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I think what he was uncomfortable with was taking your money before you have started jumping. It is a sign of integrity, not wanting to take advantage of you.

They can be, but many (most?) aren't. As noted above, until you get your license, it's best to stay at one place. There are a variety of reasons for this, many are based on 'continuity' and 'familiarity'. Most DZs aren't super comfortable with someone 'walking in off the street', claiming to be a student, wanting to continue where they were at the previous DZ. At minimum, you'd have to repeat the last level you completed so they could evaluate where you really are vs where you say you are. But once you are licensed, you can go anywhere you want. There are some places where local 'rivalry' is present. But, unless the DZO is a dick (and some are), the idea of jumpers hopping around to different places is usually fine. I've only jumped at 7 different places, but I've never been put down because I jumped at somewhere else. In fact, the opposite is often true. I'm invited to come back again. Most DZs (and DZOs) don't consider other decent, well run DZs to be 'competition. For example, Skydive Chicago & Skydive Midwest both draw from the Chicago market. But a couple years ago, the DZO of SDMW was at SDC Summerfest. He sat 'on the couch' with Rook (DZO of SDC) during the filmfest and discussed this. His wife was doing Load Organizing at Summerfest and Rook commented it was nice that he 'let' her do that. First off, he didn't 'let' her do anything. Second, he knows full well that we need to support each other and that will make the sport a better overall place. I know of a bunch of other instances where area DZs cooperated in a variety of ways. OTOH, there can be a fair amount of 'cliquisheness' on the DZ itself. Not necessarily in a 'look down' manner, but simply that belly fliers hang togther, as do free fliers, wingsuiters, canopy pilots, ect. They don't really go out of their way to exclude people, but if you aren't 'one of them', they may not be super welcoming.

Seriously, this entire thing is beyond my wildest imaginings. Obviously, regardless of the harm to the nation, Trump will grasp at any straw to avoid the courts come January 20. I've said it already several times here but it bears repeating: if you voted for Trump the second time you own this.

It could also be that people are waking up to the failures of our system of government. They want and need a change. And besides it has been WAY too long since this country has been ruled by a fascist dictator and they see Trump as the only possibility for that to happen in their lives. We all need to stay tuned for today America votes for and elects the next president.

while in training most dropzones want you to do the entire training at the same place. sure you can switch, but you should be prepared with a reason why. once you are out of training, then it isn't usually a problem. if two dropzones in an area are in tight competition things can get ugly, stealing instructors / talking shit / etc then yeah you may be forced to choose one or the other.

Really depends on the place. I have had experience with really awful places, that would basically treat you like a second class person if you jumped at another local dropzone, to the point of being unofficially denied service (you were not asked to leave directly, but manifest made sure you had a bad experience, with the goal of you not returning again). Speaking of cliques, there are dropzones that will treat you poorly (again with the goal of you not returning) if you dare to disagree or question any of the local policies (ie why is the jump run in this direction, why are there more people on the plane than regulations and common sense allow, why am I on a load I didn't sign up for, why was the jump altitude less than agreed, etc). Basically, your mileage may wary wherever you go. I have met some of the best people in my life on a dropzone, I have also met some of the worst.

I can sort of see the point. No matter, I'm setting aside the decent bottle of wine I was intending to swill with you and putting aside a better one.

The next six weeks are going to showcase the victory of the Rule of Law over a sitting president who is trying to steal an election.

I studied the comics extensively and the author was in the Pacific Northwest mid sixties and Florida late sixties. He would explore an area take pics and use them for his stories. He was well connected in military/aviation circles.. I also found that the comic was published in Mexico for Latin America in Spanish.. the French only thing was wrong. There is a vector between Hahneman and the publisher Herge. The IGY.. Ultimately, I believe the Cooper comic was probably an interesting coincidence, unless more evidence is found.

Perfect, I found Mount Rainier is in a Dan Cooper comic book,,,, from Lake Tipsoo Crazy right... Cooper comic on right..

I don’t think these people really care about the constitution. I think they worry more about having a white America than anything else.

I could eat alphabet soup and shit out a more coherent thought.