carry on rig with airline

[jaybird 0]

Wow, what an experience. I went to Cali for thanksgiving and planned on taking a day to jump at Elsinore. Had a great time, but here is my fun little story about the airlines and carrying on my rig.
Friday morning get to airport at about 6 am. flight leaves at 9 am, and they were recommending 3 hours of checking in. I arrive and drop off my luggage at curb side check in. they give me a slip of paper and tell me what gate to go to. i can get no farther than the front door when someone stops me and asks me to go to the ticket counter. oh yeah, i didnt think anything of it and was wearing my rig on my back. i called ahead and double checked if it was ok to take my rig as a carry-on and they said it would be fine. ok back to being escorted to the ticket counter. the lady behind the counter just looked at me completely dumbfounded and asked what that was on my back.
"a parachute mam" trying to be polite. she then proceeds to tell me that i can not take that on board with me. i tell her that i called ahead and checked with security and they said not only can i take it on the plane, but i could carry it on as well. so she says that she is going to have to make some phone calls about this. so im standing there waiting, for about a minute and a police officer walks up, smiles, and asks, "thats not what i think it is, is it?"
again with the politeness. "yes sir, i am going to do some skydiving in cali while i am out there for thanksgiving."
he then proceeds to begin asking a series of questions,(a psychological profile, i know from minoring in phsych). after about 5 minutes he turns to the lady behind the counter and says that he believes my story but it truely is up to the airlines if they are going to let me take the rig on board. 10 minutes later the ticket lady gets off the phone and says that they are going to let me take as a carry on, i just need to have it checked at x-ray. the police officer then escorts me to the front of the x-ray line, past over 200 people, to get my rig checked by security. when we get there he has me stop and wait behind the line while he informs security what is going on. at the same time the little walkie talkie radios that they all have is announcing that an officer is escorting someone with a parachute to x-ray for examination. wow the looks starting coming. so they put it on the machine, security checks it really confused, compares it with my cypress card, then is ready to give it back when they decide that they need the national guard to examine it as well. all in all, it took about a total of 35 minutes from when i arrived till i was done checking in and just waiting for another 2 1/2 hours for my flight. on the way back i just bought a small travel bag, stuffed my rig in there, didnt mention it to anyone, and they just ran it through x-ray without a question. hmmmm. surely they saw the cypress, but no questions.
on a side note, had a great time at elsinore, got some great canopy coaching from icarus factory pilot Wyatt Drewes. look forward to doing again sometime soon.
jason

[wceviper 0]

Sounds like a great way to get to the front of the line to me, that line can take an hour, easy. :)
-Jason

[Vallerina 2]

Yeah, I'm a little nervous about flying with my rig with Pan Am. When I called them, they informed me I'll have to check my rig in a box-a big cardboard box! Hmmm...I guess I can try to stuff it in my small suitcase and bring as many clothes that can fit in my backpack!
"To alcohol! The cause of-and solution to-all of life's problems!" -Homer Simpson

[lazerq3 0]

Sounds to me from the post on this subject that the best approach is to put it in a low profile bag and stick with a dont ask dont tell method. If someone approaches you then you can deal with them. Glad to here you got around ok though!!
jason
(what is this the "jason" thread

[skymedic 0]

Jason, which airport was this???
Marc
Res Firma Mitescere Nescite

[weid14 0]

I've caried my rig on board many times this summer/fall.... use a gear bag and DO NOT make a big deal out of it. wearing your rig around is not a good idea, for a variety of reasons (peole grabbing handles, kids w/ice cream, potential random cigarettes, etc.), and esp when checking in to an airport. you want to carry it on, get a gearbag. It is ultimately up to the pilot of the aircraft whether or not it gets on board. not security, not ticket counter, not gate agent. it's best to be as "normal" as possible. Remember, it only takes one person to ruin it for the rest, don't let it be you. (some moron one day decided to repack his main right in the waiting area.... guess who didn't get on board)

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

  Quote

use a gear bag and DO NOT make a big deal out of it. wearing your rig around is not a good idea

Agreed. Sporting your rig around the terminal and onto an airplane is definitely not the hot ticket. That is just asking for it. I have a carry-on bag that is just big enough for me to fit one of everything I need to skydive in. Of course it helps that my rig is TINY. I also don't have a problem checking gear. I checked my other rig and extra main both times I flew this year. Never had them ask once what was up with the rig that I was carrying on.
Chuck
My webpage HERE

[jaybird 0]

this was from indianapolis to los angeles and then back after thanksgiving. all in all, it went well.
jason