[censored] raft. Anyway, now I need a new raft, and posted to see if you or anyone else here has any ideas how to configure an acceptable raft that could be shipped without incurring the hazmat charge. For example, a friend of mine once told me he paid almost $2000 to get his raft home. That’s almost as much as his pay for the trip, so basically he could have made more money staying home flight instructing. If the competition bids a trip knowing they will not have to pay raft shipping, they will get the job every time over the pilot that carries a raft.

The answer to your question (rhetorical I assume) is that MY life (and any life for that matter) is worth a bunch. It’s very easy to flinch at the high costs of a good raft while one is sitting at his computer looking at online prices, but of course, that is the wrong mindset. I once built a 34 ft sailboat in New Zealand, then sailed it around the Pacific for nine years, ending up in California. As I researched rafts in preparation for my voyage, I was shocked at the prices. After all, I had pretty much shot my wad building the boat, so an expensive raft was almost too much to bear. When I turned to a good friend that had made many ocean voyages (including a Whitbread with Peter Blake) for advice, he said to picture myself standing on the cabin roof of my sinking boat with the waves lapping at my ankles. Then, and only then, should I ask myself how much I was willing to pay for a raft. I ended up buying an expensive raft.

I feel the same way about flying aircraft over oceans. Get the best survival gear one can afford. However, as with anything else, economics (and weight) must eventually be considered, and that’s why I made my post. If I can’t make money taking the survival equipment I need, I’ll stay home.