Creative packing for Ikelite DSLR housing, DS125x2, 8"dome,PLUS an Ikelite video housing

Hey all,

In light of the new "regulations" for checked bags by United, ( and in preparation of the other airlines following...)

Thanks to you ALL.

As Background:

I have been fortunate, enough to travel approx 5 dive trips (or more) per year since my husband and I completed our 4 referral dives on our honeymoon Feb 2005 Until now, We have been able to check both our dive gear, our clothing and, in a pelican case, the aforementioned housing, strobe and large port components of my photography gear (as well as my husbands underwater housing for a video camera, as well as battery---all in all the pelican case and contents were, pretty heavy stuff!) DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO CARRY ALL OF THE ABOVE ONTO THE PLANE??

We have three more trips already planned for this year; Bonaire, BVI and Galapagos with the DPG group in Sept...

HELP????

I think we are all having similar problems. I bagged the Pelican case because of its weight and switched to a Porter Case Photo/Divider. It will hold my Subal housing, two Ikelite 125's, three lenses, Nikon body in housing, cables, lens cleaning material, regular port and extension rings. This is a carry on with rollers.

In my "briefcase" I carry lap top, regulator, dive computers. I just purchased a Galileo Sol, and am curious to see how TSA will react to this computer in carry on.

My dome port is stored in a checked dive bag with exposure suit wrapped around it. BCD, mask, fins, point and shoot housing are also in this rolling bag.

This system has worked for the Galapagos, Guadalupe, Hawaii, and Mediterranean in the past year from our Seattle base.

What I have quit taking are lights for night dives and a second set of Ilelite batteries. The lights have been readily available pretty much everywhere we have been, and I have been able to recharge the strobes without a problem.

The other thing to consider is flying Business or Economy Extra Class where the weight limits, leg room is better, and there is much less hassel from airline and security employees. Turn in those air miles and American Express credits for up-grades!

Good Luck,

Dan