rehmwa 2 #1 January 20, 2004 A friend was to fly to Perris area yesterday and ATA refused to let her take on her rig. They also refused to let her check it. She had all the documents with her (airline policies, TSA note, cypress info, etc). I have no further details. She will notify USPA. FYI ... 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falxori 0 #2 January 20, 2004 that sux which raised the question again, should you call in advance and ask, and take the risk of being marked. O "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoudDan 0 #3 January 20, 2004 ATA as in the Airline? Coming soon to a bowl of Wheaties near you!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #4 January 20, 2004 Yeah, the airline. I know this is a TSA thing, not an airline thing normally, but I have no other info yet and just relayed info as it was relayed to me. ... 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveelis 0 #5 January 20, 2004 yeap!!!!!!!!!!! American Trans Air, like Ori says , i think we should start calling before .________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #6 January 20, 2004 That's definitely one airline where you REALLY want your rig handy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveelis 0 #7 January 20, 2004 that is totally true !!!!!!!!!!________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #8 January 20, 2004 QuoteThat's definitely one airline where you REALLY want your rig handy. "Quanza never had an accident, yeah,,, definitely quanza, yeah. I'm an excellent driver" ... 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmatousek 0 #9 January 20, 2004 I flew southwest this weekend and had no problems. From what I understand the alert is back to yellow, not orange, it should actually be less trouble getting through security now than it was over the holidays. HeatherLife doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #10 January 20, 2004 QuoteThat's definitely one airline where you REALLY want your rig handy. Read 'Valujet'. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #11 January 20, 2004 Quotethat sux which raised the question again, should you call in advance and ask, and take the risk of being marked. O Even with the ducks in a row, this still may happen once arriving at the airport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 5 #12 January 20, 2004 QuoteQuoteThat's definitely one airline where you REALLY want your rig handy. Read 'Valujet'. ERRRRRRRRRRR!!!...Thanks for playing. Value Jet is actually known as AirTran now NOT ATA (American Trans Air). And excuse me but United, American, and USAir have more accidents than the ONE major one for ValueJet. Don't let the press hype get to yah.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hmatousek 0 #13 January 20, 2004 This is what southwest directly puts on thier website about bringing parachutes on board. QuoteParachutes are allowed in checked or carryon baggage, but may not be worn in flight. HeatherLife doesn't have to be perfect in order to be beautiful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #14 January 20, 2004 QuoteThanks for playing. Value Jet is actually known as AirTran now NOT ATA (American Trans Air). And excuse me but United, American, and USAir have more accidents than the ONE major one for ValueJet. Don't let the press hype get to yah. For a brief period Value-Jet was operating in Canada a few years ago. I flew them once, and quite honestly, it was the scariest plane I've ever flown in, including jumpships. There was exposed wiring in the passenger compartment and overhead bins would not close. I'm a firm believer that ValueJet deserved all the bad press they got. That said, I'll be flying ATA next week. With gear. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #15 January 20, 2004 QuoteQuoteQuoteThat's definitely one airline where you REALLY want your rig handy. Read 'Valujet'. ERRRRRRRRRRR!!!...Thanks for playing. Value Jet is actually known as AirTran now NOT ATA (American Trans Air). And excuse me but United, American, and USAir have more accidents than the ONE major one for ValueJet. Don't let the press hype get to yah. oops...I knew it was one of the two. Mom just called and is getting on Airtran no in Atlanta. Press overhypes a ton - American, United, Northwurst, etc. have bigger pr departments and budgets to handle the bad press. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #16 January 20, 2004 Airtran policy does not address parachute specifically: http://www.airtran.com/help/baggage/index.jsp ATA policy does not address parachutes specifically: http://www.ata.com/flifo/beforeyoufly.html#baggage I'm not fan of either website, but I found it eventually. I had no idea AirTran was also ValuJet ... 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 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveelis 0 #17 January 20, 2004 Airtran used to be Value Jet, same sh...... different name________________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #18 January 20, 2004 QuoteI flew them once, and quite honestly, it was the scariest plane I've ever flown in, including jumpships. Fly Olympic - Flew out to a little Greek island and the flaps wouldn't retract. Circled the aiport (Athens) for about an hour before they decided to continue out to where we were going. Walking off the plane in to the terminal building (read one room school house) we were passed by two guys, one 6' step ladder and a rubber mallet. Now close your eyes and image. Yep, exactly what I saw too. Would have taken pictures, but the camera was in my checked bag. