Traveling with Your Rig—A Guide to TSA Screening for Skydivers
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Wednesday, June 4, 2025
If you’re planning a jumping vacation in another part of the world or are attending a competition, camp or boogie across the country, traveling on a commercial airline with your parachute gear will be a necessity. Navigating airport security with a rig may seem daunting, but the U.S. Transportation Security Administration has guidelines in place to ensure smooth processing. Here’s what you need to know to efficiently get through TSA checkpoints with your gear.
TSA Guidelines: The Basics
According to the TSA, you can bring your skydiving rig, whether or not it includes an automatic activation device, as either carry-on or checked luggage. In most cases, your rig will pass through security screening without requiring a physical inspection. However, it’s a good idea to print out and have in your possession the TSA’s “Parachutes and Security Screening” guidance for traveling with your parachute. If TSA personnel have questions when you’re carrying your rig on, it helps to have this handy to show them. If you’re checking your rig, place the printout inside your luggage with your gear, and make sure to include your name, phone number and flight information to allow TSA to contact you if needed.
If TSA determines an inspection is necessary, you have the right to be present and assist with the process. Skydivers encountering problems with screeners should request that the screener’s supervisor become involved. Skydivers should insist that the supervisor review the parachute-screening section of the “Screening Checkpoint Standard Operating Procedure.”
Planning Ahead is Key
To avoid any last-minute stress, USPA recommends that skydivers allocate at least an extra 30 minutes beyond the airline’s suggested arrival time when traveling with parachute equipment. TSA uses a variety of explosive detection systems at various airports. USPA has run a variety of rigs with AADs through the systems at a TSA lab. Results show that rigs and components will not trigger explosive detection systems.
However, there are a variety of substances that skydivers may encounter in everyday life that will trigger these systems, things like grass fertilizer, fireworks, firearms residue that contains nitrates and hand lotion that contains glycerides. As a result, someone who has recently packed their parachute in grass, walked a golf course, shot off fireworks or firearms or applied hand lotion and then packed their rig for travel may have inadvertently caused their rig to trigger a trace-detection machine, which will require the screener to open a rig for thorough inspection.
Checked Luggage: Tips for Hassle-Free Screening
If you choose to check your rig, pack it in a separate bag without any other items and place the TSA guidance and your contact information with the rig. Including additional items can trigger an inspection of the entire bag if something looks suspicious. TSA officers should not unpack your parachute without you present. If an inspection is required, you will be paged and asked to return to the ticket counter. Screenings of checked rigs typically occur within 30 minutes. To ensure you’re available, stay near the airline ticket counter and pay close attention to airport announcements for up to 30 minutes after checking in. If you cannot be located, your parachute will not be transported. Remember, you are allowed to assist TSA officers in unpacking and repacking your rig.
Carry-On Luggage: What to Expect
If you prefer to carry your rig on the plane, pack it separately and have the TSA guidance in your possession. Including other items in the bag might lead to further inspection. TSA officers will try their best to inspect your bag without opening the parachute. However, if they need to open it, you can assist them. The inspection should be conducted away from the checkpoint to provide sufficient space for the search and for you to repack your gear.
Important Reminder:
Regardless of whether you check your rig or carry it on, always thoroughly inspect your parachute upon arrival at your destination to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with or damaged during transit. Your safety is paramount!
For more information, please visit uspa.org/traveling-with-equipment.