Got caught with my rig at airport security

[Evelyn 0]

I don't travel a lot with my rig, but when I do it is in a duffle bag (carry on) and it's always gone right through the x-ray machine without a second glance. This time the belt stopped, with my rig in the x-ray machine area. The airport person said "hold on, I think we've got a parachute". Another airport person said "yeah, I think you're right, better call the supervisor". I'm like sweatin it, all nervous, I say "yes, it's a parachute, wanna see my cypress card, my TSO letter?" They say "no that's not necessary". I say "why do you need to call the supervisor?" They say "it's no big deal, we just don't get a lot of parachutes so have to call the supervisor when we get one". I say "you're not gonna make me unpack it are you?" They say "no, it's really no big deal". The supervisor shows up right away and makes sure I have my other stuff and can follow him to a table a few feet away. He scans the duffle bag, doesn't even open it or take my rig out, then says "okay, you're clear". Funny thing is, I ended up giving up my seat on that flight for a free ticket, so had to go through security again the next morning and this time my rig went through security without a second glance. So what's the deal?

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller

[RoamingDZ.com 2]

The only place I have had trouble is leaving Portland,ME.They usually use me as a training excersise and take up 30 minutes of my time.

RoamingDZ.com,Proud sponsor of
The Rack(v.2.0)National Hanging Out Tour.
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[mcneill79 0]

They almost didn't let me through once at JetBlue in JFK... Finally they got a supervisor who said it was OK.

[happythoughts 0]

When I was going to Rantoul, I was going through Tampa security. When I put it on the belt, I told them, "This is a parachute."

They called over a newbie for some training. Showed the guy what to look for and what questions to ask. They thanked me for my patience.

When I got to Rantoul, I noticed that I had left my hook knife on the legstrap and made a note to remove it before my next flight.

[tr027 0]

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So what's the deal?

My guess would be simple protocols and procedures. Only the supervisor is authorized/qualified to look at it and say "yep, that's a parachute". When I traveled I got hassled more over my laptop than my rig(even tho I forgot to remove the hook knife).

"The evil of the world is made possible by nothing but the sanction you give it. " -John Galt from Atlas Shrugged, 1957

[eeneR 3]

Word of advice...dont offer any information you are not asked for....

She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway."
eeneR
TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto

[flyangel2 2]

The deal is that over half the people that work TSA don't get paid shit and have not been trained correct. It really is sad that we as a country trust our safety with airline security to people that have no idea how to do their job. If they were trained better, they would smarten up and demand better pay. The government will have nothing of that.

I travel tons. Some days I go right through, other days I get asked to see my reserve card. My reserve card, WTF does that have to do with anything But silly me, I left my hook knife on my rig the last time and instead of being worried about that, they wanted to see the reserve seal. Got to love the TSA.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[BillyVance 34]

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I travel tons. Some days I go right through, other days I get asked to see my reserve card. My reserve card, WTF does that have to do with anything But silly me, I left my hook knife on my rig the last time and instead of being worried about that, they wanted to see the reserve seal. Got to love the TSA.

Every time I've traveled with my rig, I always forget to stow the hook knife in the checked bag, but they never catch it. A few times I had a big Jack Ripper hook knife in the pocket of my gear bag that I forgot about. They never bothered with it. It was always my pager or laptop, or PC101 camera they were interested in...

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[rehmwa 2]

This is no bigger deal than having the supervisor come over to look at your shoes if they have really thick soles.

Sounds like you were treated courteously and didn't get a hassle at all. In fact, you started acting nervously and they reassured you instead of taking that cue and looking harder (like they probably should have).

non issue

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[fallman 0]

I took my rig to Mexico and back this summer. The first time I went through I told them upfront what it was, said i had info on it, et... they said they didn't want to see it. On the way back I didn't say anything and it went right through. I think the best policy is to have all the info(cypress card, TSA info, etc) on you but not say anything unless they ask for it. I've taken it carry on on domestic flights as well, never had a problem. Calm down people, the one thing you can do to assure attention is drawn to you is to act nervous when going through the x-ray inspection.

woa....that was cool....

[rehmwa 2]

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I think the best policy is to have all the info(cypress card, TSA info, etc) on you but not say anything unless they ask for it.

Exactly, it really is just another piece of luggage. I carry: cypress card - TSA policy - specific regs for that airline if any. If I check the rig, then the TSA policy gets taped directly to the rig so they see it first if they open the case.

