airline travel

[floridadivegirl]

I will be flying to a dive destination out of the country this weekend. I have all my own equipment, which I plan to bring with (tanks & weights provided at resort). I'm wondering if it is safe to check everything, or if certain components should be stored in my carry-on: dive computer, regs, etc.. Any info will be helpful. Thanks! :D

[ScubaK-Dawg]

I always carry on my computer, but usually check my fins, bc, regs, and mask/snorkel. I've never had any problems with damaged gear. I'm sure it happens though...

[cdiver2]

I have always checked all of my wife's and my own gear with no problems. we have just got back from a Papua New Guinea and Austrailia trip entailing 14 different flights ( round trip ) with no problems.

[Tractor Tom]

In January on the way to Florida to meet the cruiseship, I carried my regs and computer in my carry-on bag. Ran it through the scanner and had it inspected by hand twice in different airports we hit. No trouble at all! I decided that my wetsuit, mask, snorkle and fins and BC I could risk, but my regulators and stuff I would keep in my hand as they are easy to carry and would also be easy to steal. My dive bag with all the other stuff, I sealed with wire ties and everything made the trip both ways without any problem.

[diveski01]

I carried on my camera and regs for several years through lots of different airports in several Caribbean countries and across the US. I consider my regs life support equipment and don't want them tossed around by the baggage handler gorillas before I have to breathe off of them for a week.

The regs were an issue for the first time ever last month when coming home from Puerto Rico. The San Juan airport has very high security and for some reason scuba regulators are on their list of items not allowed in carry-on baggage. They were ok one year ago, now they're not.

We had to repack our carry-ons, return to the ticket counter to check an additional bag, then go through security again. Luckily the security agent helped expedite these steps and we still had plenty of time before our flight. Had we arrived later, we would have had problems.

What you can take on with you seems to vary widely over time and from airport to airport. You should be prepared to surrender a carryon as checked baggage. For convenience, I carry my camera case in a small roller suitcase. Having the extra suitcase really paid off! We'd have been in a bad situation without it.

[Washy]

I usually carry on my regbag but I am actually considering checking it tomorrow... that said the fascist airline only allows 20kgs per person (about enough for one fin....filled with helium...)