CrazyThomas

This is TOO easy to pass up. Come on, everyone who has seen "Kindergarten Cop", repeat after me. Boys have a penis. Girls have a vagina. I think there is a difference, even with nudity. But it feels good to tell everyone they are equal. Don't even get me started on "Suffrage". Whatever, Thomas That would make getting by your neighbors much more interesting though....."Do I give them the ass, or the crotch?"---Tyler Durden

Excellent point. Not everyone has to spot. I forgot to mention that if I am the first one out, and not the one spotting, I usually check with the person spotting the plane top make sure they are happy with the spot. Because occasionally skydivers go to different dropzones, where they are not familiar with the ground lay out. So, most DZ's will have an aerial photo of what you will see from altitude. I am not trying to be right or wrong here. Only the question was when the light turns green, would I jump? And I wanted more info before making my decision on whether or not to jump. And my answer is "Yes, if that is what is planned, I sure would." Something like: Make a plan, and follow the plan. This does not mean plans can't change because of something, but usually it is best for me to follow the plan that the whole plane has decided is a good plan. And you stated it well by saying that when you are a diver, you had to trust someone else to spot. As in, if you are a diver, it is NOT a good idea to check the spot for yourself. Trust your group, and go with the plan. If it if a bad spot, talk about it on the ground, and try to improve the spot next time. It is impossible to hold pilots to a "perfect spot" every time. So, we must all remember that in general, everyone tries their best. And everyone makes mistakes once in awhile. Isn't there some BEER RULE about bad spots? OK, I'll stop with this thread before my PWing becomes TOO OBVIOUS. Peace, Thomas

Explaining sex to your children? This should never be done. Let them find out on their own. As in, when Dirty Johnny is smart enough to "educate" your daughter, that is the right age. LMFAO!!!! Thomas

True, that everyone likes to check their spot, and have the best spot. Now picture this though. Here I sit, a solo jumper about to make my first skysurf jump. What is exit order? Well, some things have to be taken into consideration. What if I cut away the board? What about my fall rate? Where is everyone else on the plane getting out? What other groups are coming behind me? (This is just a rumor I heard once or twice) A jumpmaster will be in charge of the plane. Somehow, before everyone boards the plane, information is exchanged about who is doing what type of jump, how high is everyone pulling, and how much seperation do they want from other groups for themselves to feel comfortable. I think the information is shared by talking beforehand. So, if everyone decides I am first out, and that I am suppposed to go when it is green, guess what? I watch the light, and then jump on green. See, it sucks, because I have to put a little bit of trust into the pilot, the jumpmaster who is in charge of spotting the WHOLE load, and the DZ for making sure they have a generally safe set up.' Maybe when I get 1000 jumps or more, or own my own DZ, then I can take the luxury of taking the perfect spot for myself. What I have found is that good spots on big planes usually put some people out short, and some people end up long. And I don't have a problem finding SAFE alternative landing areas. I was taught the old school method. That when in doubt, it is up to ME to find a safe spot to land. It doesn't have to be on the DZ. It should be away from wires, fences, lakes, rivers, trees, obstacles, and other hazards. And if I land in Farmer McNasty's field, I better be extra nice and put up with him yelling at me. But that is just what I learned once upon a time. And we all know, everyone is different. Just my .02 If I am trying to do the group thing, and cooperate, I will jump when told. Besides, it's not the fall the kills you, it's the sudden stop. Thomas

Were you the only person getting out, or was there only one group exiting at the same time? Or were there multiple groups? That is something to consider when spotting, or so I heard. That, and golf carts really help when jumping a King Air. Thomas

this is for everyone who is not paranoid. yet.... http://coa.returnpath.net/hotmail/jlo720_14m007/ Thomas

um, most people have BOCs and cannot see the handle anyway, so we always just reach back for it w/o looking. what kind do you have? Excellent point. Last year I had my skydive rig converted from ROL to BOC (for head down, and stand ups). The first few jumps were a little different at pull time. I thought it would be just like my BOC on my BASE rig, but it was definitely different not having a large wad of PC sticking out to grab. Isn't that why it is recommended to make small changes and try them out one at a time? I think another problem comes when students and low timers (aka: myself) are taught the tricks from people who have 1000's of skydives. Well, it may be great for someone who jumps every weekend, but maybe there are some things NOT to teach less experienced jumpers? Of course, as always I could be wrong. Yeah, and you are right. It is awfully hard to see that PC in the BOC. Of course, there isn't much else there to mistake it for, so that helps. Peace, Thomas

