Airport security

[scottish2]

Hi Group

Just joined up and I must say this looks like a great forum for Diving.

Now quick question as am going to Hawaii :mean: in November and had a concern. Has anyone been having troubles carrying your equipment with you through the new security at airports? Plan on checking my dive knife and such but want to carry on board with me my basic gear such as my dive compyter and my first and second stage as I don't trust these airlines with my equipment which keeps me alive down under.

So have anyone had troubles carrying any of this stuff onboard and has anyone had troubles with having dive knives in their checked loggage meaning luggage you turn in at the ticket counter during check in?

Thanks!
Dave

[ScubaRon]

I have carried my computer and regs and checked my knife several times in the last year and never had any issues.

The only question I have myself is if a Spare Air can be checked in.
:snorkel:ScubaRon

[scottish2]

Thanks for the feedback leave it to the government to make a great sport almost a headache at least for those of us traveling with our own gear.

As for spare air I would say even onboard would be safe but you would most likely have to empty it fully and be able to prove it's empty then I would assume it safe even onboard as it's just an empty unpressurize canister then. I think they just worry if it's pressurized. Unsure as well as I haven't used spare air myself but if it's possible to leave the value open so air goes both ways this would also help as the tank will also most likely hold sea level pressure even after emptied. I'll ask my scuba guy locally if he's ever had troubles but that is if I can get him. He's recently downsized his opperation but cleans boat bottgoms a lot so hard to get a hold of him lately.

[scottish2]

Well only thing I want to carry on-board is the items which help keep me a live at 40-50+ feet below the surface that being my regs and computer. But rest wilol be checked knife included but just wasn't sure on the regs and computer as I have never traveled with my gear before and was a little unsure with all this new issues at airports now a days. I figured it would be OK but just wanted to see if other had troubles with this before I take the trip.

[kgdiver]

I would carry on my regs and comp. Everything else gets checked.

[scottish2]

yeah with my luck Delta would trash my bags and my equipment they did that to one of my suit cases several years ago had it ripped from end to end luckily it just was the uter pounch of the bag so no harm done to internal clothing and such but not even a note on how it happened so that Delta knew it was their fault. They paid for it anyways but still UGH.:confused:

[scottish2]

My case I will just throw my bean bags into my checked luggage as you said they do provide and no sense carrying 14 lbs extra weight in my carry on. and unfortunately my fins are nice and long to big for any normal carry on they just barely fit my normal luggage. But all my main worry on is my life gear that helps me stay a live. Unfortunately my BC will have to be checked as no dismantle and to big to pack in on-board so...

What BC you using that you can dismantle?

[SueMermaid]

If you have a knife in your dive bag or attached to your BC, take it off and put it in your checked bags, for heaven's sake!

[diver_paula]

Dave,

The best advice I can give you is to get to the airport long before your scheduled flight. We already need to do that with the increased security checks but whenever I take SCUBA gear it seems to take even more time.

About 50% of my group would get pulled over each time we had to go thru a checkpoint. Some xray operators know what SCUBA gear looks like, others don't. I've gotten 'What's that spider looking thing?' or 'What's that valve with all the tubes coming out of it?' & Lead bags to protect film will get you pulled over for a more thorough search almost every time.

You can take any of your 'non-pointy' gear as mentioned by others. You just need to be prepared to get pulled aside and thoroughly searched. Patience is the key!

Have a great trip!
Paula

[scottish2]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Also on the Spare air question I did ask a friend of mine tonight who is a pilot with US Airways and he said basically the same thing DeepTechScuba said in the 4 or 5 post near top of thread. Though he did say it all depends on whose inspecting your gear as someone else pointed out here some inspectors know what gear looks like and others won't, but obviously a tank even spare air tank will get more questioned then other gear due to it being a container to hold air or other potentially hazardist materials it will be a little more trickier.

[Norda]

My dive buddies and I have always carried on our regs and computers and never had any problems with the exception of having to open our bags for visual inspection on some occasions.

