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I got Foxconn. Which suddenly seems a rather fitting name.

Meh. It's easy to be the youngest to do something. Bragging about it only serves to confirm your age. Being the youngest to do something only takes parents with the required resources to make it happen. When others who do the same thing call you an expert, maybe then it's time to brag. But most people who are experts in this sport are also humble enough to know they still have things to learn. When it's obvious that someone is an expert by what they say and do, there is no need to brag.

Hey everybody, I completed AFF and all other requirements except the 25 jump requirement. I'm on jump 15 and I need 10 more to get my A license. Pretty stoked about getting my license. Any advice for a newbie?

No, I'm not afraid of them. ( despite the quotation system here, this is a quote from you, not me) I'm not sure which particular practices you were referring to. I am not religious in any way. But I know it is as wrong for me to tell others not to believe as it is for them to tell me what to believe.

George Carlin: “So I say, “Live and let live.” That’s my motto. “Live and let live.” And anyone who can’t go along with that, take him outside and shoot the motherfucker. It’s a simple philosophy, but it’s always worked in our family.”

"Principia Scientific International (PSI) is an organization based in the United Kingdom which promotes fringe views and material to claim that carbon dioxide is not a greenhouse gas." And, of course, rescue services have significantly improved since 1920 - helicopters, telephones, etc.

Considering that religion is the cause of most murder in the world - the practices should be punishable by death.

I take a decongestant before my first jump of the day during allergy season, because if I'm at all congested, I'll have trouble with ear pain. Sometimes I have to take another later in the day, sometimes one dose does the trick. You might find it helps you as well...

Hi Keith, As I read your previous comment, it made me think about how you responded to a post that I made not too long ago. And, in retrospect, I should have also. Good for you for retracting it; it was not the BIGUN that I know. Jerry Baumchen

That's a long and thorough analysis; thanks for the point of view. I'm not sure I agree with all of it and how it's stated, but it outlines some of the big issues, both pro and con. Thanks Insurance isn't the only culprit in the healthcare costs issue; the actual cost of healthcare is going up, especially at the top end. And we all expect to have access to it. Back when a broken arm was set in the doctor's office, it was realistic. Now that it's often a $70,000 operation, not so much. Wendy P.

Of course, the only way to ensure no-one can figure out a way to abuse the system is to make sure there is no system at all, or make it so hard to qualify for that most people who actually need help are excluded. It seems to me that many Americans are more outraged at the idea that someone could take advantage of them, than they are at turning their back on someone who is truly needy. Don

Well, to answer your specific question: Very low. Modern gear is very reliable. To encounter a situation where you 'do everything right and still die' is possible, but not likely. Most fatalities are the result of a 'chain of events', usually a chain of errors. Take any link out of that chain and the accident doesn't happen. Be 'up to speed' on your EPs, have an RSL & AAD, jump a reasonably sized canopy and be smart when you fly it (and jump at a place where other jumpers in the pattern are smart too). Do those things and you remove yourself from most of the accident categories. If it helps any, what you are feeling is perfectly normal. Familiarity will alleviate it to a large degree. My first jump each season is scary. Every damned year. If I'm off for more than a couple weeks, the first jump is a bit scary. Not as bad as after the whole winter, but more than just a week or so.

a few years ago we had a thread running for all the none USA dot commers, a place where we who were awake whilst the USA slept would gather. It was eventually locked and a chat froom was started called Bltherchat, Tonto was a regualar with us, there was a small band of us, but we spent many days getting to know each other over a couple of years, there were some token Yanks too, the late nighters Like Jeanne (Amazon) and Katiebear (playing in the sandbox). I developed a deep respect and liking for "t" (it's little t not T) and we had planned to do quite a few things when i visit SA next year. You will be missed by many my friend. My heart goes out to Taya,Beverly, Peej and all the JSC crew You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing?