Reserve Parachute and TSA

Hi all,

On the second leg of my airline trip the TSA decided there was
something inside my parachute that needed further physical inspection.
They called me back to the inspection area and asked me to "unpack" my
chute. I explained that it was a reserve and I was not qualified to
repack, and then I would have a pile of canopy and cord to deal with
afterwards.
No help..
I asked if I could call my parachute rigger on my cellphone to explain
the part in the chute that had them concerned.
No help
I explained that the FAA requires a sign-off and showed the inspection
tag of the FAA qualified re-packer.
No help
I asked that they make a PA announcement in the terminal to locate a
FAA parachute rigger that could help out the inspection.
No help.

I will visit my rigger and learn a bit more about opening my chute for
inspection. I think with personal knowlege of my chute I probably
could of opened it without a mess.
I would of course void my repack and have to have it re done at my
destination.



linkhttp://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1147.xml


Jeff Banks