How to Travel Through Airport Security with Your Skydiving Equipment

[@SkydiveVibes]

Let me know about your own traveling experience in the comments 👇 OR, if you've yet to do a skydiving trip, Where do you want to go? 👉 Subscribe to not miss our Skydiving Tips Videos Here: bit.ly/2Hjv9bU

[@THEWILD0013]

Hello mam, How can i connect to you? I can't find you on social media. I have some queries related. From Nepal

[@jimday666]

Great to have you back! One personal funny story with TSA agents: they asked about the AAD and asked me to turn it on. It was a Cypres and of course it did a countdown from 10...0 for initialization. As the timer ran, they stepped back 3 steps :)))

[@SkydiveVibes]

Haha good one!

[@jwprimetime9795]

Lol that’s too funny man!

[@melaniewade7373]

😂

[@apple.shortcrust]

A few years ago, I had to pull my reserve returning to Canada through Phoenix Sky Harbour. As I understand, the day before a skydiver caused a scene with the TSA screeners when her rig failed a swab test (NB: SDA put fertilizer on the main landing area that weekend). Fast forward to me, the next skydiver to meet these particular screeners and they wanted to open my rig as soon as they saw it. Despite all of my Canadian politeness, the screeners were out to prove a point and I had to pull my reserve handle in the security area while being observed by four screeners and a supervisor. These fellows were all actually quite nice and, when I passed by them again a few months later, they met me with friendly smiles. All of that to say, don't be a jerk with airport security screeners. They are doing a job and are not familiar with our gear. How you treat a screener can absolutely affect the next skydiver they meet.

[@irusev]

I was asked to open my container at a Cuban airport.. it took a while to explain to them that I wouldn't want to pop my reserve and why. I smiled a fair amount, unsure how much that helped as none of them did so. But in the end, they just swabbed the rig and let me go. Also, it created quite a bit of interest from the other travellers on the departure line, one approached me and asked if he can come with me in the event of the plane going down, I had to turn him away and tell him that the space is reserved for my wife lol..In retrospect, I am now hesitant to travel with my rig unless I can put in at least 10 jumps or more. Oh and I had the x-ray printout from Vigil, but no gear bag. also would want to make the point that if you ever tie your reserve handle, to maybe have something colourful(pullup cord) so as to not forget to untie it before jumping

[@SkydiveVibes]

You managed this like a champ! Good point for the reserve handle! ;)

[@brian6140]

4 commercials? Really?

[@SkydiveVibes]

Comment from @michael angerstein ​A fella at our dz packed his rig in a suitcase, and checked his bag. When he got to his destination, tsa had opened his rig…with a box cutter. Cut his container, main and reserve.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Rare doesn't mean never. Sadly... :(

[@Darksagan]

What the fuck they were on a mission to ruin some shit. lol

[@skam5533]

I’ve watched all your videos and haven’t even gotten my license in skydiving yet (scheduled for the summer). CANNOT WAIT and thank you very much for your videos!!

[@SkydiveVibes]

Awesome! Keep me updated!

[@SimoBenziane]

Did you get it?

[@georgewright5747]

TSA is more scared of touching your rig than you are of failing the checkpoint! Almost all will ask where they can touch and try not to question much. I've forgotten my hookknifes a few times and they've all gone thru without questions (don't forget to check these) I found that traveling with a rig sleeve makes TSA travel slightly easier. Most don't know it's a cover and will swab it instead of your rig. Also has handle covers so anything that could get pulled will need deliberate force to do so. Also has storage for a pull-up cord (incase of a main repack at tsa), battery pack for phones, and water bottle pocket to make flying easier.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for sharing! Yeah a gear bag is very clever!

[@ibrahimmoujaber1211]

so I usually put the rig with the checked baggage, less weight to carry around, I put the rig in a rig sleeve so the pins and handles are clipped and protected, and I print multiple copies of the AAD x-ray card and insert it in the rig sleeve as well as on top of the rig incase they open the baggage. never had issues.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Good tips!!

[@marcingala.]

On an oposite site to this - the security guy at Malaga ( Spain ) airport asked me to open my reserve. He had no idea what is he looking at. 1st - i tried to explaine, 2nd - i showed him all required paperwork, 3rd i tried to explained him what's gonna happen if i do, and asked him who will pay for repack? When he still insist - i told him to fuck off ( literally ) and call a supervisor ( or somebody who knows the procedures about carrying a parachutes on board a plane). Hi did. The other guy came - ahh - a parachute - ok, let him go... So beeing nice not always work.

[@Darksagan]

Damn good shit bro!

[@alecbeebe]

Headed to Mexico in a few weeks so this video couldn’t have come at a better time! Happy to see your back!!

[@SkydiveVibes]

Great! Let us know how it went too!

