The Airport security may not load your rig if you check it, so pay attention to airport
announcements after check-in. If you take your chute as carry on, at least you are in control
of it. Either way, arrive 30 minutes earlier than normal to deal with complications.
Pack your rig so that it fits easily in the overhead compartment. Tie the reserve handle with
the chest strap or a brightly colored pull cord. Place the hook knife in your checked luggage.
Make sure the AAD is turned off. Carry copies of the web pages regarding travel with parachutes
from both the TSA and USPA sites and a one page letter prepared by TSA regarding parachute rigs.
Stay with your chute as it passes through the x-ray machine, and be prepared to explain the
components that show up in the x-ray. Carry a pull-up cord and spare stow bands in case your
rig needs to be unpacked and inspected. If you are having problems with the TSA screeners,
request for a supervisor to review the "parachute screening section of the Screening Checkpoint
Standard Operating Procedure."
Airline documents, including x-rays of an AAD-equipped rig, can be found under the downloads
section of the AAD manufacturers' website: