Flying with dive gear?

[wmag3]

I'll be flying to the keys in about a week and I would perfer to bring along my own equipment rather than rent. I was wondering what would be the best method for this without worrying the whole flight about what kind of damage the baggage transport guys are doing to my gear. Or is this a bigger headache than its worth - should I just rent?:confused:

[Drewpy]

Dont rent if you have your own gear! Pack your suit/fins/bc etc in your check in luggage and pack your mask/regs and computer/spg in your carry on! Just inform the TSA guys you have scuba gear in your carry-on.
Have a fun time!!:D

[Wristshot]

I have only "traveled with dive gear" three times in the last year, but here are my comments / recommendations:

Like Drewpy I say, bring it on! You will be more comfortable with your own gear and you know where all the controls and features are. Besides, you don't want things that have been in other people's mouths!

On a trip to Florida with a buddy, we each brought two huge suitcases, one for scuba gear, and one for way to much unnecessary crap. We rented a minivan, and all the cases had wheels so it was fine.

On a trip to Cozumel traveling alone, I brought my big gear bag, and then had my clothes in a backpack because I had to have everything with me at all times. (When you travel with someone, they can watch your stuff while you visit the restroom, traveling alone, it has to go with you!)

I did a similar thing on a trip alone to New England recently. Again, gear bag and backpack.

I always carry my Regulator(s) and my computer(s) with me in my carry on bag. Those are the most expensive pieces that could most easily "grow legs".

Consider insurance for your gear. DAN, or flight insurance or whatever. (I don't want to get into a flame war about insurance, I am just saying to think about it)

Some people recommend using regular suitcases because scuba gear cases just scream out "I have expensive scuba gear, steal me!". I haven't had any problems, but i know a guy in ABQ that lost everything at the ferry dock in Cozumel.

NOTE: some places will rent fins, and that can save you some weight, but not everyone will do that.

NOTE: check the weight limitations for your airline. Some allow 70 lbs, some only 50 lbs.


my dos centavos, but only because you asked

Wristshot

[DandyDon]

But I I'll offer a few suggestions:

I strongly suggest taking your own, as not only do you know your own gear, you know when it was serviced. Almost all of my diving is after flying, but I own my own so I can know it and trust it.

There's always a chance that checked bags will be late, so you carry the most important in your carry-on, along with enough clothes for 24 hours, etc. Carrying your own mask is good to ensure you have one that'll fit; even more so with prescription lens. I also carry my reg, computers, camera, oxygen analyzer, and anything else I can to reduce overweigth checked bags.

Knives are okay in checked bags, but NOT IN CARRY-ON. You knew that, but people forget, then lose the knives. I always clean my nails at the airport, then put my pocket knife in the checked bags at the last minute.

If you can spare the weight, pack batteries in checked bags, as you may not find your kind available when you get there. I always take batteries out of lights, to reduce breakage, and to look harmelss on x-ray.

Finally, I carry almost nothing in my pockets, as that slows me down at security; put stuff in a backpack or belt bag that can be thrown on the belt all at once, but then - watch it closely when it's not on your body, espeically outside the U.S. If you want to carry a roll of quarters for quick change needs, unroll them, so they'll look harmless on x-ray, too.

(Said a lot for a guy with little to add, huh? Well, I'm working on that personal problem...)

All part of the adventure...

have fun, don

[RICHinNC]

I used to use Pelican bags but they draw too much atttention now and the TSA goes nuts when they see them...plus if you are going to a diving area...diving tag or not...it says dive gear... steal me..

I went to a hardware store and bought a tupperware like hard plastic container that will just hold my bc and some small items yet fit into my nondescript duffle bag that i check on the airplane.

I totally drain my pony and plastic plug it and put it in the tupperware thing too. Tell TSA its dive gear...sometimes they look and sometimes they dont. Carry on is all the stuff the others said...plus cameras and signal devices...i got another plastic container and put foam in it and cut the foam to fit tight around everything and put that into a back pack that will meet carry on requirements....

