crwmike

Not sure exactly what a C182 is, but I'm thinking it's in the Cessna line. And since I have a serious aversion to those, we're gonna' let Wendy win the shortest person competition!! Nina I think I know where you're confused. You're thinking of both the 180 and the 182 and you can't remember which was the tail dragger and which had the tricycle gear ...right? The 182 was the trike. Michael

Z-Hills and Lake Wales would be about the same travel ~1.5 hrs. Michael

I don't know. I would have like to have found out, however. You wouldn't have the profit mongers and tandem whores polluting DZ's. We would have more 'clubs' with everyone pitching in to get the work done. Pretty much the only people at the DZ would be the ones who are drawn by the beauty and grace of skydiving. In the late 70's we had a bunch of 180's, some Beech-18's and the occasional DC-3 and Skyvan ...all in all, some damn good skydives. Michael

I think if you said that at the instructor course, you would flunk it right there on the spot.. Ahhh, honesty is not valued at instructor courses? Michael

In a nursing forum, a student nurse who had just finished her first clinical rotations asked, "what can I do to mask the smell"? The response of the experienced nurses ..."what smell?" I expect my Lightning to slam open. I cowboy the fuck up, make sure my body position is good (upright) to take the opening shock on my leg straps rather than my chest strap, and toss the pilot chute ...instant canopy! Having said that, I had one (my 193) that more often than not ...was burtal. Tried rolling all sorts of shit with varying degrees of success. After a few dozen jumps, it kind of mellowed out. Blue Thighs, Michael

Impossible! Now, if you don't mind, I'll get back to watchig Logan's Run. Michael

Actually, that's really bad business and could put the dz under if it continues frewuently. Unless, there is enough warm season and jumpers that day to compensate. Not generally a wise business practice. Loosing money is never a good thing. It's nice that he is so cool but I wouldnt' excpect that all the time from a wise business man/woman. That could endanger the whole operation. I had a somewhat differing opinion about what helps a DZ stay open, but I'll bow to your experience. Michael

QuoteThis is an offshoot of the "different prices for different genders" thread in the women's forum (link here. Since we specialize in the beating of dead horses here, I thought it'd be good fun to drag out yet another. Where there are, in fact, inequalities like the number of folks of different genders in skydiving, is this a good way for a business owner to attract a clientele he wants? Obviously it's his or her business... If you're a guy and just want more women at the drop zone, consider, then, the possibility of, say, a nursing program charging less for men because of a critical shortage of men in a local nursing market? When I went to nursing school, there was a state financial aid program available to women who wanted to attend nursing school. I paid full price as the state funded program excluded men from eligibility. Discrimination based on gender harms us all. Michael

I jump with four. Two Jacks in front under my mud flaps. Two 6" metal hook knives on the back of each leg strap. A hook knife and backup on each side. Used them twice, each time alternate procedures would probably have worked. BSBD, Michael

Wendy's place: http://www.eco.utexas.edu/Homepages/Staff/Faulkner/skydive/skydive.shtml

I was supposed to tip the packer?? No wonder those pack jobs were so shitty. Seriously, I prefer to pack my own. 2,500 pack jobs, and zero functions. I wonder what the function ratio of the professional packers is?? Dunno, but on the other side of the discussion, I've paid for (at least) 2,500 pack jobs, and zero functions. Michael

Ummm. Yes, if you rent a car and crash it, you are responsible for the full replacement cost of the car. You have a choice at the time of rental to buy additional insurance. If you rent a car and the wheel falls off just after the engine drops out and the tank explodes you are still responsible for replacing the vehicle. Read a rental agreement sometime, you are responsible for EVERYTHING. Soooo, you rent a car, the brakes fail and you crash??? It's your fault cause you didn't bring a mechanic with you to the lot to check the car before hand? You should pay for all damages?? I don't think so. Michael

My mistake. I thought we were talking about what you would do. Skies, Michael You have points...But most people dont' know how to react in an emergency situation..I have seen many people just freakout when someone needs help. Also many people can't handle off landings well..As clearly pointed out by the fatality reports. Most deaths are off landings...Do you really think its wise to ADVISE people to land off when off landings kill so many people? You do a lot of CRW...So the world is your DZ...And many people have PRO ratings...YOU and THEY can handle that type of landing...MOST people can't. So: If you don't have medical training and are not SURE of your canopy skill level... Locate the person and the gear and land on the DZ to assist in the recovery efforts. The simple fact is most people who can pull this type of manuver off...Are not going to not do it cause they read about it here....But you MIGHT convince someone who can't do it to try....And that could be very bad. The people who can will....But I really don't recomend that people try it unless they KNOW they can handle it... Telling people its a good idea on here is just going to put it into their heads to try it...And that could be bad. Mike...How many guys have you seen try to catch a main? The people in the know would not try it...The people who don't know better do try it..And it can be very bad. I can't recomend to people to land off when off landings are the #1 killer in this sport right now. It's safer and in many ways better to land on the DZ and call 911 and lead the emergency people to the injured party instead of making them look for them. You may not agree, and thats fine. But I will not recommend people risk themselves to try to be a hero. Besides those that can will anyway. But I don't want those that can't to even try. But like I said we don't have to agree

