Guest #1 May 27, 2003 Those of you considering carrying your rig on a passenger aircraft may be encouraged by my experience over the past few days. Naturally, I had my Cypres card and logbook handy, but mostly did my best to be the "Gray Man". Even my gear bag is gray. Believe it or not, gray is a most effective camouflage color. Seattle - nothing. Carried my rig on with no hassle, no questions, etc. Sacramento - when my rig came out of the x-ray, the TSA guy asked me if I had climbing gear in my bag, because there was "a coiled-looking thing". I told him that it was a spring-loaded pilot chute for my rig, and he just said "Okay", and waved me on. Ontario - had to take my sneakers off (I guess the fuses sticking out of them were a dead giveaway - heh), but so did everybody else. Shoulda worn my flat leather sandals - would have gotten a pass on that. Oh well. However, my rig went through without any questions. Oddly enough, my checked bag was subject to more scrutiny than the carry-on items. At the request of a co-worker of mine, I had stopped by his mom's place in Perris and picked up five pounds of premium coffee in one-pound cans to bring back for him. With a front-side x-ray machine in place, the cylinder shapes in my bag aroused curiosity (I guess the fuses sticking out of them were a dead giveaway - heh). Aside from these minor quibbles, I had no problems at all. Granted, going through BWI or Reagan during an Orange Alert is most likely going to be more difficult, but it seems as though the TSA troops are doing what they were hired for. What I found noteworthy was that none of the TSA types were packing heat. This puts them in a different category of authority than what one might expect. In other words, it appears to me that the TSA personnel, although acting as government-appointed gatekeepers, have about the same federal law-enforcement authority as any state-appointed bureaucrat - that is to say, little or none (as an individual). I therefore assume that in the case of a minor violation or dispute, they will defer to local law enforcement, who are usually nearby and are packing heat. I am also assuming that in the case of a major offense, their big brothers, the Federal or Sky Marshalls or the FBI would be summoned forthwith. This is true in the AIC (Agriculture, Immigration, Customs) zones as well; Customs inspectors are always armed. Last note: I had the usual tech toys in my other carry-on (cell phone, cd player, etc.). None of that was hand-inspected or scrutinized, aside from x-ray. You may also be pleased to know that nobody asks you those stupid questions anymore, either. As for the Dropzone.com Boogie - it was a pretty good time, and it was great fun to hook up with fellow dz.commers like Quade, Viking (who was a very good sport on Saturday night, I might add!), Phree, jtval (thanks for the train - that ROCKED!), bbarnhouse, Bytch, billvon & Amy, Mike McGowan, and of course, Sangiro, and anybody else I may have missed. edit to change name of victim of "Lancaster Bomber" - hehehe "The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #2 May 27, 2003 Wow...that's great to hear. I'm glad TSA is getting their crap together. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #3 May 27, 2003 Quote picked up five pounds of premium coffee in one-pound cans to bring back for him Packed the bag yourself sir, Anybody gave you anything to carry that could conceal 5kg's of coke?Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #4 May 27, 2003 I'm glad to hear things were pretty smooth. I've been assembling my documentation for two upcoming trips. I will be heading to Perris in June and to the WFFC. Unlike you, I'll be going through National and BWI airports both times. The only debate I have is whether to try to take my rig carry-on or checked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #5 May 27, 2003 Quote Unlike you, I'll be going through National and BWI airports both times. The only debate I have is whether to try to take my rig carry-on or checked. I went through BWI last August, right after the WFFC. They opened my bag and looked at the rig, then closed it."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #6 May 27, 2003 Quote picked up five pounds of premium coffee in one-pound cans to bring back for him -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Packed the bag yourself sir, Anybody gave you anything to carry that could conceal 5kg's of coke? You and your metric system, Remster... He said 5 pounds, so that is only 2.268 kg. If you can't do conversions, you'd make a horrible drug dealer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #7 May 27, 2003 I'm sure you could pack the white stuff a little denser then coffee beans... allegedly, of course.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #8 May 27, 2003 Quote Quote picked up five pounds of premium coffee in one-pound cans to bring back for him Packed the bag yourself sir, Anybody gave you anything to carry that could conceal 5kg's of coke? Like I said, they don't ask the stupid questions anymore. However, I was a little concerned about the coffee cans, but too tired to care. BTW - 5 lbs=2&1/4 Kg. "The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #9 May 27, 2003 I bet you don't even care how densely it is packed, you silly mule, and would be fine with 5 pounds or 5 kilos. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #10 May 27, 2003 Quote BTW - 5 lbs=2&1/4 Kg So slow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #11 May 27, 2003 This must be some obscure referene to sexual practices I know nothing about, and therefore your sacrcasm was completely lost on me Justin... care to axplain what you mean?Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #12 May 27, 2003 Quote I bet you don't even care how densely it is packed, you silly mule, and would be fine with 5 pounds or 5 kilos. "Hee-Ha! Hee-Ha!""The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #13 May 27, 2003 Quote This must be some obscure referene to sexual practices I know nothing about, and therefore your sacrcasm was completely lost on me Justin... care to axplain what you mean? The sexual practices would be if either Clay or sheep were mentioned. But they were not, so if you really don't know what I was talking about, read this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1740948.stm Or did you just forget that you had that extra full feeling on your last flight? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #14 May 27, 2003 Hey Justin, Why are you stalking SkyMamma and why is a guy stalking you.... you pervert Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #15 May 27, 2003 Quote Why are you stalking SkyMamma and why is a guy stalking you.... you pervert I am stalking SkyMama because... well.... just because! As for why Sebazz is/was stalking me, you'd have to ask him that. And this reminds me that it may be approaching time to update my signature once again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #16 May 27, 2003 QuoteAnd this reminds me that it may be approaching time to update my signature once again. I think it should be about me again. After all, freeflir29's is. It's a trend!Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #17 May 27, 2003 Quote And this reminds me that it may be approaching time to update my signature once again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think it should be about me again. I am still stalking Skymama, so I had to compromise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #18 May 27, 2003 I'll have a ticket Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #19 May 27, 2003 Quote I'll have a ticket Hey, future World-Record Justin-Way co-recordholder, you get one on the house. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #20 May 27, 2003 woohooo, thanks buddy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #21 May 27, 2003 Can it be pudding instead of Jell-O? Gelatin is made with horse tendons.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #22 May 27, 2003 Quote Gelatin is made with horse tendons. Yet so tasty.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #23 May 27, 2003 Thats OK Jess... you dont have to swallow... Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #24 May 27, 2003 Quote Quote Gelatin is made with horse tendons. Yet so tasty.... Boy, this thread sure went down the toilet in a hurry. "The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #25 May 27, 2003 Quote Thats OK Jess... you dont have to swallow.. Dude....don't go perpetuating that rumor!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
