Yet another question about traveling with gear...

[Spy38W 0]

I just got back from getting my tickets to go to SGC for Memorial Day weekend and noticed the carry-on size measuring thing while I was there, and it looks small. I have a large sized gear bag and was wondering if people usually just carry on the rig/logbook/anything else small that doesn't add bulk and checks the rest, or if it is something they usually don't pay attention to.
--
Give them a sip of the darkside, and they just thirst for more.

[diverdriver 7]

You have to make it small. I actuall switch when I bring my rig as carry on. I use my gearbag as my clothes bag and check it. Then I use my "wheely" as they are called for my rig and small items. MAKE SURE you do not put your hook knife in your carry on items. It will get confiscated. This method has worked great for me several times.

[AndyMan 7]

What I plan on doing is checking my gear bag. Not my gear, but my gear bag.
Here's my plan: Gear bag will contain Tent, CumfyChair, sleeping bag, general camping supplies, and helmet. My gearbag is largish - not as big as a hockey bag, but still large.
Duffel bag will contain clothes, jumpsuits, altimeter, other assorted small gear.
Rig goes on my back. I might break down and put it in a backpack.
Gearbag, complete with camping gear gets checked.
If wearing the rig, duffel bag is carry-on, rig is "personal item" - which most airlines allow.
If rig goes in backpack, then duffel bag gets checked.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[skydiventom 0]

I have a couple of hard shell suit cases. Everything goes in them and I carry on just myself..... it makes it sooo much easier... I went to Quincy with only two checked suit cases... everything including the tent!! :)
I bought comphorters and pillows there and put them in a goodwill box when I left.. =-D
Honest, it wasn't me.....

[cansado12 0]

I just flew from Philly to Pittsburgh this past weekend. I had all my gear in a small suitcase that I checked. I carried on my gear bag containing my rig. The security people didn't give it a second look. I really don't think you'll have a problem flying with your rig as a carry-on. As for packing the rest of your stuff, the other guys had some good ideas.

[PhreeZone 20]

I just emptied my gear bar into a suit case... and tossed the rig in the bag and away we went, on the way back I left most the stuff in the bag and they did'nt bat an eye at the size of it. Squishing it in the over head on the puddle jumper was interesting....
If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will....

[jtval 0]

well I have yet to travel in the US with my rig but when I went to Australia and back(to Korea) I checked my rig in the gear bag. worried..? you fukn bet I was! but everything go there and back, No prob. btw, customs over here is a joke!
getting high is fun, but coming down is the best part
JT

[crazymel 0]

I phoned the airlines I'm travelling with like a million times to ask about their gear policy (just to make sure they were all right) and they don't allow it as carry-on AT ALL!! They will allow 10 kg extra in check-in baggage, but that's it! And as I'm travelling from the Middle East, customs are a headache (and you try to explain to them what a rig is - they hardly speak English!!!) I guess I could take the chance and "smuggle" it through customs and play dumb (wouldn't be too difficult), but what if they confiscate my rig??? But at the same time I am sooooooooo worried to check it in!!!! Dammit!!!!
Life is for the LIVING!!!!!

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"but what if they confiscate my rig??? "
I've hauled my rig all over the world, and never--touch wood (don't be puerile folks)-- had any problems. Recently flew down to Florida from Texas with rig bag as carry on, no hassles. Hoook knives went in hold with my clothes. The worst thing that can happen is they ask you to check it in, or it goes secure in the cabin. Just explain that its a bag full of very expensive equipment when you check in--don't specifically say its a rig unless asked...
That said KLM lost a rig of mine going from Aberdeen to Amsterdam last year just after 9/11, they returned it via a taxi from Frankfurt to my Hotel on the Dutch/ German border a day later, but then again, KLM lost my bags on 4 trips last summer, I ended up with their lost baggage hotline programmed into my cell phone....
Cya
D

[AndyMan 7]

I've taken my rig through US customs many times... frequently on my back in airports. So far, they're the only ones who've actually come up with good jokes - like "What, you know the pilot?" I've never had a problem with rigs and customs. But my travel has been limited to North America recently.
The worst case scenario with flying is that they ask you to check it. If they do, ask if there's additional insurance you can buy. You might also want to tie your reserve handle in place with a BIG, HUGE, RED, ribbon.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[Spy38W 0]

Cool, thanks for all the tips. I have always read posts with tips to get the carry on rig on the plane, but never thought about the size of it until I saw that Travel-wise thing... I'm starting to get scared.. --
Give them a sip of the darkside, and they just thirst for more.

[effinjump 0]

Hey spy, also check out the printed responses in this months SKYDIVING magazine.

[Spy38W 0]

Quote

Hey spy, also check out the printed responses in this months SKYDIVING magazine.

Thanks, just finished reading that about 5 minutes before reading your post. --
Give them a sip of the darkside, and they just thirst for more.