Fun aint it???

[cyklon_300]

in a standard carryon suitcase. Eliminates baggage handler abuse and theft.

Regs, BP/W, wetsuit, fins, booties, gauges, mask all go on the plane with me. I check my light, knife, shears, clothes and any other expendables.

Ever since I almost had a $4K liveaboard vacation ruined when I went to Costa Rica and my dive gear went to Martinique, I've been traveling this way.

Going thru airport security has been hassle-free so far.

Why rent when you already own?

[Brian1968]

I had no trouble with security when I carried my reg in a small laptop computer bag. Worked pretty well in fact.

I had more trouble crossing from Canada in to the US with the immigration guy.

"Where are you going?"
"PC, Florida"
"What's going on down there?"
"Going on a dive trip with a friend"
"Diving, you need a license for that don't you?"
(leaving that one alone)"Certification, yes"
"Let me see it"
Necessitating me to go to the back of the van and drag out my C card and log book, both of which he went thru, out of my luggage. And with that "You're all set" and he sent me onward.

You might well consider having these items handy too on your person.

I still wonder what he might have said if by chance I wasn't certified and was going down to take a course.

[miked]

Hi wmag,
Just agreeing with what the others have said- "carry on" regs, computers etc. at the very least. (also photo equip, if you have any).
The rest-checked. Then, if a bag gets lost, at least you are using your own reg.

Enjoy the trip,
Mike

[wmag3]

Thanks for all the tips:D

[bridgenet]

Just flew back through Charlotte on USAir from Belize. No problem with regs/computers in carry-on, they didn't even check the carry-on bags, just x-rayed. But TSA openned and inspected my checked suitcase that was full of dive gear only, wet suits, BCD's, fins... They tagged the bag and left paperwork inside to say they openned the checked bag and confiscated my dive knives. Both were just 3" blade blunt tip that we put on our BCD hose. According to TSA web site knives are allowed so have a feeling it is at the whim of the inspector (who don't all know the rules) so be careful. Now have to file a claim and good luck with proving that they were there.

Also be aware that airlines are limiting domestic luggage to 50#'s now and watching it carefully. 70# international.

Kev

[DandyDon]

bridgenet once bubbled...
They tagged the bag and left paperwork inside to say they openned the checked bag and confiscated my dive knives. Both were just 3" blade blunt tip that we put on our BCD hose. According to TSA web site knives are allowed so have a feeling it is at the whim of the inspector (who don't all know the rules) so be careful. Now have to file a claim and good luck with proving that they were there.

Kev

:fury: There's simply no excuse for that. Knives of any kind have never been prohibited from checked luggage, and they had no right to take those!

If they admitted to taking the knives, you should have support for your claim, and if you have the inspector's ID#, I hope you get him/her fired. That's just basic incompetence and/or theft! :grrr:

You do realize that you paid an extra $10 on your ticket for TSA!! The inspectors where I orignate are in plain sight of customers, and they always tell me I can leave for the gate; I always watch them until they turn the bag back over to the airline!

don :fire:

[smrtblnddiver]

In terms of the weight limits............

I had all of my gear (pertinent to warm water diving), a shorty and 3 mm in my large pelican box last weekend on USAir and it was only 49 lbs.

Taking the dive knives definitely sucks. They didn't touch my shears when they searched my box.

[Tavi]

bridgenet once bubbled...


Also be aware that airlines are limiting domestic luggage to 50#'s now and watching it carefully. 70# international.

Kev

Air Tran allows 70 lbs

We had 1 over (they let it slide) and 2 real close. :)

[TDunbar]

One other point on scuba branded luggage.......

USAirways (perhaps some others) are adding a $50 charge if you have dive gear. On my last trip to Cozumel several in our group got hit with the charge when we checked in in Charlotte, others didn't. Some disputed their credit card bill when it came; some didn't. The agent said it was for the expensive gear inside, but when asked if the charge included some insurance, the agent said no.