Basically, when a person jumps day in, and day out, I feel the person tends to forget how dangerous it is, and gets fooled into feeling it is safe. Everyone worries about staying current, and USPA makes rules about it. True, you may need to stay current to perform safely on a 300 way, but to make a solo skydive, I feel currency is just politics. Skydiving is like riding a bike. come on, we all remember....look, reach, pull. Oh, but when we get current, we stop looking at the pilot chute handle, and simply wave off, and then dump. I know, it is different when flying highly loaded ellipticals, or doing CRW, or any other "complex" skydiving discipline. Currency....that reminds me of things I cannot yet understand. Like a video camera man getting into a plane without his/her rig on. I have seen this once, and could not comprehend how a person could forget an item such as a parachute when they are going to make a skydive. And I know he was current. I think a lot of people are way too worried about numbers, and lose focus on safety. Yeah, this is Mr. Safety talking btw. The more current I was jumping, the more comfortable I got. Pretty soon, I started to forget that even a properly packed parachute can malfunction. I got used to good openings, and found myself less and less concerned with emergency procedures. So here is the question I pose. What is more dangerous? Lack of currency, or complacency? Peace, Thomas

in big capital letters, this statement is hollered: KMFA!!!! Thomas

OK. I'll be back. And I hear it is always best to smoke BEFORE I jump, that way when I land in the water nothing gets soaked. Oh, and one more thing. Spinning MAL's make for great water landings. and quite interesting I have to say. Just don't do it over land. or something. off to toke, Thomas

Finally having A license, and being able to skydive whereever I want......PRICELESS Noone mentioned a case of beer either. There was one or two of those involved with me getting my license. Of course, we are talking about acceptable WI beer, so a case is about $12. Thomas

That, and the fact it was a "trick rig". A BASE rig with 2 canopies. Come on, how practical is that. I couldn't skydive the damn thing (something about a stupid TSO), and I never had the guts to do a "fun-away". Well, I am still alive because of it, so maybe it was a good thing. Or not, who knows. Thomas

Yeah, I think that too. But the problem is these people that stole my rig aren't worth anything. And going to jail or prison over worthless pieces of shit doesn't make sense. Even in my cracked noggin. Thomas I figure KARMA will get them eventually.

Your jumping tomorrow and still whining? damn, must be tough 5 months. Ever hear of drinking beer? Been over 5 months for me, can't ya tell? Thomas

Want to stop jumping for awhile? Try getting your rig stolen. It's been working for me, although my whining has seemed to take control of me. Thomas

No, high is the exit point. Low is where you open. Enlightenment? That sounds like LSD. PWing all I can to make up for lost time. hopefully no locks this time around. Puff puff pass. Repeat as desired. Thomas

well, that break I took kind of killed my average. It's like sex in america. I guess I have to do more, to make up for people not doing it. Which way to the bar? Thomas

I thought BONGS were the wave of the future for Jedi training? Damn, I guess I have to leave Bethesda alone. Thomas

sorry to tack in here, BUT: this sounds like another convincing way for the US to develop it's nuclear weapons arsenal. After all, the space program has always been considered valuable for the "spin-off" products we get from it. No, Iraq is not allowed to start a space program. Neither is N. Korea. They just want us to pay for their energy. Thomas

I'll second that. I'm sorry for the "dribbled basketball" shit I said. Thomas

What my therapist tells me: NEVER SIGN PAPER. That and shut up and drink another beer. Peace, Thomas p.s. That pic was hilarious.

Join the club of non jumpers this weekend. Haven't you heard? I'm all talk, no action. That's the latest rumor. Whatever, time to get another BEER. What else are fridays for? Thomas

What? I'm not a real post whore? What are the qualifications for a "REAL" post whore? I went away for awhile because I thought HH wanted me to. I guess it is only to leave the BASE jumpers alone. And I thought they were supposed to be ""EXTREME"". I love that phrase. extreme. what a bunch of crap. Extreme post whoring? hmmm....maybe a new sport. It is more "intense" than normal post whoring, and requires much more training. Someday I may ask a "qualified" mentor on how to post whore. HEY ASSHOLE! wait, there I go again talking to myself. At least I win arguements with myself once in awhile. Thomas

BEER. Thomas Beer? Yes please. Thanks. Shit, I'm surrounded by beer! My dream come true.

Post whoring is an addiction? Shit, where is the help group for that. Oh wait, that's another discussion forum (said jokingly!) Thomas