Basejumper.com - archive

We had an interesting control before the flight out of the US after BD. We left from Washington DC to Amsterdam. First of all, it was extremely crowded. Thank god, we could jump a line at check-in otherwise we would not have made it. And we were on the airport 2 hours before flying....

Then, I had to take my checked-in luggage including a base rig to an X-ray myself and I was through.
My Belgian friend (flying to Amsterdam, of course very suspicious as the percieved drug capital - thought that honour was delegated to Wash DC?) had to take his checked-in luggage including a base rig to another X-ray machine(?). Also, no problem.

The we went though the control gates. My Belgian friend was singled out because of his second base rig (not checked in). "What the h*ll was that?" the control man said, sweat appearing on his forehead. After some explanation, he called his supervisor, a small women lacking charm and humour. Lacking fun in her work as well I guess. Anyhow, he had to explain what this "thing" was. When he tried to touch his rig in order to explain the working of the PC, she went crazy, screaming "don't you touch that", as if it were a bomb. We spent 15 minutes explaining and argueing, about what we do, and were we did it. In the end, only the incomprehension of the subject and rig led them to pass him through. Then we found out he had been singled out for an extra security check. Why? Only they can tell.

Interesting though that on a normal check a rig passes unnoticed, including skydiving rigs. So, no threat, no nothing. But on a special check apparantly a (base) rig is an unknown device....

Maybe some explanation to the control service would help?
Anybody else with such an experience?

Ronald Overdijk

Wow dude don't feel bad. I had trouble at all the airports starting out of chicago O'hare. It took 5 TSA or whatever they aree to determine if I could carry on my base rig. They had no clue and I explained tthat it could not be jumped as if I look like DB Cooper and no oxygen gear. They observed it plus it was daisy chained and trash propacked. I had to check it in. Then I get to the D.C. Dulles airport which seemed more like a greyhound station and got delayed 5 f'n hrs. I had to take a bus to another terminal to have a drink.Finally get to charleston and they don't know where my luggage is....come back the next day. Can I scream now......it showed up @ midnight somehow. I get a rental and wwas hoping the bar would still be open.OH YEA. Somewhere in my wonderings that night I lose my car keys.The cops wouldn't help, the locksmith didn't do these situations but a huge ass wrecker tow truck came to assist. He was very kind and took me to beckley to have keys made. Not a cheap ride tho.So now I was getting ready/packed to jump which all went great!! I will never go thru DULLES airport again.

Ooops. I don't feel bad. At least not anymore after reading your experience.

On the plus side though, we were buzzed through immigration and customs. Cost us less then 30 minutes

Ronald Overdijk

well you still had a pain in the ass with it all. Someone told me that according to uspa there's suppose to be some sort of regulation that clears gear carry on. I don't know but it's no wonder how real terrorists still get thru easier than us non-bin ladens. SCARY. I couldn't believe how these guys were making jokes that I won't repeat especially since I finally filled in a few blank on my profile. We may not have met but probably unconciousely thru the hotel. Take care till next year. Flick it.

The following is of the airline's responsibity, not of the TSA or local equivalent, so this is just for information. This is valid for AF/KLM, but since it it related to the "dangerous goods" chapter, my guess is that it is valid for any IATA airline:

A rig is allowed AS CHECK-IN BAGAGE ONLY, provided it's not fitted with a pyrotechnic AAD.

That means:
1-a BASE rig or skydive rig without an AAD can be checked-in, but not taken as carry-on baggage.
2-an AAD equipped skydive rig has to be declared as cargo ( this is the beginning of the troubles).

Once more, this is to be enforced by the airline, NOT be the security screeners.

BTW, as a crew member, I go through the same screening process everytime ( enjoy the USA...), and I've had no problem yet with both my BASE nor skydive (with AAD), checked-in or carry-on...

...well, yet...

This has been posted in other threads, but here is a link to the TSA's current policy on carrying parachutes on-board or as checked luggage:

http://www.tsa.gov/...rachuting_102003.pdf

I have found that most screeners (and their supervisors) are unfamiliar with this policy, so I make sure to have a printed copy of this with each rig I'm travelling with. When the security people start taking an interest in what's in my stuff sack, they find this right away and don't need to go any further. Its hard for them to call it an "unknown device" anymore. I've even been PRAISED by TSA staff for having this available.

Mark

(Domestic) I always wear my rig, not even in the stashbag, just like a backpack with the legstraps dangling. I've even carried my helmet in my hands. I've never had any problems. Sometimes the TSA people ask some friendly questions, but I've never been delayed or otherwise held up.

The TSA people at O'Hare are morons, more suited to jobs where the most difficult task they must perform is asking you "do you want fries with that?". On top of this, they are incredibly rude and unprofessional.

 
>>Wow I'm really surprised. When I've flown with my rig I've just worn it in my stash bag and carried it on no problem. Only once did they ask me what it was and when I explained that it was a parachute they got a little confused for a while, but I just started looking annoyed like I was going to miss my flight and they waived me through.

well OK so if it's the airlines and not the security people's doing then isn't there a major lack of communication going on between them.Doesn't the airlines depend on security to know what the hell is allowed on a plane. My point is that these TSA's didn't know the answer including the superviser. It was like they were taking a vote. MY EXPERIENCE ONLY HERE. I even told them they were crazy making the very jokes in front of the sign warning not to. They were such DUMSKIES. I can't argue just telling how it was for me.

You got that right, they're definetly not on the same page from one gate to the next. DUMSKIES! The supervisor asked me if I was able to open it at any time. Just going around in circles and they need to be trained maybe out of a cessna to get a clue. Whatever ...I had an awesome jump off the diving board except I forgot to bounce.

Obviously TSA's are not familiar with it at all. Geez it's right there in clear english....I'm done with this issue so happy travels to everyone.

Hey this is about my never ending LUCK. My friend totalled my car on the way to picking me up. Who's having a bad day.

Had absolutely no problems taking my base-rig with me - neither at O`Hare, nor Detroit Metro last month.
In Chicago they just wanted to check my backpack (forgot to put the laptop and the cables out of the it)

They have their rules and stuff, but the most important thing is always your luck. I`ll try to take it along next time, too.

Be nice and smile.

Kat