Taking your gear on airlines?

[faitor 0]

I am getting ready to fly out to Quincy. This means taking my gear with me on my flight. I want to be prepared for anything they might throw at me. Can you experienced guys give me some pointers so I don't have any problems. Thanks

[huffermoose 0]

if it has a cypres you should have a card which explains to security staff what it is obviously keep the bag locked, i put elastic bands around my cutaway and reserve pads just in case they want to look at it and decided to start pulling things here and there and pad your rig bagout with you flightsuit towels anything like that really .
and be civil and nice and try to explain to them how much it costs an how much you rely on the gear especially falling at 120mph !
safe landing moooooose

[mouth 0]

I flew Delta with mine to Boston from Atlanta with no problem. I had my cypres card and gave it to the security agent as I passed through. Both ways they were very nice (yes, even in Boston). I had put it in a rolling suitcase that would fit in the overhead bid and clipped my helmet bag to the suitcase. I wouldn't just wear my rig on the plane as it could make other passengers and the flight crew nervous so make sure it is in some type of bag. I also put a pullup cord around my handles just in case. Most major airline and airports have dealt with enough rigs that there shouldn't be a problem.
Best of luck.

[Alienangel 0]

Gear? On a flight?
Are you crazy? I never even take my gear to the airport with me, man! They have sniffer dogs, y'know!
Oh...you mean....GEAR.... Duhhhhhhhhhh
AA

[phastasphuk 0]

A friend of mine smuggled two bottles of 80 % rum in his container. Just packed them in beside his main, the rig looked daft but worked wonders with customs...
chris
How would you like too stick with me
How much do you love to freefall

[jtval 0]

i spoke(emailed) with the guy from cypres( i wish i could remember his name) my card was lost and i needed a new one. his advice was. dont go in acting like a skydiver and they may never even notice. and if they do question you answer with simpole questions dont try to get technical. airport security are ignorant to alot of stuff. and he said offer the card only if you need to.
i.e. dont go in with your rig in your hand. pack it in something. if they do question you dont try to show 'em how dumb you think they look. but if they just arent getting it, then show em your card. he said most of the time you will not have a problem.
i heard of a story where some fool unpacked his rig and repacked it(im guessing he was trying to show them that there was nothing explosive in it.) can you imagine what the 1,ooo of whuffos thought. remember they wont bust your balls. all they are looking for is safety and security of thier passengers.
GETTING HIGH IS FUN, BUT COMING DOWN IS THE BEST PART
JT
A-38439

[freaksister 0]

I live far from a dropzone, so I have flown a lot in just the past year! I think I spent more on airfare than I did on student training! LOL - No wonder I suck at RW! Anyway, I have flown maybe 15 or 20 times with my gear. I have never had a real problem. Here are the funny-hahas: Once, I was going quite a distance and asked for the extra insurance. The airline gals here at my local airport are familiar with me so they know what's up. No problem. This was in Tulsa Ok. though and the gal sort-of wigged out. I just stood there patiently being very nice, as she called her main supervisor and he brought out some other guy and I almost missed my flight b/c these idiots were freaking out. (this was Southwest by the way) Turns out that (as we all know) the DOT classified Cypres' as non-dangerous and S.W. airlines changed their policies. Well this bunch told me I couldn't bring my rig on board unless it DID have Cypres! Had I owned an Astra or something I guess I would have been screwed?? Anyway, I finally just said, Look, I have a Cypres, here is the card, and I don't want the insurance. I will just carry it on, OK? (I was attempting to send it checked as I do occasionally. Trust me, after four airports and 30 miles of walking in one day, your rig gets very heavy!)
I have only once been questioned by the security checkpoint folks. An older guy at my airport asked if I had an "explosive device" in my rig and I just said "NO" and some older lady came up and told him to leave me alone! HAHA
One other time I got nervous. This was in the Atlanta Hartsfield airport (all kinds of FUCKED UP SHIT happens to me in Atlanta, BTW, and their airport BLOWS ASS!) anyway, I was *randomly* selected by security to have all my stuff X-rayed. This is NOT what they do at the little walk through thing. You are escorted from the ticket counter over to a different location and this HUGE machine that takes 20 minutes literally X-rays of ALL your luggage. Then THEY take it to the baggage loading area and you can have your carry-ons back. You have to stand and wait with an armed guard! I kept thinking, I wonder when they are going to flash the sirens or something?!! But they never did, I was cleared with no probs. and sure enough they got my luggage to the thingamadoodle on time. These are kind of funny stories but honestly I have never had a REAL problem.
Everyone is correct when they tell you NOT to get huffy or act like some bad-ass skydiver. Just be really nice (this is easier for me as I look like a sweet innocent girl! chuckle-chuckle Also, one last note: Contrary to what most people will tell you, I have no problem sending my GEAR BAG as checked luggage. Don't send the rig by itself as checked...make sure it is in the gear bag and you might put it with clothes on the outside if you're nervous. Also, wrap your helmet in a towel. On short flights I take the rig as a carry-on for extra safeguard, but if I am flying 5 or 6 hours I am not carrying my 20 pound rig, purse, carryon with books and all that crap! I have watched the luggage loaders put my gear bag into the plane and it isn't that bad. Ask for extra insurance if you can afford it. It is like an extra $12. When they ask you what is in the bag (i.e., why are you insuring it for more than the standard $2500) tell them sports equipment, and then when they ask what kind, tell them it is your parachute or skydiving equipment. You can insure it for about $4000 I think. Be VERY CALM when you tell them this. You should have no problems... GOOD LUCK and SEE YOU AT QUINCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sis (driving her Pimp Mobile to save money on airfare!hehe)

I'm not crazy because I take the right pills everyday.