Moral of the story: if your bag screams "I'm a diver," be prepared to pay a little extra.

.............I have ditched my Mares "Just Add Water" roller bag.

Todd

[DandyDon]

TDunbar once bubbled...
One other point on scuba branded luggage.......

USAirways (perhaps some others) are adding a $50 charge if you have dive gear. On my last trip to Cozumel several in our group got hit with the charge when we checked in in Charlotte, others didn't. Some disputed their credit card bill when it came; some didn't. The agent said it was for the expensive gear inside, but when asked if the charge included some insurance, the agent said no.

Todd

But she was flying U.S.Air out of Charlotte, too?! What is going on up yonder? I know that airlines want more money, and who knows about these new federalies, but this is absrud, too. There's no reason to charge more for dive gear, but - when I checked their web site, look what I found!!

"Special items such as pets, surfboards, bicycles, scuba equipment, etc. are not included in the customer's free baggage allowance and are subject to an extra charge.

I've never been exposed to U.S.AIR, but now I have good reason to avoid them!

:grrr: don

[SCUBAMedicBill]

I agree with what the others have said. I pack all my gear in a regular unmarked suitcase. The only itms I carry are my computer, watch, and back up light (I just like having a light available). I was questioned once in Puerto Rico about the computer because the TSA agent never saw one before and wasn't sure if they were allowed. What I do do is make a complete list of everything in the bag just in case it doesn't show up at the airport. I did have that happen to me twice (once with my dive gear and once with my clothes), but they showed up at my hotel several hours later. I also put in an 8X11 sheet of paper with my name, address, and hotel.

Dandydon makes a great point about stuff in your pockets. When I travel I wear a hip bag and put everything in that. I'm one of those guys that have all sorts of things with them. The hip bag allows me just to take off that item and put it on the belt instead of spending 30 minutes emptying my pockets.

Bridgenet, the TSA agents should have never taken your knives. As long as it is sheathed and in the checked bags, it's allowed. In fact, as long as you have this weapon legally, a handgun and long gun, as long as they are unloaded, can be carried in your checked luggage.

Cyklon_300 experience with the live aboard is one I never thought about. If your heading to a boat, I guess you really have to be concerned if your luggage is late.

One other thing, a friend of mine who works for FedX says he has some customers who ship there gear. It's insured and waiting there for them.

Have a good time

Bill :) :)

[DandyDon]

I called U.S.Airlines this morning - 800-428-4322, Option 4 for International travel, then requested a Supervisor, to discuss two issues that came up on this thread....


bridgenet once bubbled...
Just flew back through Charlotte on USAir from Belize. No problem with regs/computers in carry-on, they didn't even check the carry-on bags, just x-rayed. But TSA openned and inspected my checked suitcase that was full of dive gear only, wet suits, BCD's, fins... They tagged the bag and left paperwork inside to say they openned the checked bag and confiscated my dive knives. Both were just 3" blade blunt tip that we put on our BCD hose. According to TSA web site knives are allowed so have a feeling it is at the whim of the inspector (who don't all know the rules) so be careful. Now have to file a claim and good luck with proving that they were there.

I asked the U.S. Sup about this, and she totally supported my previous response...


dandydon once bubbled...
:fury: There's simply no excuse for that. Knives of any kind have never been prohibited from checked luggage, and they had no right to take those!

If they admitted to taking the knives, you should have support for your claim, and if you have the inspector's ID#, I hope you get him/her fired. That's just basic incompetence and/or theft! :grrr:

You do realize that you paid an extra $10 on your ticket for TSA!! The inspectors are often in plain sight of customers, and they always tell me I can leave for the gate; I always watch them until they turn the bag back over to the airline!

T.S.A's phone number is 866-289-9673, 8am to 5pm Eastern Weekdays. I hope Bridgenet follows up, insisting on the return of the knives, or replacement value. Give them Divers Direct's web site and point out that Oceanic Titatium knives are $100 plus shipping. Since the TSA idiot stole your knives, it's his responsibility to return them or prove they're worth less than that.

