Bad airport experience

[brettski74 0]

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Slightly off subject, but if you wanted a repack in a non-US territory, would it have to be an FAA rigger? I mean, is the certified rigger need tied to the rig, the jumper, the licensure or the geography? I would prefer an FAA rigger, but FAA is not present in many countries where there are skydiving ops. Thoughts?

If you're jumping in a particular country, then it's that country's rules that apply. In the US, foreign jumpers are allowed to jump rigs maintained under their own country's rules (eg. 180 day repack cycle for Canada) because the FAA regulations specifically say that they can. If you need a repack, you get a locally qualified rigger to do it. It may be that some countries use FAA qualifications for their riggers. Most places I've been have their own training standards and qualifications for riggers. That said, Canada also *accepts* FAA rigger qualifications (ie. an FAA qualified rigger can do repacks in Canada) even though Canada has their own rigger standards as well. I'm not sure whether an FAA qualification would have been OK in other places I've been, but I used a locally qualified rigger.

I'd also note that coming home with a rig that's been repacked while abroad has also never been a problem. As long as the packing data card is filled out and in date and the seal is intact, that's all that anybody has cared about.

[NWFlyer 2]

As everyone has correctly assumed, I'm talking about in and out of the roller bag that I use to carry it on the plane.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[LuvToFly 0]

Here's what has worked for me:

1) I always print out and hand the TSA a full-sized color print of the Cypres X-Ray image.

2) I also tell them very early in the line - even if I am WAY back in the line - I tap anyone I see with a TSA uniform on the shoulder and tell them to tell the folks at the machine that I have a parachute coming through. In the past, I've seen TSA folks at the machine start looking up procedures after they've gotten that early notice, thereby sparing any great delays or tensions of arriving with that news two feet from the X-ray.

Never had a problem (so far anyway) using that two-pronged approach -

"The helicopter approaches closer than any other to fulfillment
of mankind's ancient dreams of a magic carpet" - Igor Sikorsky

[pchapman 279]

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In the US, foreign jumpers are allowed to jump rigs maintained under their own country's rules (eg. 180 day repack cycle for Canada) because the FAA regulations specifically say that they can.

As a side note -- not to derail this thread -- I just have to add the caveat that the above doesn't apply in the US for US built TSO'd gear, even if owned & jumped by a foreigner. There are some messy details and interpretation issues too. FMI, USPA has an article on it, as does dz.com (by Tom Buchanan). The rule is a bit odd but that's the way it is.

(So a Canadian in the US with a Vector III & PD reserve must follow a 120 day cycle, while someone from Lower Crapistan with a harness hand woven from yak's hair can jump it with a longer repack cycle if that's legal in his country.)

[Andy9o8 2]

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Tis one of the reasons that I never check in my rig. I've seen how bags get treated by the handlers.
I take mineas hand luggage, in a suitable bag and have not had an issue with it (so far )

The reason I don't check my rig, and always carry it on, is less about it being handled stupidly and more about it getting stolen. Although I do have it insured. But still.

[drdive 0]

(Which of course, wouldn't work in Argentina).

I watch them like a hawk when they're handling my rig, and I always ask "May I pull it out of the bag?" if they don't ask me to, and I always offer to put it back in the bag for them once they're done (it's a tight fit and I'd rather I be the one shoehorning it in there). Polite and patient goes a long way no matter how much you want to throttle the guys.>>>

Yeah, I hear ya Krisanne, and believe me I am always polite and smile a lot when talking to them, but you have to admit, the sight of the reserve pilot chute flyng out and smacking them in the face would be almost worth it

"We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub"

"

[dragon2 2]

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So a Canadian in the US with a Vector III & PD reserve must follow a 120 day cycle, while someone from Lower Crapistan with a harness hand woven from yak's hair can jump it with a longer repack cycle if that's legal in his country.

Boy you sound like a typical American Everything foreign is bad huh

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[DSE 5]

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Boy you sound like a typical American Everything foreign is bad huh

When it comes to air travel, everything American is bad, but most other countries have it right, IMO.

[pchapman 279]

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Boy you sound like a typical American Everything foreign is bad huh

As a Canadian that could even get me more riled up than if I were American. Just pointing out extreme and somewhat contradictory examples of what the rules allow...

