Packing very light

[namabiru]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

I was a little puzzled by why a weight integrated BC would add 20 pounds, then realized you're talking about bringing weights along with your BC. When you travel you don't bring weights, just the BC. You rent weight and tanks at your destination.

My Zena is about 4 pounds dry and it's weight integrated.

Yeah, that's right. Or else if you're going on a day trip, on a boat, usually your fee includes tanks and weights. Belts if you require one as well.

Do they weigh carry-ons for the prop job you're taking, quarkuud?

Two cameras-- could you get away with one?

dallasdivergirl brings up a good point. Shoes are heavy. When I went to the Bahamas, I had one pair of shoes--the ones on my feet. If you're taking trainers, wear them to travel, and pack your flip flops.

Yeah, planning on laundry is a good call. This is how I roamed SE Asia. Take a week's worth of clothing in the bag and then just have your clothes washed. Laundry service is so cheap anyway.

[chinacat46]

I normally only bring a couple of t-shirts but by the end of the trip I have a couple more. So depending when your flight is the start or end of the trip you could either buy some new clothes along the way or bring old stuff and toss near the end.

[bversteegh]

I dive with a DSLR camera - so I have LOTS of photography gear - I usually have 2 duffel bags to check (one for scuba gear, one for camera gear).

I agree with Larry - it is worth it to me to just pay the overage fee (rarely more than 25 unless you are really heavy). If you are in a country that promotes diving as a tourist industry, ask for an exception to weight limits - you will usually get it. Even in REMOTE Indonesia - I never had problems with 2 checked bags; it just cost like 18 dollars on one of the propeller planes for an extra bag. To be honest, I was more worried if the plane could take off with all the gear, as everyone on the plane was a diver.

Also, a 5 or 10 dollar TIP to the baggage porter can also work wonders in many remote airport situations.

Finally, if I am at all worried that I will have weight issues, I make sure and pack so that all my essentials are in my carryon - even if it is way overweight (you can always rent gear - but I want my mask and computer, and no way will I put my laptop or camera in checked baggage). Worst case is they gate check your carryon - but you know that gate checked baggage is on the plane. And there really isn't an opportunity for baggage handlers to steal stuff from gate checked baggage - as you pick it up as soon as the plane lands.

[quarkuud]

Do they weigh carry-ons for the prop job you're taking, quarkuud?

They never have in the past. Maybe if it looked like it was really heavy, they might. The cheap airlines in Europe tend to do it that way.

Two cameras-- could you get away with one?

I could...But I'm doing a week of non-diving before my week of diving. My underwater camera is nothing special, so I wanted my good camera also. But if I have to, I could leave it.

dallasdivergirl brings up a good point. Shoes are heavy. When I went to the Bahamas, I had one pair of shoes--the ones on my feet. If you're taking trainers, wear them to travel, and pack your flip flops.

Yeah, I'll need closed-toed shoes (hiking in the rainforest in flip-flops is usually not recommended), but I'll wear them, along with long trousers and a jumper. Otherwise, I'm aiming for shorts and skirts, tanks, and swimsuits. Probably need one more pair of trousers, but I have some light stuff left over from a non-diving trip to SEA. Zip off super-light trousers and Tevas were my friend.

Thanks everyone, I'll be packing in a few days and I'll let you know how it ends up. I think I'm going to make it!