feeding the trolls

[woodpecker 0]

Long Read!

This is put here in gear and rigging because it deals directly with the subject...just be patient while reading and it will all make sense.

Every once in awhile there is a post from a 'low' jumper asking about a rediculous WL or high perfomance canopy to start out with. Though most of the time it is a troll and the replies are funny, lets all not forget that this might actually be a real low timer who doesnt know any better, so I say YES keep the interesting replies but lets also make sure somewhere in the flames there is the truth because this jumper might actually not know any different.

Here is a similar situation I was in from my beginning days of jumping.

I just got my A license (whoa 25 whole jumps) and didnt have a home DZ. I rushed through my 25 to get my A because I was TDY and leaving in a few weeks. Then I had no DZ back at my home station or even relatively close. Basically, I knew next to nothing about gear sizing, blah blah blah. I knew how to fall out of an aircraft and save myself. Welcome the new jumper.

Some time went by (years) and I missed the sky so I started looking at buying my own gear so I could get to a DZ and start jumping again. This led me to gear sales since the majority of new jumpers start there...yes I know its wrong blah blah blah, but honestly the majority of new jumpers with the cash start looking at gear to buy.

After shopping around awhile a gear shop was going to give me a great deal on the full set up with my choice of three canopies. After explaining my experince, my currencty, and what my goals of jumping were I was given a choice of three 150's (put me under a 1:1 WL). Now for the kicker, two of the three were HP Elipticle canopies. I knew nothing of the brands and even less on fully elipticle canopies. I simply had the word of a gear specialist (salesperson) looking to off load some used gear that was collecting dust.

Luckily for me, I asked similar questions to what we see on these forums on the gear and was pointed in the right direction.

My point to this is that very rarely, one of these people arent TROLLS, but simply a newbie who is either afraid or unable to ask these questions in person at such a young skydiving age so lets remember to yes, get our flames out there (for the trolls and laughs) but to make sure the correct information makes it whether PM or public.

Sorry for the long read and in true DZ.com tradition....flame away!

Greenies move if you think this is in the incorrect place. I promise to not start another thread on why my post was moved or why are the greenies picking on me.

SONIC WOODY #146

There is a fine line between cockiness and confidence -- which side of the line are you on?

[slotperfect 7]

Obvious trolls, like the last one using an anonymous alter-ego username, will be removed. The rest are free to run their course as long as they stay within the forum rules.

Arrive Safely

John

[woodpecker 0]

Agreed and this wasnt meant to defend anyone or any single post.

SONIC WOODY #146

There is a fine line between cockiness and confidence -- which side of the line are you on?

[maurice1369 0]

I completely agree. Even though it is obvious that someone wants to play a joke but there are definitely those that really are sincere when they ask for advice about gear. I mean most of what I have learned from gear is what I have read on this website. Although it is $hitty what some people will do for kicks we all need to remember that skydiving is a dangerous sport and a wrong decision can kill us quickly. I hope people remember that when they tell a newbie bad advice just so they can get rid of their crap

EXPECT THE WORST, HOPE FOR THE BEST!!!