[@freefalling]

I haven’t traveled for skydiving yet, but after all a different, horrible travel experience, I have plenty of flight vouchers that I intend to go to Southern California with

[@leftsurface007]

I just travelled back to Calgary from Eloy today (8th Dec 22), I had the M2 Multi Manufacturers X-Ray and TSA regulations printed and laminated, placed the sheet on top of my rig and sent it through the scanner, the TSA loved the info and passing through security was a breeze + I forgot my hook knife but this was overlooked due to all the info I provided ;-)

[@SkydiveVibes]

Love to hear about great experiences! Welcome back! How was the trip?

[@leftsurface007]

@@SkydiveVibes Amazing, such a great DZ with so many skydivers willing to teach new skills, shout out goes to Jim (LO) he was great and we had some stellar jumps. Cannot wait until our season starts again, way too long! - So gonna have to go again in Feb ;-)

[@Carmoflage]

pro tip: put on your rig shortly before boarding and do some practice pulls while in the row to boast the confidence of everyone else in the pilots abilitys xD

[@Darksagan]

The minute theres turbulence on the plane watch everyone run for your rig. HAHAH

[@19spunky81]

I was once told I was not allowed to carry my rig onboard just in case anything happened to the plane I would have 200 people trying to fight it off me hahaha 😂

[@SkydiveVibes]

Haha That is a valid point hahaha

[@Darksagan]

Should have said that would never happen because you would just detonate the bomb. lol

[@Rustie_za]

air tag your equipment too, really helps

[@SkydiveVibes]

Good point!

[@westfinger8630]

I have a Rig sleeve. I haven't had many issues bringing my rig as a carry on. Its been swabbed a couple times but thats it. The nice thing about the rig sleeve is there is room for my reserve if it gets opened and I can't pack it. I'm also not a fan of the idea of using zip ties to secure your handles. Lately my weight belt has attracted more attention from the TSA. I would never check my rig, but thats me.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MoSamuels1]

I fly with my hook knife as carry on all the time and have never had an issue. They usually don't even notice it amongst the mess of cables and wires on the x-ray and if they did it's allowed by the majority of aviation authorities as the blade is below a certain length

[@SkydiveVibes]

Good to know. But I would check it just in case!

[@marcusmachado1242]

Just started skydiving and love your videos !!! Glad you are back

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks and let me know which video you'd like to see!!

[@timmyingelbrecht6977]

Any videos on what type of extra gear you could or shouldnt wear. My instructor had to explain me why i needed special skydiving gloves and not regular winter/skiing gloves

[@skyscribe]

Don't have a rig yet, but TSA was curious about my altimeter I had in my backpack. The moment I told them what it was, they were like, "What's an altimeter do?" LOL

[@SkydiveVibes]

Hahaha

[@halojumper5105]

Thanks very pertinent! Of course for me the worse place was traveling as carry on in France and especially out of France! As checked luggage I get called once in Czech Republic... disturbing when you enjoy your early coffee and hear my name called.... after Difficult discussions and explanations ... I went away ok... while screening passengers where looking and certainly becoming suspicious as luggage was brought to pax screening area....once caught up in Gambia going to a boogie they wanted me to open main and reserve!... get ok after I called the Boogie organizer! The best was my luggage lost😮 in Dubai returning from Thailand.... of course the luggage with the complete gear inside.... received 3 days after being opened by customs with a small note: Sorry for the inconvenience and Blue skies!

[@SkydiveVibes]

Wow crazy experiences! Those custom guys must have been skydivers too! ;)

[@KN-zf7yj]

Happy to see you making videos again

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for being here! I appreciate it!

[@fabioengel8119]

That was handy as I’m going to travel in a few days and I’m talking my rig with me. Good on you Cath and blue skies

[@SkydiveVibes]

Awesome! Enjoy your trip!

[@vanitore]

doing AFF next year without fail ! great vids keep it up!

[@Brian-xq5xi]

Absolutely love you!!! All your videos are great!

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks Brian!

[@viniciusmquintanilha3857]

Nice tips! Never thought about several things that you have in this video! Cheers from Brazil! 🇧🇷

[@SkydiveVibes]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@joshmedina5471]

Very interesting! Great video! 👍

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks!

[@clutchnixon5880]

I'll be flying with my rig soon, thanks for the video

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for watching!

[@richardrandour1639]

Thank, you, again a lot of information and things I didn't think about. Great video. Next trip will be Marocco, februari next year, starting from Brussels.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Awesome!

[@STolley317]

Great video as usual. Very informative.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks Sam! Getting back into it!

[@williamanderson3612]

Always informative. Excellent advice. Thank you, Catherine.

[@SkydiveVibes]

I appreciate this! Thanks for watching!

