Gear weight on checked luggage

[Mark Derail]

We just pay for a second bag . . . generally, on a dive trip, we'll have two each at 35 to 40 lbs.

The 25$ back & forth - is it worth saving 50$ and then having to pay rental? Isn't full gear rental in the 20$ per day per person range? So I just bring my own.

I love the size of the stiletto - bonus - when bought in Canada they stitch a Canada flag. So I can dive without attaching my Tim Hortons coffee mug to show the other divers that I'm a snobbish cold water Canuck.

[giffenk]

As a buddy team we check 3 "lighter" bags (instead of just 2) so that all bags are well below the North American standard limit of 50 lbs. We actually try to be under 40lbs if we can since some of our connecting flights have a 40lb limit (i can not remember exactly where).

We have found the over weight penalty to be excessive - generally more than the cost of an extra bag - and if you have 2 overweight bags, then that is like paying for 2 extra bags.

Sometimes the checkin clerk allows us the extra bag for free. Sometimes it gets charged for each leg of a trip. YMMV.

And we use lightweight generic luggage - some of the scuba bags weigh up to 10 lbs and have steal me written all over them. Our gear goes into OnSight EPO tarmac duffle bag that weighs under 4 lbs (1.7kg). regs & lights and some clothes goes into the third bag.

[HowardE]

I can fit all of my scuba gear + essentials (toiletries) in checked bag. If traveling domestically in the US, it's easy to keep that under 50 Lbs... But usually my checked bag is between 49 and 50 lbs (like on the nose) Remember that in the US they almost never weigh the carry on... so if it fits in the "sizer" you're good to go. A "space bag" to pack all of your clothes, and you can fit a lot in your carry on.

[ajtoady]

Not trying to HIJACK, but has anyone ever FED-EXed their gear? If so what are those costs and were you able to ship to say, Coz or Cancun? Just curious and hate the fact that they screw you for bags.

[HowardE]

Shipping fedex inside the U.S. for 50Lbs is not cheaper than $25 or even $50 to get it there quickly.

I mean... It's $40 to ship fedex across the US, in 4 business days. So if you have that kind of time, and an address to ship to, you could save $10?

Outside the U.S... forget it. $225 for 50 Lbs to Mexico - via express.

[buton]

Shipping fedex inside the U.S. for 50Lbs is not cheaper than $25 or even $50 to get it there quickly.

I mean... It's $40 to ship fedex across the US, in 4 business days. So if you have that kind of time, and an address to ship to, you could save $10?

Outside the U.S... forget it. $225 for 50 Lbs to Mexico - via express.

and also they will have to pass through customs at the airport terminal and probably some "officialls" will open the bag to inspcect it before to ensure your SCUBA gear is there and not anything illeagal.. but i hope they put all your scuba gear back into the bag..

[iztok]

I am Star Alliance Gold and exclusively fly Star Alliance airlines. As such I can have 3 50lbs bags free or two up to 75lbs. Thus I never have issues with it.

When I travel to cold destinations to dive (usually around my work) I take 2 50lbs bags of dive gear and clothes in my check-in and my SS backplate, can light and some other items go into my carry-on.