[brettski74 0]

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Boy you sound like a typical American [Crazy] Everything foreign is bad huh [Wink]

Except that he's one of those crazy Canadians...

Anyway, I don't think he ever questioned the quality or serviceability of Crapistani hand-woven yak hair rigs. I'd jump one except that rigs made with petrochemicals are so much cheaper.

[ladydyver 0]

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This is exactly why we carry on our underwater camera when we are traveling - they are bound to cause some sort of damage if you don't - not that they are necessarily trying to but that stuff does happen.

The $200,000.00 camera was being carried on, and was in a very nice Petrol bag. Carry-on only assures that you're able to witness the damage as it's being done, nothing more.

- that really blows.

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!

[flyhi 24]

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This airline apparently has a bad rep for stealing anything electronic they can get their hands on out of checked baggage. If you're going to be flying Aerolineas Argentinas, take your shit carry-on

ATA still has a Sony PC-101 of mine. I'm sure they will give it back as soon as they find it.

When I called them to discuss it, they said there was nothing they could do. I found that funny as I immediately gave them five different things they could do. Although, the last one may not have been appropriate.

Shit happens. And it usually happens because of physics.

[JerryBaumchen 1,362]

Hi Peter,

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(So a Canadian in the US with a Vector III & PD reserve must follow a 120 day cycle, while someone from Lower Crapistan with a harness hand woven from yak's hair can jump it with a longer repack cycle if that's legal in his country.)

And people wonder why I continually rant about getting the FAA out of regulating parachutes.

One hand of the FAA has no idea about what the other hand is doing.

Don't believe me; start reading their documents.

JerryBaumchen

[dannydan 5]

"yaks hair"~~~roflmMFao...... However.. hum?? I can see a new trend in the future! " The Chewbacca style rig"

[JohnMitchell 16]

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The talk of zip ties on the handles came out because I've heard and read about it more than once. I suppose even with a zip-tied silver the RSL will probably still work. Probably.

You're correct. The zip tie on the reserve handle wouldn't interfere with the RSL. However, if you had a total malfunction on the main or were unable to release a partial malfunction, the RSL would not deploy the reserve. It would then be up to the AAD, if you had one. I sure like a good gear check before I get on the plane.

[akarunway 1]

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that really sucks.....I only have taken mine as carry on .... security here had us take them out of our carry on bags last time and they ran their tests on it....my only concern was that they may pull the handles. Could you imagine being in the airport and somebody pulling a reserve handle???? Not that they would but sometimes you wonder.

I have decided that if some TSA asshole wants to pull handles, I will coach him to look directly at the rig above the spring loaded reserve while he or she pulls silver. ""Watch what happens when you pull this one, idiot"

Sorry, can't help myself when it comes to TSA.

Ed

I heard a story awhile back one TSA worker did just that a got a broken nose. Not sure if it was true or not? I'd loved to have been there. As long as it wasn't MY rig. LOL

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[hackish 8]

I wouldn't want my face under that. I think there is a mark on the ceiling at nouvel air now from my spring. If you're the one pulling the silver and doing it intentionally with their face near it I can imagine you'd be getting in some trouble. If they pull it and get it in their face then I guess it's not your problem...

Has anyone been asked to pull the canopy out?

If so then I could see pulling the main out as they probably wouldn't know the difference. If they point to the reserve container after the main is all over the floor you could then tell them that it's the emergency device and needs the FAA to be involved. This way they are satisfied that they got to "check something out" and don't feel like you're making it difficult by presenting threats of FAA involvement at the outset.

The thought of repacking the main on the terminal floor makes me snicker.

-Michael

[ladydyver 0]

Has anyone been asked to pull the canopy out?

We haven't had to pull out our Mains....just the rigs itself. I think if you carry the current FAA regulations and your cypress card then TSA pretty much leaves you alone. They actually pulled my rig out and I just about had a stroke......but then they offered to let me get it out - and then let me put it back in. Again this was at our home airport....when we were in SanDiego, it didn't even phase the TSA people. In general, I think it is dependant on who is on duty and if that particular official knows what they are looking at.
I wouldn't be happy about having to pack my main at the airport terminal - it still takes me quite a while to pack and I may end up missing my flight

DPH # 2
"I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~
I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc!