Travelling with an Inspiration

sensor330 · 12th January 2006, 23:58

Hi All,

I'm sure this topic has been beat to death but I'm trying to justify buying a travel frame for my YBOD. I personally can't see any way around paying for excess baggage at the check-in counter even if you can pack up a majority of your Rebreather in carry-on.

Now for instance I'm planning on traveling from the west coast of Canada to Florida at least twice year to do some cave diving and let say I can pack my Rebreather in my carry on bag. I still have reels, drysuit, fins, lights, drysuit underwear, camera, backplate, cutting tools, 2 X regs, and a good spare parts kit. Also I still need to pack something to wear. I haven't packed it all up yet but I'm pretty sure if its not over the limit it pushing it. Even if I'm under I still need to rent bailout cylinders and cylinders for the RB. Finding bailout tanks shouldn't be a problem but finding appropriate RB tanks might and also not to mention how much per day it will cost to rent the cylinders.

So after you spend your time/money finding the appropriate cylinder would it not be cheaper and easier to pay the $70 excess baggage charge?

How are the rest of you YBOD diver managing to travel without the extra costs?

Thanks,
Scott

Mark Chase · 13th January 2006, 00:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by sensor330)

Hi All,

I'm sure this topic has been beat to death but I'm trying to justify buying a travel frame for my YBOD. I personally can't see any way around paying for excess baggage at the check-in counter even if you can pack up a majority of your Rebreather in carry-on.

Now for instance I'm planning on traveling from the west coast of Canada to Florida at least twice year to do some cave diving and let say I can pack my Rebreather in my carry on bag. I still have reels, drysuit, fins, lights, drysuit underwear, camera, backplate, cutting tools, 2 X regs, and a good spare parts kit. Also I still need to pack something to wear. I haven't packed it all up yet but I'm pretty sure if its not over the limit it pushing it. Even if I'm under I still need to rent bailout cylinders and cylinders for the RB. Finding bailout tanks shouldn't be a problem but finding appropriate RB tanks might and also not to mention how much per day it will cost to rent the cylinders.

So after you spend your time/money finding the appropriate cylinder would it not be cheaper and easier to pay the $70 excess baggage charge?

How are the rest of you YBOD diver managing to travel without the extra costs?

Thanks,
Scott

I am not. I usually pay for a block of excess baggage something like 15Kg or even 30Kg. Usually to allow be to take sofnalime out because its massively expensive where were going.

The travel frame overcomes the cylinder rental problem. Any 3ltr 5ltr will do valves are not important. Its also a lot easier to pack the unit.

When we dived the Zenobia in Cyprus they gave us a generous 40Kg allowance for the flight with dive kit but they flatly refused to alow excess baggage. I packed the CCR in a light weight cloth bag to make the weight and carried a load of heavy stuff in my pockets to make the 40Kg allowance.
In the end it was OK but I was very unhappy sending my unit out in a cloth bag.

For me the travel frame made sense in terms of size and weight saving and ultimately in flexibility of cylinder availability. On the Zenobia trip there were four CCRs YBOD's and a KISS. One of the YBOD divers had to dive the unit with the back cover half off as he could only get standard valves on his 3ltr hire tanks

ATB

Mark Chase

sensor330 · 13th January 2006, 00:28

40 Kg wow! The limit on most airlines here is about 22Kg. If I had 40Kg I don't think it would be an issue. The stock YBOD weights in at around 70lbs filled and ready to dive, what does if weight when the travel frame is installed?

***jradomski*** · 13th January 2006, 01:25

Quote: (Originally Posted by sensor330)

40 Kg wow! The limit on most airlines here is about 22Kg. If I had 40Kg I don't think it would be an issue. The stock YBOD weights in at around 70lbs filled and ready to dive, what does if weight when the travel frame is installed?

To this day, I have only paid an overweight fee once (tarvelling toindonesia through amsterdam).. with the 50lbs per bag I had to endure for a few flights this year it was a bit harder but totally doable.. Also remember my rig with its titanium chasis is heaver than a stock unit as well..

I dont travel with bailout tanks those I hire, but I do travel with the normal inspiration cylinders (BTW your european cylinders are alot lighter) and lots of spares..

