Ok, I travel a lot and I travel all over the planet. The one thing that has changed the most over the past few years has been...you guessed it...the plane ride. I know...ridiculous huh? The bottom line for travelers like us who are eternally seeking out that next dive spot is that we have to keep up on what is happening in the world of airplane travel. After all what's that old saying? Well informed is...well...well informed.
State-side
State side is usually much easier than heading overseas yet; it seems that things are still getting more and more difficult. It is really important to observe the rules of the airports and don't take stuff that you know some airport employee will be ripping from your grasp. If you have a favorite pocket knife, for goats' sake, leave it at home. They don't care about the fact that Uncle Yardrow gave it to you from the old country and died with it clutched in his hands. It's sharp and on the list...you lose. Your dive gear is pretty easy to figure out. Take only what you need and figure on picking up any extra stuff at the local dive shop when you get to your destination. Make sure all your batteries are charged and or replaced, stow a couple of backups within your gear pack. Check the weather and pack thermal gear if needed, if it's going to be 80 degree weather don't pack the thermals just in case; it's a waste. Pack your surface-signaling device and anything else that can look like electronics within your dive gear pack so that when the airport folks ask, you can explain everything right there. Trust me, there is nothing more frustrating that watching some yahoo who does not dive rummage through your stuff. Been there, done that...ain't ever doing it again if I can help it.
International
International travel is enough to make your head pop clean open if you don't have all of your bases covered. Let's face it, international travel has become a combat sport in some countries and in order to get it right you have to consider, reconsider and then go over it one more time to ensure that things go smoothly. First, make sure your passport has at least six months left before renewal. Many countries require a minimum of six months or they send you packin. Make sure that your ticket is issued to you and has exactly the same name as appears on the passport. We live in the age of "who can I be today" in terms of identity theft and this has left the folks at the passport desk a little on edge. If you recently got married, get an endorsement from the passport agency that is stamped in the back of the passport to indicate your new status. The trip you may be saving could be your own.
Second, there is the luggage "issue". The long and short of it is that there is someone somewhere who appears to be just dying to send your luggage in another direction. (To be honest there are times when I think a dart and a world map may be involved) A non-descript plain dive bag with TSA-approved lockable zippers are the safest. In the world of airports if you spell out what is in your bag, i.e. a dive flag in red on a black bag says to the potential thief, "hey come dive with me". A fancy camera bag with all the company logos on the side also advertising to would be thieves. A carry-on soft camera bag will do.
So before you try and hop that next flight to where ever, remember that traveling by plane ain't what it used to be and take the precautions to ensure that you are covered.
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