flying with a rig

[homer 0]

I'm picking up my first rig tomorrow and was planning a trip come summer if I got the funds. My question is what's the best way to fly with a rig? Will the airlines allow me to take it in as a carry on (in a kit bag of course) or will I be required to check it? Personally I'll be dambed if I check my rig so the airlines lose it. I'm thinking of either perris or raeford and maybe some DZ near Pensicola FL if my bro get stationed there.
beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

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[Sebazz1 2]

Hearing stories from others that have traveled with thier rigs recently the general consensus is that you must check your rig. Hard suitcases or those pelican containers are recomended. Sucks huh!
Sebazz............

[homer 0]

Maybe I could get one of those smugglers rigs they used in Drop Zone and just wear it on.
beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

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[weid14 0]

negative, I've traveled with mine all over the place. It's all time and location dependant, I've never checked it (when not wanting to). do a search on it, there is much info. CLiff notes: gear bag, dont' make a big deal, be polite, and if asked questions be understanding, and explain it in a way that sounds like its important (cause it is!)

[nacmacfeegle 0]

I've hauled my rig all over the world, checked, only lost it once, feckin KLM, but got it a day later. If yer really worried about losing it, insure it.
It really is not a big deal.
Cya
D

[Sebazz1 2]

The last thing we need is for an airport to get shut down cause some skydiver wouldn't just calmly check is bag and not attract attention to the fact that he lives for jumping out of planes. They (the airlines) should offer insurance for the worth of the rig though...............
Sebazz............

[freakyrat 1]

Homer
You can fly with your rig the way you described with little if any problems with security. Check out the USPA web site they have a good article with tips to follow and also the www.pia.com/ssk has a section devoted to the Cypres. Depending on the airline, each airlines website such as delta and Continental have a section on parachute rigs as carry-ons. I personally have not had a problem in my years of flying with the gear. I've had my kitbag wiped down with the explosive detection paper and it always has passed, Also it pays to arrive early at the airport and be polite to the screeners.
got any mor questions you can email me at [email protected]
always glad to help.
Chris

[skybytch 259]

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CLiff notes: gear bag, dont' make a big deal, be polite, and if asked questions be understanding, and explain it in a way that sounds like its important (cause it is!)

Along the same lines - don't wear a skydiving tshirt, don't show it off, basically don't look or act like anything other than an average person going on a trip.
My bosses check their gear all the time; have only ever had the airlines lose the bag with clothes in it...
pull and flare,
lisa
--
What would Scooby Doo?

[homer 0]

True story no bull shit. I was flying home for three weeks of convelesant leave. Flying from Fayettville NC to Atlanta. There happened to be five other army dudes on the plane going back to FT.Polk LA. The guys had just finished SF selection and eager to get home. Well we all got talking real loud about army shit and all the crazy stuff that we do. Well, it came time for landing so we all started joking around about never landing before, what was it like, cant we just jump out as the plane flies over the airport, and whatever we could think of to freak some passenger out. One thing led to another and in the middle of all our freaking out I guess we scared some passengersbeauty is in the eyes of the beholder

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[weid14 0]

Then you can be Joey Jones who had 3 rigs lost on two different trips (2 on one, one on another).

[homer 0]

Every time I fly from Atlanta to Fayettville delta loses a piece of my luggage
beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

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[bbarnhouse 0]

Homer ~
I tavel at least once a month and always check my rig. I have had it x-rayed and searched only once due to having to switch carriers. It's not been a problem. last year the only carrier that lost my luggage was United and they lost it 3 friggen times!
Once in New York, once in Chicago and once from California to Hawaii. All in all as much as I have flown over the years, these were the only times I have had problems. I think I was being told to stay home cause it all happened in 2001.
It only takes a little pixie dust......

[wildblue 4]

I just flew with mine a few weeks ago. Carried it on, in a gear bag (took all the other gear out except logbook..can't lose that)
Had no problems.
Would be interested to hear if anyone has been "spot checked" with theirs at the gate. I managed to avoid that all 4 times. But I wonder if they'd ask to open the container.
Never argue with stupid people.They just drag you down 2 their level & beat you with experience

[GrumpySmurf 0]

