When we arrived at the airport, it was close to 2:00 PM. I had my rig in a carryon suitcase and clothes in my backpack. Matt was carrying his rig on his back and the rest of our gear was in his suitcase. 

I went to a kiosk to check in with Hawaiian Airlines. I wasn't sure if our carry-ons would fit in the overhead compartment so I asked one of the Hawaiian Airlines employees if my bag was okay.

He said the size was fine, but I had to weigh the bag to make sure it was less than 25 lbs. Matt gave me that look, "Why did you ask????"  I put it on the scale even though I knew it was over 30 lbs. 

Fortunately, my rig was packed inside my custom rig cover. I pulled it out and weighed it - exactly 25 lbs! I stuffed my backpack inside the suitcase and finished checking in.

Together, we went to TSA security. I put my rig up on the conveyor belt and proceeded to go through the scanner. Matt was not far behind.

Once I was through, a TSA employee held up my rig and asked if it was mine. Yep...it's mine. I'm starting to feel like TSA targets me! As he was pulling me aside, Matt's rig went through without question. I wanted to yell, "He's got one too!" 

They started with a swab and moved on to a second x-ray. I explained that my rig contains two parachutes and two safety devices - a skyhook and an AAD.

We looked at the x-ray together and he pointed out the area in question. Then, he asked me to open the container so he could test the spot. The "spot" was located in the top portion of my container under my reserve canopy. Uh...I can't open that.

After a talk with the supervisor, I agreed to open the bottom part of the container, but not my reserve. I started by saying I wouldn't open it and ended by saying I wasn't allowed to open it because I am not a rigger. No less than 4 TSA employees were involved in the inspection process. I think they were just curious to see what was inside. 

Once the container was open, they swabbed the inside to make sure it did not test positive. I wasn't sure what they were testing for, but I was 100% certain they weren't going to find it in my rig.

When they were done with me, they said I could use the table to "put it back". Stand up packing...it's a new thing.

It wasn't long before we boarded the flight. Matt pointed out that no one was weighing bags at the gate. He also thought if my rig was nestled inside my suitcase I might have avoided TSA scrutiny.