mac266 0 #1 May 16, 2003 due to a certain individual on a recent thread http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=479251;page=1;mh=-1;;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC i was wondering about arrogant jumpers. i myself used to be one - from my qualifiying jump to about 150 jumps i thought i was untouchable and nothing could touch me. i then grew up! but I then got to about 300 jumps and again got cocky and arrogant as i was now "experienced" hehe I got to 400 jumps and it all dawned on me - dont fuck with this game! I look back and realise that i was so so lucky to get through those periods of my skydiving life basically alive! i know of other people with a similar pattern to their attitudes. I am just curious on whether people look back on themselves - and think "fucking hell i was a complete twat back then"! This is a dangerous game ladies and gentlemen - I beleive that we must always respect that - cause when you least expect it - it will bite you! ..................... pity you cant put experienced heads on newbies hey!!! you all be safe now!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #2 May 16, 2003 Oh yeah. Around 200-300 jumps I figured I knew it all. Around jump 400 or so, after I barely squeaked through the AFF JCC, I started to have doubts. It wasn't until I got to around 1000 jumps that I realized how much I had to learn about this sport (and still do.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #3 May 16, 2003 Oh hell yes...... 100 jumps..thought I had a clue...Till I had 200 500 thought I had a clue...till I had 1,000 1,000 thought I had a clue...till I did 2,000 Now as I approach 3,000...I know I still don't know shit.... More than some 100 jump wonder...But much less that many more. Still, even at 100 jumps I listened to the guys with even one more jump than me. Some 100 jump wonders know it all, and can't be bothered to listen to a guy with 30 times the experience...THAT KILLS ME. Oh well. Ron"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #4 May 16, 2003 What is worse, and I've seen that, is a STUDENT being arrogant, pretending he/she knows 'a lot more' than another student in a lower level....so sad.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #5 May 16, 2003 When I had a year in the sport, I piped up on every thread I could in the topical forums. Now I'm closing in on three years and I tend keep my mouth shut -- partly because I started to notice how dumb the others with similar experience sounded, and became horrified by the likelihood that I sounded the same way.Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mac266 0 #6 May 16, 2003 Quote Now as I approach 3,000...I know I still don't know shit.... hehehehe! Nice work! the more you know the more you realise that you dont know........... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #7 May 16, 2003 Quotethe more you know the more you realise that you dont know........... That's called: WISDOM.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dterrick 0 #8 May 16, 2003 ...and birds "just do it"... I must admit that I have become mesmerized by the swooping skills of all our winged friends as they flare to a perfect standup - on a telephone wire ... Maybe it's only the "arrogant" ones that shit on us. QuoteIt wasn't until I got to around 1000 jumps that I realized how much I had to learn about this sport (and still do.) Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #9 May 16, 2003 QuoteNow as I approach 3,000...I know I still don't know shit.... I just realized why someone started that "names for shit" thread -- that way they'll really know shit! I've been lucky enough to not get bit by daredevilry; I don't know that I was specifically arrogant, but I sure could jump in winds and experiment with gear when I was younger. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DYEVOUT 0 #10 May 16, 2003 My rookie ass does a lot of listening at the DZ. The 3 AFF instructors there have 5,000+, 11,000+ and 33,000+ skydives - they probably have the hang of it by now. ----------------=8^)---------------------- "I think that was the wrong tennis court." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lurch 0 #11 May 16, 2003 At 111 jumps I know just barely enough to stay alive up there if I stay razor sharp heads up and don't hesitate to act NOW when something unexpected happens, and will keep that attitude, probably permanently. I'm wicked paranoid about being blindsided by 100-jump-wonder syndrome and determined to -not- fuck up. Jesus its fast up there....complacency kills, does it not?Live and learn... or die, and teach by example. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #12 May 16, 2003 QuoteMy rookie ass does a lot of listening at the DZ. ...and ASKING too.