atsaubrey 0 #1 August 24, 2004 I haven't heard too much about the TSA and people carrying rigs on airlines lately. Anything I should know before I try to fly with mine next week."GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #2 August 24, 2004 Use a discreet carry-on bag and just run it thru the x-ray machine with no comment. It shouldn't be a problem. If you have a weight vest, it will show up as a big blank spot and get their attention. Be prepared for that. There is no FAA rule against parachutes on an airliner, but "explosives" are another thing. Make sure you refer to your Cypress as an electronic device, not an "EXPLOSIVE parachute deploying thingie!" Mostly, be low key about it all. I've never had a problem geting on the plane with mine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #3 August 24, 2004 Quote If you have a weight vest, . . . Uh . . . I don't think that's applicable in this instance. Anyway . . . check this out. http://uspa.org/membership/travel/rigs.htm#tsaquade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #4 August 24, 2004 QuoteUh . . . I don't think that's applicable in this instance. I got a laugh there, too, but it's possible he's taking weight vests for whomever he ends up jumping with. If I were an anvil, that is one way I would consider making friends at other dropzones... "Hey, want to fly really fast with me? Put this on and let's go!" -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #5 August 24, 2004 When I flew to the WFFC, the xray guy called everyone there over and said "that's what a parachute looks like." No problem at all. -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #6 August 25, 2004 If you are carrying it on, is it going to be small enough? -Serious question. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #7 August 25, 2004 I have read enough inconsistencies to ship my gear wherever I go. It's worth the expense for the peace of mind that it's gonna arrive on time and intact, as well as the insurance.Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gdmusumeci 0 #8 August 25, 2004 I just flew with a rig from DCA to OAK -- alas, I didn't have a gear bag to put it in (oops) so I carried it bare. No problem whatsoever; the TSA guy checked the picture against the Cypres2 card and was satisfied. He said he "marked the image" to show other screeners what a sport rig looks like. The entire process added maybe 60 seconds to the security screening procedure. I think, however, that your experience will be very dependent on what airport you fly out of and the experience and comfort level of the screener you get. Best of luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyer2Diver 0 #9 August 25, 2004 My experience (YMMV) I was traveling to Rantoul two weeks ago and put my new G3 with Cypres2 installed in a gear bag, and put it right on the x-ray machine at LaGuardia Airport - the TSA guy didn't even bat an eye - not even a secondary screening, and he didn't ask to see my cypres card (I did have it, and a printout of the TSA page on parachutes just in case). On the way home at Champagne airport, they obviously had seen plenty of rigs come through - no cypres card needed there either. I carried it on both times. It fit easily in the MD-80 overhead bin, but not in the RJ, so I used the "valet" gate-check service. I didn't want to let it out of my sight for too long._______________________________ 30005KT 10SM SKC 23/05 A3006 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atsaubrey 0 #10 August 25, 2004 to start off with what is a Cypress card? I am worried about being able to carry the big bitch on too, but dont care to leave it in "their" hands. I have never had lost luggage or anything but this would be the time no wouldn't it/ Im sick thinking about it"GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyer2Diver 0 #11 August 25, 2004 Quoteto start off with what is a Cypress card? Airtec supplies a card which shows what the Cypres looks like installed in a rig through an x-ray machine. The idea is, you can give it to the screener and it will explain what they are seeing on their monitor. QuoteI am worried about being able to carry the big bitch on too, but dont care to leave it in "their" hands. I have never had lost luggage or anything but this would be the time no wouldn't it/ Im sick thinking about it Mine's not quite as big a bitch (a G3 with a 190 main and 176R in it), but it fit easily in the somewhat small bin on the MD-80. I was expecting problems too - so I showed up at the airport 2 hours ahead - I ended up breezing through security in 5 minutes and surfing dropzone.com for an hour and a half before boarding the plane. Hopefully it'll go as smoothly for you as it did for me. Blue Skies_______________________________ 30005KT 10SM SKC 23/05 A3006 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reginald 0 #12 August 25, 2004 QuoteIf you are carrying it on, is it going to be small enough? -Serious question. Not a problem at all. I