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Thanks to everyone who responded to me either publicly or privately. Unfortunately I had already deleted two of the responsed before Carl Heinzl made the suggestion that I post them publicly. A couple of respondents indicated that they didn't want to post public 'cuz they didn't want flamed for what that's worth. Here is a summary of the replies: >I have had to do this several times (including last week) since my company has >been moving me back and forth between Boston and Tampa. If you break down >your doubles you can ship them UPS for under $50. >Generally, it is cheaper to rent appropriate cylinders at the destination. >What I normally do is as follows. I have a large plastic shell >Sampsonite suitcase that my 95s fit nicely in. I don't break >them down. I drain the tanks down to about 300 psi, and lock the >suitcase. The total thing weighs about 95 lbs. Delta's excess >backage policy is as follows: anything over 70 lbs., but under >100 lbs., can be checked for a $45 fee. Sometimes greasing the >skycaps $10 or so can circumvent this. But for me, $45 is fair. >I've never been hassled, they rarely ask what's in it, and if >they do, saying "diving equipment" meet their curiosity. > >Another time, before buying the suitcase, I just lugged the >doubles to the ticket counter, slapped a luggage tag on them, and >they checked them as is. The only thing they made me do was >demonstrate that they were drained entirely. For me, this >approach is less preferable because I am worried about the >manifold getting banged around. > >I final option which I have looked into, but never done, is air >cargo. This is more expensive than the $45 option, and has the >added stress of no guarantee that your stuff will be on the same >flight as you. Thus to be safe, you need to drop off your air >cargo a few days before you actually intend to fly. >Additionally, you need to check the operating hours of the air >cargo place at arrival. For example, air cargo at Gainesville >has very inconvenient hours -- close at 5pm, not open on Sundays, >etc. >Ship them. It's a hassel w/the airlines. To ship a 104 UPS (ground) > 4 days from Boston to Florida -$18.00. >The plastic footlockers that are available all over the place these days >(HOME DEPOT, about $18 each) are ideal. They just fit under the airlines >size restrictions. One tank will fit in one case, with room for padding. >You'll have to pay additional for weight. They lock too. Remember, the valve >HAS to be off the cylinder for airline shipping, at least that's my experience. >I think most airlines in the US have a 70 lb. per unit baggage limit >without extra charge. Naturally the tanks must be empty and I believe >they must be in a container that can be readily picked up by baggage >handlers (they probably don't want heavy ofjects rolling around). Hope >this helps but the bottom line is get the info from airlines. >(It's) much easier to take them with you. take valves off and put them in a good >cardboard box.. check them. cheaper too. >It would depend on where you're going tho.. in some cases i send them >ups or mail just so i don't have to mess with them. >They charge you by weight, chief, and you will be slammed. I took two sets to >the Yuctan, and left them there raher than ship them back, if that tells you >anything. . . . and from Compuserve's Scuba Forum: >Dear Superman, > >Traveling with weight, regarless of what it is (dive gear or cylinders), most >foreign countries and carriers limit weight to approx. 80 lbs or three bags. >More than that and your get a per pound charge. Also, you have to transport >the cylinders without valves so as to prove they are empty... plastic plugs >work but then you should get an EIP at the other end and conversly coming >back. > >There be a number of dives that I would love to carry 104's... however we >getting serious, I have been know to use a cheater bar for a pair of 80's and >a set of portable bands. >I called American Airlines and I was >told that they charge $45.00 per empty tank each way. It was not clear to me >whether there is an overweight charge in addition to the tank charge or >whether the tank charge also covers the weight. I was calling to ask about >ponies so weight was not an issue. >American Airlines allows two check in bags no more than 70lbs each. Over 70 >lbs in one bag they'll offer to get you a box to make two under 70#ers. It's >about difficulty in handling heavy pieces. I had a single 92 lb bag to check >in this last Akumal trip and didn't want to break it up and upset my >strategic placement of all my stuff. They charged me an extra $45. If you >pack strategically you may make it work. Or you can put the two tanks >together and pay the extra $$. > >I'm not convinced that the cost/benefit analysis supports bringing tanks. >Basically I trust the doubles at Mike's or Steves shop. If you're staying at >the Derosa's the tank rentals and air will probably be part of the package. > >My guess is that any shipping arangement that does not involve checking the >tanks on as baggage on your flight and picking them up with all the normal >luggage is asking for trouble. >I AM NOT carrying your tanks for you... PERIOD. Not even one. Finally, when I looked into this with Continental, they indicated that every passenger was allowed one cylinder, empty as part of his two bag allotment. As one person indicated, asking someone to carry the other cylinder is a strict no-no in today's travel environment. What am I going to do?? I'll let you know when I get back, but I may take George up on his offer. <g> JoeL
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