skreamer 1 #1 September 27, 2002 Hi all I came across this most excellent article. Personally I've already decided I don't want to work in the sport (because I want to do the jumps I want to do with who I want to do them plus spotting might be a job requirement... ), but this article gives a good overview of working in the sport. If anybody knows Marc Garber could you please tell him that was a well-written piece (IMHO). Cheers Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christoofar 0 #2 September 27, 2002 QuoteHi all I came across this most excellent article. Personally I've already decided I don't want to work in the sport (because I want to do the jumps I want to do with who I want to do them plus spotting might be a job requirement... ), but this article gives a good overview of working in the sport. If anybody knows Marc Garber could you please tell him that was a well-written piece (IMHO). Cheers Will I've been wondering what it takes to become a smoke jumper for the U.S. Forest Service. Anyone have any cl00s? ____________________________________________________________ I'm RICK JAMES! Fo shizzle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #3 September 27, 2002 If I ever get that point I'd love to fly video,on weekends.I'd like to be a part of the first jump experience on tandems. dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cajones 0 #4 September 27, 2002 "You don't have to be crazy, but it helps." - Cajones The laws of physics are strictly enforced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dp1l 0 #5 September 27, 2002 >Many novices become intensely passionate about >skydiving, often to the point that they can think of >little else. Thoughts of skydiving distract them >from their work (especially when the weather is >beautiful!), and they dream of how wonderful it >would be if skydiving *became* their work. Yes - exactly!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #6 September 27, 2002 That was a good article. One aspect he didn't go into was the emotional/social one. To me, that is equally important. If I were ever to get some rating and attempt to earn money in the sport, I would cross the invisible line from customer to employee. Along with being an employee comes the dropzone politics, rules, and responsibilities. Personally, I don't want those. I see some tandem instructors that get frustrated by hauling passengers all weekend. They make load after load, but have to worry about the passenger puking on them, freaking out, screwing with the landing, etc. They can't easily say no when they don't feel like it, because then they might not get the work when they need it to pay the bills. Meanwhile, I'm out there doing fun jumps and relaxing with my friends. The way it works for me, I sit here (at a computer) during the week to provide for me and my family. It pays well enough that I can go jumping about a weekend per month. When I go, it is all about fun. I have no responsibilities beyond being a safe jumper. Even though if I got into the business side of skydiving, I would jump more; I don't want to sacrifice my current position where skydiving is pure fun. So I'll keep contributing to the coaches, DZOs and packers that choose to make skydiving a living by being a customer and paying my way. Because I was a lazy butt last weekend, I dropped $120 on packing alone. Another $323 on my jump tickets, $25 for two t-shirts, 2 jump tickets (my idea) for someone that spent time coaching me, about $15 at the DZ snack shop, and so on. It was a bigger than usual weekend as far as cost, but leaving my money at the DZ lets me leave my worries at home. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #7 September 27, 2002 did you read the "photos" question? I got a kick out of the response. a selfless ploy to sell a book . haha! (i would responded the same way if I were mike turoff. haha)My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpoxon 0 #8 September 27, 2002 QuoteIf anybody knows Marc Garber could you please tell him that was a well-written piece (IMHO). Marc used to be a regular poster to rec.skydiving and his email address can be found by doing a simple newsgroup search. He pops up now and again trying to sell some crappy second-hand South African copy gear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #9 September 27, 2002 LOL I'm not a fan of the Vortex II either. Thanks for the hint but he already got the message (PM). Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #10 September 27, 2002 QuoteI've been wondering what it takes to become a smoke jumper for the U.S. Forest Service. Anyone have any cl00s? work your way up through the US forest service wildland firefighting teams....ground pounders, hot shots, smoke jumpers....the jump is really secondary in a big way to all the VERY hard work those guys do.... I'll stick with my structure fires....wildland firefighting is for the birds.....WAY too dangerous... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goose491 0 #11 September 27, 2002 Quote I'll stick with my structure fires....wildland firefighting is for the birds.....WAY too dangerous... Yeah, I was interested in some smoke jumping until I looked around and noticed that all related websites list "Obituaries" as the second or third link!!! My Karma ran over my Dogma!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpinDoctor 0 #12 September 30, 2002 You won't find him posting ads for that crap anymore... coz i bought it off him in June But i'm still happy with it though!----------------------- Connextion: British 8 Way Team www.bodyflight.co.uk ----------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #13 September 30, 2002 QuoteI've been wondering what it takes to become a smoke jumper for the U.S. Forest Service. Anyone have any cl00s? The better answer is....You either need an Ag related degree IE Forestry, something similar and 1 year of wildland firefighting experience or no degree and two years of firefighting. To get that you have to apply to a hotshot crew and jump through their hoops. Get the experience and then apply to a Smoke jumper unit. I had considered it when I was getting out of the military but it really is a shitty job. Think "ditch digger" for 16-20 hrs per day in STEEP terrain and you'll start to get an idea of what the job is like. It isn't anything I want to do. Oh yeah...MOST of those guys jump MC-1C's (Yes that's a round) except the BLM I think it is that does squares. They are ALL S/L jumps into trees in rough terrain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #14 September 30, 2002 QuoteThey are ALL S/L jumps into trees in rough terrain. And how is that any different than the Air Farce dropping paratroopers? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #15 September 30, 2002 QuoteAnd how is that any different than the Air Farce dropping paratroopers? Hehehehee...the last exercise I went on at Camp Lejune the CCT guys put the 82nd Commanding General about 100 meters in the trees......D'OH!!!!! Good thing I never dropped bombs that inaccurately. I have to say though...I never went into the trees under a round. I didn't do that until I got myself a square parachute..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #16 September 30, 2002 QuoteI never went into the trees under a round I did. Feet and knees together, while cursing, "F***ing Air Force" over and over again. Turned out okay. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #17 September 30, 2002 QuoteI did I'm sure you steered your T-10 in the wrong direction.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #18 September 30, 2002 Quotesteered your T-10 Hah! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcwgarber 0 #19 October 16, 2010 I'm back. Do you still happen to have a file of my article that you complimented 8 years ago? Best, MarcA ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcwgarber 0 #20 April 26, 2013 Dude! My Vortex II was a comfy rig. The 155 main (whatever it was) was good too. A little big for me, but a nice canopy. My Viper 120 and two Viper 105s were fan-freaking-tastic. The 105s opened soft and snively and surfed very well. Admittedly, the 120 had snappy openings. My Tempo 120 opened, flew, and landed VERY NICELY the one time I needed it. Don't be knocking the South African gear. :-) Marc QuoteQuoteIf anybody knows Marc Garber could you please tell him that was a well-written piece (IMHO). Marc used to be a regular poster to rec.skydiving and his email address can be found by doing a simple newsgroup search. He pops up now and again trying to sell some crappy second-hand South African copy gear.A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
