Spizzzarko 0 #26 October 25, 2005 Here's what i think about the TSA. I wrote this in another thread about people getting their stuff damaged by the TSA. "Those of you who say forget about it, SHAME on you!!! If you just let things slide, then you are letting the TSA get away with doing SHITY jobs. We should NOT tollerate this behavior from the TSA. Their job is to inspect for contraband, and not to destroy our belongings. If they get away with it day in and day out then they will get progressivley worse. It may be some glassware that a Hispanic person made for $.38 and sold for $10 now, but tomorrow it's some ones laptop, and the next day it's them cutting your reserve ripcord with bolt cutters or cutting into a box that you have a brand new canopy wrapped in plastic, with a box knife, or dropping your altimeter on the ground or countless other things. Fuck the TSA, and how they operate. Do you think we are really that much safer in the air now, with them hiring people for minimal wage to do a shitty job. Do you think half of the TSA workers know what the fuck they are looking at or even looking for? What difference does it make if I have a laptop in my carryon luggage? Why do I need to pull it out and have them x-ray it seperatly, and the shoe thing. I'm getting sick and tired of having to strip down naked when I walk through the metal detector. The TSA is a billion dollar a year abortion, that was concieved as a knee jerk reaction from 9/11/01, and was givin NO propper prior planning WHATSOEVER. The terrorists won on 9/11 because the flight deck (COCK pit) doors were not bolted, and there were no Air Marshals to speak of at the time. Do you honestly think that people can succeed in doing what the terrorist did on that fatefull day in this day and age? No they cannot, and it's not because I had to take my cufflinks, belt, shoes and jacket off. There has to be other methods for detection of weapons and hazardous materials in peoples luggage with out the TSA opening my golf club case and DESTROYING the case latches while closing it, only to leave a little flyer telling me that they inspected my bag. Fuck them! They need to be accountable for all the damage they inflict on our belongings. If not then what is next? AMERICANS!!!, (and canadians travelling through the US) Stand up for your rights, and don't let the TSA walk all over you. File your claims! It's up to us to not let them settle into mediocrity by destroying our baggage or belongings. I hope you are not to LAZY, yes I called you LAZY, to file a claim and follow up on it. Are you affraid of them telling you no? How will you know if you don't file the claim and then appeal their first decision. You don't just take the first offer that the used car salesman gives you when he is selling you that car, do you? STAND UP for your rights America. This is your country, and without your involvement, then it will fail. This just isn't about broken Mexican glassware, but it's about fight for our Freedoms. I bet our founding FATHERS are rolling over in their graves. Spizzzarko Rules the World!!! " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okalb 104 #27 October 25, 2005 QuoteThe only place I have had trouble is leaving Portland,ME.They usually use me as a training excersise and take up 30 minutes of my time. Funny I travel all the time and the only place I ever get harassed is Portland, ME. I don't mean when I am travelling with my rig. I just get harassed there all the time. The TSA agents are insane there. I think it has something to do with the fact that the 9/11 hijackers went through security there.Time flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #28 October 25, 2005 QuoteQuoteThe only place I have had trouble is leaving Portland,ME.They usually use me as a training excersise and take up 30 minutes of my time. Funny I travel all the time and the only place I ever get harassed is Portland, ME. I don't mean when I am travelling with my rig. I just get harassed there all the time. The TSA agents are insane there. I think it has something to do with the fact that the 9/11 hijackers went through security there. Really? I thought it was Boston Logan..."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okalb 104 #29 October 25, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteThe only place I have had trouble is leaving Portland,ME.They usually use me as a training excersise and take up 30 minutes of my time. Funny I travel all the time and the only place I ever get harassed is Portland, ME. I don't mean when I am travelling with my rig. I just get harassed there all the time. The TSA agents are insane there. I think it has something to do with the fact that the 9/11 hijackers went through security there. Really? I thought it was Boston Logan... My understanding is that the hijacked flights originated at Logan, but the hijackers made connections there. They actually went through security in Portland.Time flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