I've gotten more hassle from my weight belt (cordura, lead shot, buckles, straps) than anything. It does look pretty suspicious. The Agent actually was angry when his supervisor ok'd it and argued with his boss. It was funny, but I'd rather they get their supervisor than just pass things through. They could just as easily let a bomb on my flight and then I'd be more upset than compared to a mild bit of discomfort or short delay.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[pa2themd 0]

I am travelling from South Africa to Spain in December on KLM via Amsterdam and returning on Air France via Paris. I have my cypres card, but what is this TSO letter you talk about .... sorry just dont want to puick up problems on the way there

How do I get it if I need it or is it just a USA requirement

"Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's
addressed to someone else!" Ivern Ball

[freeflir29 0]

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but what is this TSO letter you talk about

It's an American FAA thing. If your gear is South African it MAY not even have a TSO certification. Just means that the gear has been certified by an American government agency to certain strength and durability standards.

[pa2themd 0]

ok, yeah I think it does now ... thanks so I wont need this letter in Europe then?

"Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's
addressed to someone else!" Ivern Ball

[bob.dino 1]

It's got nothing to do with Europe... so you'll be fine.

[vt1977 0]

I can't comment on travelling out of South Africa as I've yet to do that with a rig. Is your baggage being checked straight through or do you have to collect it and re-check it in at your intermediate airports? You should have absolutely no problem whatsoever taking a rig through Barcelona airport - they see them every day.

When travelling in Europe I carry my cypres card and a copy of the CAA letter (CAA is UK equivalent of FAA) stating that the cypres is safe to travel by air. Since you're not entering the UK I doubt this will be of any use to you!

Vicki

[piisfish 140]

Honey, you shouldn't have any problem tarvelling via AMS, but you'll have to check the rig in for the return as the french are ... FRENCH...

What rig do you have now ? Cypres ??

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[pa2themd 0]

hey girl,

Thanks so much leavin SA should be fine! Cant wait!!! Will have to have a beer with you when i see you.

Blue skies

s

*edited for terrible spelling*

"Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's
addressed to someone else!" Ivern Ball

[piisfish 140]

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Will have to have a beer with you when i see you.

we can do it 3-way

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[erikzero 0]

EXACTLY!
Don't say anything.
I walk with it in my back then toss it in the x-ray machine then put it right on my back.

Never check in your rig with your luggage
the airline insurance does not cover the amount of the rig if it get lost.
I was going to do that once and a ticket agent told me that and to take it on the plane.

steal my car, rob my house, don't f#$K with my rig.
I will go nuts!!!! and hunt you down.

[selbbub78 0]

Quote

I travel tons. Some days I go right through, other days I get asked to see my reserve card. But silly me, I left my hook knife on my rig the last time and instead of being worried about that, they wanted to see the reserve seal. Got to love the TSA.

Ya I have the same thing happen, when I travel. Sometimes no problems, other times, you spend so long having it go back and forth the x-ray machine. One time, I left 2 hook knives on my rig. They spotted them, and took them out examining them, asked what they were for, so I told them. They said "oh that's really important", and put them back in my rig, and let me on my way... Only the TSA... Go figure

CReW SKies,

"Women fake orgasms - men fake whole relationships" – Sharon Stone
"The world is my dropzone" (wise crewdog quote)
"The light dims, until full darkness pierces into the world."-KDM

[huka551 0]

I decided not to fly with my rig, I had a friend drive it back, but I did have a bag with other jumping stuff, jumpsuit, power tool, log book, and ooops my hook knife! They were more intrested in searching my change purse in my pocket book and didn't even notice the hook knife!

Muff Brother 3723

[mailin 0]

I've travelled a bit through airports with my rig.

The key is to keep quiet. I always tell them its a parachute as it goes through the machine. I also can't go through airport security points because I have metal in my body - and I'm always travelling with a laptop computer.

I've never had any problem than at Ontario, CA airport - where they got quite the giggle over the metal in my body and my being allowed to parachute as a result but... its best to keep quiet until you see that they may do something questionable.

This year I heard of the girlfriend of a skydiver who had her rig conviscated and the reserve popped - which I'm sure may have been due to her mouthing off to the TSA people, from her reaccount of the incident. Silence is key!


Jen

Arianna Frances

[ReBirth 0]

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When I got to Rantoul, I noticed that I had left my hook knife on the legstrap and made a note to remove it before my next flight.

I did the same thing.

[Brains 2]

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When I was going to Rantoul, I was going through Tampa security. When I put it on the belt, I told them, "This is a parachute." . . .

LOL, i went through tampa security and my bag stopped inside the machine. The agent looks up and says, " Been skydiving or going skydiving?" I said been skydiving, going home now.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.