airtwardo 7 #26 March 22, 2013 QuoteQuoteQuote I know it know by most experienced skydivers, but is it actually a part of the formal training program? . The only people I have actually seen do it. (and I have seen it probably half dozen times) are experienced pilots who should know better. Absolutely true. I've caught MANY a freebag and having one get caught up mid-lines was eventful to say the least. Stupid. What I do now, and what I teach, is to circle down and land as close as SAFELY possible to your cutaway main so you can aid in it's speedy recovery. NOT paying attention to where your cutaway main has drifted and then landing under your reserve on the beer line and expecting someone else to shag your shit is not smart. Gear is EXPENSIVE, so if you can land SAFELY close to it, then do it. I can't count the number of times I've seen students or other people renting gear just drop their shit on the packing mat, then get in their car and go home with no care whatsoever that they just left a $2000 Navigator in the woods. Chuck YUP! ...and to add ~ nothing wrong with following a person on a reserve down to help them if they should need it, if you can do so safely. 25 years ago @ Perris I landed out in the toolies 1/2 way between my main & freebag...turneded around to see Tom Allen stand right behind me asking if I was okay & saying he'd get the freebag - I should go get the main. I always follow my stuff down, that was the 1st time someone followed ME down to make sure I was okay...impressed me & I've done it ever since. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisD 0 #27 March 22, 2013 Two points, which may at first seem unrelated, but are not... Point one: Everytime something like this issue arises, we seem to miss the point that a more experienced jumper sets an example to the rest of the skydiving community... Point two: Similaar to the downsizing issue, we have defined what it means to aspire to be an expert in skydiving, downsizing is equated with being an expert...there's a whole shitload of people downsizing because it's view'd as a sign that "I have arrived." And theres a whole shitload of people that should not have downsized! Ever ask anyone why? and they can't give a reason other than,..."well I'm an experienced jumper?" But when you push for a real answrere, they don't have one. I downsized because 1 it's easeyier to pack, 2 it's lighter, by 1 pound on my back, 3 less bulk. These are real reasons, not knowing why you downsized, other than you want the world to know your an expert is not a reason... It's hard to see, point number two, but it is there and it does exsist to the detriment of skydiving as a whole....But what do I know, "I only have one tandem jump." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #28 March 22, 2013 Quotenothing wrong with following a person on a reserve down" Nothing wrong? I'm not as old and grumpy as you lot, but WTF? If I see someone having a reserve/cutaway close to me, I'm following either him, the main, or the dbag down. Isn't that what you _should_ do???? (if safe of course)...Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #29 March 22, 2013 Quote ***nothing wrong with following a person on a reserve down" Nothing wrong? I'm not as old and grumpy as you lot, but WTF? If I see someone having a reserve/cutaway close to me, I'm following either him, the main, or the dbag down. Isn't that what you _should_ do???? (if safe of course)... 'Should' do yes...but rarely do I see it happen these daze! Like Chuck said, too many seem to chop & head for the beer line like nothing happened while 2500 bucks worth of nylon flutters off to points unknown. Couple years ago I followed an experienced jumpers main down into a residential area...ended up getting into an argument with a guy sayin' his yard- his parachute...walked a mile and a half back 'alone' carrying all that gear & didn't even get a thanks. Not only didn't the guy seem to care about his gear, he had zero appreciation for someone retrieving it...he told me to just throw it in a corner & asked where the free-bag was. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #30 March 22, 2013 Quote One of the younger up-jumpers even said they thought it was cool that the jumper tried to catch it. I was told I was rude for saying it was stupid. It is. Stupid. Very. Who told you that you were rude? I'll speak with them. PM me.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 426 #31 March 23, 2013 QuoteCatching freebags though, that's one of those things which they recommend against, but one gets recognition among peers if one does it. Not anywhere I've ever jumped.Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #32 March 23, 2013 Quote Quote Catching freebags though, that's one of those things which they recommend against, but one gets recognition among peers if one does it. Not anywhere I've ever jumped. Well, Chuck...they DO get recognition. Just NOT the kind they were hoping for. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greell 0 #33 March 25, 2013 I've seen a few of those videos where people catch the freebag and get commended for making a "good catch"... Spaceland never taught us not to do it...but they did teach the importance of minimizing having things that could snag/catch/tangle in the lines. Therefor it seemed like common sense (to me) that adding another freebag or chopped canopy to the mix...would run the same / higher risks of entanglement. All I can say is i'd never try to catch it...looking cool and getting a high-five for saving someone a bit of trouble / loss of cash isn't worth life and limb to me :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #34 March 25, 2013 Well, I saw some very positive recognition of catching a freebag once. SDC Summerfest 2 years ago. Charles the video guy was the one. He was walking down the road towards the Tiki Bar when someone hollered "Hey!!! LOOK UP!!!!" he stopped, looked up, stuck his hand out and caught it without taking another step. The ground crew had taken off on one of the 4-wheelers for the cutaway main. All the gear was back at the hangar before the jumper. It was pretty cool. And yes, trying to catch it in the air is pretty stupid."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
douwanto 22 #35 March 25, 2013 This Thread says all I need to remember about catching cutaways... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=1150793;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=50; Uncle/GrandPapa Whit Unico Rodriguez # 245 Muff Brother # 2421 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