However, on one of our return flights we had not completely logged all our dives so decided to do it on the plane. So we each pull out just our computers. Just after we get started one of the flight attendants walked by and just about freaked out. We have the Cobra computers which I admit probably look a little strange to someone not familiar with scuba, especially when connected to what looks like a thick cable running into a bag on the floor. I don't know who jumped more her in a moment of panic or us trying to figure out what was going on. Anyway, we got her settled down once we showed her what we were doing. Unfortunately, she also got all the nearby passengers alarmed. We decided to put our stuff away for another time. In after thought probably not a wise idea.

Bill P.

[XJae]

scottish2 once bubbled...
My case I will just throw my bean bags into my checked luggage as you said they do provide and no sense carrying 14 lbs extra weight in my carry on. and unfortunately my fins are nice and long to big for any normal carry on they just barely fit my normal luggage. But all my main worry on is my life gear that helps me stay a live. Unfortunately my BC will have to be checked as no dismantle and to big to pack in on-board so...

What BC you using that you can dismantle? many airlines now limit the weight of checked in bags to 50 lbs.

[JHAM]

I generally check every thing with the exception of the regulators and computer (they are all attached as one unit). The thought is that:

1) You are correct in that these shouldn't be trusted to the airline baggage handlers. they are too valuable.

2) Security is likely to have questions regarding these items. If they are in your carry on they can ask you when they search your bag.

[ianr33]

XJae once bubbled...
many airlines now limit the weight of checked in bags to 50 lbs.

If I remember correctly it is 80 lbs on international flights

[blackice]

Norda once bubbled...
...So we each pull out just our computers. Just after we get started one of the flight attendants walked by and just about freaked out. We have the Cobra computers which I admit probably look a little strange to someone not familiar with scuba, especially when connected to what looks like a thick cable running into a bag on the floor. I don't know who jumped more her in a moment of panic or us trying to figure out what was going on. Anyway, we got her settled down once we showed her what we were doing. Unfortunately, she also got all the nearby passengers alarmed. We decided to put our stuff away for another time. In after thought probably not a wise idea.
Bill P. While it may not have been a great idea ,,. .. it was funny reading it back .. I could imagine how it must have looked ... live and learn

[scottish2]

Norda once bubbled...
My dive buddies and I have always carried on our regs and computers and never had any problems with the exception of having to open our bags for visual inspection on some occasions.

However, on one of our return flights we had not completely logged all our dives so decided to do it on the plane. So we each pull out just our computers. Just after we get started one of the flight attendants walked by and just about freaked out. We have the Cobra computers which I admit probably look a little strange to someone not familiar with scuba, especially when connected to what looks like a thick cable running into a bag on the floor. I don't know who jumped more her in a moment of panic or us trying to figure out what was going on. Anyway, we got her settled down once we showed her what we were doing. Unfortunately, she also got all the nearby passengers alarmed. We decided to put our stuff away for another time. In after thought probably not a wise idea.

Bill P.

My Case I got really lucky. I dabble breifly in the stock market and managed to pick one penny stock that I bought under a dollar and it went to $6 fairly fast then crashed and I managed to sneak out near it's peak which gave me some nice play money so I went out and bought myself a hoseless Oceanic Data Trans Computer. But have only had chance to use it once since buying. Not great diving in this area just a couple sites and one dive shop so....but with this trip to Hawaii I plan on having it with me to use.

[RICHinNC]

I just went and came back from Barbados and maybe this will help.
I contacted US Air (and Delta because I fly them a lot too) and got in writing from both what their policy was regarding scuba gear. Both limit the items you can carry...either on board or in luggage and both have a fee. (which i think is totally unfair considering who they dont charge....hang gliders...golfers...)

Anyway, both indicate you can take a bottle, they dont specify regular or pony, but it should not have more than 41 psi. Well, you cant prove what the psi is...and....if TSA catches it, kiss it goodbye. So drain and plug it.

I also called TSA HQ and found out each airport has a TSA Customer Representative. I called the one at the airport I was departing from and he very much admitted he didnt have a clue about scuba gear but he would get back with me. And, he did!!

He had no problem with me carrying on my regs, computer and other smaller items. Yes, the knife goes in the check in and while both airlines and TSA written rules do not prevent you from carrying on a pony.....he said he would be much happier if I put my pony in my check in luggage.

