BigMikeH77

That's a possibility... Or maybe the PDFT needs to pad their accounts, or maybe the proceeds will go to a charitable cause. We don't really know. I didn't get a chance to get a ticket either, but I would have bought one if they didn't sell out so quickly. But I think it would be nice to know where the proceeds are going - just for the sake of transparency.

I'll check it out from home. Is it implied anywhere that the money raised is going to support the PD Factory Team, or any other entity whether charitable or not? Lotteries are by definition organized and operated by the state, therefore any group putting together a prize package and selling tickets for an individual to win it would constitute a raffle. Again, raffles are most often regulated by the individual state and permit(s) are required where applicable. There are tax liabilities for for-profit entities and non charitable groups such as the PD Factory team, whereas nonprofits may be exempt. I recently saw a flyer at my home DZ for a SIS sponsored raffle, with proceeds going to help support a record attempt. I believe the top prize was a complete rig as well... I can't imagine needing the manufacturers permission to include their product in a raffle, but in this case it was clear 1)who was organizing the raffle, and 2) What the raffle proceeds were being used for.

The PD Factory Team website is blocked here for some reason as it apparently constitutes "sports/recreation". By golly, there'll be NO recreation in the office! So I don't know if it's a benefit for a charity - if it is, they didn't mention it in the DZ.com adverts. If not, I think they'd just need a permit in the state of Florida to run a raffle... That shouldn't be too difficult.

I'm in agreement with you 100% on this one. Is exposing kids to secondhand smoke an intelligent thing to do? Certainly not.. Can it cause respiratory issues? Most definitely. Shoult it be a criminal act, punishable by fines, jailtime, visits from CPS because of nosy jackwagon people who have nothing better to do than tell someone else how to be a better parent? Hell no. I'm a big advocate for parent's rights. NO ONE should have the right to tell me how to parent. Whether it's giving my kid a good smack across the mouth or lighting up a cigarette in the house, those things are a part of being a person, and no-one is a perfect parent. So get out of my business.

I bet those girls were terrified. Landing in a parking lot couldnt have felt pleasant. At 13 one can't expect them to be able to control a canopy at all let alone PLF onto asphalt. But it could have ended much worse.

I don't know if I could do the lozenges for more than a couple months. It makes a funky film on my tongue and lips... But yes, definitely the lesser of two evils. The withdrawal does suck, so does going from smoking cigarettes to using NRT whether it be a patch, gum, or lozenges. It takes a mighty lot of willpower in the morning and after meals. I did manage to quit for 7 months a few years ago. Used the patch. Since then its been an off again on again relationship - those are usually the unhealthiest to be in so I'm ready to let it go. And for Gods sake, I'm 36 not 20 and have no business smoking. It's not cool anymore. Congratulations on being smoke free for three years!

I tried the pipe method last year. Went to the tobacconist and got a good quality starter pipe (Those things aint' cheap!) and some good neutral tobacco to break it in with and some filters. I made it part of my nighttime routine - I'd sit and watch the news or something with a cup of hot tea and smoke my pipe. Jeez, all I needed was a nice robe and Hugh Hefner'd have NOTHING on me! But smoking a pipe is a big pain in the ass. Much better than any old cigarette, but a pain in the ass. Why on earth would anyone take nicotine lozenges when they're not a smoker?!?!

The VA gave them to me, so they're some weird offbrand. "Quitube"?? They sent me three tubes of 24 lozenges, and I opened the second one today.

Has anyone ever used these nicotine lozenges while quitting smoking? I'm on day three and popping these things like they're M&M's!

At least you have it taped up. That's about all that can be done. In the army, we'd tell you to "Drink water and take some motrin." Hope it gets better soon!

That's fantastic! You'll like it here when there's no oppressive heat, raging wildfires, bone chilling cold fronts, or society crippling blizzards!

Yeah, her last post on the FB page indicates that it's going to be "up to the courts". Well if that's the case, they've lost. All the regs, laws, and I think most of the community is on the side of the airport. Are they wanting to live in "the world that was"? Maybe... I think that as one person already pointed out this is no longer about real issues but more about a personal vendetta. Did anyone READ the Airport Advisory Board minutes? Nothing has changed as far as the complaints go..The board mentioned that something like 92% of the increased complaints for 2012 came from two people. In all fairness, I think its more appropriate to claim that 52% of ALL complaints came from two people rather than the former. Anyway, the quiet skies folks are simply set on putting MHSC out of business plain and simple - because for one reason or another they don't like the idea of skydiving, or the noise, or the airport, or or or.. They're the type who will always find something to be unhappy about, unfortunately. There's nothing anyone can do on either side. I've noticed that we do most of the climb to altitude well over the foothills and nowhere near Gibbs' home - regardless of whether we're in the Otter or the King Air. All GA pilots take part in voluntary noise abatement procedures, the jumpers ALWAYS do their best to land at the DZ as they should... Yet the CQS folks are still complaining. My personal opinion about the psychology involved in this battle is that the main CQS person has serious issues involving a need for attention and control. She needs to feel respected and needs to feel important because perhaps for whatever reason she didn't get that as a child or doesn't get that as an adult in the real world.... Thus conflict is created that centers around her, under the precipice of "representing" the best interests of Boulder county. It's just her reality and it doesn't seem like many others share her vision. .02

I was thinking the exact same thing. I think it would be more reasonable to assume that at least 80% of all AFF students have taken part in a tandem jump prior to their FJC. If you include Army Airborne static line jumps, the number could increase even more. Finding out what percentage of tandem students actually enroll and attend their AFF1 FJC could be very difficult and time consuming to extrapolate.

