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freakyrat

Travelling With Your Rig

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>Actually i keep saying "NO it just pulls the pin before i
>hit the ground." They then let me go.

So basically you just lie to them. I'm not sure that's a good idea in the long run.
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To lie or not to lie...???? "pulls the pin" (while not
technically accurate,), might be mis-interpretted by the screener,,, as akin to a grenade/explosive... which is also activated by 'pulling a pin',,, though I admit that is a longshot......:|,,,But the truth,,,,
To say "the sytem CUTS the closing loop" is BAD also,,, THEY do not want to hear
the word " CUT " . at all :o...cut = knife....as per their training...
If pressed the best verbage might be,,, "It activates my reserve parachute"...:|..
That would probably be the first time the screener realizes that he/she is looking at TWO parachutes.....:S...safe travels...

" I AIN'T GONNA TELL YOU...... NOTHIN!!!!!!!!!"
the old lady from "Field of Dreams" ,, when Ray is looking for Terrance Mann,, in Boston :)

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On review, how I chose to express what I had to say was shrill, at best, and it was inappropriate for fellow parachutists. This is a problem I need to work on.

My basic concern was that having observed this person she clearly is the type of parachutist who is making life more troublesome for jumpers like me who _do_ exercise at least a scintilla of common sense post 9-11.

The person I referred to _DID_ have an almost empty gear bag. The rig _WOULD_ have fit within the bag, no question.

The Jav was being slung about like just another fashion accessory. She was trolling for attention, which I will not countenance especially post 9-11 because this _does_ make life more difficult for people who travel with their rigs regularly.

Sorry to be a meany but if you know a jumper who is about to travel with her/his rig for the first time please tell the person to bag it if at all possible. The airport is not a place to showcase your skydiving passion, do this in the air and after beer-thirty.

Thank you for considering my position.

D. James Nahikian
CHICAGO

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i have to disagree with this assessment, you are putting the 'blame' for any troubles on the shoulders of the jumpers and not the lack of education of the TSA screeners.

this is akin to asking someone to be a 'nice quiet low key muslim' in the wake of recent events, and i cannot support it. I put my rig in gear bag because its more convenient to do so, if for packing reasons i needed to carry it on my back i would proudly.

I refuse act like a nice compliant sheep just because the TSA has its head up its 4th point of contact.

by possibly making a scene and pointing out the fallacy perpetuated by ignorant security personnel you may be making life more difficult for yourself in the short term, but better in the long run as the actual policies become better known.
____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

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Traveling while Muslim is a right albeit one that may be subjected to additional regulation.

Traveling as a parachutist is a mere privilege and it may be prohibited altogether.

The attempted comparison fails.

The burden properly resides with each parachutist who chooses to transport a rig by air.

We would do well to keep this in mind.

D. James Nahikian
CHICAGO

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Traveling as a parachutist is a mere privilege and it may be prohibited altogether.



I don't know what country you're from, but I hope mine never ends up with that set of rules where a law abiding citizen is prohibited from travelling comercially. Even though it seems we're headed that way.

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>Traveling while Muslim is a right albeit one that may be subjected to
> additional regulation.

>Traveling as a parachutist is a mere privilege and it may be
> prohibited altogether.

This is a silly statement. Parachutists are never denied boarding; it is their parachutes that are denied boarding. If a muslim tried to carry on a ceremonial knife that they attached great religious importance to, they would be told they could not bring it on board, but _they_ could still fly if they so chose.

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>this is akin to asking someone to be a 'nice quiet low key muslim'
>in the wake of recent events, and i cannot support it.

No, I think it's more in line with asking a catholic to not brandish something that looks like a weapon (say, a large crucifix that looks like a sword) because it will both make people nervous and will worry TSA personnel. There is nothing illegal about it, of course, but if you put it in a bag you will have less trouble than if you wave it about like a sword, saying "Freedom of religion! Freedom of religion!"