put mine in a small suitcase along with my alti, gloves, etc. it fits perfectly in every overhead bin in every airplane I've been on; 737’s, 767’s 777’s…"We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #13 August 25, 2004 Uh, yeah . . . ever travel with a tandem rig?quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cvfd1399 0 #14 August 25, 2004 i guess my mt1-xx is outta the question as far as fit goes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ncrowe 0 #15 August 25, 2004 I just flew from Fort Lauderdale to Houston, I wore my rig on my back like a back pack. The X-Ray process went smooth I had my cypress card out and the screener didnt even want to see it. I got a few funny looks but I think most people thought it was just a back pack. One of the stewardess's even complimented me on my nice back pack when I was getting off the flight. I put all my other gear in my checked luggage and it had a orange TSA sticker on it when i got it, I guess it was screened but no biggie. "Don't Mess Around With the Guy in Shades- Oh No!!! " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cvfd1399 0 #16 August 25, 2004 I went on a dive trip to Jamaica, when I got back home I found out that somewhere in Miami or New Orleans they searched my dive bag and removed my lead weights off the nylon belt, left the knife and put the belt back in the bag?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #17 August 25, 2004 I had a giggle flying out of my local airport earlier in the year. They x-rayed my rig and freeze framed on it and blew it up for everyone to stand round and look at. I moved a little close and asked if they wanted to know what it was. Supervisor proudly announced that she could see quite clearly what it was - it was climbing equipment and I could go on my way. Er...yeah... that's right... climbing equipment.... I'll just go on my way then... cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakyrat 1 #18 August 26, 2004 Everytime I've flown with my gear in the past three months TSA has been totally nice and cooperative. I guess they finally know what these rigs look like. I flew to the WFFC on DELTA and Delta Connection Carriers ACA and Chatauqua. My little Mirage G3 MT size fit in the overheads on the 737-200 on Delta as well as the Fairchild-Dornier 328 Jet on Atlantic Coast Airlines and the Embraer145 on Chatauqua. The other rig I checked in a small Travelpro Rollerboard case in Houston, I put the rig in its kitbag and laid the TSA letter on top of the kitbag. TSA did open the bag and swab it after it went through the EDS equipment but that was it. They even locked up the case for me. On the return flight at Champaign-Urbana they just swabbed down my checked bags and also allowed me to lock the bag that had my other rig in it. By the way on the flight to Champaign from CVG on the FRJ, Tim from Fort Lauderdale and "Muff Brother" Johnny Gates plus myself all had our rigs in the overhead and they fit just fine. To sum up just take the TSA documentation with you with your rig or rigs, get to the airport early and be cool. In my experience and others who have posted here TSA has their act together on this now. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atsaubrey 0 #19 August 26, 2004 now can I get a small tandem in the overhead boxes.....humm???"GOT LEAD?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #20 August 26, 2004 My Mirage 210/193R barely fit on the smaller planes and barely makes the size for most airlines. -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reginald 0 #21 August 26, 2004 My fav was on a trip where security x-rayd it and the screener froze it and stared with a confuded look for about 15 seconds. He shruged his shouldersand then let it through. Great security! "We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things." CP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakyrat 1 #22 August 26, 2004 Maybe a teeny weenie one. Just a laugh. Mostly small rigs can be taken on board or larger ones that are pretty thin in pack volume. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #23 August 26, 2004 QuoteSupervisor proudly announced that she could see quite clearly what it was - it was climbing equipment and I could go on my way. Er...yeah... that's right... climbing equipment.... I'll just go on my way then... cheers. My wife and I had a couple of screeners look at our rigs on the screen, nudge each other, laugh, and say " Oh right, excercise equipment!" They way they were laughing, I think they were thinking high speed bondage gear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumpmunki 0 #24 January 4, 2005 what is the UK equivelent to the TSA.... what IS the tsa? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #25 January 4, 2005 http://www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp I don't know what the UK equivalent is but here more than you ever wanted to know about the TSA.NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
