Another traveling with your rig question

[Brisco 0]

I flew down to Florida this past weekend and the security was pretty much a breeze. The only problem I had was going through the metal detector and I forgot to take of my watch, so I tripped the thing and got some personal attention. I was carrying my rig in a duffle bag and when the young female TSA agent opened the bag and saw what was in it, she jumped back like there was a snake in the bag and said "I'm not touching this!!" I said that I appreciated that since I was planning on using it the next day. Fortunately, another TSA agent there seemed to be very heads up about parachutes and just zipped the bag back up and let me go on my way.

The problem I had, however, was lugging that thing around the airports. The bag has a shoulder strap, but when ya ain't wearing it on your back, a rig get's pretty damn heavy!! So my question is, do any of you carry your rig out in the open when you fly? Other than some strange stares from other passengers, will it create any problems to wear the rig as a backpack? (leaving the leg straps dangling of course)

On a funny note: I got onto the first plane and just as they were getting ready to shut the plane door, a woman came running in and sat down in the seat next to me. Her hair was matted with sweat and she said something about a "strip search". When I asked her if she had really gotten strip-searched, she said no, but she got the full attention of the TSA and they went through her suitcase quite thoroughly. She said she was a bit embarrassed because she had just thrown her clothes in it and it was kind of messy. So the plane takes off and she takes off her shoes saying how the new shoes were hurting her feet. Then she opens up her carry-on bag and takes out some Dr. Sholes moleskin and an 8" pair of sharp scissors!! So much for in-depth security!!!

Brisco

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.

[lazerq3 0]

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The problem I had, however, was lugging that thing around the airports. The bag has a shoulder strap, but when ya ain't wearing it on your back

Bye a cheap back pack to put it in,,,that way your still wearing it like you would if you didnt have it in anything..and you have more equal pressure then just one shoulder strap!! ... yeah I've heard of people that wear theres in the open but why raise suspition? You'll here more comments to just keep it in a back pack then carry it in the open!!!

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a rig get's pretty damn heavy***

Really though how much walking are you doing? I mean if its that heavy then just set it down when your standing!!!

jason

Freedom of speech includes volume

[Aviatrr 0]

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So my question is, do any of you carry your rig out in the open when you fly? Other than some strange stares from other passengers, will it create any problems to wear the rig as a backpack? (leaving the leg straps dangling of course)

Doesn't matter whether you leave the legs straps dangling and the chest strap undone....you WILL be questioned by somebody. Don't put yourself, and the rest of us, at risk for more problems.

Get a gear bag. I highly recommend Aero-Tech for gear bags. They are made by Terry Pike, a well known rigger in DeLand, FL. The bags are made incredibly well - everything that is stitched is also bar-tacked. I've had mine for 3 years, never so much as a stray thread from it. When I bought mine, Terry told me if anything ever comes loose he will fix it for free. I recommend the regular size with zip off camera helmet bag. The standard size is a bit larger than the carry on, so it gives you a bit more room to put things normally...but you just don't stuff it quite as full when traveling if you want it to fit in the "approved" baggage thing by the boarding door. Mine never does, but it fits in the overheads. Having the zip off bag is a must for traveling so it will fit in the overhead. The camera helmet bag just gives a bit more room in the bottom(where most stuff ends up anyways) of the zip off bag.

Mike

[Dumpster 0]

One of the guys on my four-way team did a bunch of travelling out west this summer, and the first leg of the trip put it in a carry-on. Got a thorough search and lots of questions. After that he just carried on his shoulder, and had no problems whatsoever, for the next 4-5 flights until he returned to Chicago. But it still seems like the luck of the draw to travel withour hassles.

Easy Does It

[mrmanta 0]

anytime I've traveled, I definately take it as carry on
(baggage carriers have no mercy). Its much easier to just wear it like a back pack and stow it in the overhead. they study it in the x-ray, but I haven't had any problems yet.

[AndyMan 7]

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So my question is, do any of you carry your rig out in the open when you fly?

Yup, this is exactly what I do when I travel. I've never had a problem. I wear it on my back all the way through, take it off for the x-ray machine, then put it back on. I usually get a few silly comments from people who figure it out what it is...

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[Clownburner 0]

I use a samsonite soft-sided rollaboard. It's just the right size for the rig (it fits nice and snug). And since I jump HUGE FREAKIN CANOPIES my rig is very heavy.
There's room for my altimeter and maybe a magazine or something, and it's got wheels, so I just roll it along and don't ruin my back.

This worked beautifully for me, and because it looks just like everyone else's carry on bag, it gets -zero- extra attention in the airport (from either security or thieves), which is nice.

7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez
"I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth

[freakyrat 1]

I also use the Aerotech gear bag. It's nondescript and small and compact and fits my Mirage G3 and both jumpsuits etc. just fine. I even flew to Rantoul this year on AIRTRAN to BMI and was able to fit my Nvertigo helmet it the top corner around the rig. When I fly an airline that allows 1 bag plus a personal item I carry the helmet seperately. This gearbag has a top part that zips off and allows it to fit under the seat and in mostly any overhead including Saab 340 and about every RJ.

Chris

[brothermuff65 0]

thats easy put it in a gear bag and carry it over your shoulders

till later have fun & love each other seeya mb65johnny gates