what would do if custom officer insist to check your chute?

[SheeToh 0]

Hi,

I always have a question: What can a skydiver do if a custom officer at the airport insist on checking/opening your parachute. I am worried that they may open the reserve.

I have seen custom officers forced open someone's gift wrap by cutting it open at a International airport before. So I thougt it may happen to the paracute.

Blues Skies,
SheeToh

[hookitt 1]

I would instruct him on how to properly open my rig and let him know there is a spring loaded pilot chute that's going to scare him if he's not careful.

I'd suggest that he lets me do it but if he won't this is what I would try to get through to him.

Keep all sharp objects away from my stuff.
Nothing needs to be forced.
Remove the seal and throw it away.
Put some weigh on the rig and pull the pin by the cable, or point it way from him and pull the handle.
Have him remove the reserve freebag and place is on the table and open at will.

Let him know there is no spring on the main and talk him through opening it.

If he insistes on removing the cypres(which I currently don't have) show him how to remove it with out kinking any cables.

After he is done and apoligizes for making a mess of your stuff, (which probably won't happen) rigger roll up the canopies and put them in the gear bag and walk away.

My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto

[cvfd1399 0]

Tell him no it might "go off" and see what his face looks like

[D22369 0]

Tell him no it might "go off" and see what his face looks like
***

LOL.........ummmm, they dont have much of a sense of humor..... you should only do this if -

A) you have lots of time......
B) you like strip searches.....

they can and will take your rig, clothing, etc, completely apart..... if you succeed in pissing them off, better plan on another flight.....

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[bch7773 0]

Quote

Tell him no it might "go off" and see what his face looks like

something similar... someone from our DZ got stopped by customs and asked to open his rig.
he told them "why would i put a bomb into the parachute i would use to jump out?!?!"

needless to say, he got in a little hot water for that

MB 3528, RB 1182

[D22369 0]

take a copy of TSA's briefing on parachutes, its available on their website, it "should" satisfy them after they do a chem wipe.

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[airtwardo 7]

I have had that situation come up several times...

The best method is to request a supervisor which may
delay you for even longer...
but after explaining the what~where~and how's
of my rig to the 'boss'...

Like the cost to have the reserve repacked...and the seal
on it is issued by the FAA...

I've never had to open a flap on the rig.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[cvfd1399 0]

That sucks, why would you get into trouble for saying something like that. It was a legitimate question to the customs officer lol

[Iota 0]

Similar question,when you do travel (even domestically), you carry-on your rig I assume?

If you check it, TSA can open/inspect your bags in their entirety without you being present.

[D22369 0]

If you check it, TSA can open/inspect your bags in their entirety without you being present. ***

NEVER check your rig......unless forced to do so, and check the dollar amount of the insurance for your luggage that the airline provides, last time I checked it wouldnt even cover the cost of my main....

but I believe you can purchase additional insurance.....nice of them to offer this huh...?

Roy

They say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it.

[tombuch 0]

Quote

The best method is to request a supervisor which may
delay you for even longer...
but after explaining the what~where~and how's
of my rig to the 'boss'...

Like the cost to have the reserve repacked...and the seal
on it is issued by the FAA...

I've never had to open a flap on the rig.

That sounds like the best solution. You could also suggest they do a chemical swab, X-Ray, and allow dogs to inspect the rig. The idea to to let them know you are not opposed to an inspection, but simply wish for the least intrusive inspection that will satisfy their security needs.

You can also tell them the rig was inspected and packed by an FAA parachute rigger certificated under 14 CFR, Part 61, and sealed as per 61.133, and that the packing complies with 14 CFR 105.43. It could help to have copies of those regulations handy. For some security people having that official detail available will give them something technical to "hang their hat on."

Of course at the end of the day security and customs inspectors have a right to open your rig. You are least likely to have problems if you are polite and respectful, and don't offer any reason for them to suspect a violation.