artistcalledian 0 #30 October 25, 2005 QuoteDon't say anything. I walk with it in my back then toss it in the x-ray machine then put it right on my back. do you keep it in any kind of back-pack though? or is the rig just on its own for everybody to see what it is? how funny would it be to put it on proper, put your goggles round your neck, and put your helmat on as you walk out to the plane...________________________________________ drive it like you stole it and f*ck the police Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #31 October 25, 2005 QuoteEvery time I've traveled with my rig, I always forget to stow the hook knife in the checked bag, but they never catch it. A few times I had a big Jack Ripper hook knife in the pocket of my gear bag that I forgot about. They never bothered with it. It was always my pager or laptop, or PC101 camera they were interested in... Guys, stop talking about what sharp objects TSA will and won't catch on a security screen m'k? They just might figure it out and ban all rigs or someone with bad intentions might read it and figure out how they are going to get their blade through security.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #32 October 25, 2005 QuoteQuoteQuoteThe only place I have had trouble is leaving Portland,ME.They usually use me as a training excersise and take up 30 minutes of my time. Funny I travel all the time and the only place I ever get harassed is Portland, ME. I don't mean when I am travelling with my rig. I just get harassed there all the time. The TSA agents are insane there. I think it has something to do with the fact that the 9/11 hijackers went through security there. Really? I thought it was Boston Logan... Nope... Portland, ME. They flew to Boston. Then boarded the planes that they ultimately hi-jacked.Chris Schindler www.diverdriver.com ATP/D-19012 FB #4125 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simplyputsi 0 #33 October 25, 2005 QuoteQuoteDon't say anything. I walk with it in my back then toss it in the x-ray machine then put it right on my back. do you keep it in any kind of back-pack though? or is the rig just on its own for everybody to see what it is? how funny would it be to put it on proper, put your goggles round your neck, and put your helmat on as you walk out to the plane... Then when you step onto the plane and the stewardess and pilot are there stop and say if you could give me a nice slow pass at about 15,000 that would be great. I have not been through airport with my rig as of yet, but since reading this I'll be much more prepared me thinks.Skymama's #2 stalker - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erikzero 0 #34 October 25, 2005 everyone can see my rig. people stop and ask me on the plane if that is a parachute. most people are not scared, they want more info about how it works and about skydiving. One passenger said "cool if the plane goes down you can jump out" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #35 October 25, 2005 >>One passenger said "cool if the plane goes down you can jump out"<< The only problem with that is if you made it out and everyone else perished they would certainly blame the whole disaster on you . . . NickD BASE 194 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjhdiver 0 #36 October 25, 2005 QuoteI don't travel a lot with my rig, but when I do it is in a duffle bag (carry on) I always check my rigs, and in each gear bag I have a copy of the official TSA requirements for parachute handling on the top of each container. When I check in, I ask for a special inspection as allowed under those rules, and inform them that they must under those rules, call me to be present if they wish to unpack the rigs. They usualy just call the security, tell them my rigs are coming over, and let me know that I'm good to go. Just being up front about what's in the bags, and making their life easier by putting copies of the regulations in with the gear works fine. Of course then, it's handed over to baggage handling. They've only lost my stuff once so far...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erikzero 0 #37 October 25, 2005 I know, dosen't that suck. I would say "It's not my fault I am smarter then everyone else and brought a parachute on board and didn't trust my life on machine" Then I would go to jail. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigern13 0 #38 October 25, 2005 I am traveling to Portland Maine in a couple of weeks. I guess you guys would suggest leaving rig behind? Thanks "I love 'lamp'." -SKYMAMA Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okalb 104 #39 October 25, 2005 QuoteI am traveling to Portland Maine in a couple of weeks. I guess you guys would suggest leaving rig behind? Thanks Not necessarily, just leave extra time at the airport.Time flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerd137 0 #40 October 25, 2005 QuoteI say "you're not gonna make me unpack it are you?" They say "no, it's really no big deal". [snickering] I bet THAT would have bummed you out!