Tonto 1 #1 December 20, 2004 My GF's rig was opened without us present before or after our flight from Amsterdam to Boston. Anyone know where I can get a repack before we leave for Eloy on the 26th? tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #2 December 20, 2004 That SUCKS! That's why I don't fly with gear anymore - personal, military, other otherwise. I ship it. Assuming the SDAZ Rigger Loft is operational again, it is my opinion that you should box it up, ship it via FedEx or UPS to their location, coordinate the repack over the phone, and have it waiting for her when she gets there. PM bbarnhouse to get contact details. G'luck!Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #3 December 20, 2004 dammit, poor Taya... Did you report this to the airport authorities ??? Hope they didn't damage anything. That's why I always travel with my rig as a carry on... Edit : once in Eloy, try and find Lydie and Daniel (Flying Devil on the rigs and some clothing). They are very friendly and they are not tehpolicemen I told you about .scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #4 December 20, 2004 3 rigs as a carry on? I thought we did well with 2. Airport authorities. Yes, we've reported the luggage as "damaged" and lodged a complaint, and put in a claim. We'll probably get $32.70 back in 6 months time. You know how things work... We'll box it and ship to Eloy, get fleeced on shipping and rigging costs, and hopefully have the system ready for when we get there. If not.. no Birdman for Taya.. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #5 December 20, 2004 What kind of rig/canopy does she have?Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #6 December 20, 2004 I would also drop a line to Ed Scott at USPA. At the very least, he'll probably make sure the employees are educated about proper procedures. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #7 December 20, 2004 It's a Mirage G3 and a Tempo 120 reserve. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #8 December 20, 2004 Are you in Boston currently? If so and you have a car there are some riggers in the near by area that might be able to help you out. Let us know if you need assistance in finding a rigger near you.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egons 0 #9 December 20, 2004 Tonto, I will be coming to Eloy on the 25th and Piers Littleford will be with me - we will sort it out when you get there! Cheers mate. Egon "Start doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you're doing the impossible!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #10 December 20, 2004 Do you have any info to suggest where it happened?People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #11 December 20, 2004 I'm in Boston. Do you have a list? tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #12 December 20, 2004 Nothing. Was closed, now Main and Reserve are open, 10 rolls of undeveloped film missing along with 9 dollars from her logbook pouch. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cwn 0 #13 December 20, 2004 "The Parachute Shop" at Skydive Pepperell is about a hour by car from Boston. It's run by Don Mayer (Master Rigger/ Rigger Instructor Examiner). 1-800-USA-CHUTE (1-800-872-2488) http://www.parachuteshop.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #14 December 20, 2004 I've been recommended Don Mayer at http://www.parachuteshop.com/ or Phone: 978.433.8550 Fax: 978.433.3264 TOLL FREE 1-800-USA-CHUTE ( 1-800-872-2488) He is the closest Rigger Examiner in New England. He's probally 45 minutes away though. Tom Noonan aka LawnDart21 is also in the area. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #15 December 20, 2004 Brian Grady from Jumptown MA is one of the best riggers I've ever met. If you have no luck with the other contacts you've been given, drop him a line and let him know I sent ya. Have fun in Eloy. Blues, IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #16 December 21, 2004 Sounds like the work of baggage handlers instead of customs/security. There was a group that got caught a few years ago. Not nearly enough of that type of 'sting' is done by airport security. I usually wrap my luggage in packing tape after it is screened. Makes my bag look like it belongs to a poor person, and it is an immediate sign of tampering if it is cut.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hazarrd 1 #17 December 21, 2004 as per your request for a rigger... i would suggest the same that phreezone mentioned. i know both tom noonan and don mayer can do the work for you. .-. