Cypres Charge!

[ltdiver 3]

Paul Bertorelli, in a letter printed in Skydiving Mag's March edition brings up an issue about the Cypres charge and checking rigs on commercial airlines.
[Quote]: "The serious problems, I think, lie in the future. As explosive sniffing technology becomes more commonplace, is the cutting charge in a Cypres going to set off the alarms? If so, you won't be able to check it or carry it on." [/End Quote]
Any 'Experts' out there who want to address this consern? I'm not a pilot, but know there are several here who are and can perhaps shed some light here.
ltdiver
__________________________________________
http://www.discover.net/~ltdiver

[christopherm 0]

I think I heard from an instructor that there is a card you can get that is used specifically for that reason. It explains to security what the cypres is, what it does, why the explosive is there. That way you don't have to try and explain it to them and the card is a little more official. Someone tell me if I'm right.
-So, how hard is the ground?!

[PhillyKev 0]

It comes with a card that shows what it looks like under xray, but that's about it. The FAA has ruled it a permissable carry on item, but it's up to the airline if they want to allow it. There's another thread around here somewhere with a link to info on how to handle it. For example, print out the airlines rule on it if available, if security won't let you bring it on, appeal to the airline, if the airline rep says no, you can appeal to the pilot. Make sure to allow extra time. There were some other tips. Use the search button, this issue has come up a lot.
cielos azules y cerveza fría
-Kevin

[DZDale 0]

I think as long as you declare the luggage before checking in there shouldnt be any problems, but then I guess it all depends where you are going as some security officials are just plain stubborn and refuse to listen to anyone. There is an article about this exact issue in one of the skydive magazines issued by the BPA. I cant remember what issue it is though, but I think it is December 2000 (not sure though)
Dale

[billvon 3,072]

"The serious problems, I think, lie in the future. As explosive sniffing technology becomes more commonplace, is the cutting charge in a Cypres going to set off the alarms? If so, you won't be able to check it or carry it on."
Well, the cypres doesn't use an explosive - it uses a gas generator to drive the piston. There are about half a dozen commercial explosives, used in different combinations with different plasticizers, stabilizers etc. As long as the sniffer technology is specific enough to just detect them there shouldn't be a problem.
-bill von

[jtval 0]

heres my concern;
i sent for the card, received the card,stiil have the card. but im flying from korea to aussie. shit, i wonder what the will do . i have to look into that there is no way im leaving my rig in seoul whe i fly out and there is no way im missing this trip... but this is something ive been worried about for a while.
im sure this is beyond the limits of anyones expertese(?) but if anyone has been thourgh this lemme know what you hadda do (if anything) to get you rig on a korean airliner!( i hope the ppl at the airport can read the english card)
getting high is fun, but coming down is the best part
JT

[ltdiver 3]

Quote

Well, the cypres doesn't use an explosive - it uses a gas generator to drive the piston. There are about half a dozen commercial explosives, used in different combinations with different plasticizers, stabilizers etc. As long as the sniffer technology is specific enough to just detect them there shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks Bill for an informed response.
I knew the little plastic card that comes with a Cypres didn't cover this issue and after 9-11 and the new technology that -will- be coming onboard soon, could have been a concern. Nice to know that the 'sniffers' might not be dialed in to detect what our Cypres uses.
Blues,
ltdiver
__________________________________________
http://www.discover.net/~ltdiver

[cameramonkey 0]

I think I heard from an instructor that there is a card you can get that is used specifically for that reason.
---------------------
I have heard that generally the screeners say " wtf is this??? I honestly dont give a f... what this card says." (as they go about scrutinizing your gear even more)

[Remster 30]

A gas generator? lol.... good funny description of an explosive...
It does use a pyrotechnic element to generate the gas the powers the cutter. From http://www.pia.com/SSK/cypres/ts120_v5.htm
"The Release Unit is a electrically-activated, pyrotechnically-powered, piston/cylinder device"
Do NOT say that to security staff. It will only scare them. The gas generator too isnt a good euphemism... Just say it opens the reserve electronicaly if you dont.
As far as traveling with the rig as carry on: Karen and I just got back from Borneo, and we travelled to and from Kota Kinabaly with our rigs as carry on. No questions asked at either Heathrow, Kuala Lumpur or KK.
The card that comes with the CYPRES is a good back up, but if you feel the need, you can print all the letters posted on Airtec's site to confirm that the FAA does not considere them as dangerous. Keep those to yourself untill they question you about the rig. The last time someone asked me questions about my rig, they werent concerned by the cypres, but by the spring in the reserve PC (makes you wonder...).
That being said, if the security personel want to be bitchy, they can.They only time I was refused the rig as carry on was at the stanford(?) airport at Orlando.
Remster
Muff 914