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dixieskydiver 0 #41 October 26, 2005 Quote>>One passenger said "cool if the plane goes down you can jump out"<< The only problem with that is if you made it out and everyone else perished they would certainly blame the whole disaster on you . . . NickD BASE 194 Yea, that really sucks. Who else, when flying rigless, still thinks "Maybe if I track really well and I find a nice soft marsh or something..." Dixie HISPA #56 Facil Rodriguez "Scientific research has shown that 60% of the time, it works every time." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justinb138 0 #42 October 26, 2005 QuoteQuote>>One passenger said "cool if the plane goes down you can jump out"<< The only problem with that is if you made it out and everyone else perished they would certainly blame the whole disaster on you . . . NickD BASE 194 Yea, that really sucks. Who else, when flying rigless, still thinks "Maybe if I track really well and I find a nice soft marsh or something..." I don't do that, but I have this bad habit of looking out the window and my left wrist shortly after getting in the air. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #43 October 26, 2005 QuoteQuotebut what is this TSO letter you talk about It's an American FAA thing. If your gear is South African it MAY not even have a TSO certification. Just means that the gear has been certified by an American government agency to certain strength and durability standards. Just for clarity - I was talking about taking a copy of the TSA policy (american thing) an traveling with parachutes, not the TSO certification requirements. Either way, our friend won't have to worry about it. But, regardless of where one is traveling, I do recommend visiting each carrier's website and see if there is a published policy on parachutes and to have that handy. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mdrejhon 8 #44 October 26, 2005 I went travelling with a parachute for the first time. I made damn sure I am going to do carry-on because I don't trust baggage handlers. I have a nice color printout of the TSO letter (on glossy photo paper) and the Cypres card. I went on WestJet to Florida. My findings on 4 trips through security (For each direction of my roundtrip, I had one for Canadian security, one for USA security when switching planes in Toronto between the domestic and international legs of my trip.) 2 out of 4 times, one pass through the X-ray without a second glance. 1 out of 4 times, two passes through the X-ray and some mumbling. 1 out of 4 times, they had me open the gear bag and they almost wanted to open the parachute. The security people was tugging at the gear flaps, which made me really nervous (who wouldn't when you're fondling with the baby!), and I panic-pointed at the TSO letter. They had a read-over and two persons chatted to each other, and waved the rig on. Whew! As a yet additional safeguard, I also have a printout of a WestJet policy letter specifically permitting parachutes as carry-on luggage. Otherwise uneventful Florida trip. Definitely need the TSO letter and the Cypres card. (The Cypres card was never used, but the TSO letter was a lifesaver at one time.) The rig slightly exceeded carryon weight restrictions, but nobody noticed. On my trip down, I packed my helmet in my check-in baggage, but on my return trip, I packed my helmet in the gear bag. After my experience, I am going to buy a wheeled gear bag, carrying the gym bag with a rig alone is extremely tiring. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kc10boom 0 #45 October 26, 2005 I just went through in Sacramento and S. Dakota with no problems I told TSA that I had a rig w/o a Cypress and they did not even care...good for me Boom...Out NKAWTG...N Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #46 October 27, 2005 Last time I flew to Spain it was my helmet (bagged Z1) that caused the problem. We had a bit of a row about it, but there was no way they were backing down so I ended up having to check it in. Anyody else had a problem taking a full-face as carry-on? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #47 October 27, 2005 When I flew from Little Rock, to Philly, and then to Orlando last year I was kindly pulled aside on two of the three legs of my trip for the more extensive search. During one of these searches, as they had were patting me down, a big guy comes over holding my rig. It went like this: Big guy: Ma'am, does this belong to you? Me: yes sir. Big guy: Is this a parachute? Me: yes sir. Big guy: Do you use this to jump off of bridges? Me: no sir, airplanes. Big guy: Do you plan on wearing it on this flight? Me: no sir. And he took it away to be checked for "residue." Interesting encounter.... linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