If all that doesn't work, perhaps you could have an emergency bag of donuts handy?

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[airtwardo 7]

Quote

If all that doesn't work, perhaps you could have an emergency bag of donuts handy

Quote

That works like Catnip!

In my situation...
Most all of my travel with a rig(s) is on route or returning
from a demo, though I do take it international a few times
a year as well.

I carry on my rig, jumpsuit, helmet and altimeter so even if
everything else gets lost, I can still do the demo...
(Might have dress shoes on but will still get paid!)

The bad part(s)~
My usual 'stunt' during demos is jumping
lot's of smoke...it's ALL over my stuff and makes the swab
machine light up like a slot machine...and the puppies shake
like they were in a fire hydrant warehouse!

It ALWAYS gets the 'personal' touch from the TSA...
Problem is I often fly on the airline my wife flies for,
great price..BUT there is NO insurance what so ever
on anything!!

Found that out the hard way about 10 years ago going
into Tampa...gear bag never made it down the luggage
thingie so I checked with the office...

They bring out most of the contents of my gear bag,
now nicely packed into a cardboard diaper (huggies) box!!!

It 'fell' off a belt somewhere and got caught up in some
machine which cut and ripped chunks out of everything
that it didn't just cover with black grease!!

I'm looking at my rig...1 leg strap cut 90% through,
and I can see the torn / greasy F111 from the reserve
hanging out of the rips in the container...no main anywhere,
but a torn up bridle and pilot chute folded neatly in the box.

The agent assured me that it wasn't covered...but was most
curious as to the value of everything destroyed...

He told me it wasn't the only parachute they had destroyed
there that day and was waiting for the soon to be angry jumper that would be showing up from another flight in a couple minutes.

Never checked one again!!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[Gravitymaster 0]

Not sure about a Customs Officer, but here is TSA's policy.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=090005198005b0f5

Parachutes

Skydiving rigs with and without Automatic Activation Devices (AAD) are permitted as a carry-on or as checked luggage.

Typically, a rig will move through the checked luggage or carry-on security screening process without need for physical inspection. However, TSA screeners have a duty to thoroughly inspect any item that raises suspicion. If screeners determine that it is necessary to open a rig for complete inspection, then the owner of the rig must be present and will be allowed to assist. For this reason, skydivers are advised to add at least 30 minutes to the airline's recommended arrival window when traveling with their parachute.

The following recommendations are provided to assist skydivers traveling with parachutes:

Check the Parachute as Luggage

* Pack the rig separately without any other items in the bag. Additional items, if suspicious, could trigger an inspection of the entire bag.
* Screeners will not unpack a parachute without the owner present to provide assistance. This means that the passenger will be paged and asked to return to the ticket counter, so they can be present for inspection. Depending on the size of the airport and passenger volume, it is likely that the checked rig will be screened within 30 minutes. Remain in the area of the air carrier ticket counter and pay close attention to airport announcements for up to 30 minutes after checking in.
* If TSA cannot locate the parachute owner, the uncleared parachute will not be transported on the flight.
* Parachute owners may assist TSA screeners to unpack and repack the rig.

Carry the Parachute on the Aircraft

* Pack the rig separately without any other items in the bag. Additional items, if suspicious, could trigger an inspection of the entire bag.
* If a further search is required, all efforts will be made to search the item without out opening the chute(s).
* If a chute is opened, the owner can assist. The search may be done in a location away from the checkpoint to provide adequate space for the search, and space for the owner to repack the rig.

Parachutists should thoroughly inspect their parachutes at their destination to ensure that it has not been tampered with or damaged in a manner that renders it unsafe.

[dbattman 0]

It's not just the TSA inspecting it without telling you that can be the problem. People have retrieved their checked rigs and found them to be in dangerous condition. Reserve pins have had bolt cuttters taken to them, reserve containers have had screwdrivers shoved into them as probes tearing the canopy, etc. On at least one rig the damage was not found until a reserve repack.

