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.

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.uspa.org