Catalina Express Checking Weight of Luggage

[blue steal]

I wonder what they are thinking? Don't divers make up a large part of their customer base?

Dave when I was over there Friday, we watched quite a large crowd board. Did not see one single diver. Or at least a tank/gears.
guess I'll weigh my "stuff" before the DWADD.

 

[Mr.X]

IMO they have never been especially diver friendly, which is one reason I go over there less on the express.

Yes, one would think they would be a bit more open to divers but what do I know.

I agree. In the many years I've taken the Express - they seem to give a whiff about their passengers & seem to view clientele as more of a annoyance than the primary source of income which they are! Watching the mates/luggage handlers at the beginning of the season is fun - rookies who can't tie lines. While I'm on a rant - they all wears shades to show the world how cool they are.

My last trips on/off the island have been by private boat, or by Catalina Classic Cruise big cattle boat out of Long Beach. Slow, but no pretense.

X

 

[leabre]

I wonder what they are thinking? Don't divers make up a large part of their customer base?

IMO they have never been especially diver friendly, which is one reason I go over there less on the express.

It could have just been because it was Mother's day, but the trip to the island was a near-empty boat with just two groups of divers (like 5 divers total). The trip back to mainland was a fully boat (hundreds of passengers) with just the same divers returning, tho I know there were other divers on the island returning on the following boat.

I don't think divers are the primary clientele, but I do believe they are an important one. But hey, if they make it a two item policy, each item 25 lbs or less, divers will still find a way to compensate in some way (if they go at al). At least they aren't charging for overages.

 

[mselenaous]

Wow, thanks for posting this info. When I lived in SoCal and took the Long Beach-Avalon all the time, I never weighed my Stanley rolling box, w/ weights (22lbs) inside with HP80 tank strapped on top...I know it weighed well 100+ lbs. My rolling suitcase no weights no tanks no drysuit weighed 53 lbs last year for DWADD. I'll have to be careful how/what we pack/take for this years DWADD.

 

[daz88]

thanks for the post. I'm leaving thursday. I'm right around 50 lbs., but good to know. But leaving the tanks at home. Just don't feel like dealing with them & my gearbag & packback & camera bag.

 

[Samon8ive]

I went on Sat early (6:15am) and fortunately all we had to do was take the weights out of our bags and we all "passed".

 

[ligersandtions]

Do you know if they're checking the weight of rolling Stanley boxes?

The Catalina Express out of San Pedro is generally more reasonable than the one out of LB, so maybe they're not enforcing the 50 pound rule??

 

[fisheater]

Sure would be nice if someone could get and post an official, written pronouncement of this new rule from the Catalina Express execs so we can all plan accordingly.


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[Mr.X]

Sure would be nice if someone could get and post an official, written pronouncement of this new rule from the Catalina Express execs so we can all plan accordingly.

I believe that info is here: Travel Policies // Catalina Express

I can't imagine taking/rolling a tank that distance from the Catalina terminal all the way to the Casino for a day visit to the island. Far easier to rent. Or simply easier to live on the island as a beach bum dive instructor. Always fun to hang out at the Marlin club after hours. Get a haircut at Lolo's, or a ice cream at Olaf's. Life at Catalina is pretty darn good...if you don't have to take the Express too often.

X

 

[leabre]

Do you know if they're checking the weight of rolling Stanley boxes?

I had a rolling UK hard case (similar to a pelican box) and my buddy had a rolling Stanley box, IIRC. The first time I've ever used it in the 2 years I've had it, over the Akona traditional. It must have added like 4 lbs to the total

Sure would be nice if someone could get and post an official, written pronouncement of this new rule from the Catalina Express execs so we can all plan accordingly.

On their website, under the Reservations menu, the "Travel Policies" section:
Travel Policies // Catalina Express

You'll read:

Baggage Policy:

.. Each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of luggage, no larger than 21×24x36 and weighing no more than 50 pounds each...


It makes no mention of actually enforcing it, though.