How do you pack your gear for an internatIonal dive trip?
- Thread starter jerbee
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As others have said, there are two main camps here: those who check everything but the fragile and sensitive stuff, and those who pack everything in their carry-on. I have always been in the latter camp, but is certainly nice to not have to lug a heavy pack through various airports.
The rate of baggage losses and delays has dropped dramatically in recent years. The main thing to be on the lookout for when booking travel is the connection time. If it is tight, there is a much higher chance of your bag being delayed. For many destinations, that means you won't have your gear for your first day of diving since there may not be a later flight coming in on the day you arrive. So if you have a tight connection to make, be sure to pack as much as you can in your carry-on.
The rate of baggage losses and delays has dropped dramatically in recent years. The main thing to be on the lookout for when booking travel is the connection time. If it is tight, there is a much higher chance of your bag being delayed. For many destinations, that means you won't have your gear for your first day of diving since there may not be a later flight coming in on the day you arrive. So if you have a tight connection to make, be sure to pack as much as you can in your carry-on.
Damselfish
Contributor
Thats my take, people have heard horror stories about lost luggage for so many years. But technology seems to have improved things a lot. (And of course people only tell horror stories, rarely do they post to say their luggage arrived just fine.)
Practicing good luggage hygiene helps your already good odds. Anything like easy to find itineraries, no dangling straps to get caught, tracking options are good. Distinctive luggage like anything other than black, or tying colorful ribbons various places helps prevent people from accidentally picking up the wrong bag, and is a good identifying feature to tell the baggage people if something does happen. Besides ribbons we have those brightly colored velcro and neoprene handle wraps all over the place, which are also usually more comfortable to use. And as mentioned, avoiding very short layovers when possible.
Practicing good luggage hygiene helps your already good odds. Anything like easy to find itineraries, no dangling straps to get caught, tracking options are good. Distinctive luggage like anything other than black, or tying colorful ribbons various places helps prevent people from accidentally picking up the wrong bag, and is a good identifying feature to tell the baggage people if something does happen. Besides ribbons we have those brightly colored velcro and neoprene handle wraps all over the place, which are also usually more comfortable to use. And as mentioned, avoiding very short layovers when possible.
drl
Contributor
I only carry on my computer and prescription mask. Plus at least a bathing suit and coverup. I used to carry my regs on too, on the way out, but I stopped. Most places I go I can rent gear for a day if necessary.
For a LOB we always arrive a day or 2 before departure in case of flight delays or delayed luggage.
For a LOB we always arrive a day or 2 before departure in case of flight delays or delayed luggage.
jonhall
Contributor
Great info - better than what I recall from previous threads on the topic. You can definitely figure out some method of packing depending on the type of diver you are.
Maybe a little envious of those who travel specifically to dive and have a lot of gear to tote, but also a little glad that I, a self described vacation diver, can get all of my gear in a checked bag and a carry-on.
Maybe a little envious of those who travel specifically to dive and have a lot of gear to tote, but also a little glad that I, a self described vacation diver, can get all of my gear in a checked bag and a carry-on.
I picked up a few of these sheets at the dollar store and cut them into large random shapes to stick on my black Samsonite hardside. I originally did it, so that I could see them coming off the belt at the airport but it's worked a treat in a few ways. For sure, no one will be taking my bag lol.
You should put your arrive a day or 2 early in the tips and tricks thread.
I've not missed a boat yet but saw how easily it could have happened to me after my first trip to Sorong and ever after, no matter where, I get there at least a day early. If nothing else, it helps with keeping jetlag to be somewhat less of an issue once aboard.
outofofficebrb
HARRO HUNNAYYY
Now you have me curious. What happened that caused the close call?!
I used to carry the mask and computers in my hand carry but now only the computers.
My hand carry is small enough to fit under the seat so never have to board the plane early to store the bag. It is so funny to watch others fighting for storage space.
BTW, I only use cheap soft bag for my check in stuff. So no one know that I am a scuba diver or the bag contains scuba gear.
Keeping low profile is my preference anywhere.
My hand carry is small enough to fit under the seat so never have to board the plane early to store the bag. It is so funny to watch others fighting for storage space.
BTW, I only use cheap soft bag for my check in stuff. So no one know that I am a scuba diver or the bag contains scuba gear.
Keeping low profile is my preference anywhere.
Weather affecting flight departures. This was about a week after Air Asia went down.
That said , weather wasn't a factor when I was leaving Sorong on my way to Bali to meet a friend this past January and Garuda rerouted me. Fortunately I wasn't trying to meet a boat and I had planned to arrive the day before my friend anyway. In that regard, the reroute didn't affect a meet up but did really make me tired and somewhat annoyed. Heh
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