Traveled to and from Costa Rica with my rig barely two weeks ago, as a carry on.
Wrote up the experience after getting back. To sum it up:
1) put it in a container of some sort - I used a wheely bag.
2) Try to find an airline that explicitly states you can bring it on. I used Continental - they have a published policy on thier webpage about it - under passenger services->baggage->sports equipment. It says a sport parachute can be taken as a carry on, as long as it fits under a seat.
3) check your helmet, altimeter, etc - everything but the rig and the log book Since they are the two things you can't live without. I also took my Pro-Track - and made sure to shut it off (see the instructions on how to do this).
4) Arrive extra, EXTRA early - you never know, even though the airline says it's ok and the DoT says the CYPRES is safe, the high school dropout, minimum wage 'security expert' might think otherwise - unless you are in the mood to argue and ask for a supervisor. They may still make you turn around and go back to check it. With the baggage matching requirements in place - I have a feeling more effort is going to be put into making sure your checked bags are on your plane with you - or at least not on some other plane. I think most airlines only allow up to $5K of insurance to be bought - the rates vary wildly on the price per $100 of insurance you buy. Shop around. I think Conti was selling it for $1 per $100 over $1250 while United was $5 per $100 over $2500.
5) Bring a copy of the airline policy on parachutes, the CYPRES stuff, and it certainly would hurt to have a copy of FAR 105.43.b that says a reserve can only be packed by a FAA certified rigger. To paraphrase what diverdriver said once - try to use the words, "FAA certified Senior Rigger" as much as possible if they try to get into the reserve compartment.
6) Like it has been said, don't draw attention to yourself. Don't even hint nor joke about jumping out of the plane.
7) getting past the X-ray people was no big deal in Newark or Madison, Wi for me but I'm sure the folk in San Jose, Costa Rica would have flipped if they saw the CYPRES, but they pretty much ignored my bagage as it passed through - they were too busy giving a woman hell for having tweesers in her purse.
8) When they call the flight at the gate - watch how the gate security people are picking people out - sometimes it is by boarding pass code, sometimes by random. If you are not picked, you won't be hassled.
I hope they implement a pre-screening mechanism like the US and Canada Immigration and Customs folk have for INSPass - they do a background check on you and issue an ID with a biometric that allows you to skip the lines and just enter everything into a kiosk. Wishful thinking I guess?
Guess you folk heard about the WWII Congressional Medal of Honor recipient who *ALMOST* had his medal confiscated and destroyed at security station in a airport due to the pin on it? Caused quite a stink, it seems.

[QuickDraw 0]

I can't remember who posted it but Here is some information that might be of help.
There is no spoon.

[E150 0]

This is the official rule about a rig (with cypress). Not sure if it applies to a cypresless rig (probably does).
Dear Skydiver:
In case you intend to travel via commercial airline with your rig in
the future, please follow these tips and hopefully you will not
experience any difficulties.
CYPRES is a non-dangerous good, this has been certified by
various authorities. However, airlines may take this into
consideration or not, their usual reaction when asked is that
they are very restrictive and start a long-lasting procedure
where the outcome is uncertain. We therefore advise you to
simply pack your rig into a hardshell suitcase, such as a
"Samsonite" case, and check your suitcase in without mentioning
anything about a rig or CYPRES. We recommend that you do not
draw the security staff's attention or volunteer the contents
(unless specifically ask). Above all do not phone in advance
or ask on the day of your flight if it is "OK".
Do not try to carry your rig on board as carry-on luggage. Under
actual circumstances, especially in regard to the situation in the
United States, this likely will not be successful. You can rest
assured that the CYPRES is a non-dangerous good and that carrying
this device is therefore legal.

[AndyMan 7]

I carried my rig through on my bag frequently before september.
I never had a problem since Southwest changed their official policy two years ago.
The only reason I haven't done it since september is lack of opportunity.
Next time I fly with my rig I will carry it on my back. I refuse to check it because of the liability limitations, and if it's in a gear bag it's too big to fit the carry-on size requirements.
Even since September, I have never heard of security opening reserve or mains.
Flying with gear just isn't the problem it used to be.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[E150 0]

A friend of mine was made to unpack his main in LAX back in December. I dont even think he was taking the parachute as handluggage!!

[freakyrat 1]

First off you folks are making a big deal about nothing. I've had absolutely no problems flying with my rig since Sept, 11th. The fact that I work as a FSS specialist for the FAA and usually carry my ID badge with me has absolutely nothing to do with it either. The fact that I'm a frequent flyer on Continental, Delta, and Southwest has nothing to do with it either. Southwest is the airline that worked to get the Cypres thing resolved and if you read the SSK website you will see that prior to Sept 11th an IATA safety conference was convened where the Cypres thing was brought up. I agree the security people sometimes don't know what they are looking at sometimes and need an education but most of them do know what a rig looks like, especially at airports near major dropzones. The advice others gave about not wearing skydiving tees etc is good advice. You want to look like everyone else and don't want to draw attention to yourself. If you do get picked for a random gate search just don't let them pull on any handles. They know perfectly well what you are carrying. The FAR thing helps also in this regard. The letter from the airline outlining their policy does to. Just be polite and nice and act like a frequent flyer cause it works everytime. If the security people want to do the paper thing, let them, the rig will pass. Also it is good advice to pack your helmet and hooknifes and rigging tools in your Checked bag. Bag matching should also eliminate a lot of lost bags.
Have a good flight and don't make an issue where ther actually is none.
Chris
[email protected]

[freakyrat 1]

Just a little thing to add. If the WFFC is in Rantoul which most likely it will be, Southwest along with security at Midway is going to get a real workout seeing all of us as they have before Sept 11th when Roger ran his big-ways at SDC.