Can't Fly with a rig in Boston

[Plaedouh 0]

Last week I attempted to fly out of Boston with my gear. Obviously that didn't work (or else I wouldn't be talking about it here, would I? ). I thought I might share my experience here, so that maybe others might learn from this.

Please pardon the formatting, as this is a copied part of a letter I wrote to USPA regarding my experience. (Names removed because it's probably the appropriate thing.)

***
After waiting in line for 45 minutes at security, I entered the security
point. My rig and jumpsuit were packed alone in a carry on "roller-board"
bag. As it passed through X-ray, it was pulled to be inspected. I
identified the bag as belonging to me, and I we moved to the inspection
table next to the belt.

I was asked what was in the bag, I identified it as a skydiver's
parachute, and told her I was a skydiving instructor. "Oh, I don't know
about this." At this point TSA #2 stepped in . TSA #1 and TSA #2 discussed that they need to swab
it and re-scan it. TSA #2 then asked if I was millitary, and if the rig had
CO2 canisters in it. I told him I was an instructor (not millitary), and
there was no CO2. "Well, we need to scan this again." TSA #2 roughly
grabbed my rig and took it back to the X-Ray. 4 personell looked at the
immage on the screen, and rescanned it a few times. TSA #2 returned with
Supervisor X. "We're sorry sir, you can't fly with this." I asked
why, and the only explination I recieved was Parachutes are not allowed on
planes. I was told I can speek to the airline back at the check-in desk
about the possability of checking the bag, but I cannot carry it on. TSA #2
then told me he will have to escort me out of the security area. At this
point Supervisor X walked away.

All this time I had in my hands my USPA card, my CYPRES card, and copies
of "TSA advises Cary-Ons" from the USPA website and the "Parachutes"
information from the TSA website (none of which I could get them to show interest in). As TSA #2 picked up my rig to escort me
away, still out of my cary-on bag, I pointed out there may be some
confusion. I said I believed the TSA allowed parachutes as cary-ons
routienly, and asked if we could review the documented procedure on this.
"Where did you hear this?" TSA #2 asked with an impatient attitude. I
pointed out the material I had from the TSA website and the USPA website.
"Oh, you read something on the internet? You shouldn't be trusting that.
What might have happened once somewhere doesn't mean it will here. You
should have called the airport in advance so we could have told you then
this isn't allowed." TSA # began to walk away with my rig again, at wich
point I gave up on getting through security and just asked we put my rig
back in my carry on. "Do you really need to?" TSA #2 again asked in an
annoyed tone. "I'd be more comfortable, yes. I have it there so I can
keep it better protected." I placed the rig into the cary-on, and TSA #2
lead me out to the main terminal area. TSA #2 said I would need to get back
in line (still about a 30 minute wait) after talking to the airline about
checking a parachute, and that was that.

It was approaching 3:00pm now. With the line at the Continental desk
probably 15 or 20 minutes, and the still long security line, I was worried
I might start pushing what time I had left. Moreso, after the rough
treatment my rig got while I was standing there, and after the TSA ignored
standard operating procedure, and they admitted it, I did not feel safe
checking my rig, and losing control of it to further security treatment I
can't predict. So I returned my rig to my car in the parking garage, and
continued my trip from there.

I can confidently say I maintained a polite and professional attitude
during this experience. While I was unhappy with the treatment I was
recieving, I realize that I would not help matters for myself or future
skydivers had I lost my cool.
***

Has anyone had similar bad experiences, perhaps learned something I might find usefull in the future? As of now I've been hoping to repeat this trip in a couple weeks, but after this ordeal, I'm thinking either I ship my gear for the weekend, or just have to cancel the plans.

[shodan75 0]

I was rcenting travelling with my rig. I fortunately didn't have any problem....except in Calagy on the way home. I not sure they had ever seen a skydiving rig before.
Called the supervisor over and he just doubled checked with the airline.
Check out this from the uspa web site.
I also printed a copy of the tips from the TSA's web site and another letter I think I found on the uspa website, just in case I did incounter a problem.

http://www.uspa.org/membership/travel/rigs.htm


http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1147.xml

It is usually up to the airline that you are travelling with.....A parachute is considered sporting gear and is on most airlines allowed to be carried on.

I also on the same trip had checked one rig and carried on two. One in a gear bag and one without.
I did not have a problem with the checked gear.

hope this helps
blue skies.

Hope you got the name of all the people involve and all your flight info. to contact the USPA to let them know what happen.

One must ensure that his or her spirit is never broken......Samurai Maxim

[JonBonGraham 0]

Hey - sorry to hear about that, it's a real bummer when you can't do stuff like that just 'cause people can't be arsed to do thier own jobs properly!
Would you let us all know about how any of it turns out, just for interests' sake? Have you written to the airline as well?

Good luck!

