26 replies to this topic

[peterbj7]

I read that, but what value is a contract between (say) and American supplier to an American individual to (say) Belize? The Belizean authorities would, quite reasonably I think, say that that gives absolutely no guarantee that the goods will in fact be removed.

[roadiediver]

One of our members is currently on Oahu for a 2 week vacation, and still has not received the dive gear she shipped ahead. Her vacation is almost over, too.

just came across this thread and thought i would put in my 2 cents because i just did this and have mixed feeling on it.

i travel a lot and get to end up in great locations... in November i was ending up a trip in Hawaii, so i extended my time there and made a small diving trip out of it being flights were already paid for. the main concern i had was i didn't want to lug my diving gear around the rest of the world with me before i arrived in Hawaii, but also wanted to use my gear vs having to rent everything there. so i looked into my options on shipping it there being i had plenty of time. fed ex and ups were pretty pricy, say maybe 150 bucks or so, just to get it there, but USPS wasn't too bad being it was still a US destination so i went with them. paid only like 35 bucks for shipping and another 20 maybe to insure it for $2000 and delivery confirmation and anything i could put on it to track it. i was quoted 11 days from st louis to maui which was fine and still plenty of time before i arrived. well after about 2 weeks trying to track it, it wouldn't come up in their system anywhere! the only thing tracking would show was that the package was received in st louis and no customer service person could answer anything for me, so at the 3 week mark we started to file the claim of lost package. then totally randomly 2 days before i was scheduled to dive, i got the call from the Maui dive shop saying they received my gear and all was good! so that 11 day journey turned into about a 24ish business day journey, with lots of curiosity of where in the world is my gear!!!! not the best feeling... sounds pretty similar to the above quote!

so all in all, i would prolly do it again, but ONLY because of my traveling needs... if it was for a specific dive trip and back, i think i will 100% take it with me. this is also talking US-US destinations too... i think i would be much more leery to do this international.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

I'm flying Cathay Pacific next month and I knew about their very limited 15 lb limit for carry-ons.

That's just not enough weight allowance for what I consider 'essential' to keep with me: camera gear, regulator & dive computer, backup dive computer, prescription mask, change of clothes, swimsuit, dive skin, a few toiletries & medications, dive log & c-cards. But since these items are important enough to me to want to keep with me at all times, I'll deal with it in some way other than shipping ahead.

Picture me in the security line, wearing my mask, 2 computers, several layers of clothes, & my reg draped around my neck!

[Diver Ed]

I have made trips where I wore a photo vest. I had cameras, strobes, dome and flat ports, lenses, and what ever else I wanted all stuffed in the pockets. The vest weighed about fifty pounds, and extended about 8-12 inches out from my body, all the way around. Security did hold me up a bit, but, there is nothing saying that you cant have items in your pockets. As weight restrictions continue to get tougher and tougher, I will most likely wear the vest on every flight. Even if it starts empty, and I am forced to remove items from checked or carry on bags, I just put it in a pocket. Ed

I'm flying Cathay Pacific next month and I knew about their very limited 15 lb limit for carry-ons.

That's just not enough weight allowance for what I consider 'essential' to keep with me: camera gear, regulator & dive computer, backup dive computer, prescription mask, change of clothes, swimsuit, dive skin, a few toiletries & medications, dive log & c-cards. But since these items are important enough to me to want to keep with me at all times, I'll deal with it in some way other than shipping ahead.

Picture me in the security line, wearing my mask, 2 computers, several layers of clothes, & my reg draped around my neck!

[Diver Ed]

Hello PPM,

I have a Domke vest. A lot of my photo gear is bought through B&H Photo, and that is where I got my vest about 10 years ago. The best explination that I can give is that it is a vest of pockets. The pockets are oversized to the point where I can put an Ikelite 161 strobe in a pocket, and it will not be sticking out at all. There are pockets inside as well as outside the vest. I have put fifty pounds of gear in my vest, when traveling, or heading out to take pictures. The vest held everything fine. Of course, things are not as protected as they would be in a camera bag, but I wrap stuff in bubble wrap at times to compensate for that. In looking at the link below, I see vests starting around $25.00. I do not know the quality of them, but if they are only used as a means of getting some extra gear through the gate and onto a plane, I would expect a cheaper model should work. Hope that helps some. Ed


http://www.bhphotovi...itialSearch=yes

I have made trips where I wore a photo vest. I had cameras, strobes, dome and flat ports, lenses, and what ever else I wanted all stuffed in the pockets.

I've heard more than one person mention camera vests as an alternative means to carry on gear.

Could you please share where you have purchased/seen photo vests of the type you consider best suited to this purpose? By sharing the information, people can look at ALL their options and decide what's best for their needs/requirements.

PPM

Add-on:

Spurred to do a little research, I found THIS LINK concerning vests and how to determine which purchase is best for you.

-Sparky

[Greg@ihpil]

This is a very interesting discussion.In spite of my dilegence and having a detailed list of my equipment with me ,when I travel.The ship aspect is a ominous perspective.I know this Insurance issue was brought up earlier,in a different thread.IMO,at least if you have your (as John put it)."Life support equipment" on the plane,you know it should be there when you arrive.I just have 1 question. I still haven't persued this.Can you insure your equipment on a trip basis? For those of us that only travel once or twice a yr.

Tammy,you use your Homeowners policy?As a add on, for the equipment?

Hope I didn't upset the thread here with this..

[scubaski]

http://www.scottivest.com/

Here's some travel vests, clothing site. Some SD.com members use this product.

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

Tammy,you use your Homeowners policy?As a add on, for the equipment?

I have a couple of riders on my homeowners policy: one for my jewelry, and one for my dive gear!

[WreckWench]

http://www.scottivest.com/

Here's some travel vests, clothing site. Some SD.com members use this product.

This is the one I use.