOT something I plan to ever have to put in checked luggage!

[TSandM]

My husband had his Cobra in his carry-on coming home from Egypt (I think it was) and the Amsterdam security people wouldn't let it on the plane, on the basis that it was big and heavy and you could hit someone with it.

They let me on with a big, thick book though . . .

[Pelagicsal]

Cobra? Big and heavy? That makes about as much sense as the rest of TSA.

[Scott L]

I usually bring 2 complete reg sets (including duplicate computers) on all my trips, and as the replacement value of just 2 of my nicer complete reg sets (with computers) would exceed $ 10,000, that is definitely NOT something I plan to ever have to put in checked luggage!

Exactly what kind of equipment do you own? :headscratch:

[evad]

They let me on with a big, thick book though . . .




Well........................?

[cruiser]

... on the basis that it was big and heavy and you could hit someone with it.

I planned to carry on some solid lead weight for my next scuba trip. Now I'm wondering if it will be allowed. Anyone have experience with this?

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

Kent-

Well hopefully you had a good trip otherwise and I had to laugh when I read this because of our return experience out of Santo Domingo in early August. We have never had as much hassle leaving any other country than we have in the D.R.

Ironically we have a separate carry on bag just for our regulators and dive computers and they had no problem with that bag at all. The first check point was your typical one, they scrutinized our computer/laptop backpack. Admittedly I packed a clear makeup bag with one tweezers and one nail clipper. When I pleaded with the two people looking at the bag, they decided to let me keep the tweezers (my favorite pair) but confiscated the nail clipper. I would have thought they would take the opposite but it seemed like she just made a split decision.

We thought everything was good to go until we started to board the plane, heading down the ramp they had another checkpoint. The guy made my husband take his laptop out and turn it on, then he looked at my pelican case which had my underwater camera perfectly packed and he manhandled some of the pieces and couldn't pack it back in correctly. My husband was about to blow his fuse and I had to remind him to shut his mouth. Everyone traveling at that point was tired and cranky from getting up early, taking a 2 hour bus ride and then preparing for 2 connections back. Seems to me that they just make stuff up as they go.

[DandyDon]

Security agents in other countries screening flights to the US are supposed to operate by TSA standards, but they are certainly not TSA trained or controlled. What they do is all to often up to them and what they want to take home with them, but a lot of it is just silly. I carry 2 regs and 2 computers in my roll-on always.

I planned to carry on some solid lead weight for my next scuba trip. Now I'm wondering if it will be allowed. Anyone have experience with this?
Gawd why? I think you'd be at risk of losing them to security anywhere, US or foreign. If you then tried to check them, they'd put your back overweight and cost more than replacement. I do take a couple of 1# soft weights for quick additions, but dive Ops generally have plenty of hard weights.

[cruiser]

Gawd why? I think you'd be at risk of losing them to security anywhere, US or foreign. If you then tried to check them, they'd put your back overweight and cost more than replacement. I do take a couple of 1# soft weights for quick additions, but dive Ops generally have plenty of hard weights.

Sometimes if you don't get to the weight counter as soon as you get to a resort, your desired weight combinations aren't available, and you have to make do with mixing and matching what's left over.

I know they're heavy, but I pack well under the weight limit. Between the checked baggage and carry on, I could distribute them between bags so I don't go over the limit on either piece of luggage. However, if "heavy and you could hurt someone with them" is TSA's logic, they might not be allowed in carry-on, because you could definitely hurt someone with a 5 pound weight.

[DandyDon]

Sometimes if you don't get to the weight counter as soon as you get to a resort, your desired weight combinations aren't available, and you have to make do with mixing and matching what's left over.

I know they're heavy, but I pack well under the weight limit. Between the checked baggage and carry on, I could distribute them between bags so I don't go over the limit on either piece of luggage. However, if "heavy and you could hurt someone with them" is TSA's logic, they might not be allowed in carry-on, because you could definitely hurt someone with a 5 pound weight.
I've had to fly in my own weight for a couple of liveaboards. I put them in checked bags and kept under limits, but I used to have larger limits. I would not attempt even a one pound hard weight in carry-on. Soft weights are harmless enough.

[KentFromPGH]

Look for a trip report soon. I promise....

[ScubaSteve]

Sometimes if you don't get to the weight counter as soon as you get to a resort, your desired weight combinations aren't available, and you have to make do with mixing and matching what's left over.

I know they're heavy, but I pack well under the weight limit. Between the checked baggage and carry on, I could distribute them between bags so I don't go over the limit on either piece of luggage. However, if "heavy and you could hurt someone with them" is TSA's logic, they might not be allowed in carry-on, because you could definitely hurt someone with a 5 pound weight.


Take up UW Photography and UW Video. That will surely eat up the rest of any available weight you have :D. I for one have never had an issue carrying on my regs/Cobra and would likely be very upset if I was ever told that I could not carry them on. The problem is, no matter what airport (even ConUS) or country you are in, you are entirely at the whim of the agent and their mood of the moment.

[jlevine]

I think this type of security issue may depend on the airports through which you travel and their familiarity with dive travel. I have never had a problem with taking a regulator and computer (mine is a Cobra as well) from the US to the Caribbean. I put it in an Eagle Creek Pack-it Cube which also fits inside my carry on. One time I had to turn on the computer but other than that have never been questioned. I agree with one of the above posters in that if I heard I could not carry on my reg and dive computer through a particular airport then I might not travel through it. I may switch to a wrist computer at some point but I really don't want to have to depend on rental gear.

[Rhone Man]

I must say, I have never had that problem flying out of Bayahibe before. You must have caught them on a bad day.

Airline security can be maddeningly inconsistent. I remember once having nail clippers taken off me (what, in case I threaten the pilot with a really bad manicure unless he diverts the aircraft...?) whilst my wife has made it on with 7" knitting needles.

I have a friend who is a pilot, and he once had tweezers taken off him at security. My friend (in uniform) asks the security guy if removing tweezers was really going to stop him if he decided to crash the plane which he was flying? To add insult to injury, he then bought a new set of tweezers in one of the shops after security and took it back to show the guy at security.

[DRsharky]

I guess because the airport in Santo Domingo is the biggest here, you never know who you bump into. So far I haven't had problems with my diving stuff. I had in Miami though, so it really depends on the person who is there at that moment

[KentFromPGH]

I must say, I have never had that problem flying out of Bayahibe before. You must have caught them on a bad day.

Airline security can be maddeningly inconsistent. I remember once having nail clippers taken off me (what, in case I threaten the pilot with a really bad manicure unless he diverts the aircraft...?) whilst my wife has made it on with 7" knitting needles.

...


I think it was an isolated experience and wouldn't hesitate to go back to Santo Domingo/Bayahibe DR again. Even in the US I have gotten some strange looks and had to get our carry on hand checked because of the regulators and dive computers. I think because every setup looks different and they are not as common as laptops and other consumer electronics that sometimes security doesn't know what to do so they question them or deny taking them on board as carry on.

[Pelagicsal]

Kent-
Love your sig line - and of course, your avatar, too!
So the DR diving was worth a return trip?

[billmosel]

I cannot believe that some of you bring your own LEAD to resorts!! I have NEVER been to a diving resort that couldn't give me the weight that i needed! I've never heard of that!! I'd rather bring my favorite liquor than bring a couple pounds of lead. Bringing your own lead.. that is ridiculous.

[KentFromPGH]

Our trip to Bayahibe, DR was very nice. Even after a nearby hurricane we thought most of the vis was good. Different from Cozumel but we really enjoyed the entire trip.

Trip report coming soon - Honest... I ran out of gas. I, I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts. IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD.

[Willar]

Trip report coming soon - Honest... I ran out of gas. I, I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts. IT WASN'T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD.

We're on a mission from God.

[nipi]

We flew AA from Managua to Miami last Sat & security would not allow my reg as hand luggage. Had to go & retrieve my checked bag & put it in. My wrist computer was allowed as carry on.

[Randy43068]

I usually bring 2 complete reg sets (including duplicate computers) on all my trips, and as the replacement value of just 2 of my nicer complete reg sets (with computers) would exceed $ 10,000, that is definitely NOT something I plan to ever have to put in checked luggage!

Overkill, and you paid too much!!

[Superlyte27]

I usually bring 2 complete reg sets (including duplicate computers) on all my trips, and as the replacement value of just 2 of my nicer complete reg sets (with computers) would exceed $ 10,000, that is definitely NOT something I plan to ever have to put in checked luggage!