Durham University Freefall Club

Grounds For Divorce website (band I'm in)

[falxori 0]

that sux

when i was traveling with my rig, me and my friend had an arguement about whether its better to simply walk through hoping for the best or to approach the TSA ppl in advance, let them know we're carrying a rig and show them the papers.

both seemed to work, but i guess its a matter of luck.

O

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[ScottishJohn 25]

Why don't you write and complain to the head of TSA for the airport and the head of the TSA about the poor standard of training given to the security staff.
Ask what they are going to do to correct the inconsistant treatment that people are getting at different airports.
people have been emailing USPA about this issue for a few years now but still problems persist. Maybe complaining direct to the TSA and the Airport might have better results.

I'm sure that the airport and the airlines won't be happy that they are loosing customers due to poor training of TSA staff.

Just my 2p worth.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you think my attitude stinks you should smell my fingers

[JohnMitchell 14]

Sounds like another case of poor training of the TSA employees, compounded by an employee on a power trip. I would go with the letters to all the higher ups. Give places, dates and names. Request that the TSA increase their efforts to get their employees to adhere to official policy. Sometimes people just need a little more education to do their jobs correctly, and some government employees are very resistant to training. Believe me, I know.

[gemini 0]

I was having problems once because of my weight belt. I asked for a supervisor who said I couldn't carry it on. So I asked for her supervisor, who walked over picked up the weight belt and said, "It's just a weight belt, he can carry it on."

Sometimes you just have to get to the right person.

Blue skies,

Jim

[dgm458 0]

I was held up in Honolulu when trying to pass through security with my rig as a carry-on in late July of this year. TSA guy held me up for 45 minutes after I went through the line before his supervisor finally asked him what was taking him so long and waved me through. I was within 15 minutes of my flight time.

The TSA guy was a self proclaimed "parachuter", but he didn't know what a CYPRES was, which is what caused alarm to the screener. He swabbed my rig no less than four times, kept reading the material I gave him, seeming too interested in my log book and the fact that I was a civilian (not military) that owned "parachuting" equipment.

Edited for bad spelling.

--------------------------------------------------
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail

[freakyrat 1]

Mike

Sorry for your experience. I personally have taken my rig through Boston as a carry-on on AIRTRAN with no problems.

Heres what you can do based on an experience I had at Palm Springs about two years ago.

Besides giving USPA's Ed Scott all your information you posted here. Each Airport has a TSA Federal Security Director. Boston Logan's is Mr. George Naccara. Give him a phone call Monday and also follow up with a letter. Mine to Palm Springs, for example totalled 16 pages. I had pictures of my gear, my USPA info, and Cypres Info. I made mention of the fact in the letter that Mr. John Andrus, Safety Director for Southwest Airlines worked with SSK and the FAA to get the Cypres declared non-dangerous goods. Also on the USPA's website and I think TSA's it make's mention of the numbered paragraph in the TSA Ops manual which references parachutes. I would make mention in my letter that the screeners were not following proper procedures and they didn't seem interested in doing the proper thing. Also the manual cleary states that they are supposed to swab down the rig if they have any questions and obviously in your case they did it but failed to follow up properly.

The Chapter and Section of the TSA Operations manual that deals with Parachutes is Chapter Section 17.2 of Version 4.0 of the Screening Checkpoint Operating Procedure.

Oh incidently, with my experience at Palm Springs the TSA Director there took steps to see that the screeners were properly trained.

Hope this helps.

Chris

If you got any questions email me at [email protected]

[flyangel2 2]

Yet on my most recent trip to and from Huston, I had in my backpack a little pocket knife.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[Douva 0]

Any time you have trouble with a screener, be sure to get the screener's name. You want to include that information in your reports to the USPA and the TSA supervisor at the offending airport.

Also, did you ask the officials to reference chapter section 17.2 of version 4.0 of the Screening Checkpoint Standard Operating Procedure manual?

From the USPA website:

"Skydivers encountering problems with screeners should request that the screener's supervisor become involved. Skydivers should insist that the supervisor review " Chapter Section 17.2 of Version 4.0 of the Screening Checkpoint Standard Operating Procedure." Skydivers encountering unsatisfactory treatment should contact USPA at 703-836-3495 ext. 325 or e-mail us. Be ready to provide the airport, date and time of flight, airline and flight number, and names of TSA officials involved."

I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

[mattjw916 2]

I just flew with my rig as a carry-on for the first time... no problems from Tucson to Phoenix to Dallas. I have all the print-outs and references from the TSA SOP on my person just in case a screener needs "refresher" training. I showed up ridiculously early for my flight as an extra precaution.

Aside from some second looks and a smile or two from the flight attendants while boarding the plane no one even knew what was slung over my shoulder as I wandered through the various airports.

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[flyangel2 2]

Are you not carrying you rig in a bag?

If not, I would suggest doing that, so you can protect handles and pins.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[Icon134 0]

Quote

"We're sorry sir, you can't fly with this." I asked
why, and the only explination I recieved was Parachutes are not allowed on
planes.