[@Blackminion-j9m]

Can you make you a video of how you pack your rig in a carry on luggage

[@AuDive0]

Awesome video 👍 thanks

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate!

[@1minutecomicswalahollywood648]

Interesting topic. Video may look better if this could have more airport 🛫 video clips.

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@maueliass]

I recently came back (to Brazil) from Orlando, FL. I traveled with my rig in a standard carry-on luggage. In Orlando, when passing through the x-ray, the agent shouted "Parachute! Parachute!". I got worried and even more anxious than I already was. However, it turned out to be their way of calling for a parachute experienced TSA agent to deal with me. The second agent then took me and my luggage to a separate location where she gently asked me to remove the rig from the luggage. She told me she was going to swab-test it for chemicals and let me know that, if anything suspicious appears, she would need me to open the container for a more thorough search. After a few seconds running the tests, she said it was all OK and allowed me to repack my luggage and go. She and the x-ray agent never saw (or didn't care about) the hook knife.

[@Brian-xq5xi]

What sort of container would you recommend using if TSA made you pop the reserve. (Hopefully this is supper rare)

[@SkydiveVibes]

The rigsleeve unpack has a big pouch to have an unpacked canopy there, but it would be very cumbersome still with the spring of the reserve. Let's hope we never see this!

[@howtimflies204]

I’m looking for a rig but I’d like to got to Skydive Perris and I’ll definitely take it. Do they still have the DC9?

[@SkydiveVibes]

Good question. I don't know. Maybe another Skyviber can answer...?

[@jchan3123]

DC9 has been grounded for many years. They can't find a pilot licensed and qualified to fly it.

[@braydenlodter]

The DC9 is back up and running now!

[@ZainMazlan]

most of the time , I m not allowed to carry my rigs into the board ...have to check in,,,, reason ,,,, I may do something terror & bail out by using those rigs

[@thattablebloke]

How do you deal with weight limit for carry on if your rig is over?

[@shirinfrancesca6502]

Thank you really much for your Video and information, that helped a lot :-) Just a question: are you carrying your rig simply on the back (without cover) or are you wearing it in a bag/rig sleeve?

[@SkydiveVibes]

The time I travelled with it it was in a gear back.

[@marlenenord6524]

I think about taking my gear to a tripe to Irland next year but I am worried that I will loose it. Can it happen that I am not allowed to take my container with me as hand luggage? I don´t want my suitcase to get lost with my container in it. Thanks for this video!☺

[@SkydiveVibes]

I really depends, but make sure to read the airport security rules and ask around if other skydivers traveled there. ;)

[@haowang9655]

Better to wear it in the flight emergency situation 😂😂😂

[@SkydiveVibes]

Hahaha right!

[@pankajkumar42SK]

I want to buy skydiving equipment from you. How can I contact you?

[@motogreyhounds]

Don't forget a pull-up cord.

[@iskydiver]

Hello 🤗 I from Russia. i like your channel 🥳👍

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate that!

[@mlleisabelle]

Imagine, avant les "attentats", on n'avait tellement pas peur de passer aux douanes.. Je suis blanche comme neige et à chaque fois, je fais de l'anxiété! Pas normal!! Alors ça va prendre un bon moment avant que je me mette à voyager avec mon équipement!! Stay safe au Québec lol 😆

[@SkydiveVibes]

Haha après l'avoir vécu c'est pas si pire hahaha

[@thesuperiorbench6307]

2:31 No lines of cocaine off the rig :(

[@SkydiveVibes]

Unfortunately... Haha

[@stopspinskydiving]

Cat! 🐈‍⬛

[@o2art]

Anyone wear their helmet on their head if they want to pack super light and not check any bags?

[@SONYAdicto]

🤣

[@SkydiveVibes]

Not sure haha

[@o2art]

haha i seriously don't want to check it cause I'm traveling in a few days and just saw a few friends losing their gear. haha

[@Navi.Goraya]

Mam can you plz reply on instagram

[@SkydiveVibes]

Just did!

[@jichnun]

just download the aad slip, u can download it here or ask ur rigger. show the security people, explain about the rig ect. be nice, smile. worst i had was a rig swab. tie ur handles, or cover ur rig somehow. never check it... never. if they lose it ur f'd. most important thing. when u board the plane, people will look at u funny coz u have a parachute on ur back. calmly state ''i know the pilot. better be safe than sorry'' and give a serious look. www.cypres.aero/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/12101007-Sicherheitskontrollkarte-2015-04.pdf

[@SkydiveVibes]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@jichnun]

@@SkydiveVibes was in the xmas boogie in spain just now, nothing at airport security. most countries now run an AI that checks the xray machine, so nothing happened (airports and also the trains in spain)