Head Unit as hand luggage?

Paul Brookes · 2nd June 2006, 09:39

Hi

I dive an inspiration classic.
On previous trips abroad, I have packed the scrubber as a complete unit inside the shell including the handsets etc to keep them protected. However, once inside my luggage case, without so much as a pair of fins added I am touching 30Kgs.
On my last trip to Sharm, I got hit for £115 excess baggage, so I am looking at ways to reduce the weight of my hold luggage. I and am think along the lines of the head unit as it is something that makes sense to keep with me and not risk getting lost in transit.
Do any of you carry the electronics in your hand luggage? if so, how do you protect the sensors, cables etc...? Did it freak out the security staff when it went through the x-ray?

I hope that makes sense. It's written in haste as I'm flying tomorrow morning and need to pack. Any advise is welcome.

Cheers, Paul

***Beanie*** · 2nd June 2006, 09:41

Nope taken mine as hand luggage to Belfast and Sharm not a problem.

they did look at a mate's head on the way out of Belfast but were OK with it.
the head wasn't a problem at gatwick they were more concerned with my torches.

nmanfield · 2nd June 2006, 12:26

Quote: (Originally Posted by Beanie)

Nope taken mine as hand luggage to Belfast and Sharm not a problem.

they did look at a mate's head on the way out of Belfast but were OK with it.
the head wasn't a problem at gatwick they were more concerned with my torches.

I've had no problems carrying the head, VR£,torch, scrubber unit AND a kent tooling collapseable Jan-Box in my hand luggage (trick is to put your carry on one should nonchalently as if it only weighs a couple of kilos

). Your almost guarunteed a pull at Heathrow or Gatwick but this is probably because the security staff get bored and want some 'excitement' in their lives. Just don't pack it too well - if you try and get more in you can have a problem getting it all in again. You could always adopt Si Powell's method (Padowan) and take anything off and put it in the pockets of an overcoat

ATB

Nick

RonMicjan · 2nd June 2006, 15:01

Well mate, I actually take the whole unit with me in carry on baggage. I use a travelPro roller bag, like pilots and flight crew use, so it fits in the overhead just fine. Just like was mentioned the trick is to not grunt when you pick it up. Security has never been a problem, keep your cool, arrive early so you are not stressed, smile a lot and calmly explain what it is and what it does. I have even done this with a full scrubber!! The only part of the rig that goes in the hold is the cylinders with valves off. I have travelled with this setup for at least 15 trips, which makes around 80 plane rides and around 60 securtiy checkpoints. good luck, dont forget to smile!

Paul Brookes · 2nd June 2006, 15:12

Thanks for the swift replies guys. Head unit is going in the hand luggage.
I don't think I'll try blagging the whole unit just yet, but I'll experiment with packing options once I get back.

Cheers, Paul

Dave Faye · 2nd June 2006, 20:34

I have taken classic inspo electronics and vision electronics as a carry-on to places like Grand Cayman and Florida without a single problem with airport security.

2nd June 2006, 09:39	#1 (permalink)
Paul Brookes New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bournemouth, UK Posts: 35	Head Unit as hand luggage? Hi I dive an inspiration classic. On previous trips abroad, I have packed the scrubber as a complete unit inside the shell including the handsets etc to keep them protected. However, once inside my luggage case, without so much as a pair of fins added I am touching 30Kgs. On my last trip to Sharm, I got hit for £115 excess baggage, so I am looking at ways to reduce the weight of my hold luggage. I and am think along the lines of the head unit as it is something that makes sense to keep with me and not risk getting lost in transit. Do any of you carry the electronics in your hand luggage? if so, how do you protect the sensors, cables etc...? Did it freak out the security staff when it went through the x-ray? I hope that makes sense. It's written in haste as I'm flying tomorrow morning and need to pack. Any advise is welcome. Cheers, Paul
(Offline)

2nd June 2006, 09:41	#2 (permalink)
*Beanie* Cheif tea maker Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,142	Re: Head Unit as hand luggage? Nope taken mine as hand luggage to Belfast and Sharm not a problem. they did look at a mate's head on the way out of Belfast but were OK with it. the head wasn't a problem at gatwick they were more concerned with my torches. __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk www.divelife.co.uk
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2nd June 2006, 12:26	#3 (permalink)
nmanfield Megalegalegalegadingdong! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Odessa, Ukraine Posts: 329	Re: Head Unit as hand luggage? Quote: (Originally Posted by Beanie) Nope taken mine as hand luggage to Belfast and Sharm not a problem. they did look at a mate's head on the way out of Belfast but were OK with it. the head wasn't a problem at gatwick they were more concerned with my torches. I've had no problems carrying the head, VR£,torch, scrubber unit AND a kent tooling collapseable Jan-Box in my hand luggage (trick is to put your carry on one should nonchalently as if it only weighs a couple of kilos ). Your almost guarunteed a pull at Heathrow or Gatwick but this is probably because the security staff get bored and want some 'excitement' in their lives. Just don't pack it too well - if you try and get more in you can have a problem getting it all in again. You could always adopt Si Powell's method (Padowan) and take anything off and put it in the pockets of an overcoat ATB Nick __________________ Tub 'O Lard
(Offline)

2nd June 2006, 15:01	#4 (permalink)
RonMicjan Cap Ron scourge of the NW Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cape Disapointment, The Graveyard of the Pacific Posts: 1,081	Re: Head Unit as hand luggage? Well mate, I actually take the whole unit with me in carry on baggage. I use a travelPro roller bag, like pilots and flight crew use, so it fits in the overhead just fine. Just like was mentioned the trick is to not grunt when you pick it up. Security has never been a problem, keep your cool, arrive early so you are not stressed, smile a lot and calmly explain what it is and what it does. I have even done this with a full scrubber!! The only part of the rig that goes in the hold is the cylinders with valves off. I have travelled with this setup for at least 15 trips, which makes around 80 plane rides and around 60 securtiy checkpoints. good luck, dont forget to smile! __________________ Ron "Life is pain princess, anyone who tells you different, is selling something", The Dread Pirate Wesley. www.tmishop.com Diving bits etc.
(Offline)

2nd June 2006, 15:12	#5 (permalink)
Paul Brookes New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bournemouth, UK Posts: 35	Re: Head Unit as hand luggage? Thanks for the swift replies guys. Head unit is going in the hand luggage. I don't think I'll try blagging the whole unit just yet, but I'll experiment with packing options once I get back. Cheers, Paul
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2nd June 2006, 20:34	#6 (permalink)
Dave Faye This is my custom title Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 151	Re: Head Unit as hand luggage? I have taken classic inspo electronics and vision electronics as a carry-on to places like Grand Cayman and Florida without a single problem with airport security.
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