Sorry, this is the best line in the story... so if I can't take my parachute on an airplane (not that I would consider exiting a commercial airline...) how is it suppose to be used. Levitation perhaps?

Quote

"Where did you hear this?" TSA #2 asked with an impatient attitude. I
pointed out the material I had from the TSA website and the USPA website.
"Oh, you read something on the internet? You shouldn't be trusting that.

This is also curious... and probably, as others have pointed out an, effect of poor training.

It is possible that some of the problems encountered in the airline industry are the result of movies such as Dropzone where one of the characters states that poeple wouldn't be allowed to get on a plane with a rig... unfortunately too often people confuse fantasy with reality.

personally, I would more then likely climb the chain until I got to someone that seemed to know what they were doing... and my rig would NOT be manhandled.

Scott

[tdog 0]

Quote

Aside from some second looks and a smile or two from the flight attendants while boarding the plane.

I just flew to California on business. I always ask for the exit row - but never get them - for the extra leg room. I got it both ways. I thought, "I bet I would get weird looks from those-in-the-know if I sat in the exit row and had a rig under my seat. When the nice but serious flight attendant told us how to open the door, she did have a concerned look when I laughed quietly. I could not help it, I was thinking about an airbus exit using the inflatable slide.

[dtpilot 0]

Man that really sucks. I have never traveled with my rig but am going to virginia beach next summer with the rig. hopefully i dont run into trouble like you. I run into trouble all the time with the airlines with my hand gun. I can check it but for some reason they always hassel me about even having it checked. I think they just like causing trouble

"Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!"
-- Friedrich Nietzsche

[skybill 19]

Hi Plae,
When it comes to taking your rig on a comercial flight anymore,"Ya' pays yer money and ya' takes yer chances!!" Considering the brain density of the yokels you were dealing with, you're lucky they didn't want to give you a finger wave too!! Someone being a dumbass (as these TSA yokels) with a little authority is a dangerous thing. Better luck next time, if there is a next time!

SCR-2034, SCS-680

III%,
Deli-out

[mattjw916 2]

Quote

Are you not carrying you rig in a bag?

If not, I would suggest doing that, so you can protect handles and pins.

My "gear bag" was full of extra crap and I had so much luggage due to the duration of my trip another duffle bag was impractical (and would have been $$$ for excess baggage). I tied up the leg straps with a pull-up cord, through my hook knife in my checked baggage, and otherwise wore it like a backpack. At the security check point and when boarding and departing the aircraft I did a quick pin check to make sure nothing moved.

After all, if the pins hold while getting beaten up in a funneled 6 way exit, I'm sure they will survive a ride in a nice pressurized aircraft.

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[tfelber 0]

I've traveled quite a bit with my rig and haven't had any real issues. Most times they never even ask me anything about it.

However the last time I flew out of Tallahassee there was alot of interest in my rig and myself. We showed up really early, like 5am and they searched myself, my wife, and my 3yr old son because he was near the search area. Next they said they needed to look at my rig, I was a little concerned at this point. But, they guy asked me to assist him with inspecting it and I explained the different components and that was it.

I would have started calling in supervisors and supervisors of supervisors if I had the experience Plaedouh had.

[rendezvous 0]

I addition to all the other documents I also provided the TSA guys a FAX from the airline regarding the airlines policy on parachutes. They were going to use the "The Airline does not allow it" on me, but the FAX didn't leave them much choice there. For some reason while they were still pondering over all the documentaion I had provided them, they had one of the screeners go through my wallet. It was a small wallet and yet he emptied out it's contents and gave it a shake. Still don't know why.

[Travman 6]

My AFF instructor said he has taken his rig on as hand luggage a few times. He always tells the screener "If this is the only thing that makes it to my destination I will be happy" and has made it through everytime
But things are probably a bit different here in australia

[falxori 0]

Quote

"If this is the only thing that makes it to my destination I will be happy"

i would recommend against any "smartass" remarks like that.
its more likely to single you out for further inspection...
[TSA brain] Hmmm, Lets open it and see why it is so important to him...[/TSA brain]

O

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[mattjw916 2]

[TSA brain] Hmmm, Lets open it and see why it is so important to him...[/TSA brain]

It'll be worth the $40+ reserve repack to see the TSA screener get the reserve pilot chute right in the face.

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[falxori 0]

Quote

It'll be worth the $40+ reserve repack to see the TSA screener get the reserve pilot chute right in the face.

not sure it will be worth spending the night in jail for attacking a public servant.
why else would you booby trap an innocent looking backpack with a spring?

O

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero."

[bct110 0]

I have been stopped 3 times by security flying with my rig. Each time they either looked it up or talked to the supervisor and I was allowed through without a problem. The best line I got from the TSA was "You can carry it on, but your not allowed to wear it in flight."

Sounds like I need to print out some documentation before my next trip...