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not at all the burden of education is on the system that enforces the regulation, not on the individual travelling. Parachutes are expressly permited, only the ignorance of the screeners is an issue, not the method or attitude of the passenger.

the anology holds because both misconceptions are the result of ignorance.

i will not behave as anyone other than myself or hide who i am and what i do, simply because anyone else thinks i should, or fails to understand the actual regulations involved in travelling with my equipment.
____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

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my point about the muslim was in relation to a statement to the effect of 'given the current climate we must all change our behavior to be more in line with a low key approach."

i refuse to change my behavior or appearance because of someone elses ignorance. I will display my passions anywhere and everywhere i wish. Up until the point we officially stop being a free country, at which point i will have already died to prevent that event.
____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

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The statements are correct even if you believe they are silly. They were utilized to show a failed comparison.

You _could_ be banned from flying on a commercial airliner based on your USPA membership.

You could not be banned from flying on a commercial airliner because you're a Muslim.

Parachuting is a privilege. Get used to this and act accordingly.

D. James Nahikian
CHICAGO

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hmm last time i checked pursuit of happiness was a right..



Yeah, but catching it isn't.

Wendy W.
There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

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>You _could_ be banned from flying on a commercial airliner based on
> your USPA membership.

>You could not be banned from flying on a commercial airliner
> because you're a Muslim.

As I suspect you know, any airline could ban both types - at least, for a while. It would then be up to the courts to decide if that was legal or not. I suspect both would be found to be illegal, although for different reasons.

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>i will not behave as anyone other than myself or hide who i am and
>what i do, simply because anyone else thinks i should . . .

I do all the time, although I consider it courtesy instead of some sort of bowing to ignorance. If a rig makes someone nervous I am happy to put it in a bag. If someone's sitting next to me and is nervous about flying, I won't talk loudly about the plane crashes I've been involved with. If someone thinks a digital cellphone will cause their mother's oxygen concentrator to suddenly crap out (which it won't) I am happy to not use it.

We will get treated how we treat others. If you want zero flexibility from the TSA folks, show them zero consideration. If you want to flaunt your coolness and individuality at their expense, expect them to flaunt their power. But if your goal is to fly with your rig, show consideration for others (even if you consider their fears irrational) and that consideration will be returned.

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oh i agree Bill. i try to be considerate of other people's concerns, but i refuse to pander to their ignorance. I try and help educate and explain things to people when confronted with such scenarios, and there are some circumstances where being 'beneath the radar' is the best policy.

however, when i'm right, they are wrong and being asinine about it, and I have the documentation and the time to confront their ignorance i never hesitate to do so..

the Army really loved me sometimes..i ran around with copies of a few regs i got called out on occasion in my wallet just for such circumstances..."i'm sorry SGM but the reg says, yes as a matter of fact i've got it right here....;)"

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

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You _could_ be banned from flying on a commercial airliner based on your USPA membership

.

So is that going to be one of the new questions they ask at the counter? "have you received any items from people you don't know?" "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the USPA?" PLLLLLLLLAAAAAAEEEEEEZZZZEEEE. (I wish ther was a rolling eye smiley face cause I'd put it here)



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Parachuting is a privilege. Get used to this and act accordingly.



*cough DICK cough* Did I just use my outside voice?:D
"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

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*cough DICK cough* Did I just use my outside voice?
_________________________________________________

No, you were just being *YOU* (cough).

D. James Nahikian
CHICAGO




Well then we can be Dicks together...DICK:P
"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

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TSA (Thousands Standing Around).

Most of them TSA people have already been educated about our gear but some airports just hanen't got a clue yet. I took some pictures of my Cypres when it was out of my Mirage for it's 4-yr maint. and also took one of the pilot chute. I'm flying to Palm Springs next weekend on America West and I'll let everyone know how it go's. I've never had a problem and don't anticipate one.


Chris
Skydive Houston

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I took some pictures of my Cypres when it was out of my Mirage for it's 4-yr maint.



This is an outstanding idea. I'll be sure to take a picture of mine when it comes back from its 4-year.

If anyone is having their batteries done soon, could you please take a digital pic of the unit with the cover removed and post it here? That'd be a great way to show that batteries are not cylinders of compressed gas.

_Am
__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

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