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sa39561 0 #18 December 21, 2004 Sorry about the inspection but those are the breaks... Heightened security allows the US Government to open any bag taken on an aircraft. I know everyone has an idea on this but that is the fact. I am a former Customs inspector and current criminal investigator (and new to sky diving, just finished AFF!). I now understand the problems this can cause and the expenses related to repacking and the possibility of damage to the rig/canopies. WHY the rig was opened is a good question but here are some answers as too the who... At all ports of entry (land, sea and air), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (old US Customs Service) has the right to inspect inbound and outbound items. I suggest ALWAYS carrying on your rig so you can explain to the Inspectors what you have. Your rig can be run through our x-rays and hopefully, no opening is required. If it still needs to be opened (because they saw something in the x-ray image) you will NOT be compensated for the repack. It is the travelers responsibility to make all items inspection ready and the government does not reimburse for that. Sorry! CBP normally always puts "inspection tape" on anything they examine. I remember having rolls and rolls of this stuff around the stations I worked. TSA normally puts a card in the bag when examined (and they examine on ANY flight in the USA) and the baggage handlers, who knows! Overseas who knows what they do and who does it... Hope this clears up the who looks at what issue... See you in the sky! Lance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rushboy 0 #19 December 21, 2004 Just a note on flying with any type of soft, non-locking bags. There are steel mesh devices that can lock any bag tight. They can pe purchased from many camping and hiking outfitters. They deter thieves well, and may convince security to x-ray and "sniff" your bag instead of opening it. You also have the right to request that your bag is x-rayed before being forced to open it. I cross the U.S./Canadian border on a very regular basis, and I find that the officers are generally decent people who will listen to your explanations. You just have to be honest and up-front right from the beginning. If you do meet a "hardass", you do have the right to request a supervisor. If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #20 December 22, 2004 QuoteIf not.. no Birdman for Taya.. Tonto Sorry to hear of Taya's rig being opened. Please let me know if she gets it repacked and is able to jump it for wingsuit jumps? If not, I can bring my wifes rig for her when I see you guys. Be safe Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #21 December 22, 2004 Just an update. The rig was shipped to Eloy today. $130 something with packing and insurance, plus the price of the repack. For those saying carry on... again I say... What if you have 3 rigs.. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yoink 321 #22 December 22, 2004 That sucks! Due to stuff being stolen, it does suggest that it was probably not the customs people responsible though. How was the rig packed? Was it in a rig bag or anything else? I've found my rig fits nicely into half of a hard luggage case that has locks on it. Jumpsuits and goggles go in the rig bag and both go in the hold... Not had any problems doing it this way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #23 December 22, 2004 Locked bags and locked wire mesh security bags will just mean you arrive at your destination with a broken locked bag or broken locked wire mesh security bag. (assuming the item takes customs eye of course). There are big signs up at airports to say broken locks are your problem - your luggage has to be open for inspection. If it isn't they’re at liberty to make it so. Back when I was a student I had a friend who worked as a baggage handler. The stories he told... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #24 December 22, 2004 QuoteWhat if you have 3 rigs.. I personaly always carry on 2 rigs by myself with no problems. I have 1 over my shoulder and 1 in a small suitcase that fits in the overhead bin. I ALWAYS let them know, before it goes on the Xray conveyor, that it's a parachute for skydiving. The most customs or TSA has ever done was swab it for explosives and asked me if there was any type of co2 devices in it, and a few have even said, under their breath, "Hell, I don't know what to check for on these things?", and them told me to have a nice trip.Sorry to hear some people have the problems they do. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #25 December 22, 2004 QuoteThe most customs or TSA has ever done was swab it for explosives and asked me if there was any type of co2 devices in it, I was asked to open both the main and reserve. The supervisor said it was recently ordered as mandatory to do it, superceeding the TSA policy we have available. Of course I have no idea why he would make this up, besides wanting to be an asshole. If you go walking up to a plane with a rig over your shoulder, how are you going to check it when they just tell you no-you can't carry it on? Despite official policy, they reserve the right to say no. The airlines have big, clear, plastic bags to put it in, but do you want it going through the baggage system like that?People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