Everything goes in soft cases to keep the weight down..

sensor330 · 13th January 2006, 01:43

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

To this day, I have only paid an overweight fee once (tarvelling toindonesia through amsterdam).. with the 50lbs per bag I had to endure for a few flights this year it was a bit harder but totally doable.. Also remember my rig with its titanium chasis is heaver than a stock unit as well..

I dont travel with bailout tanks those I hire, but I do travel with the normal inspiration cylinders (BTW your european cylinders are alot lighter) and lots of spares..

Everything goes in soft cases to keep the weight down..

Do you carry your Rebreather as carry on?

***jradomski*** · 13th January 2006, 01:54

Quote: (Originally Posted by sensor330)

Do you carry your Rebreather as carry on?

nope, i break up the components and spread them out.. my DC and other expensive electronics go in my carry on..

Here is a trick that I know a few people have used (I did it once myself- when I decided to take some sorb with me).. It will work at any place that has you bring your bag over to security after it is tagged..

keep some heav stuff in another bag.. let them weigh the bags and tag them, on your way over to the security point put the heavy stuff in the bag you are going to check..

sensor330 · 13th January 2006, 02:27

Joe in another thread you said you wouldn't use the travel frame for every day use. Why? The reason I ask is because I dive in similar conditions that you do and I just want something thats going to work for all types of diving. The only thing I dislike about my YBOD is the size of box the but it works.

Scott

***jradomski*** · 13th January 2006, 02:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by sensor330)

Joe in another thread you said you wouldn't use the travel frame for every day use. Why? The reason I ask is because I dive in similar conditions that you do and I just want something thats going to work for all types of diving. The only thing I dislike about my YBOD is the size of box the but it works.

Scott

with my current frame, I dont need to use a weight belt.. In MY ds, I'm weighted almost perfectly.. All I do is add 4lbs behind my head for the trim.. The travel frame is about 10 lbs lighter than my lightest configuration, that means I will have to now put on a weight belt, and add more top weight to correct my trim..

