rhys

are you talking USA or worldwide? i'm sure i have seen more than 13 in the incident reports! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

so shouldn't you have said 'mine' rather than 'ours', what do you define as the defintion of 'ours'? 9/11 is only one subject, but yes those that question the official narrative, have open minds, i don't think that 'all' gun owners are losers, in fact i know many people that own guns and are quite 'normal'. Gun 'Fanatics' and 'horders' are the idiots/assholes/shallow cunts! Guns are for death, and AK's are designed to kill human beings, anyone that glorifies the murder of human beings is a shallow asshole, and should undergo physcological treatment. try telling that to a crowd of 80% gun lovers though! fishing for a personal attack mike? try reading between the lines, something you obviousl find difficult to grasp! Once again, the SC is full of people of your ilk, you and them continuously drive away opposing opinions by ridiculing them, this is supported by the moderators. You support lawlessness, murder, treason, and the removal of cival liberties, i would call these actions of an idiot! But what do i know, i am just a paranoid tin hatter that has never travelled, studied, or experienced life in many differnt situations. maybe I should just start lovng guns and murder, then I might be accepted, who cares about morals and reason, when being accepted by ones peers is oh so important. A number of times, and most times they are not answered, or even acknowledged. This is one example of 'MANY' times the congress has been presented the evidence. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

What a sad sense of belonging, by the term 'OURS' are you assuming you and you ideals are the basis of most people beliefs? Just because the ridicule from you and your croonies, any opposing opinion recieves, has driven many of the open minded people out of here. This does not equate to your opinion and your Gun hording loser mates being common sense. I am not scared of peoples opinion of me, and that is why I don't mind speaking my mind. Through travelling to different dropzones (around the world) the 'general' opinion of these forums seems to be, that many of the contributers are self proclaimed experts and mostly assholes. These assholes ridicule any opposing opinion and claim they are mainstream. In reality the assholes are living a sad existence and have not much of a clue of what most people of the world believe as they couldn't give a shit about anything but themselves and thier shallow existence. Who is the clown with the lamp on thier head? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

So one that cannpot spell correctly is automaically stupid? One who's punctuation is less than perfect has no message to give? nice comeback "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Each is entitled to thier own opinion, mine is that glorifying guns is ignorant, idiotic, pathetic and a sign of ones lack of respect! Would you rather characters like me were filtered out so you can have gun orgies with your loser mates in peace? "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

A product produced for small minds, with small ideals. What a stupid product for stupid people! happy new decade assholes! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Yep, move all Usa's manufacturing offshore to protect US manufacturers from US law. US litigation is out of hand, the human instinct of 'GREED" is not going to go away, so unless you deal with your laws, you will continue to have the problem. In this case there is a valid reason for litigation but it should be made against the incompetent instructor, not the manufacturer. If Tandems were banned in USA it would be a good thing for us in other countries as more exclusive products are higher in demand. It will be sad 'IF' it ever happened, but what is sadder is the USA's relutance to see its own faults! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

maybe? At least I know I base my beliefs on what I have learned over the time I have lived, and my beliefs are based on actuality rather than 'Faith'. Faith is such a fucking cop out for the weak mind! I am also willing to lay my cards on the table for scrutiny, something those with 'faith' are reluctant to do without quoting some psalm or mythical stroy. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I have been using windows 7 Ultimate (evluation copy, for free) for months. It is a little different but nothing drastic. I have had to upgrade my ram though! but My machine was 'weak' before anyway! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

The origional link doesn't seem to work but here is one that does. SHIFT HAPPENS An interesting subject, I am surprised that it did not eventuate to anything 'in here' when the thread was started as everyone claims to be so profound and knowledgeable. This is a more recent vierion of a similar thing; Version 4.0 The exponential 'theme' is what interests me the most! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Money bro, none other; Not your money, not the governments money but the private sector! This is a re-accuring pattern, that has been used as a template for the private gain of those that put themselves in power for personal gain for 'A LONG TIME'. Sheeple don't learn from history and they consistantly allow themselves to be subdued and essentially improsoned by thier own apathy. The 'Cunts' at the top just laugh and flip you the bird with a wlcoming smile on thier face. This is not about law anymore, not when all the laws are broken without consequence by those with absolute power. *** Why must we stay where we don't belong? Because there's never gonna be enough space, So eat the meek, savor the taste. It's always gonna be a delicacy, So Lick your chops and eat the meek. The factory mass producing fear, bottled, Capped, distributed near and far Sold for a reasonable price And the people, they love it, they feed it Brush with it, bathe with it, breathe it Inject it direct to the blood It seems to be replacing love. Because there's always gonna be token truth Forgotten code discarded youth. You know there's always gonna be pedigree, One own the air, one pay to breathe! NOFX "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Even so, with the lack of closed cell foam in stron harnesses, the comfort level is much lwer and the incidence of vommiting is much more. io have seen very poor technique used on both systems, the sigma harness is much more forgivable. The foam used in stron harnesses will turn to 'dust' within a season or two. can't imaging it saves them much money using a lesser quality foam. The term 'Its already perfect' springs to mind. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I didn't really mean to say I thought you did, just that is what 'many' instructors do. Sorry if it seemed like a poke at you as I never intended it to be. Different people react differently, and but powerful guys are often humbed by 'not being in control'. Big guys are especially prone to 'passing out' due to the extra pressure on thier arteries and chest. Strong passenger harnesses are especially prone to this. Definately a charechter! usually when i ask they wil tell me, maybe not at first, and often when the parachute is open and none of their friends are around! peace! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

that comes down to 'how in touch' you are with your customer. Instead of drilling them with skydiving lingo and testosterone, I tend to ask them if they have contact lenses, have had a dislocated shoulder or 'suffer from moton sickness'. These are the type of things a TM should know about each of thier customers rather than power tripping on them and making them feel less than human for not performing 'perfectly'. I won't spiral one that wishes not to, but will allow customers that are willing, to 'spiral themselves' as hard as they wish (within reason) while talking them through traffic issues and canopy set up procedures. Some aren't even interested, so I don't waste my energy on them! I havn't been puked on for about 2000 tandems. Strong customer harnesses are more prone to 'puking' but still manageable. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I had this experience on a near new 'demo' set 366 canopy from Strong. The lines were in great condition as we considered that as well. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Hey stiffo! Thanks for the clarifiaction. It is still a backwards approach to an aviation industry that is worth many millions of dollars per year. We have come a long way since the 'experimental' days, it is about time the rules were ammended accordingly. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Very well said, as much as 'you' and 'I' disagree on a few subjects (won't get into it in here), you hit the nail on the head bro. Too many will stand back and take it in the ass because they are 'too scared' to speak up. I admire your honesty and 'desire' to do something about it! Good on you! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

your DZ is 'Onto it'. good work to your DZO/manager. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

That was clarified to me Via PM (thanks), I knew of the incident, but din't know of it as the 'Ohio incident', more 'the complacent idiot that let their customer fall out of a harness and stupid american litigtion is making the manufacturer responsable', incident. But thanks for the heads up! I'm glad I didn't work at a USPA dropzone when I was there then, I do let customers pull the main deployment handle (on occasion) but also have seen a student do so immediately out the door at 14k. This could be potentially very dangerous, and each student needs to be assessed before such a privilidge is given to them, That is not to say that students that I would not want to pull the handles, would not be able to jump with me! For some that is just too much for them to handle/enjoy and 'Making them' do so can be 'taking the fun out' of the skydive. Most of the customers here are not tourists but local residents, there is a city of 4 million people nearby ( an hour and 1/4 drive away) and 750,000 live in the immediate area. As I mentioned before, most jumpers are doing so for; Their birthday Their anneversary Their christmas present Their Bucks party... Only a small proportion actually (seriously) say they want to begin skydiving and we steer them in the right direction, many of the TM's are also AFF instructrs and can offer services to them but not at our main DZ as the landing area is not appropriate for students (but has spectacular views), people drive past 2 other dropzones to jump at ours because of the views. Advertising the tandem course as a training program 'ONLY' may actually deter some potential skydivers, some in the beginning have no desire to learn to jump for themselves at all, until, they have been on a 'Carnival ride' skydive and realised how fun it is. Think about it, how many tandeme students are apprehensive before they jump and elated after? MOST OF THEM Use you brain, the carnival ride theory has just as much if not more potential of obtaining new skydivers than the 'instructional' technique you seem to prefer. Students just want to jump and get it out of the way, afyer which the training should begin, since they have the desire, they will be more inclined to listen to the instructor. teaching a student all about a skydive when they are never going to come back again is; A WASTE OF TIME! Instructing each student this way maybe the US way and how the rules are written, but it sure does not make sense to me. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