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #19 January 20, 2004 I've flown AirTran many times and have had nothing but uneventful, pleasant flights. Of course, I don't have a rig to bring on, so maybe that perception will change... JenniferArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #20 January 20, 2004 If you could get more details such as: Airports, what she was wearing, how she answered their questions, etc. HeatherB takes Southwest to see me all the time and she has yet to have an issue in Tampa or Midway. I take ATA to see her and have had several issues - but all related to the TSA, not the airline (in fact, ATA flight attendants have been more helpful with the rig than the Soutwest FA's ever were). I've yet to have an issue with ATA in flight or landing, but they certainly are not the most beautiful landings I have ever had in a jet. There is no pattern to the issues that I have had - it doesn't matter what I wear (been in shorts/sandals and other times in shirt/tie). The best approach is to give the TSA agent more respect than they deserve. Oh yea, I automatically put my belt, shoes, pennies, sunglasses, etc on the belt to be scanned - I don't even wait for them to ask. You don't want to get pulled aside for additional scanning when your rig is being scanned. At Midway they scanned it a ton of times trying to figure out what it was, and each time I was flagged for the additional security check (wand, shoes, etc). This caused an issue because no one was there to claim the gear bag when they asked who's it was. They were not done with the wand on me, so I asked the TSA agent to escort me over there so I could answer their questions. By that time they had a manager over there and he let it pass. (Funny side story - Heather came up without her rig this weekend, and on the way out at Midway last night, the TSA agent recognized her Wings backpack as a mock up parachute) Every time I have tried to get on a plane in St Pete's I have had issues. I was told twice that I couldn't take it on the plane, and each time I very calmly asked them why when the TSA agent in Chicago let me bring it on the flight down. They usually pull me to the side, do the explosives swab test, and still tell me I can't take it on. I handed them a folder of all the documents needed, with the important parts highlighted. Each time the "canister" issues was raised and I told them there are no canisters in any sport rig and asked if they could include a manager in our discussion. It seems the manager in St Pete is former Airborne and he started doing a VERY rough gear check on my rig and reserve...I calmly asked him to be careful with the FAA rigger sealed reserve, he then quized me on military gear (luckily I know about some of it) and he let me board. The other times, I was cleared once it passed the explosive test. Once again - a lot of these agents are on a power trip, or just are trying to keep their job by not letting anything odd on the plane. Treat them with more respect than they deserve, and you will usually have no problems. Don't get mad, don't raise your voice, and if you run into a dead end, ask for a manager. Then send an email to Ed Scott at the USPA._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #21 January 20, 2004 Andy- Do you know anyone at your destination you could FedEx/UPS your rig to? that might solve the airplane issue if ATA really won't let rigs on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #22 January 20, 2004 QuoteAndy- Do you know anyone at your destination you could FedEx/UPS your rig to? that might solve the airplane issue if ATA really won't let rigs on. It really isn't the airline anymore - it used to be before 9/11 (everyone remember the issues with Southwest and the Cypres batteries?) These days, it is the TSA that is the huge hurdle, and there isn't anything we can do about it. The training the agents get is uniform, however, most are not aware of the minor daily changes the TSA makes. The level of communication is poorly lacking. On top of that, higher threat airports have more of a "zero tolerance" attitude than others...._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #23 January 20, 2004 I have flown with mine 4 times (2 Round trips) 2 American and 2 Continental As I walk up to the scanners I ask them to get a supervisor - I don't know if this is neccessary, but i did it anyway - and they either did or asked me why and i told them that I was carrying a parachute and was trying to avoid any delays. Worked for me so far. Edited to say : One trip was during X-mas and the threat condition was "Orange" or "High"I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadRash 0 #24 January 20, 2004 Quote*** That said, I'll be flying ATA next week. With gear. _Am LoL...you and me both Andyman!!! I hope they don't give us sh*t for bringing rigs on board...~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #25 January 20, 2004 Is OK. ATA is one of the few airlines I don't have documentation for. I should have it by the time we go. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
