What indicates that the reserve container has not been opened since it was last packed by the FAA rigger?

The rigger's packing seal on the reserve ripcord is a critical indication that the reserve container has not been opened since its last packing by an FAA rigger. This seal serves as a physical and visual confirmation that the reserve parachute has remained in an unaltered state since it was professionally packed. The integrity of this seal ensures that the parachute system is in compliance with safety standards and has not been tampered with or subjected to exposure that could compromise its reliability.

The importance of the packing seal lies in its role as a measure of trust in the parachute system's condition. When a reserve parachute needs to be deployed, it is essential for the jumper to have confidence that the parachute is in its original packed state, thereby ensuring its proper functioning in an emergency situation. If the seal is intact, it confirms that the parachute has not been used and is ready for deployment, providing peace of mind for the jumper.

The other options may provide useful information about the container or parachute, but they do not serve the same definitive purpose as the packing seal in assuring that the container has not been opened since packing.