NO! Check it when I meet them (it is already put on them by the GCO's), we have a 20 minute bus ride and then i check it again 'immediately prior to emplaning', i check my handles many times as my routine and i alsoe verbally and physically check the attachment points with the customer 'EVERYTIME' including legstraps, sided adjusters, belly band, chest strap and top adjusters, I also check the back strap but when I am connecting the student. there is always time to check the harness, It only takes a little while and if the GCO's do not don the harnesses correctly enough, they will be spoken to. Every effort is made to speed upthe turnm around time, By hiring additional ground staff, but NEVER will one be questioned for taking a little extra time to make sure the harness is correct. NEVER we all have a great time and have a grat team, with great equipment and great pay. We have fun and that is what tandem skydiving is about! FUN! In New Zealand (my home country) I know of 2 fatalities one hangliding and one paragliding, where the students fell to thier deaths for different reasons. Both times the instructor had their ratings pulled and both times they faced manslaughter charges and both time the companies that employed them continued the opearate. neither time (as far as I am aware) the equipmenet manufacturers were involved in the trial. ' This is a bullshit american thing, this litigation 'keep your tail between your legs' stuff. It is morally wrong to punish innocent parties and if a law allows it, it should be changed, not used to its utmost. America has a serious problem if Strong goes out of business over this trial. I'm not only tlking about skydiving, this can relate to anything. It is about high time common sense prevailed, because this whole thing is absolute bullshit! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

What a cock i have always worked in Tandem factories, and i have always checked my harness, This idiot didn't and it is his fault, not strongs', not his customers', not anyone but his own fault. Maybe his I/E is a little to blame as he/she obviously didn't train him well enough. I feel for ted. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

Enlighten me as to what happened in Ohio? Where does it say that tandems must be instructional? So that is why we are doing over 150 tandems on a Saturday and Sunday here, are you suggesting all of these people would like to take up skydiving and that is why they come to do tandems? They come to; Overcome thier fear of heights, Show off to thier mates, Try something different, Fullfill their 'bucket list' and sometime they come because they want to learn to skydive, they can book in for a first jump course if they please, just not at our company because we land in a public park, fly over the city and ocean and One must have a display license to jump there. Are you suhgesting the busiest dropzone in Australia is in a bad location doing a bad thing offering a ride of a lifeltime with amazing views of the ocean, city, escarpment and beyond? that is why the flock in numbers, stiffo instructors that are 'all about the arch' are boring! i don't even tell them to arch, i tell them to try to realx and lt the relative wind put thier arms and legs in place. if they want to skydive they can sign up for a first jumo course, if they want to smash out a jumpo for thier birthday, bucks party, anneversary... as the majority of our custmers do, we provide the for them and they often return, not to learn to skydive but to have another amazing experience. Each to thier own but this stiffo mandatory instructional bullshit you are on, was left behnd with the 90's. Get with it! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I live in heaven! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

What a load of drivel! I don't consider the USA anything close to third world, although there are people living in 3rd world conditions there. It seem as though in your eyes, God is good to you, and you know the love of God, it is o.k. that some 'learn' from suffering 'their entire short painful lives' simply to find hope in the christians pathetic interpretation of how things are? If you wish to do think only of yourself and ignore the needs of others, you can live a luxurious life. If you give all of your time, energy and recources away to others, then you will have nothing. In a balanced world between these two choices we will all have a nice co existence. The greed that has been 'bred' is too strong for the amount of love we currently are willing to give. Sadly it seems to take a catastophe for 'everyone' to see eye to eye and move towards real positive change. Any usually those decisions are usually skewed to the advantage of 'those in charge'. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix

I also use IHI, we had to pat much more than 110 euro, we paid about NZ700 for about 200 days. I have just purchased a short term (13 days) policy for my trip to Dubai, it cost me AUS160 including baggage coverage. We used it in the USA when my wife was sick, with no problems, just go to a hospital rather than a medical centre as the hospital bills IHI directly and a medical centre will make you pay, then IHI re-emburses you! "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix