Abbo

I cannot imagine passing a machine to which I trust my life to an airline baggage handler.

Find yourself a bag that will contain your rebreather, your laptop and one paperback. First stop on entering the airport is finding a locker: put your 'breather in there. Check in your main baggage. Retrieve your rebreather. Board the plane. Try not to grunt too much when lifting your 'breather into the overhead bin. Practice the "butter wouldn't melt in my mouth look" and hold in reserve the "righteous indignation" look.

With the speed of modern jet travel you get breakfast in London, supper in the Seychelles, baggage in Mombassa. People who check in their 'breathers risk missing the first few days of diving while their baggage handlers work out where they sent your valuables. Last week was a case in point. But it didn't happen to me.