[Aviatrr 0]

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One other time I got nervous. This was in the Atlanta Hartsfield airport (all kinds of FUCKED UP SHIT happens to me in Atlanta, BTW, and their airport BLOWS ASS!) anyway, I was *randomly* selected by security to have all my stuff X-rayed. This is NOT what they do at the little walk through thing. You are escorted from the ticket counter over to a different location and this HUGE machine that takes 20 minutes literally X-rays of ALL your luggage.

Being a pilot has some great benefits...at many places, the airport security personnel are NOT ALLOWED to do this type of shit to us if we have a 'CREW' tag on our bags.. They are not allowed to delay us in any "unreasonable" manner.. I've had 'em grab my bag after it comes out of the X-ray for the "random" bag check, see the CREW tag(when I'm in casual attire, not uniform), and they hand me my bag without ever looking in it.. I make damn sure there are CREW tags on everything I take with me..

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Also, one last note: Contrary to what most people will tell you, I have no problem sending my GEAR BAG as checked luggage. Don't send the rig by itself as checked...make sure it is in the gear bag and you might put it with clothes on the outside if you're nervous. Also, wrap your helmet in a towel. On short flights I take the rig as a carry-on for extra safeguard, but if I am flying 5 or 6 hours I am not carrying my 20 pound rig, purse, carryon with books and all that crap! I have watched the luggage loaders put my gear bag into the plane and it isn't that bad.

Keep in mind that you only see a fraction of the handling your bags go through.. Of course they try to handle them gently when everybody on the plane, in the terminal, etc., can see them.. I have seen baggage carts(with no cover) sit out in the pouring rain for 20 minutes.. Everything was totally drenched..
Oh, and regarding the extra insurance....it's definitely a good idea if you check your rig, but by no means is it a guarantee that you will get paid that value for your rig if it's lost.. A buddy of mine checked his gear bag(with 2 rigs in it) from Denver to Orlando.. He got to Orlando, we waited at the baggage claim, but his bag never came out.. He filed a claim, and they said 2 weeks has to pass before they can pay.. If they find the bag, they'll get it back to him - if not, they will pay the claim.. After 2 weeks, they still hadn't found the bag.. He questioned them about the claim(for $8500 - the same value he purchased insurance for), they said they would have to determine "fair market value" for what was lost.. Somehow, they came up with a total of $5000 - supposedly the value of the 2 rigs.. One was a year old(Mirage, Extreme VX, PDR, CYPRES), the other was 4 years old(Talon, Stilleto, PDR, CYPRES).. He fought with 'em for 2 weeks.. Amazingly, and quite luckily, they called him 4 1/2 weeks after the flight and said they found his bag.. He got it the next day - in perfect condition.. Turns out it sat in an unclaimed baggage room somewhere in Europe for 4 weeks..
If you insist on checking your rig, do a couple of things first.. If you have a D ring on your reserve, wrap the chest strap around it several times and pull it tight so that the handle cannot be dislodged accidentally.. Using the chest strap will ensure that you won't forget to remove whatever you use to secure the handle prior to jumping it.. Definitely use a gear bag.. Either place a small padlock on the zippers(so it can't be opened), or use a plastic zip-tie so that it can't be opened without you knowing.. Place some padding(jumpsuits will work) over the CYPRES control unit and the closing pins to protect them from impact..
I, personally, will not check my rig..
Mike

[DZBone 0]

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I am not carrying my 20 pound rig, purse, carryon with books and all that crap!

I hear ya, sis. Back and forth between RI and LA twice a month, means a lot of time on the people movers in Chicago hauling the gear bag and laptop bag both. Does a number on you.
I've started breaking down and getting those silly cart things for $2. Saves wear and tear. But I would still rather go through all that than trust the baggage handlers with either the rig or the laptop.
Carl

[mouth 0]

I agree with Aviatrr...I use my old American Airlines luggage with crew tags now even though I no longer work for them.....saves time and hassle.
I would not trust the baggage handlers with my rig on their life. I been loading a galley and watched how the luggage is handled....do not do it, you will regret it. Most rigs in a gear bag or rolling luggage will fit in the overhead (not on an L1011) so use them.

