Getting There Is Half The Fun
Packing for a Scuba Expedition
By ADM Staff Photojournalist Jeff Toorish
Some Tricks of the Travel Trade
- The key to minimizing travel difficulty for an expedition is anticipating problems. Most of us write notes to security officers and place them inside our gear boxes explaining that this is life support equipment. Include your cell phone number on the outside and inside of the box. We also have spare plastic ties taped on the underside of the lid so the TSA or other security agencies can re-seal the box. Whenever possible, I stay with my gear until it has cleared security.
- Some pieces of equipment, such as canister lights, are more likely to set off security alarms. Pack them on top so they can be easily found by security. That helps move things along. Realize that anything dense and heavy is going to set off alarm bells if you try to carry it on the plane so be prepared.
- Other tips include accepting the fact that some boxes or bags are going to be overweight. I’ve discovered that if you inform a gate agent that a bag is heavy
and you know it, they are more likely to let a few extra pounds slide without charging you. It is similar to admitting to the police that you were speeding. Admitting things seems to get you further. If you know you are going to be really overweight, it may be best to simply pack an additional box and pay the extra fee. It is also a very good idea to check with their airline about the ever changing baggage policy.
- Some airlines are becoming more restrictive on carry-on luggage weights. Believe it or not, there are limits for carry-on bags which seem to vary pretty dramatically by airline and destination. It is a good idea to check with the individual airlines and be specific about where you are traveling and when as restrictions often vary by time of year and destination.
- Grab a rolling cart as soon as you can at the airport. In fact, grab two. You are going to need them. In foreign countries, use porters to help with your gear, they often know the fastest routes through congested airports and they are not very expensive. In fact, because the porter probably knows (or, Hell, may be related to the customs officer) they sometimes know which customs line is better to get into.
We also learned that the best tip of all is to always remain calm and cool, never showing any temper or arrogance. That seems to move thing along faster than anything.
Safe travels.
Jeff Toorish is a member of the ADM World Exploration
Team, and a writer and photographer for ADM, ADM
Online and ADM E-zine. As a child he logged hundreds of
thousands of miles traveling with his show business family.
Additional Resources:
Luggage information
Plastic Travel Boxes
Airport Information
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