I LOVE that!! I hope I can come up with something unique and witty, but that sets a very high bar...

Ooh that IS interesting!

Mine does not. I agree with the narrow profit margin comment, that probably has something to do with it. It's really good for the sport though if you think about it, those I've brought in for tandems post on facebook and tell their friends, and that plants a little seed. A small percentage of those seeds germinate, etc., etc.

I don't have enough information and haven't seen any evidence. It's not my place to judge innocence or guilt based on what I've been spoonfed by MSM.

***I actually think doing as many AFF jumps in rapid succession is actually the better way to learn. Yes, time on the DZ will help too, but not waiting 1 week in between jumps is a great way not to have to re-learn every thing almost every time. Yes, good point.. I suppose it's all about whatever works best for the individual. For me, the intervals between jumps were productive and I feel as though I gained more than I lost. I had time to read up and study on things, watch some of the video captured by my instructors and say "What the heck was THAT?!" when look at my body position, and had time to go to the tunnel to work on correcting the problems. I might not have been able to do all that had I taken a very aggressive AFF course. But like I said, that's just what worked for me.

It's not a race. If your buddy wants to just "knock out" all of the AFF course in as little time as possible perhaps he should ask himself why, and what he believes are the perceived advantages of doing it in a couple of days... And as mentioned in other posts, once a student completes AFF, there are still things that need to be done. For example, after completing all the AFF jumps my DZ requires a 12 coach jumps (three of which are actually solos), a canopy course (that's an all day event), and a packing class before you can take a shot at the check dive. You can learn a lot in between jumps by talking to your instructors and being around the DZ. Plus, think of the additional benefit of spreading your training across a longer period of time - for example, jumping in different wind/weather conditions, jumping with a greater variety of instructors and coaches, and there might even be a greater sense of satisfaction and accomplishment having committed more than just a weekend to "trying something new." One of the things I really enjoyed about my recent progression through AFF was kind of the whole "The journey is the destination" thing, and what I'm really getting at here is simply that I don't think it's wise to rush, but then again I'm a simple student myself so...

Very true. Back in the early 90's I had one of those ideas that have now come to billion-dollar fruition. One of my friends at the time shot the idea down and being the young person I was decided not to move on it. So yeah, "Dumb idea" doesn't carry a lot of weight anymore.

From time to time, I'll have a "multi-million dollar idea". You know, something that should I commit to and nurture and develop would most likely pan out. I suppose I just have an entrepreneurial spirit even though I'm a big lazy butt. My latest one definitely isn't anything I could "get rich" at, but I think it would be a satisfying life. I thought to myself "How great would it be to get some acreage near the DZ, plant a bunch of clover, and raise honeybees? I'd let the bees do their thing and sell the sweetest honey in Colorado, and tell the DZO that folks are welcome to land in my field anytime, just mind the bee boxes!" What are some of your dream jobs or entrepreneurial million dollar ideas?

I'm constantly reading "The Parachute and its Pilot." Great book.

Tread carefully, friend. You don't know me, my story, where I've been, what I've done any more than I know you/yours. It takes all kinds, opinions, and ideas to make the US work. Even more importantly, it takes tolerance and acceptance of those whom you don't agree. Clearly we don't agree.. But you don't see me questioning your alliegance, do you?

This is what I'm talking about. First, yes Israel MUST be discussed because it is Israel's security that is the main concern with the conflict in Syria... The concern isn't with the Syrians themselves. Like I said before, this isnt about a humanitarian issue, not is it about oil. This is about Israel's security. Secondly, and I want to be CRYSTAL clear here. Yes, I despise the fact that Israel's well being is continually put to the forefront. Yes, I despise that Israel gets away with as much as they do... As much as the U.S gets away with. That's ISRAEL, buddy, not Jews. It IS possible to dislike a government without foolheartedly hating it's people. And THAT'S why I brought up the quote. Say something bad about Israel, and you're immediately labeled an anti-semite. You're the ignorant one here, not I. Your comments reek of ignorance, suggesting a bigoted hatred of Jews, that I was brainwashed in Kindergarten because I disagree with Israel's policies? If you think that Israel isn't as much of a cause of the problems we have in the region today as 1) neighboring Arab countries and 2) the blind support of the U.S. then all I can really say to you is that yes, Ignorance must be bliss. If anyone wants to ignore the fact that Islam has become a sacpegoat for warmongering military actions, the forcefed teachings of hate toward people of middle eastern descent, and blind borderline ultranationalism by a lot of people in the U.S., then more power to them... But don't rag on me for calling out what is clearly the REAL elephant in the room.

But back to the REAL topic, what to do about Syria.. Unfortunately, we shouldn't do a DAMN thing unless its a part of a UN action. I mentioned in an earlier post that there have been "Confirmations" that chemical weapons have been used.. Okay, just a few points on that. First, it was also "Confirmed" by the G.W. administration that Iraq had WMD's.... And despite what SOME people on this thread say, no I DO NOT blindly believe what ANY news source or government tells me. (That comment still pisses me off.) So with that being said, isn't it also possible that perhaps our confirmations should be backed up and presented to the UN Security Council or something before we start shipping more weapons into an historically unstable region? Secondly, and I'm not trying to downplay chemical weapons here, but I didn't hear any "confirmation" of exactly which kind(s) of chemical weapons were used. What was it... A nerve agent? Blister agent? Was it of russian. chinese, AMERICAN origin? Was it something as simple as riot gas? I want details... And I think people SHOULD demand more information.