Basejumper.com - archive

Have you had good / bad recent experiences getting your "rig" through TSA?

Any value in carrying a copy of the USPA doc, or does that just apply to gear with springs and pyrotechnics?

Cheers

Craig

Carry it on in the stuff sack or other carry on container. I've done 2 over seas trips in the past year with no issues. I didn't even take the hook knife out of the mudflap.

uspa papers r good idea .... I haven't had any issues

I've lost a hook knife to TSA. They said it resembled a "box cutter". So now when I travel I just take the knife out and throw it in my checked bag.

On other trips, I've also had them make me take the rig out of the stash bag so they could inspect / swab it. But so far I've always gotten it on the plane (I fly about once a month with it)...

I WOULD have taken it out. I simply forgot to and realized it while already in the security line.

I took the pat down. I'm done with the perfectly safe X-Ray machine.

never have any issues. one rig i never take the hook knife out of either and have never heard a word about it.

only one time out of a couple dozen recently did a TSA agent tell me that i was going to have to open up my bag. it was unpacked and stuffed in there...

i told them, good luck, be my guest. there's almost 300 square feet of nylon jammed in there have fun!

they looked at me, asked their supervisor and said ok nevermind, it's fine.

ha.

Never any problem.The thing I value the most is my BASE rig. I will check my Skydiving Rig, all my cothes, everything... but I always carry my BASE rig, it means more to me than anything I own.I will never allow it out of my control.the most fun I have is when some "know it all" TSA guy asks me why there is no AAD.? It ain't skydiving. No problems, ever., see you in Norway Kleggo! regards,B.

Thanks for all the positive feedback.
Deleting the hook knife is a good idea.

be safe,

Craig

I recommend wearing the rig, taping a bunch of road flares across your chest, and simply running around the side of the security checkpoint. If anyone tries to stop you, elbow them in the face and yell out "No one can stop me, I a holy warrior!" I've tested this model on my computer several times and you have a chance of success.

I have flown domestically and internationally
with both SKY and BASE gear. I usually tell
the x-ray guy/gal parachute coming through.

I personally think by announcing it, smiling,
being friendly, answeringy questions, etc.
puts them at ease, expodites the process,
and improves our collective public image.

I have had the rig swabbed for explosives
a few times but usually they do not bother.

Best part is when a pilot is greeting people,
sees me wearing it, and then jokes if I had
happen to hear about his flying skills, also
fun to tease other passengers if they notice,
pretend to be very scared and say it is the
only way your therapist could get you to fly.

I never had problems with a basegear. I always have at least one rig as carry on.
If carry the gear in a neutral backpack, mostly they ask if it is climbing equipment and I just nod and move on.

I only remove the knives from the harness.

Just play the harmless, elderly tourist and you are fine.

Are you coming to the Valley?

Would be nice to see you again.

Walter

I travel several times a year with a base rig. i throw it in my stash bag, along with everything else i want carry-on-- books, toiletries, porn, laptop, whatever. it has never so much as raised an eyebrow. have taken it international to Japan and New Zealand. if it gets swabbed, it's probably because 1) it was randomly selected or 2) you have bird crap on it, and the nitrogen compounds triggered a screening test. i avoid checking the rig at nearly all costs.

Caveat re New Zealand: the local air carriers often enforce the absurdly limited carry-on weight, something like 7kg. as long as your bag doesn't look bulky or heavy, they usually ignore you. Not as bad for international flights, but look out if you have a connecting domestic flight.

Edit to add: have never brought any USPA documents

Recently while transitioning a tsa checkpoint I was looked in the eyes and asked 'what do you use this parachute for?'

I had to explain that I was a downhill speed runner, and the 'chute' was used as a personal drouge for decceleration purposes, hence no AAD...duh!

Elderly!
What are you saying?



No Swiss Valley this time, headed to Northern Norway
but
recently took a job with Hoffman LaRoche headquartered in Basel.
We WILL cross paths again soon.

Cheers

Craig

look walter, that works for you, but not for everyone else: try to imagine let's say douggs, for example, playing the harmless, elderly tourist

now that is funny

on the topic: i have flown quite often with sky and base gear and was NEVER asked what it was. It came to the point that I asked the x-ray operator if he had any idea what just went through the machine, and he admitted he had no clue. And taking the hookknife out is a good idea - they might see that and you might loose it.

I get questioned every now and then at x-ray and usually swabbed.
Have always left the hook knife in rig. Even took my stake on carry on and they let me on the plane with it! I mustn't have looked badass enough!

Anyone have any info on getting clamps past security??

i carry my clamps through no problem... they're attached to my wrists!

"This is six inches, right guys? ... guys? ...right?"

haha, at least!

I put clamps in my checked bag my last trip to TF. Had no issue.. No one even opened my luggage

let me know next time you fly out somewhere, ill drive you and take video footage from afar..........it will be fun!!!!!!!

but for reals, the only issue ive had was flying back to pdx from san diego. some dude took out my rig from the stashbag and checked my gear bag which i also keep in my stashbag. my gear bag had some clamps and pull up cords and basic rigging shit, but apparently what they didnt like was the 10" railroad spike that i kept in there to keep my rig from dragging during packing.........i had forgotten about it and the TSA guy gave me a really weird look and confiscated the stake...................obviously that could be used as a weapon...............