Carry On Gear Backpack- Recommendations?

[db83]

how thick of a wet suit? I think that would make the biggest difference. Everything else is just about the same size.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by TJDiver

That has got to be the sweetest bag I've ever seen! I definitely see one of those in my future. Hey, I have a related question. I've never traveled with a large camera rig, but am thinking of getting a pretty nice setup...dual strobes, lens, etc. Regardless of which brand I go with, it will end up in a fairly good sized case. If I had one of these Dive Caddy bags with everything in it (including clothes) as a carry-on, how do I also take the camera rig without having to check it? Would I be allowed to carry the large camera case on also?

You won't be able to carry on a proper case for any camera with strobes - any case that would be sized to be a carry on also wouldn't be sized to properly protect the camera...

Some time back, we hosted a tv show at our shop - there were two HD underwater cameras used for the show, and then the divers traveling with them pretty much all had nice rigs as well - all traveled in large pelican cases, and all were checked. Unfortunately, when traveling with something large and expensive like that, you just have to insure it separately. A DSLR camera rig can cost upwards of $5000, or can be as cheap as $2000... either way, you are going to want a nice case for it, and it won't be able to be carried on... For comparison, one of their HD video setups would have cost around $30k to replace, and the housing was one of only 46 in the world (it was 16k by itself)...

[db83]

Wow. All that expensive gear. I cringe at the thought of how the gear was treated getting on and off the plane.

[snagel]

I must be doing something wrong....I can't seem to get all my gear in a bag without using a large suitcase that is pushing the 50# limit - BCD, fins, shorty, camera, video, small lights. I carry my reg and computer with me in a carry-on (always entertaining going through bag check, they x-ray the carry-on and immediately start calling people over to check it)

Snagel

[galfebeg]

This is my usual scuba gear i pack for a 1-2 week dive trip.
In the main compartment:
Hollis F1 fins, large 3mm wetsuit, full skins, booties, slippers, DSS BP/W, 2-3 board shorts.
In Spider Bag:
5 T-shirts, underwear, socks, 2 cargo shorts
I usually wear on anything heavy like jeans, sneakers, sweater to minimse bulk.

Haven't used the turtle pack yet since i pack my regs, computer, compass, mask, lift bags and lights in my reg bag and take that as my man purse LMAO. But if you do use the turtle pack and it is a little tight in the over head compartment, it simply detaches and you sliip it under the seat.

But it all compresses into a tight little bundle that is by far smaller then the military duffle bags they carry on, and is smaller then camping/ skiing rigs that people bring on. When not in use the main bag and the spider bag rolls up and stores in the turtle pack. This has literally been the best bag investment i have to date. On non diving trips, i pack all my clothes and shoes and compress it all as if it was scuba gear, and i can carry easily enough clothes for 2 weeks much less the normal weekend or 1 week trip.

I just got mine a couple of weeks ago after debating the price, but when you think of what you spend on a regular carry on that wont pack cloths and fins (unless you have jets or turtles) and when not in use it packs all into a space no bigger then a reg bag.. Nothing else to say.. LOL, if you have any other questions i wil be glad to answer them.

[Desert_Diver]

I can't get ALL of my dive gear into a Dive Caddy and hand carry-on bag, but I can get the most important part on board.

Regulators
Prescription mask
defog solution
Logbook/certs
Camera/flash/underwater housing/recharger
3 mil wet suit
regular size fins
dive booties
one swim suit
passport/tickets/itenerary
bcd (Mares Vector 1000 jacket type)
broad brimmed hat (Vietnam boonie hat)
prescription meds
books (to read on the flight)

Dive knife, underwater lights, tank lights, clothes, underwear, sandles, toiletries all go in the checked bag. If it doesn't make it to the destination, I can still dive with only minor inconvenience.

Art

[scubagirlj]

agree with snagel, have tried to get everything into allowed carry on and its just not going to happen!-carry reg, computer, O2 analyzer, mask, w/s, log book, net book,toiletries & meds and one days change of clothes in carry on-camera and strobe have own case rest goes in checkthru at least i have the essentials if checkthru gets delayed

[CWSWine]

There suppose to be new carry on sizing coming that restricts the size of bags to a max of 24 X16 X 8 inches. This is so the bag can be placed the over storage end facing outward. Any bag size that must be placed in the overhead bin longwise tanking up more than 16 inches will be considered to large for carry on. What this does it allows the maximum amount of passengers to bring carry an bag onboard. This was from a Delta rep.

My trip last month my dive bag that fits in 45 linear inches (23 X 14 X 8) was check twice on Delta at the gate for no room on the plane. On the way home they check my bag size in Atlanta but not leaving Fla.

[db83]

On my trip to cozumel, I had my camera's underwater housing in my carryon. My bag was swabbed for narcotics and the guy spent a good 3 minutes examining my housing.

[galfebeg]

Yeah last time i went to Vegas, they tried to pull that check you bag at the gate crap since the flight was full, when i got inside there where alot of overhead bin space scattered all over the place.. I sooo ripped into that stewardess about the forcing me to check my carryon & she apologised with an inflight alcoholic drink. On my way back, they tried to do the same thing, and i told them if i cannot find a space for my carry on, then i will walk it back to the front for it to be checked, but the hell if im gonna be inconvenienced like that again for no earthly reason.

But since the dive caddy straps on like a BP it isnt even noticed going onto a plane.. Love it@!