Then I asked her about TDunbard's report about her gate agents charging extra on Scuba Gear...


TDunbar once bubbled...
One other point on scuba branded luggage.......

USAirways (perhaps some others) are adding a $50 charge if you have dive gear. On my last trip to Cozumel several in our group got hit with the charge when we checked in in Charlotte, others didn't. Some disputed their credit card bill when it came; some didn't. The agent said it was for the expensive gear inside, but when asked if the charge included some insurance, the agent said no.

She consulted the Charlotte desk by phone and confirmed that the U.S. agent should not have charged extra for Scuba gear packed inside bags that met their rules and policies for linear deminsions and weight, and that anyone so charged should file complaints. The problem seems to lie in their vague polices as published in their web site: :upset:

"Special items such as pets, surfboards, bicycles, scuba equipment, etc. are not included in the customer's free baggage allowance and are subject to an extra charge." Flights to the Caymans are exempt from this, by the way.

I hope that you U.S.Air Frequent Flyers will object tothe airlines Consumer Affairs that the phrase is not only redundant but open to interpretation of the agent. A surfboard, bicycle or Scuba gear that fits inside an otherwise allowed bag should not be charged extra; of course, the surfboard, bicycle or Scuba gear that does not fit within exisiting paramaters can be charged extra under other parts of their policy, so these do not need to be covered in the vague way. Only pets need to be covered in that statement. :fire:

And I worry that if you U.S.Air flyers put up with this, other airlines hungry for income will see it as a way to boost revenue.

thanks, don

[smrtblnddiver]

My Pelican SCREAMS diving with all of it's stickers (and it was searched in Charlotte) and I had no problems on US Airways whatsoever, in terms of my gear (they sucked in other departments).

[TDunbar]

If I was a pretty as you are, Melanie, they probably wouldn't have charged me either.............. Hope you're getting free upgrades to 1st class too!

Todd

[SCUBAMedicBill]

Dandy DOn,

Thanks for following up with the TSA. This is good first hand info for everyone out there.

Bill :)

[smrtblnddiver]

TDunbar once bubbled...
If I was a pretty as you are, Melanie, they probably wouldn't have charged me either.............. Hope you're getting free upgrades to 1st class too!

Todd

I WISH!!!!!!!!!!!

But, thank you.:)

[scubasean]

dandydon once bubbled...


Knives are okay in checked bags, but NOT IN CARRY-ON. You knew that, but people forget, then lose the knives. I always clean my nails at the airport, then put my pocket knife in the checked bags at the last minute.



I know of someone first hand that I traveled with this past week and arrived at our destination with a small folding knife (it had a corkscrew, nail file, etc also) in his carry on...Purely accidental on his part, and the darn thing was still in the box...never used.

Didn't find it until well after we landed in DC when he was looking for something else...

Oh well....

[TDunbar]

LOL, your friend wasn't the same guy who mailed himself home by airfreight, was he?

Todd

[DandyDon]

scubasean once bubbled...


I know of someone first hand that I traveled with this past week and arrived at our destination with a small folding knife (it had a corkscrew, nail file, etc also) in his carry on...Purely accidental on his part, and the darn thing was still in the box...never used.

Didn't find it until well after we landed in DC when he was looking for something else...

Oh well....

Good way to get arrested, open an FBI file on yourself, etc. Looks like your $10 fees for better screening failed, huh? :loopy:

I was in Las Vegas last July (big mistake) and I saw a rag-head of some sort (not Muslim) get caught at screening with a six inch knife concealed in an animals horn. Probably an important heirloom he was taking to family or friends; poor sap.

don

[rakjar]

After buying all my own gear, I looked for the cheapest bad to put it in. I did not see the necessity to pay alot more for a scuba bag.

I bought a rolling suitcase/duffelbag/backpack at Costco for $49.00.

Not only is there no way to identify the bag as containing scuba gear, there is a great return policy if anything goes wrong with it.

Now, I can bring my gear with me anywhere I go...