RevJim

Damn...you're too old for me, then.. Mike Old enough to go to the store, huh mike? It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Rio. Need to learn a few languages first, but I want to retire in Rio. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Mix of all the above. about 3.50 a pack between 1.5 and 2 packs a day I used an $18 average for my jumps Quitting paid for my Bird Man suit, my Neptune, and my new Hawkeye camera helmet. It's now about to pay for a new container and reserve.

Mine WAS about 124 jumps per year. Since June 30th, ZERO. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Whoa that's fucked up, that's what my parents always called me. (My name is Jason and I was obsessed with flying...) What's more fucked up? Jaybird was the CB handle of my uncle who died in his truck when I was 12. His real name was Jay Norbert DeGodt. His son (my cousin), Jason, was known of course, as Jaybird Jr. He is now known as Jaybird, in memory of his father. One of the few people from my past that I really, truely miss. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Wow. Excellent, thought provoking post, Aubrey. I do not have a great deal of jumps in this sport, but it has had my full attention for almost 6 years, so I will answer your questions to the best of my ability. It is a necessary evil. Those that are sponsored make the product visible, while at the same time creating contempt for themselves. Everybody loves to see the gear out there, but those wearing this "free" gear also get the backlash of the people that actually have no choice but to pay full price. These "full price people" are the bread and butter of the industry. Keep them happy. An "Airspeed mod" or a "Magik Mod" on the order sheet, marked as "Free" goes a loooong way. Don't advertise "who" you sponsor. Really. People see loads and loads of one particular rig or main at a DZ, but none are emblazoned with huge logos or special "Factory team colors". This gives the impression that this item is popular, not flooded by sponsorships. Those monstor PD and Icarus logos on the teams canopies? Ugh. The status quo here is not really a bad thing. Value, especially now that the economy has really tanked, is of greatest importance. Making the options cheap add ons, or just including most of the minor ones can make the difference between brand X and brand Y. You are here in the first place. That's right #1. I also see very little of the "Ours is better/stronger/safer than theirs" type advertisements. This is also a good thing. Keep it up. Market share is a good thing. Market domination, not so good. I loooove my PD reserve. It's popular. This dictates a higher price, at least lately. This also means that my next rig will probably not have a pd reserve in it. Economics, remember? I'm going for the cheaper one, pure and simple. There is a double edge sword you are wielding here. We have a general average of about 35,000 active skydivers. Some quit, some start and stay with it, but that's about the average. To sell more, people are either downsizing, starting (used for many), or buying second/third/ect rigs. If people need to replace items, like mains, that wear out, will they go with another of the same (that wore out) or try a different brand to see if it lasts longer? On the other hand, if it doesn't wear out, it doen't get replaced. Tough call. Market to the newbies, and accentuate with your high end lines. I don't question the safety of the items I already own, as i see them up close and personal each and every time I use them. When looking for newer gear though, I am very safety concious. The written word, whether right of wrong, is very powerful. Take for instance the Catapult, the Pull out, and certain Raven reserves. They are on my list to avoid. Why? Simply because I read about a few problems in the past. If there is a problem that has been found, bring it up as fast as possible, and have a proper fix ready ASAP. If this means grounding, have a replacement ready to go for everyone that could be grounded. For example, if a main is found to have problems across a product line, and must be grounded, be prepared to replace it very quickly, or be prepared to lose a HUGE customer base, both from repeat business and word of mouth. Wow, double meaning here. LOL What makes skydiving atractive to me? The people. Really. I've participated in many sports, but this is the only one where no matter where I go, I'm made to feel like family. Try that with golf or bowling. This could also mean what makes skydiving expensive though, and that also goes back to the gear mfgs. $15 to $20 a jump we can swallow. $2000 + for nylon, $1500 + for cordura and an optional $1000+ for an AAD is alot harder to swallow. Marketing vs. price. It's a difficult decision. A new Mirage will demand well over 2 grand with decent options. How would a rig with the exact same options sell at half the price? Would demand increase? Would demand increase enough to cover the difference in profit margin? What if the profit margin alone was cut in half? What would demand do? Personally, if I could get a top of the line rig, like the G4 Mirage, for half the price or slightly more, chances are I would buy two. He with the most toys, right? Wow, that was a long post, but I hope it conveyed at least some of my feelings. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Do ya accept payment in beer? It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Nope, I didn't give up on the rec, bud. I'm still there. I just 'filed a few, mostly Snuff and David, and still read multiple times a day.

When thinking about your bum, love dove, that's the correct emoticon. Just before I pass out from glee. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Bubble Gum Pop (tm) is a waste of many things. Metal though, from the "Ride the Lightning" and "and Justice for all" (my personal favorite) times do have a place in history, but let's keep it history though. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Bwahahaha! You do know the rules of dating, right? No takers until you arre taken. Never fails. hehe hoho haha Corcho "tweet tweet" Rodriguez

That's far better than meeting a dirt-bag loser with no talent. Did I forget to mention I loved Metallica in the "Pre-RIAA ass licking" days? It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Ittttt'sssssss baaaaacckkkkkkkk It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

or just "F$%^ THE ATKINS DIET!" I was thinking, for the wrapper: "Screw Atkins, EAT ME!" Either way, good idea.

OK, fine. I live in Waupaca, WI. This town's only claim to fame is it''s not quite as tourist trappy as Niagra Falls. When I was younger, basically from 12 to 14 years of age, I drove (captained?) a teeny tiny sternwheeler around the Chain 'O Lakes here. It was a private boat, and the passengers were also the owners, and only when here on vacation. Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Olson. That would be the Johnny of "Bonny Smith, c'mon down! You're the next contestant on the Price is Right!" fame. I never did get to meet Bob Barker though. He was here visiting a few weekends, I guess, but each time was a crap weather weekend, so I never got the call to come and drive the boat for a bunch of famous drunks.

Today, at 11:56 a.m., I got 3 patties on my $1 double cheeseburger from McDonalds. My luck is finally turning, I tell you. These kinds of things always only happened to the "Other People". Not anymore! Watch out Oprah, here I come! It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Ugh. Drool.... How much? (for eeneR)

Aaah, Elvisio! The brownie point master. Does this mean there is no hope for the "WFFC Elvisio Way 2004"? Corcho "Rub it in" Rodriguez

Uh huh. Vacation for WFFC 2003. When you get back from IL, don't come back. There won't be any trucks to come back to. Cool at first. Got lots done on my house, but man o man, I'm ready to get the heck outta here, pronto. So, yea, unemployed since the first of August basically. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

This is starting to sound like a party. Where's the hot tub? We know what Clay is bringin' to the WFFC this year! This:(clicky) It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

I swear I had to read through that a dozen times before I got all of it, JP. Bet Squeek got it on the first try though. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Well, before today, my last post was Mar 5, 2004, 9:31 AM.....but.... Iiiiiiii'mmmmmmmmm Baaaaaccckkkkk! It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Models?? Hell, I want to see a pic of Vallerina in them. I wonder if the real thing compares at all to my fantasies? OK, Fess up people. I know I'm not the only one who tried to click that to see Val in panties.... It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Dude, I just got around to checking my voicemails.... You didn't sound all that drunk. Ya did sound a little like, um, well, if you could get to Sprint's equipment, you'd take a baseball bat to it... Um, er, yea, something like that. I admit it. My voicemail is Eeeeeeeevil! It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

Bwahahaha! The digital form of my reasons for all but giving up on the rec. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1