Mon, Sep 19, 2011
Parachutes Can Be Carried On Board Commercial Airliners
The TSA has issued a set of guidelines to its
screeners that will make it easier for skydivers to travel with
their gear ... AND avoid checked baggage fees. The new guidelines
clarify that parachutes equipped with an Automatic Activation
Devices (AAD) are not hazardous, and supplies guidance for X-ray
screeners when they encounter those devices.
According to the a TSA memo, skydiving rigs with and without AAD
are permitted as a carry-on or as checked luggage. The memo
indicates that 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.
TSA says that if skydivers plan to check their gear as luggage,
they should 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. TSA says that
if the parachute owner can't be located, the uncleared parachute
will not be transported on the flight. Parachute owners may assist
TSA screeners to unpack and repack the rig.
If you're planning to carry the parachute on the
aircraft, TSA still suggests that you 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 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.
TSA also says that 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.
And you'd probably be well advised not to make any jokes about
jumping out of the plane during the flight.
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