Complaint against an airline - impounded Skydive Gear

[Matt Cyclone]

My sympathies, I am struggling to understand why a parachute (and harness) in the hold is a dangerous good??

I have flown with my Paragliding gear (to all intents and purposes, a very similar set of gear (a ruddy great canopy and a harness, though ours is a little more comfortable!) and no one has ever comment about it. There are no gas bottles, nothing flammable and nothing sharp apart from my line cutter, which is hooked so you cannot cut anything with it.

What's so dangerous about it? Or is this linked to the old 727 story of a bloke stealing a tonne of cash and parachuting out of the back door, still ot be found I believe...

[Zeek]

Matt Cyclone said:

My sympathies, I am struggling to understand why a parachute (and harness) in the hold is a dangerous good??

I have flown with my Paragliding gear (to all intents and purposes, a very similar set of gear (a ruddy great canopy and a harness, though ours is a little more comfortable!) and no one has ever comment about it. There are no gas bottles, nothing flammable and nothing sharp apart from my line cutter, which is hooked so you cannot cut anything with it.

What's so dangerous about it? Or is this linked to the old 727 story of a bloke stealing a tonne of cash and parachuting out of the back door, still ot be found I believe...

It used to be the AAD that got them nervous when I flew with mine, but I never had it refused. Almost all airlines specifically list them as being ok to carry, so this is unusual. I'd be raising hell with them.

[BigJonMcQuimm]

Zeek said:

It used to be the AAD that got them nervous when I flew with mine, but I never had it refused. Almost all airlines specifically list them as being ok to carry, so this is unusual. I'd be raising hell with them.

Spot on. :-D

Despite showing the AAD Cypres card, and also showing them the relevant Cypres Documentation online, and verifying on Qantas's own website that they are not classified as Dangerous goods - they still assert they are. No evidence has thus far been produced to the contrary. The travel card is FAA approved and states they are travel regulation exempt. It also has a QR code for personnel to clarify further. If the TSA accept it - geez, anyone should!

I suspect, removing the DG label leaves them open to follow up. However, this must happen - or they cannot be freighted home.

We have spoken with IATA who designate DG, as mentioned, and have in writing these cannot be DG.

We are now being asked for proof that we got called out of business lounge, and evidence that the check in assistant called DG in Sydney. Quite why they think we would have a receipt, or would bat an eyelid is astonishing. At best a mild hilarity, as we have heard horror stories from other skydivers - *sob* now we know.

Surely, our first departure, being LHW, should have raised any concerns.

Not being funny but expect better courtesy, traveling Business Class.

I am currently penning a letter to the British Consulate. We need the gear back ASAP - as we have training camps. Alas - I cannot fly back in person from London to resolve this.

Edited by BigJonMcQuimm on Friday 6th January 08:41

[Puggit]

I'd also be seeking some assistance from a relevant sports body or online forum for parachute jumpers (rather than well meaning car enthusiasts). Presumably they'll have seen similar before and know exactly how to fight the issue, or know a legal representative who will willingly assist

[Zeek]

BigJonMcQuimm said:

Spot on. :-D

Despite showing the AAD Cypres card, and also showing them the relevant Cypres Documentation online, and verifying on Qantas's own website that they are not classified as Dangerous goods - they still assert they are. No evidence has thus far been produced to the contrary. The travel card is FAA approved and states they are travel regulation exempt. It also has a QR code for personnel to clarify further. If the TSA accept it - geez, anyone should!

I suspect, removing the DG label leaves them open to follow up. However, this must happen - or they cannot be freighted home.

Edited by BigJonMcQuimm on Friday 6th January 08:41

When you get it back, make sure you get it re-packed by a rigger. You'll obviously know if they have opened it to see what was happening in the middle, but I flew with someone a few years ago that had their reserve "inspected" by poking rod/needle type things into it.....
I think the only way you're going to get them to give these back to you is to get CASA to definitively tell Qantas that they are incorrect. I'd be onto them since they are the ones making the rules down there.
https://www.casa.gov.au/safety-management/landing-...

[xjay1337]

All the best. Sounds like a st situation being badly handled.

[Zeek]

Also Jon, you may have tried this, but the chairman of the Australian Dangerous Goods Air Transport Council (ADGATC) is a Qantas guy and they list his mobile number and his email address on their contact page [https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/australian-dangerous-goods-air-transport-council-adgatc].


ADGATC

If you are interested in attending or have other questions relating specifically to ADGATC, please contact the Chairman or Secretary below.

