D22369 0 #1 February 10, 2004 My Girlfriend and I just got back from Arizona last night, on one of our layovers in Utah we got tagged for extra examination, our bags were unpacked, The screeners recognised our rigs for what they were but even the suprivisor didnt know the procedures for skydiving rigs, We had a printout straight from the TSA's website that saved us from having to unpack them. The screeners were friendly but very serious about their jobs and without this letter I am sure we would have had to unpack both rigs mains and reserves. After putting the rigs through the x ray machine three times and having me explain why her rig has a battery and mine doesnt (Cypress) and doing the chem sniff. they let us pass without anymore problems. One of the examiners even asked questions about getting started in skydiving. > If your going to travel with your rig get a copy of TSA's rules on rigs for carry ons, Keep your cool and be friendly... On a side note: The DZ in Buckeye is one of the friendliest I have ever been to. As soon as I got there I was immediatly asked if I wanted to join a group on a 10 min call, The owner of the DZ is awsome (even forgiving me a minor transgression of landing next to the building) I only got two jumps in, on the second my left sinus blew out on the jump, blood all over my face and camera----YECHH but I did have a great time there, loved the people and plan on going back. Also it was kinda funny to go that far to jump and end up jumping one of my local dz's caravan, Skydive Oregon has it leased there. RoyThey say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kris12 0 #2 February 10, 2004 That's exactly what happened to me and my sister in Tampa about a week ago. The screeners were very friendly, but I was still glad that we had the documentation from the TSA. Don't travel with that letter; it makes getting through a lot easier. kristen swooo #3 MB #3587 P.M.S. #66 "so let go, jump in...what're you waiting for? it's all right 'cause there's beauty in the breakdown" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
D22369 0 #3 February 10, 2004 hehheh.......its kinda like a get out of jail free card I have to admit ...... sometimes playing by the rules has its bennies.....RoyThey say I suffer from insanity.... But I actually enjoy it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zoter 0 #4 February 10, 2004 where can I get a copy of this ' TSA document '??? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kris12 0 #5 February 10, 2004 Zoter, You can do a search of the forums and find many threads about this subject. Read this webpage from uspa.org to get all the information you need. kristen swooo #3 MB #3587 P.M.S. #66 "so let go, jump in...what're you waiting for? it's all right 'cause there's beauty in the breakdown" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falxori 0 #6 February 10, 2004 on the USPA website, or do a search here, it was posted more than a few times... sorry i'm not posting it, i'm in as hurry O "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kris12 0 #7 February 10, 2004 damn straight! I gave it to the supervisor after he asked what time our flight left. We were through just minutes after that. Love that letter! kristen swooo #3 MB #3587 P.M.S. #66 "so let go, jump in...what're you waiting for? it's all right 'cause there's beauty in the breakdown" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #8 February 10, 2004 had pretty much the same experience flying out of Seattle..the supervisor knew the procedures, but several of the screeners didnt so i got to be 'training aid' and explain all the pieces they were seeing, and more importantly what not to pull! took a few min but my flight was delayed and everyone was very friendly about it.. although i wish i'd had a tape of the dudes voice cracking when it went thru the first time.. "is that a parachute??!?" "two actually" here is the link to the TSA site and letter about parachutes____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tinfoil 0 #9 February 10, 2004 Hehe, I feel lucky. Went through Detroit and Tampa airports, I put my rig through the metal detectors, and they screeners didn't even flinch, didn't open the bag it was in, nothing. It was only when I was in Canada did they take everything out of my bags, bomb wond, screener getting nervous as he picks my rig up by the reserve flap and asks "What's this?", and a mini conference with the airline to see if rigs were allowed. But a few minutes later the screeners were asking me if I was a base jumper . “- - Sumo is the greatest of sports. It has power, grace, speed and cluture. And most importantly, two fat bastards smacking the shit out of each other. ” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WILDBILLAQR 0 #10 February 10, 2004 Thanks for the info! I wish I would have been there last weekend! 1st weekend I've missed out there in 3 months( I had some RW to do). i'm glad you had a good time. We'll take good care of the C-van for you, although we might not give it back in may---------------------------------------------- "Thats not smoke, thats BUCKEYE!!" AQR#3,CWR#49 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakyrat 1 #11 February 11, 2004 Worked great in Ontario, Ca in January. All I actually showed them was the new Cypres card which the supervisor was completely aware of. The screener working the machine was totally aware of procedures for checking parachute rigs also. She just called for a Supervisor to take the bag for a chem wipedown. The Supervisor didn't even open my gearbag. He knew it was a rig and just did the chem wipedown of the gearbag and put the paper in the machine. It passed and he gave me back my bag and I was on my way to my gate. I was flying on Southwest. The screeners at Ontario were totally friendly and very professional. Al I showed them was the new Cypres card which they were aware of. It's really nice when the TSA folks know the procedures and it pays to be cordial and cooperative with them. Just get to the airport early and carry all the documentation if needed. Most of the time you won't need any of it especially at airports with dropzones nearby that see a lot of skydivers. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usskydiver 0 #12 February 11, 2004 I also found it helpful to have my logbook, and USPA card with me to show number of jumps, membership etc. That got me past some rather surly fellows in Chicago one time. Of course the military ID and passport didn't hurt either. Tim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yoink 321 #13 February 11, 2004 Quotewhere can I get a copy of this ' TSA document '??? Thanks Hi Zoter. For travelling in the UK, it is good to get hold of the CAA's Cypres-exemption letter if your rig has one. Go to BCPA website and click on "Important advice about airports and AAD's. The download is at the bottom of this page. Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #14 February 11, 2004 Quoteam sure we would have had to unpack both rigs mains and reserves. The thought of that is jus scary..... I will be traveling to Salt Lake/Vegas here in March with my rig, the whole issue is just terrorfying.=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
