Leaderboard

As a load organizer I'm partially responsible for the safety of the group. I'll do a 2-way with anyone. When someone wants to jump with my group, yes, I need to know their capabilities. Sometimes we'll break into smaller groups to accommodate those with lower skills. When that person says, "but I wanted to do 8-way", but they can't do consistent 4-way, that shows that they don't understand all the factors involved with these decisions, and don't respect the other jumpers. When I ask folks what slot they feel comfortable in and they say, "I can do anything" that's a big red flag. They get placed in or close to the base until we learn what they can really do. I've taken lesser experienced jumpers on bigger ways. They were jumpers I've jumped with, and I knew what they could and couldn't do. They get slotted in a place where they can be successful and the group isn't negatively impacted or safety compromised. They enjoy the jump, do well, learn and are gracious. Sharing a handshake or hug, and a thanks goes a long way. That gets them on the next jump. Being an LO is fun, but it's work and can be a PIA. And if I'm paying for jump it's an extra PIA. Be nice. Three goals: have fun, help others learn in a controlled fashion, and have everyone go home whole.

I agree with this. From first hand experience. My ex came from a family of drugs and crime who never worked. She left that state to start a new life which is when I met her. She lasted just over 3 years with me and then went back and is herself now immersed in drugs (meth) and crime. She struggled with me working, she had never experienced the man in the house being away all day. She would beg me to leave work at all times of the day. She started a Uni degree and dropped out. At the end of the day she simply didn’t have the skills, knowledge or willpower to make the change. Her kids now are repeating the cycle of her childhood (foster system etc). As you say it’s a vicious cycle and I don’t know how you change it. She had “everything” with me, stable and safe home. But in the end it was her roots that won

He was a criminal committing a crime. What's wrong with obeying the law? Why are you so against that?

You've gotten some good answers, but here are a couple more: I'll jump with anyone, regardless of experience. I've said it a zillion times - my only requirement is that you not try to kill me. But I need to know what that experience is. I need to decide if you can safely join the group I'm with or how to build a group and dive plan that has a reasonable chance of succeeding and that will be safe(ish). The only real metrics for that experience is jump numbers, and to a certain degree, tunnel time (see post #6 for why tunnel time is not a full replacement). As was also noted in post #6, being a part of the community is also part of it. Show up on a regular basis. Jump with folks. When they get to know you and your skill level, the chances of getting invited on fun stuff goes up. I've seen 40-50 jump new folk invited on bigish (12 or so) hybrids because the guys putting the plan together knew that the new guy could make a stable exit and lay the base for a hybrid. Not a super challenging or exciting slot, but it gave the new guy a chance to be on a fun jump, show he could do what was needed and gain some experience. Hang out after jumping (you don't have to drink). Make friends so you aren't just 'the new guy'. And, the hardest part, be patient. It takes time to build kills & experience. But if you show those around you that you aren't going to do stuff beyond what you should, show them that you have a good handle on what you can & can't do, that you have some good judgement, you will have a better chance of becoming a part of the 'cool kids'. Don't be 'that guy'. Don't be Mr Madd Skillz. I know a couple guys who have earned a reputation for being stupid and dangerous. For some strange reason, they have a hard time finding people to jump with. There will always be a few that look down on you because you're new. But my experience is that they are far, far more the exception than the rule.

From the USPA Governance Manual, available for free here: https://uspa.org/Portals/0/files/Man_GovMan.pdf "Safety & Training Advisors 1. The regional director appoints S&TAs and forwards the appointments to headquarters for processing. a. The appointments should be made in consultation with the drop zone owneroperator, while recognizing that the advisor is a representative of USPA, not the drop zone. b. The appointment of a DZ owner, operator or employee as the S&TA should occur only if another suitable candidate is not available. c. The following qualifications are required: (1) be a current USPA member (2) have made a minimum of 50 freefalls within the past 12 months* (3) hold at least an instructor rating* (4) hold a D License (5) be willing to endorse and promote USPA policies (6) attend the regional director’s annual S&TA meeting* *Items marked with an asterisk may be waived by the regional director. A letter of exception will be included with the appointment forwarded to headquarters. The regional director may appoint himself as an S&TA as long as the minimum requirements are met. 1-4: Regional Directors USPA Governance Manual • Section 1: Governance USPA Governance Manual • February 2019 • 1-4: Regional Directors — Page 20 United States Parachute Association® Publications USPA Governance Manual • Section 1: Governance 2. The regional director will hold at least one meeting of S&TAs each year to— a. promote uniformity of S&TA activities b. enhance communications between the regional director and the S&TAs and among the S&TAs c. provide a forum to exchange experiences, ideas, and methods of operations d. inform and update S&TAs regarding USPA policies, programs, and administrative procedures"

Brent bought a Hybrid? I'm not quite up on religious dogma. Is this one of the first signs of the rapture? Ron? Anyone?

The final post of someone who is badly losing an argument.

You are still running Honey BooBoo and Duck Dynasty on TV. I think that should answer it for you.

Taxation has not destroyed American industry and it would not destroy American churches. Again, progressive taxation. Charities get tax breaks and that is an accepted part of the system. The reason some of us would like to see some form of taxation on churches is just that some churches are profit driven and are abusers of the system. And not just the large nominally Christian ones, but how about the gigantic fraud of "Scientology"? But with that said it is probably impossible to separate the good from the bad in a fair and legally sustainable way.