Now that is a key phrase ...he would be much happier....because when I called TSA HQ....I found out that no matter what their web site says...or what the airline policy is....the last TSA person that inspects you makes up the final rules. I asked, you mean if the last guy I get got turned down by the wife/gf last night and he is upset and wants to take it out on me......he could stop me from taking my approved gear on board. After a short giggle, the TSA person said, YES!

What a way to run a company.

So, in carry on it is cameras, regs, signal devices, and computer. In bags....everything else. If I was in the market for a bcd right now .....the ability to put it in a back back would be a prime consideration.

OH....I have also found while not having a bag that screams scuba gear steal me.....is not a good idea........ wearing a t-shirt with some scuba thing on it at check in is a good idea. It helps the brain cells of the TSA rep when they look at the gear all confused but see a diver on your tshirt........YOU DIVE??? YEP.

[divebunnie]

I have travelled several times now since the whole increase in security, with a steadily increasing amount of kit on each trip and have had no problems at all.

As is normal, now I would say arrive early anyway, if only to avoid excess baggage charges.

I would never put my regs or computer in the hold, like you I wouldn't want to risk damage to my life support. Though as many have already mentioned, any tools, knives and sharp stuff is safely put in my checked in luggage.

Hope you have a great trip.

[scottish2]

Oh I plan on having a great trip. My wifes already getting a kick out of the fact I am getting set now even though over a month away yet but want to make sure all my gear is still in good working order in case it needs servicing I can get it serviced but all is in good working order so...:mean:

[Damselfish]

Reg, computer, mask in the carryons, along with toiletries, bathing suit, and whatever clothes fit (I use them to pad the gear.) Occasionally it gets searched, usually not. My husband's camera gear gets searched a lot more often.

Everything else gets checked in large non-descript wheeled duffles with a luggage strap cinched around the middle. Fins fit fine on the bottom, and again I arrange clothes to protect the gear. I've never had anything missing or damaged. We used to use hard side luggage but found they were actually less tolerant of abuse, especially if overstuffed, and they weigh more.

I don't take weights. I can't see hauling around the extra weight, especially on flights where there's low weight limits. I have a fabric belt that zips all along the top, it's comfortable enough, and I can put in whatever soft or hard weights the dive op has.

[mikeh]

Like several others have posted, I carry my regs, masks, and computers in my carry-on and check my dive bags.

Perhaps its merely good luck, but so far this year I've been to Roatan, Grand Cayman, and Catalina (add Cozumel next month)where I've had to have bags searched and have had no real problems. We always get to the airport -really- early, which lets TSA have lots of time to search/seal/tag our dive bags. Never any trouble with the regs.

One note. While the TSA never cares, every foreign airport I've been in has removed or confiscated (or both) my batteries. So on the way home, remove the batteries from your dive lights if you don't already. They are concerned that the lights will turn on and heat up in the hold.

Mike

[scottish2]

What type of batteries? I know mine are always fine when traveling from Japan for standard AA batteries for my walkman which is a must on those 12 hour flights just for the transpacific part alone let alone the 5-6 hours getting to the west coast.

[JHAM]

I've never had problems. I always carry on my computer and regulators. Security always asks about them, and if you carry them on you'll be right there to answer them.

[mikeh]

scottish2 once bubbled...
What type of batteries? I know mine are always fine when traveling from Japan for standard AA batteries for my walkman which is a must on those 12 hour flights just for the transpacific part alone let alone the 5-6 hours getting to the west coast.

No worries for the walkmans, PC's, etc. I was referring to your dive lights. There is a concern that the lights might get turned on, overheat, and start a fire while in the hold. Not at all far fetched, as I had my small Pelican backup light do this (minus the fire) while diving in San Carlos over labor day. The light was a wreck and the reflector was blackened. Never leaves my batteries in my lights any more.

Mike

[scottish2]

No problems then for me as I always remove my batteries when not using my light just as a precation anyways plus to prevent the batteries from ruining my light when stored for any length of time.

[Damselfish]

But leave them in the lights while traveling. It hasn't been an issue yet but I'll have to keep that in mind.