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #13 May 16, 2003 QuoteAt 111 jumps I know just barely enough to stay alive up there if I stay razor sharp heads up and don't hesitate to act NOW when something unexpected happens No offense here, but I will tell you what I was told by a very good friend of mine after I landed on my 100th jump. "Congradulations Ronnie!!! We now think you will at least bounce with something pulled. It won't be the RIGHT thing, but at least you will pull something." That kinda woke me up some. I think it should be told to everyone on the 100th jump. Ron"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #14 May 16, 2003 >What is worse, and I've seen that, is a STUDENT being arrogant, > pretending he/she knows 'a lot more' than another student in a >lower level....so sad. Yeah, but many skydivers go through that phase. It's more annoying when it happens at 40 jumps rather than 400, but they usually grow out of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #15 May 16, 2003 Quote"Congradulations Ronnie!!! We now think you will at least bounce with something pulled. It won't be the RIGHT thing, but at least you will pull something." Wow! That's awesome. The USPA ought to send that out with every single C license. - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MC208B 0 #16 May 16, 2003 hmmmm......I hope that you were not refering to me being the "arrogant jumper" casue I'm not. At my experience level I do feel that I am compentent. I also feel that I will do my emergency procedures in the right sequence shoult that situation arise. That isn't arrogance Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mac266 0 #17 May 16, 2003 Quote At my experience level I do feel that I am compentent have you read ANY of the posts in this thread????? check out the ones by guys with 1000+ jumps Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #18 May 16, 2003 >>At my experience level I do feel that I am compentent >have you read ANY of the posts in this thread????? Now, to be fair, there's a difference between "knowing it all" and being competent. 99% of the jumpers I know are competent enough to save their own lives; the other 1% I try to talk out of jumping that tiny canopy or that board or whatever. That doesn't mean they will always be good enough to save their own lives, but odds are they will survive their next few jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luminous 0 #19 May 16, 2003 QuoteAt my experience level I do feel that I am compentent complacency will kill you. BSBD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #20 May 16, 2003 Oh, come on, cut the guy some slack. Isn't he just saying that he feels he knows most of the things someone can know at 100 jumps? It's not like he's claiming to be a competent skydiver, just competent for his level of experience. BTW, I have 120 jumps and know this; -clouds can be deceiving -velcro has a way of coming undone in freefall -an altimeter flapping wiolently against your hand does not give the correct altitude -you should check the wind often -if you're not completely sure you can make it back-you probably can't and should start looking for alternative landing areas -if you're not completely sure you can make it over those trees- forget it, it's not worth it -freeflying really is easier when you're relaxed, but relaxing in a climbing airplane can be quite difficult -my chances of getting hurt are higher when I'm flying a 150 elliptical than on the ragged 215 I usually fly. -hard toggle turns close to the ground are not good, especially on the aforementioned elliptical -a bent cable, pin or ripcord can be impossible to extract -people usually don't look up when they're walking through parks, and they can only hear your yelling when you're bellow 100'... -experience and dumb luck should not be confused I know most of these things from my own experience and could probably add a lot more. (Like; red first, silver second) There are probably people who know less than me and have the same or greater number of jumps. And I'm not being arrogant, just stating what's probably true. But it really doesn't matter if I know more than them- what matters is that I know less than can be known, which is reason enough for me to keep learning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luminous 0 #21 May 16, 2003 Quotewhat matters is that I know less than can be known, which is reason enough for me to keep learning. VERY nicely put. can I use that? BSBD'In an insane society a sane person seems insane.' Mr. Spock Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #22 May 16, 2003 Sure! Wanna buy the rights or just rent them?Nah, go ahead, I don't mind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #23 May 16, 2003 In many respects, we're seeing a lot of arrogance in this thread with people slamming other people about arrogance. Hopefully we can all agree that being good at something and having experience at it are two totally different beasts. To be good at something, we either have to repeat it over and over again (with no guarantee that you'll actually be good at it) or have a natural talent. To be experienced at something, you have to repeat the activity time and time again. The more you do the activity (ie: currency), the better chance you'll have for success and being good at it. And the longer you do the activity, the more experience you will build. So, while arrogance can be annoying, it does lead to confidence and confidence isn't the worst thing that can happen in this sport (though it can occasionally get you into trouble). Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #24 May 16, 2003 >So, while arrogance can be annoying, it does lead to confidence and > confidence isn't the worst thing that can happen in this sport . . . Good point. All of us have to strike a balance between overconfidence and hesitant uncertainty; both can be dangerous. It's possible to go too far in either direction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
