TSA letter when traveling with a rig?

[KolinskyDC 0]

On a couple of occasions I have read about this letter from theTSA regarding traveling with your rig. I looked on their website and did find a page that gave recommendations to skydivers when bringing their rig on an airplane, but I was wondering if there was a letter or something that we can present to a baggage person in case the need arises, and if anyone could let me know where to find it. I also wrote down the Directive # on the letter, plan on bringing my license, and cypress card. Does anyone else have anything that I am not thinking of? I plan on carrying it on with me, so any advice would be appreciated.

Melissa

"May the best of your past be the worst of your future"

[EdC 0]

You might try doing a search in the forums here about traveling with your rig and see what comes up.

This might be a place to start.

Big Ed

[KolinskyDC 0]

Thanks, I know this has been alot of threads about this, I have read most but just wanted to know if there was a formal letter or something to give to the baggage person. From what I have read it does not sound like anyone has really been having any problems.

Melissa

"May the best of your past be the worst of your future"

[mjosparky 4]

Try http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/PTT_Parachuting_102003.pdf and here http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_reply_write;parent_post_id=866199

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[KolinskyDC 0]

Thanks
Melissa

"May the best of your past be the worst of your future"

[mjosparky 4]

Quote

Thanks, I know this has been alot of threads about this, I have read most but just wanted to know if there was a formal letter or something to give to the baggage person. From what I have read it does not sound like anyone has really been having any problems.

Melissa

Don't bring it up or offer it unless asked. Most times you will just pass on through.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[yoink 321]

There's some good advice about carrying rigs onto planes on the BCPA home page: Under AAD's and Airports.

BCPA Website

Also we managed to get the CAA to write a letter explaining that a Cypres is exempt from any Transport of Dangerous Goods regulations. Anyone travelling with a rig in the UK might want to dowload a copy...

Blues

Will

[vt1977 0]

This should help:

http://www.uspa.org/news/current_news/carryons.htm

and the letter in question can be found here:

http://www.uspa.org/news/images/TSA_ltr_to_USPA.pdf

Vicki

[LoudDan 0]

Looks something like this:

Travelers & Consumers Printable Version
Transporting Special Items

Parachutes

Skydiving rigs with and without Automatic Activation Devices (AAD) are permitted as a carry-on or as checked luggage.

Typically, a rig will move through the checked luggage or carry-on security screening process without need for physical inspection. However, TSA screeners have a duty to thoroughly inspect any item that raises suspicion. If screeners determine that it is necessary to open a rig for complete inspection, then the owner of the rig must be present and will be allowed to assist. For this reason, skydivers are advised to add at least 30 minutes to the airline's recommended arrival window when traveling with their parachute.

The following recommendations are provided to assist skydivers traveling with parachutes:

Check the Parachute as Luggage

Pack the rig separately without any other items in the bag. Additional items, if suspicious, could trigger an inspection of the entire bag.
Screeners will not unpack a parachute without the owner present to provide assistance. This means that the passenger will be paged and asked to return to the ticket counter, so they can be present for inspection. Depending on the size of the airport and passenger volume, it is likely that the checked rig will be screened within 30 minutes. Remain in the area of the air carrier ticket counter and pay close attention to airport announcements for up to 30 minutes after checking in.
If TSA cannot locate the parachute owner, the uncleared parachute will not be transported on the flight.
Parachute owners may assist TSA screeners to unpack and repack the rig.

Carry the Parachute on the Aircraft

Pack the rig separately without any other items in the bag. Additional items, if suspicious, could trigger an inspection of the entire bag.
If a further search is required, all efforts will be made to search the item without out opening the chute(s).
If a chute is opened, the owner can assist. The search may be done in a location away from the checkpoint to provide adequate space for the search, and space for the owner to repack the rig.

Parachutists should thoroughly inspect their parachutes at their destination to ensure that it has not been tampered with or damaged in a manner that renders it unsafe

Coming soon to a bowl of Wheaties near you!!

[pilotdave 0]

Just travelled with my rig to/from the DC area. Had the letter and southwest airlines' parachute policy printed and ready to go, along with my cypres card. Didn't need to pull any of them out or even say a word. No probs at either end.

Dave

[freakyrat 1]

Just traveled in and out of Ontario, CA from Houston Hobby. At Ontario, CA they just wanted to do an ETD test (wipe down with a special paper and put into a machine to check for explosives) on my gearbag which my Cypres equipped rig passed with flying colors and I was on my way. Only took a couple of minutes. The TSA people were totally up on everything.

Chris