Yeah but your poll options were not very good. I am experienced enough to land off in most situations..I just think its better to land on the DZ for two reasons. 1. Its the safest place to land...And one broken jumper (If they get broken) is bad...TWO is worse. 2. It is faster to get people to the downed guy if you know where they are...If they land out, and you land out...What if no one sees you both, and he (or you) IS injured?. I passed on replying to your earlier comments, but since you persist ... Your point is not totally invalid but, all considerations balanced out, land with your buddy and quit rationalizing a desire to not be inconvenienced. Injured people can greatly benefit from having someone else there. Can you put pressure on a bleeding wound. Can you pull their head out of water and facilitate breathing? Can you talk and let them know they are not alone (aside from warm fuzzies, you could prevent deadly shock). If you can safely land out, then land out with them. If they are injured/unconscious (prior to landing), push your own margins of safety to help them. BSBD, Michael

If I have reason to believe them injured/incapacitated, I land with them in any place I believe I can survive and still be able to function to help. If evidence indicates they are unharmed and must land off, I land as close by as I can in a safe area. I follow gear to any safe area and will either get directions/coordinates or land at a safe nearby spot if it's going in the shit. If we all are landing off, we try to land together. Just like landing direction, if the low Dog chooses a LZ that I can reasonably and safely make, I'll go there. CRWDogs don't let CRWDogs land alone. Skies, Michael

I'm in complete agreement about doing things for the ...other gender that are not born of sincerity and willingness. Yet ...I find myself in the same boat. I spent Saturday with my buddy Bill and his 4 y/o daughter Sarah. Spent the day as a beast of burden and basked in her warm hearted smiles, hugs and laughter. Came time to leave and I turned to say goodbye, when she hugged me and said "please don't go, I want you to stay". Little heart breaking tears threatening to roll out of her big blue eyes ...sigh. What a wonderful day! I hadn't realized how much I needed this ...counterpoint to my experiences with children; children in an ER/Trauma setting. Children that have seen far too much and lived far too little. I can't even remotely remember the last time I spent time with a happy, loving, laughing child. What a wonder they are, and how blessed I am to be able to enjoy this ...then give them back to the parents :). Michael

The dark side calls to this one. ;) Welcome! Michael

Thing about those meds is ...you have to take them EVERY day.

Don't know about all that other shit, but you left too soon! Several dogs had plans to come party with you this weekend at Tandem Rehab (how's that work? They strap you to someone who does the actual exercises?) ...and you went and left early. Damn! Had a great time at Lake Wales this weekend. The only downside was a bunch of us didn't get to meet you. CRW Skies! Michael

{{{HUG}}}

Skydivers have really changed, haven't they? As I start to get ground rush on sixty, I find myself most amused at the younger generations of people who skydive. I confess I never dreamed I would, at this age, look at kids and think, damn, it's a shame they don't shake it out and party more. Well, we wanted mainstream, well they came ...and along with their money, brought their mainstream mores with them. Aw, what the fuck, It's all good! Skies, Buttercup Girdlehead \

First of all, Skydive Miami is run by some good people. It is, however, pretty much a Tandem business. If I were looking for some happening DZ's while visiting Florida, I wouldn't put them on my list. Ditto for Clewiston and LaBelle. Hmmm, so many choices (north of S. Fla :). You can't swing a dead cat in Central Florida without hitting a DZ. Just about all of them would be a good choice for a weekend, during the week, SoBE, Titusville and Sebastian might be a bit slow. (Disclaimer: Haven't been to the 'new' DZ at Pahoke [Sobe] and it's been a couple of years since I've been to Sebastian, so if I'm incorrect on their weekday activity, I'm sure someone will correct me ). In January, Lake Wales, ZHills and Deland should be hopping, any day of the week. Lets use Lake Wales as a starting point (about 3-3.5 hours north of Miami, a bit south west of Orlando) NW - ZHills, 1-1.5 hours NE - Deland, 2-2.5 hours E - Titusville 1.5-2 hours ESE -Sebastian 2-2.5 hours ZHills, Deland and Lake Wales would be the 'big three', but T'ville and Sebastian on the East coast have some incredible scenery from the air. SoBe is about 2 hours north of Miami on the SE corner of Lake Okechobee (Can you say ...sugar cane ;)Can't miss the lake on even a national map. Skies, Michael

The 'gold standard' for CRW these days is a wing loading of 1.3-1.375 : 1 on PD Lightnings. Michael

I remember the excietment of finishing college ...then I realized that now I was going to get up every day and go to work ...for the rest of my life. I enrolled in grad school :) Stop in Lake Wales and say hello. The CRWDogs will be there that weekend Michael

It's all in the delivery, dude ;) Michael Few women have a problem with being 'taken' ...as long as they are taken correctly. Wow. I love stereotypes. Guys can do the same (get laid whenever they want.) BULLSHIT!!!!! It's true, girls just have to show up and they could have (almost) any guy in the room, but if a guy walked up to a girl and mentioned that his sole intention was to have sex with her......SMACK!!! He has the hand of God on his face for a week.