I call shenanigans!
I'd be really interested in knowing what regulator/computer set you have that totals 5k

With the most expensive computer console i'm guessing about 2300'ish, that leaves 2700 for first stage, second stage and octopus. I really don't think that's possible.

[craracer]

I went to Punta Cana with 4 computers, and 2 sets of regs in my carry-on bag. They never blinked an eye.

Wish I could have said the same for TSA in Minneapolis. The way I was treated, you would have thought that the hoses were actually disguised det-cord, and the computers were packed with C4. :shakehead:

[KP3S]

It all depend on the training they have, and as always they are told that if you are not 100% sure to tell the traveler to check it. Some to these people at the security points in DR and other countries, have never seen a diver gear at close and if they are new in the job they have no experience and it is easier to tell the traveler, "sorry but you have to check this bag in" that to have the supervisor chew his/her a*s or get fired.

[mikerault]

I carried my regs and dive computers RT to St Thomas. Sounds like an over zealous guard.

[Superlyte27]

Bah! I still want to know what set of 5k computer/regulator setup you have.

[Doc Harry]

The only thing I've ever had trouble carrying on was my HID canister light when returning from Malaysia through LAX. I was forced to check my $800 light. I was not happy about that, to say the least & to boot that bag's arrival was delayed 24 hrs. Before that, I had never had any issues carrying on my light.

I checked my HID can light once.

When I returned home I discovered that TSA had connected the battery and tested the light. Trouble is, they left the light on (or it accidentally switched on) in the Pelican box. The Delrin light head was a melted pile of goo.

[KentFromPGH]

We flew AA from Managua to Miami last Sat & security would not allow my reg as hand luggage. Had to go & retrieve my checked bag & put it in. My wrist computer was allowed as carry on.

There definately seems to be different views by security on what can and cannot go on board.

[Superlyte27]

Bah, I keep checking back wondering when goober is going to post which regulator setup he has that costs 5k.

[Scubarus66]

My husband had his Cobra in his carry-on coming home from Egypt (I think it was) and the Amsterdam security people wouldn't let it on the plane, on the basis that it was big and heavy and you could hit someone with it.

They let me on with a big, thick book though . . .

WOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!! a $850 hammer....

[Scubarus66]

I will be calling TSA to see WTF is going on....

[DandyDon]

I will be calling TSA to see WTF is going on....
I doubt that they will tell you anything not on their website. Some details are left to be handled by the agent's discretion and some of that is so the terrorists won't know too much as they look for loopholes.

Flying into the US as this thread discussion started, local security agents more or less screen to TSA standards but have their own rules that differ some. Go by the website rules, then try to stay flexible.

[Islandheart]

On three trips in and out of Jamaica, I'll not had any difficulty with regs in my carry-ons, in either direction.

I'm flying out of Orlando this trip in Dec so I'm hoping no issues with TSA there with my carry-on regs.

[DeusVerto]

I just got back from an AA trip to Jamaica from O'Hare with a connection in Miami (I'll NEVER do that again-what a hassle). So I had to pass through security screening three times during the trip with my regulator and DC setup in my carry-on. NOT ONCE was it even mentioned. I was ready for somebody to open my bag to at least look at it. Nada.

I'd say they're getting more used to seeing SCUBA gear in carry-ons.

[Randy43068]

I try to avoid Chicago as much as possible.
As far as I'm concerned EVERYONE working at that airport has a condescending attitude, is rude, ignorant, and I'd say have the "I'm entitled" attitude.

I hate O'Hare airport because of the people who work there.

[DandyDon]

Yeah but going thru Miami really sucks, or did in the 90s. I learned not to...!!

[Willar]

Yes, Miami sucks. We fly ORd to MBJ thru Charlotte or ATL if possible.

I've flown with my regs and Suunto Cobra computer in my carry-on for several years, multiple trips per year. I've never had a security person take a second look or say a word about it. I think they're used to it unless they are new to the position.

[Scubarus66]

Isn't Miami in Cuba?

[DandyDon]

Isn't Miami in Cuba?
No, Cuba is in Miami.

[billmosel]

Miami is the ABSOLUTE worst!!!! I avoid it at all costs. I go thru SJU, CLT or SJU just to avoid MIA.