[skymedic 0]

thank goodness there aren't that many L-1011's around anymore...
Marc
Did somebody call a medic

[freaksister 0]

Well, first of all, I have a Sunshine Factory Large Deluxe Gear Bag and it WILL NOT fit in the overhead compartment! If I don't check my rig, I check the gear bag with all my jumpsuits and helmets and stuff and carry on the rig.
Oops, almost forgot: I do use those "smart cartes" and little baskets and stuff sometimes. If I am going on a really long trip I am not just carrying my gear bag, but a suitcase and purse and carryon. I try not to overpack, which would upset Macauley since I only take skydiving tshirts and shorts nothing PRISSY but still it adds up! Those carts do save your life sometimes. I often trudge through the airports wondering if it wouldn't be better to get a whuffo boyfriend just to carry all my shit?! A skydiver would have his own gear so that wouldn't help! I am one of those solo travelers...(but not by choice).
Secondly, I ALWAYS put padlocks on my gear bag even if I am not checking the rig with it. I truly believe I had my ProTrack stolen and I am not going to get another free one.
Thirdly, I won't check anything in the pouring rain or snow. Duh.
Fourth, I wrap my helmet in towels, and pad the entire rig with clothing. The reason I have such a large gear bag (trust me, peeps it is HUGE) is so I can take all my clothes and toiletries plus two jumpsuits, two helmets, one rig, one pair of tennies, log book and two big bags of rubber bands in my gear bag with room to spare. I look like a turtle carrying it. Fully loaded the damn thing weighs over fifty pounds. Anyway, I pad all around the rig...one of my main concerns was that my D-ring would be pulled or something. I don't wrap the chest strap around like suggested but I WILL START doing that!
Finally, don't misunderstand. I am always very nervous about putting my gear through as checked luggage. But it is heavy heavy and I travel alot. I also have homeowner's insurance that covers my stuff while I am traveling. So between homeowner's, extra airline insurance and my American Express travler's insurance (which is the only credit card I use for traveling) I HOPE I would recoup at least some of my costs. That would not repay me for the loss of the rig itself, the time to get a new one, and how my red-headed temper would flare violently! But as I said before, in the case of four or five airports and 2000 miles, I am not carrying that shit.
Hugs,
sis

I'm not crazy because I take the right pills everyday.
Edited by freaksister on 8/1/01 04:41 PM.

[skymedic 0]

and never, ever FUCK with a redheaded woman...they definately bite back!!
Marc
Did somebody call a medic

[Aviatrr 0]

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Thirdly, I won't check anything in the pouring rain or snow. Duh.

I wasn't referring only to where you check your baggage in, but everyplace else.. If you change planes in Newark, and it's raining, expect your luggage to be sitting in the rain for a while when being transported to the other plane.. Unfortunately, I see it all too often..

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The reason I have such a large gear bag (trust me, peeps it is HUGE) is so I can take all my clothes and toiletries plus two jumpsuits, two helmets, one rig, one pair of tennies, log book and two big bags of rubber bands in my gear bag with room to spare

My god, that's a lot of shit.. In my gear bag, I just carry my rig, 2 jumpsuits, camera helmet, all the camera accessories, goggles, gloves, alti, and logbook.. Oh, and a big bag of rubbers.. My gear bag is a carry-on size made by Aero-tech.. The camera helmet bag zips off the main part so that it fits in the overhead..

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I also have homeowner's insurance that covers my stuff while I am traveling. So between homeowner's, extra airline insurance and my American Express travler's insurance (which is the only credit card I use for traveling)

Well, you have obviously thought it through more than most people.. I've heard of lots of people checking their rigs with nothing more than the airline insurance..
What exactly do you do that you travel so much? I travel quite a bit myself, but I'm sure you can figure out what I do.. Mike

[freaksister 0]

What do I do that I travel so much?? LOL - Not much. I live 350 miles from the closest DZ and lots more than that from big boogies! :) You know I'm social! I like to travel.
Sis

I'm not crazy because I take the right pills everyday.

[DZBone 0]

Sis, you may want to consider splitting stuff up. Put everything you don't mind being man-handled (clothes, jumpsuit, helmet, sis - oops) into a bag you can check and only carry on what minimal stuff you have to (rig, altimeters, toothbrush). Every ounce counts.
I've also seen a lot of people recently using a rolling carry-on bag at the dropzone for their gear. This would help with the turtle effect. Just use that for your gear, and it'll be easier to carry when traveling as well. I'm thinking about doing this myself.
Carl

[hottamaly 1]

I tried to get extra insurance at Ontario, Ca airport for my rig and as soon as they found out it was parachute equiptment, they wouldn't let me get insurance. They let me check it and didn't give me any problems there but thank god they didn't hurt it. Can they refuse to sell extra ins. if they feel like it?
My friend wore theirs on board and no one knew it was a rig, they just thought it was a "full" back pack.LOL
She even got a compliment from a lady, that it was a neat backpack and where did she get it.
You shouldn't have much of a problem.
Linda
SKYDIVING GAVE ME A REASON TO LIVE....

[freaksister 0]

Unfortunately, yes they can refuse the insurance. They usually have a book of some sort that describes what they will and won't insure. It depends on the ticket agent. I have a lot better luck here at home for some reason. That's why I said to be nice about it because I got mad at one once who didn't want to give it to me, and well, that didn't get me very far! LOL (that was the lady in Tulsa)
Sis

I'm not crazy because I take the right pills everyday.