Not a good situation. I'll carry mine, thank you.

[Tonto 1]

With you there..

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[mr2mk1g 10]

Insist that they open it out of the way in a side room so it doesn't get walked over and dragged through crap.

Ask them to swab it first - only if it sets off their "explosometer" (TM) should they want to open it.

Explain as Airtwado said. Offer to open your main rather than the reserve. Claim it doesn't open - if they want to take it apart by force back down.

My travel buddy on his way through CDG Parris just refused point blank and offered no further explanation. He was quite rude actually - I was cringing and wondering if I would stay with him or just leave him to his ass exam on his own. After asking about 6 or 7 times for him to open “the bag” and being told flat – “NO, I’m not opening it” the security bod just gave up and walked off.... gives you confidence doesn't it.

[skydiverton 0]

Here in europe you can tell the guy an opened reserve has finencial consequences. In case he opens it you can send the bill for the repack

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Using your droque to gain stability is a bad habit,
Especially when you are jumping a sport rig

[YahooLV 0]

The bad part(s)~
My usual 'stunt' during demos is jumping
lot's of smoke...it's ALL over my stuff and makes the swab
machine light up like a slot machine...and the puppies shake
like they were in a fire hydrant warehouse!

DAMN RIGHT!!!! Went through security with my jumping shoes on and boy..."Did I do that"? Never saw so many poeple move so quickly at one time. Luckily, I carry my PRO card and licenses and start talking really fast.

http://www.curtisglennphotography.com

[goose491 0]

Quote

I am worried that they may open the reserve.

If they insist on opening the reserve, just say "I'd better do that for you, just help me by holding it...yeah just like that with the circle (pop-top) in front of your face."


lol

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[tfelber 0]

I've flown with my rig several times, but this weekend I got questioned and thoroughly searched on both ends of my flight. Leaving California, they saw the rig on the scanner and pulled me to the side. They searched me and then swabbed the zippers on my bag. When I was walking away the guy asked if I jumped at Elsinore... So he at least knew what it was.

Leaving Tallahassee this morning however was completely different. They saw my rig on the scanner and immediately pulled me, my wife, and my 3yr old son aside and went through everything i had. The girl who opened my bag with my rig in it didn't even have a clue what it was, she just stood there looking at it dumbfounded. I kept a close eye on what she was doing while they finished wanding me. The guy standing with my rig said he needed to do a more detailed inspection, but he needed my help. He asked if it had a CO2 cartridge on it and I told him I didn't use an AAD and showed him the window where the control would be located if I had one installed. Next, he pulled the rig out and started looking at it. I explained to him where the main and reserve canopies were and showed him the closing pins, pilot chute, and reserve handle. After he took it back to the scanner and ran it through again he said I could leave.

In response to your question, I was prepared to be as thorough on my explanations as necessary and I would have opened my main if asked. However, if they would have wanted to open my reserve I would definitely have had them get a supervisor present so we could discuss the issue. Worst case scenario, they don't let you on the plane.

[tombuch 0]

Quote

Worst case scenario, they don't let you on the plane.

Nope. Worst case is they think you are being coy, or they consider you a terrorist threat. At that point they can hold you and your rig, and do a full inspection of both. If TSA considers you a threat or a person of concern, they may NOT release you until they are satisfied you are harmless.

That's not to say you shouldn't ask for a supervisor, or offer the information the crew needs to resolve the case. However, we should always remember the options available to TSA are a good deal more powerful than simply denying access to a flight.

With that said, don't mess with a minimum wage worker who has a tiny bit of power. It's a bad combination.

Tom Buchanan
Instructor Emeritus
Comm Pilot MSEL,G
Author: JUMP! Skydiving Made Fun and Easy

[teason 0]

I think I would ask to write down their name and information so that if there is a fatilty on the equipment they can be questioned and possibly charged for manslaughter or negligence causing death.

They'll probably still open it but they'll be VERY carful.

I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.