Philip.J.Naughton
Chairman
Australian Dangerous Goods Air Transport Council
Mobile: [phone] (61 418 667 154)
Email: [e-mail]

Helen Barton
Secretary
Australian Dangerous Goods Air Transport Council
Email:[e-mail]

[BigJonMcQuimm]

Zeek said:

Also Jon, you may have tried this, but the chairman of the Australian Dangerous Goods Air Transport Council (ADGATC) is a Qantas guy and they list his mobile number and his email address on their contact page [https://www.casa.gov.au/standard-page/australian-dangerous-goods-air-transport-council-adgatc].


ADGATC

If you are interested in attending or have other questions relating specifically to ADGATC, please contact the Chairman or Secretary below.

Philip.J.Naughton
Chairman
Australian Dangerous Goods Air Transport Council
Mobile: [phone] (61 418 667 154)
Email: [e-mail]

Helen Barton
Secretary
Australian Dangerous Goods Air Transport Council
Email:[e-mail]

Thank you so much, I have got in touch. Fingers crossed.

Airtec have also agreed to help.

[HotJambalaya]

Thats actually a superb contact so hopefully it comes to something.

In addition to that you could be speaking to your credit card provider under section 75 and initiate a charge back of some or even all of the fare. Given that you specifically booked business class to get the extra luggage allowance its worth a punt. You'll have a much bigger chance of success if you booked with amex, their CS is fantastic.

Failing that, ping me over a couple of business class tickets to Melbourne and I'd be happy to get over there and ship it for you!

[sneijder]

This is my line of work, but I'm totally baffled as to why dangerous goods even come into this ?

Are you talking about a parachute, as in essentially a bag full of fabric ?

I've got the 2017 IATA DGR Manual sittng on my desk, let me know if you want me to have a root through.

[BigJonMcQuimm]

sneijder said:

This is my line of work, but I'm totally baffled as to why dangerous goods even come into this ?

Are you talking about a parachute, as in essentially a bag full of fabric ?

I've got the 2017 IATA DGR Manual sittng on my desk, let me know if you want me to have a root through.

Hi

Many thanks for offering your help.

It is not the parachute buy the Cypres AAD. When travelling, if asked, we provide the travel card :- https://downloads.cypres.aero/airtravel/

As mentioned IATA came back and stated the explosive and lithium battery are within carry on limits.

[HotJambalaya]

out of interest, and knowing nothing about skydiving. Why do you need to take the explosive with you? can't you buy locally when you arrive in your destinations?

[BigJonMcQuimm]

HotJambalaya said:

out of interest, and knowing nothing about skydiving. Why do you need to take the explosive with you? can't you buy locally when you arrive in your destinations?

It is an integrated part of the reserve deployment system. If you get knocked out for instance, it will fire at a predetermined height and save your @ss.

The explosive is part of the cord cutting system.

As it is part of the reserve system, it cannot be touched by anyone other than a qualified rigger.

[mybrainhurts]

davepoth said:

Executive team

Alan Joyce - Chief Executive Officer
Andrew David - Chief Executive Officer Qantas Domestic
Gareth Evans - Chief Executive Officer Qantas International and Freight
John Gissing - Group Executive Associated Airlines and Services
Lesley Grant - Chief Executive Officer Qantas Loyalty
Jayne Hrdlicka - Chief Executive Officer Jetstar Group
Tino La Spina - Chief Financial Officer
Robert Marcolina - Group Executive Strategy, Transformation and IT
Andrew Parker - Group Executive Government, Industry and International Affairs
Jon Scriven - Group Executive Human Resources
Olivia Wirth - Group Executive Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs
Andrew Finch - General Counsel and Company Secretary

Take your pick!

I'd take Olivia, but I'd need to see a picture first.

You know, she might be a kangaroo...

[boxst]

mybrainhurts said:

I'd take Olivia, but I'd need to see a picture first.

You know, she might be a kangaroo...

That's probably a yes

[mybrainhurts]

boxst said:

mybrainhurts said:

I'd take Olivia, but I'd need to see a picture first.

You know, she might be a kangaroo...

That's probably a yes

I smell a trap...

[Jazzy Jag]

The irony of a parachute being deemed dangerous on an aircraft.

[mybrainhurts]

Jazzy Jag said:

The irony of a parachute being deemed dangerous on an aircraft.

They think you might deploy it then steal everything from the drinks trolley.

They're not daft, these Aussies.

[stuttgartmetal]

Is a steering wheel airbag on the list ?

[mybrainhurts]

stuttgartmetal said:

Is a steering wheel airbag on the list ?

I once had a snap off steering wheel confiscated when entering a football stadium.

It seems I might have thrown it into the crowd then pushed the car home.