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Posted By: Beachgal Tropic Air?? - 01/30/08 10:03 PM
Has anyone ever had a problem with overweight luggage when bringing their dive gear? We'll both have two suitcases, and even though we'll be packing light as far as clothes and stuff go, we're packing my husbands dive stuff and snorkel stuff for me - if we are over do we just pay a fee at Tropic Air, or do we have to get seperated from our stuff?
Posted By: reaper Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/30/08 10:08 PM
If the plane is overloaded they will send your gear on the next flight. But it sounds like you won't have that much compared to some of the things I have seen. It will make it to your hotel, it always does.
Have Fun!
Posted By: Bobber Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/30/08 10:21 PM
If you do get separated from your stuff (I might suggest putting a set of bathing suits in your carryon), don't worry about it. Tropic (and Maya) are extremely good about getting it on the next flight, and they do want to maintain their reputation. This is not a place where they let stuff just disappear.
Posted By: KC Jayhawk Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/30/08 10:29 PM
I had a bag make a side trip to Caye Caulker this last trip, so I was forced to go to BC's and drink about four Belikins while I waited until they got it back to SP (about 40 minutes). Boy, was I mad!! laugh
Posted By: Otteralum Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/30/08 10:31 PM
KC -- you poor thing!!
Posted By: margarita Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/30/08 10:45 PM
Never heard of any overweight luggage problems - anyone else?
Luggage sometimes depends on the size of your plane, small & smaller! Tropic has always taken good care of our luggage even if it rides on another flight.
FYI He dives & you snorkel -we did a night dive/snorkel through Amigos Del Mar at Hol Chan & it was awesome! Us snorkelers with our guide could see our divers way deep down the wall looking at lobsters with their guide!
Agree with Bobber - always carry your swimsuit with you, you are going to want it!
Belize it!
Posted By: Beachgal Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/31/08 12:27 AM
Great! Thanks everyone for the tips! I figured we'd be okay, I've read so many positive remarks about Tropic. Margarita, thanks for the tip, we'll look into that. We already have the Blue Hole planned, but I'm sure we'll do another one - gonna be there for 10 days so plenty of time!! We'll definately have some necessities in our carry on so we can hit the ground running (or drinking) as soon as we land!!

only 10 more days!!!!!! smile WOO HOO!!
Posted By: kris48 Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/31/08 01:31 AM
Also consider packing some of each person's in each bag. That way, if one makes it, and the other is delayed, you still have some clothes.
Posted By: Nova Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/31/08 01:36 AM
Tacogirl recently posted some tips on luggage arriving on time and at the right place - one that stuck in my mind was the one that stated that you should have your home AND destination addresses on both your luggage tags AND inside your luggage in case your luggage looses it's way or your tags fall off. Makes perfect sense to me.
Posted By: pugwash Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/31/08 02:08 AM
Last trip down, I had one bag at 69.5 lbs, one at 50, a 39.5 carry on and 2 pieces of hand luggage�$50 extra on Delta, but no problem for Tropic, with their 35lb (?) posted limit!

It took me 4 or 5 goes to pack and re pack to get it just within limits, and no, it wasn't Jane's makeup!

I was actually solo, but with 2 BCD's and Reg Sets, a spare prop for the boat, an Oxygen Kit, Radio, Compass, a new Fuel Filter and Bilge pump etc !

Yes, I paid the duty, and I still saved enough to pay for most of the trip!

As far as a Luggage "tip": If you plan on being in Belize often, pay $108bze for a prepaid cell phone, buy a $5 card before you leave, and then load it up as you hit Goodson: That way the minutes don't expire and have your local number on the luggage !

Also, don't forget to ask for cash discounts...Tropic and Maya both love US $$$$
Posted By: gailtor Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/31/08 02:19 AM
Hey Pug.. sounds like you and I could compete for who has the heaviest luggage.. The 39.5 lb carry on may be me this year.. since my checked luggage weight is significantly reduced.. and no option to pay for excess... smile

Interested to hear more about the prepaid cell phone.. sounds like a good plan..
Thanks Gail cool
Posted By: pugwash Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/31/08 02:51 AM
Which Airline?

Delta is 2 x 50 lbs, and a 40 lb carry on, with a $50 excess for up to 70lbs, and then one personal item (computer bag)

Smartphone in SP is on Pescador, just up from the Police Station

Call Sahsil Perez @ 501 675 0666. You may be able to give a C/C # and get a phone number pre allocated: They are currently in the 660-664 prefix sequence, and you can request the last 4 digits, so give some thought as to which number to request before you call?. You buy your minutes in $5 increments, but a $5 card is only good for , I think, 8 days, so don't load up when you are leaving, but rather carry a card home and re load next time down there!

One major issue with Smartphone is that you cannot record your own voicemail message, theres just a recording with the #, so if you give the number to anyone at home, make them aware of that!

It will also save a bunch depending on which hotel you stay at: I had a nasty surprise with a $147 phone bill, (for all local calls!) in just 4 days, after moving from Mayan Princess, which had very reasonable phone rates, down the beach to Sunbreeze (Restaurant, Bar and Pool for Jane while I was diving), which creamed me after everything else had been great�nothing like a bad last impression, (just like the departure tax!!!)

That was when I decided to get a local number! I use the Blackberry to call home and get and send E mail, but leave it turned off most of the time, so I only get billed when its turned on to check messages�..
Posted By: gailtor Re: Tropic Air?? - 01/31/08 03:08 AM
Skyservice out of Toronto (so it's a charter flight) but that is the price to pay for a 'direct' flight.

Thanks for the info on the phone..

Gail cool
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