12th January 2006, 23:58	#1 (permalink)
sensor330 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 593	Travelling with an Inspiration Hi All, I'm sure this topic has been beat to death but I'm trying to justify buying a travel frame for my YBOD. I personally can't see any way around paying for excess baggage at the check-in counter even if you can pack up a majority of your Rebreather in carry-on. Now for instance I'm planning on traveling from the west coast of Canada to Florida at least twice year to do some cave diving and let say I can pack my Rebreather in my carry on bag. I still have reels, drysuit, fins, lights, drysuit underwear, camera, backplate, cutting tools, 2 X regs, and a good spare parts kit. Also I still need to pack something to wear. I haven't packed it all up yet but I'm pretty sure if its not over the limit it pushing it. Even if I'm under I still need to rent bailout cylinders and cylinders for the RB. Finding bailout tanks shouldn't be a problem but finding appropriate RB tanks might and also not to mention how much per day it will cost to rent the cylinders. So after you spend your time/money finding the appropriate cylinder would it not be cheaper and easier to pay the $70 excess baggage charge? How are the rest of you YBOD diver managing to travel without the extra costs? Thanks, Scott
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13th January 2006, 00:18	#2 (permalink)
Mark Chase RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,821	Re: Travelling with an Inspiration Quote: (Originally Posted by sensor330) Hi All, I'm sure this topic has been beat to death but I'm trying to justify buying a travel frame for my YBOD. I personally can't see any way around paying for excess baggage at the check-in counter even if you can pack up a majority of your Rebreather in carry-on. Now for instance I'm planning on traveling from the west coast of Canada to Florida at least twice year to do some cave diving and let say I can pack my Rebreather in my carry on bag. I still have reels, drysuit, fins, lights, drysuit underwear, camera, backplate, cutting tools, 2 X regs, and a good spare parts kit. Also I still need to pack something to wear. I haven't packed it all up yet but I'm pretty sure if its not over the limit it pushing it. Even if I'm under I still need to rent bailout cylinders and cylinders for the RB. Finding bailout tanks shouldn't be a problem but finding appropriate RB tanks might and also not to mention how much per day it will cost to rent the cylinders. So after you spend your time/money finding the appropriate cylinder would it not be cheaper and easier to pay the $70 excess baggage charge? How are the rest of you YBOD diver managing to travel without the extra costs? Thanks, Scott I am not. I usually pay for a block of excess baggage something like 15Kg or even 30Kg. Usually to allow be to take sofnalime out because its massively expensive where were going. The travel frame overcomes the cylinder rental problem. Any 3ltr 5ltr will do valves are not important. Its also a lot easier to pack the unit. When we dived the Zenobia in Cyprus they gave us a generous 40Kg allowance for the flight with dive kit but they flatly refused to alow excess baggage. I packed the CCR in a light weight cloth bag to make the weight and carried a load of heavy stuff in my pockets to make the 40Kg allowance. In the end it was OK but I was very unhappy sending my unit out in a cloth bag. For me the travel frame made sense in terms of size and weight saving and ultimately in flexibility of cylinder availability. On the Zenobia trip there were four CCRs YBOD's and a KISS. One of the YBOD divers had to dive the unit with the back cover half off as he could only get standard valves on his 3ltr hire tanks ATB Mark Chase __________________ See my "Doing It Chasey" video where I'm locked into a padded room, naked, with two ball bearings and within an Hour, I manage to lose one and break the other!!! Kevin Juergensen 16/11/08 [/quote]
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13th January 2006, 00:28	#3 (permalink)
sensor330 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 593	Re: Travelling with an Inspiration 40 Kg wow! The limit on most airlines here is about 22Kg. If I had 40Kg I don't think it would be an issue. The stock YBOD weights in at around 70lbs filled and ready to dive, what does if weight when the travel frame is installed?
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13th January 2006, 01:25	#4 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,095	Re: Travelling with an Inspiration Quote: (Originally Posted by sensor330) 40 Kg wow! The limit on most airlines here is about 22Kg. If I had 40Kg I don't think it would be an issue. The stock YBOD weights in at around 70lbs filled and ready to dive, what does if weight when the travel frame is installed? To this day, I have only paid an overweight fee once (tarvelling toindonesia through amsterdam).. with the 50lbs per bag I had to endure for a few flights this year it was a bit harder but totally doable.. Also remember my rig with its titanium chasis is heaver than a stock unit as well.. I dont travel with bailout tanks those I hire, but I do travel with the normal inspiration cylinders (BTW your european cylinders are alot lighter) and lots of spares.. Everything goes in soft cases to keep the weight down.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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13th January 2006, 01:43	#5 (permalink)
sensor330 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 593	Re: Travelling with an Inspiration Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) To this day, I have only paid an overweight fee once (tarvelling toindonesia through amsterdam).. with the 50lbs per bag I had to endure for a few flights this year it was a bit harder but totally doable.. Also remember my rig with its titanium chasis is heaver than a stock unit as well.. I dont travel with bailout tanks those I hire, but I do travel with the normal inspiration cylinders (BTW your european cylinders are alot lighter) and lots of spares.. Everything goes in soft cases to keep the weight down.. Do you carry your Rebreather as carry on?
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13th January 2006, 01:54	#6 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,095	Re: Travelling with an Inspiration Quote: (Originally Posted by sensor330) Do you carry your Rebreather as carry on? nope, i break up the components and spread them out.. my DC and other expensive electronics go in my carry on.. Here is a trick that I know a few people have used (I did it once myself- when I decided to take some sorb with me).. It will work at any place that has you bring your bag over to security after it is tagged.. keep some heav stuff in another bag.. let them weigh the bags and tag them, on your way over to the security point put the heavy stuff in the bag you are going to check.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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13th January 2006, 02:27	#7 (permalink)
sensor330 RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 593	Re: Travelling with an Inspiration Joe in another thread you said you wouldn't use the travel frame for every day use. Why? The reason I ask is because I dive in similar conditions that you do and I just want something thats going to work for all types of diving. The only thing I dislike about my YBOD is the size of box the but it works. Scott
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13th January 2006, 02:36	#8 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,095	Re: Travelling with an Inspiration Quote: (Originally Posted by sensor330) Joe in another thread you said you wouldn't use the travel frame for every day use. Why? The reason I ask is because I dive in similar conditions that you do and I just want something thats going to work for all types of diving. The only thing I dislike about my YBOD is the size of box the but it works. Scott with my current frame, I dont need to use a weight belt.. In MY ds, I'm weighted almost perfectly.. All I do is add 4lbs behind my head for the trim.. The travel frame is about 10 lbs lighter than my lightest configuration, that means I will have to now put on a weight belt, and add more top weight to correct my trim.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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