Money Talks, and you-know-what walks.

[CrazyThomas 0]

So,
I just read something about an S&TA charging someone for signing a licensing card or something. Why does this surprise any of you? You may not have realized it yet, but MONEY TALKS. Skydiving is big enough now, that even USPA is becoming like uncle sam. Happy as long as money comes in. When action is needed, money starts the action. If no money comes in, or no financial gain is apparent from such said action, nothing will be done.
Ever read the back of "Parachutist" magazine?
something like
"USPA is skydiving. Without us, there is no skydiving"
and some other cute sayings that most people don't care to interpret. These sayings were enough to sicken me out of the sport. So, instead of enjoying relaxing, safe skydives, I now choose to illegally BASE jump. Sure, better chances of death, but at least I don't PAY someone to make rules for me. I decide my own.
Jumping at night? pfff...still can't do it skydiving. Don't have enough (money invested) jumps yet.
Not a problem BASE jumping. Why do you think so many DZ's hate to hear about BASE jumpers? Are we not good skydivers, because we BASE jump also?
or does it piss everyone off that I may choose to pull at 400 feet on a terminal jump? Or jump from 250 feet? Sure, I believe my parachute will work. And for those who don't, keep believing that. Keep believing that site and this site are NOT jumpable. That keeps the heat off those sites. hah hah!
USPA = Money. Simple equation if you ask me.
And no, I did not re-new my USPA membership this year, just for this reason.
Why pay for rules, when death is free?
Peace,
Thomas

[quade 4]

Oh kay . . . So why are you telling us this?

Are you trying to get us to all quit the USPA and become BASE jumpers? Are you disgusted with us as much as you seem to be disgusted with the USPA?

I'm not really sure I understand your point.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[CrazyThomas 0]

Wow! Someone with the bravery to reply to this. I see a lot of views, and only one reply.
Quade--I am not trying to get everyone to quit USPA. Who knows, USPA might be a good thing. I don't know. I am trying to make people think for themselves, a real challenge in today's world.
It just seems everyone wants someone else to make rules for them, and decisions for them. And then when things go wrong, let's sue someone.
Why is America a sue-happy society? Because noone wants to take responsibility for their own actions. If so, maybe more things would be legal.
Laws are created (I believe) to side step around the legal issues. Trespassing laws? You can't sue me, because I said you can not go there.
Skydiving and BASE were both born from people with ideas. Ideas that they believed in, and were willing to give their lives for. Think about all the deaths that occur in both sports, because people are willing to risk it all for something.
Sounds like astronauts. Astronauts go through years of training to get on the shuttle, or on the rocket. They risk their life for an adventure many of us cannot have. Sounds like skydiving.
Whuffos cannot understand why we jump from planes. Whuffos also are usually the people making the laws against something they don't understand.
No, don't quit USPA unless you want to. you have read about the S&TA asking for money for a signature. Why would USPA be concerned? The S&TA also gets money from that same S&TA. Why bite the hand that feeds you?
Peace,
Thomas

[Viking 0]

First off why didn't you just reply in that thread you read?

Second i think every is mad b/c you pay $46 for a USPA membership, then 20 bucks for the license fee. Then this S&TA charges more just a freacking stamp and his signiture!! Umm no he isn't a sports star i am not paying him for his autograph.

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[CrazyThomas 0]

What? I didn't reply? OK, lemme try again.
No, I don't want any of you to become BASE jumpers. And yes, I am disgusted with most of (not all) the skydiving community for what it has become. Not a group of people trying to enjoy a sport of freefall, but a group of "I have more jumps than you" old arrogant geeks. Seriously, numbers matter that much? I have seen skydivers that have 1,000s of skydives, still be brainless idiots. And that's not the point. I used to read Parachutist, about people wanting to ban hook turns. Seriously? Ban hook turns? another rule, thought up by people not enjoying the benefits of hook turns--ie:more speed, more swoop.
I just wanted everyone to think about their own actions, for themselves. Why do hook turns? Are you trying to impress me, win a competition, or just have some fun?
I just tried to have fun, and was dissed at the local DZ who was mainly RW jumpers, because I wanted to fun jump, or head down.
I cannot and will not explain everything here. It takes life's experiences to know things. So, disreagard whatever I write, and go through it on your own. Have fun, stay alive, and don't cry to me when things go bad.
Why was there a thread about someone charging someone for a signature? Because they didn't know reality. And they paid. HAH HAH!!!!
Softies. Why is the world so soft these days?
Go hard, go fast, and have fun! Rock out with your cock out!
Peace,
Thomas

"Why try, when winning is pointless?"---Pritt E. Defeatist

[Friend 0]

Sounds like an ego problem.
PSYCHO!
Luv ya,
C-man

[Michele 1]

Hi, CT...

Just a brief note - I think Viking was wondering why you didn't reply to the S&TA's thread instead of initiating this one, not that he didn't see/get/understand your reply. FWIW, I think you've brought up a different topic...but you might want to see if any of the threads in the General Discussions section re: USPA are what you're looking for.

As to not replying sooner, I was one of those click-in-and-read, but as I am new at this jumping thing, I am still learning, so will keep my mouth shut about that.

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Scratch 0]

Hey CT
Do you want some cheese with that wine.

[jraf 0]

Boooooo!

jraf

Me Jungleman! Me have large Babalui.
Muff #3275

[blueshrew 0]

Quote

Sounds like an ego problem.

I agree, it does sound like that, but maybe it's just how you wrote it. I know a lot of skydivers who also BASE jump. In Germany it has been legalized. The best and most innovative BASE jumper I have heard of is the CI of my DZ. But he will only train certain people, who he knows will really take the risks seriously.
There are more fatalities than anyone would want in skydiving, but percentage wise compared to most other extreme sports and traffic, it's low. With BASE, that is different. Don't get me wrong, the reason I got into this sport was because there was a cliff that I wanted to jump off every time I was on it. But I see from a lot of others how normal jump numbers matter there, and so I am waiting a while first.
The only common thing between BASE and planes is that jumping involves a parachute and a rig. But even there the similarity in equipment is small.
I do not know where you have been jumping to accuse someone of being an arrogant geek, the only time I was in the US (ZHills) with only 40 jumps or so, I got loads of good advice and packing tricks, without anyone treating me like I was a stupid newbie. So you know, if you have a chip on your shoulder, don't make a fool of yourself here for having it.

[CrazyThomas 0]

No, no cheese with the wine. How about a beer, so when I am done with this wine, I have another drink ready. Talk about going at it with a reserve!
Peace,
Thomas