NoShitThereIWas

I have seen rigs cleaned before and have read most of the posts related to this topic including manufacturer's recommendations, but I was wondering what all of you riggers do when you wash containers if you don't mind sharing your tricks of the trade ... 1) Do you pretreat the rig with cleaning solution i.e. simple green, something else and scrub with a brush? 2) If you do use a scrub brush, do you think it is important to scrub in a certain direction? 3) What do you do to protect the stainless steel on the rig? 4) Do you cover the hook on the velcro? 5) Do you believe in a gentle cold wash cycle and if so with Woolite or some other compound? 6) Do you drip dry or use some other method? It seems like a lot of people like the Woolite method and some people are against cold wash cycles. Just wondering if you have any tips. Thanks a lot in advance and blue skies. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

SunnyDays: Don't pluck your wings like that, that will never help you fly. You have the desire, that is all you need. Skydivers never give up. Listen, if you are too scared to dive out alone, do another linked exit with your AFF-Instructor. Have them add very little input into your exit if possible so you are doing most of it on your own. If you need to do 2 or 3 more linked exits, do them. I "got through" all of my AFF jumps the first time but when it came time for my first solo, I sort of wanted to put the reigns on. I had fear about going out alone (it was jump #8) so I cheated and asked my friend Johnny Luv to come out with his video camera and play with me. So my first solo wasn't a true solo but it was what my comfort level was comfortable with at the time and so I did my first real solo on my 9th jump. Big deal. I have one of the coolest videos now of me and Johnny playing in the skies over Monterey Bay and doing just that gave me the confidence and relaxation to overcome my fears on following jumps. If you have the desire, you will find ways to overcome the fear. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I'd like to modify the above post to reflect: "For those of you who don't know Steve ... well, it sucks to be you Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Mr. Parrella, I am so glad you posted this so I can read it whenever I want. For those of you who don't know Steve, well ... it's too bad you don't. I was his clone on our 4 way team, him=tail, me=point. We ALWAYS had fun. (Well, except competition at Nationals) and we still had fun! Every 4 way person should read this. It is humorous and entertaining. Thanks Steve! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Hey Mike! My most memorable moment was coming off of a load at the WFFC from Mullins' 23K jump as my friend Lori is haulin ass as fast as she can in a little golf cart as I drive away from the airport to tell me I won the B-17 raffle free jump. As I jumped (rolled) out of a moving pick up truck heading away from the airport, I realized I had 5 minutes to get to manifest, pack my rig, get my drivers license and to then all the way to the other side of the airport. After doing just that (borrowed a friend's rig) my next most memorable moment was the pilot telling me that they were leaving to go to Bloomington and not going to drop me off on 1 of 3 jump runs. My friend Bill told me to whip up some tears but I was too mad after they told me they wouldn't just "drop" me off. (Enough to piss a girl off BIGtime) I did get to cash in the ticket at manifest for $400 but man ... all I wanted the entire trip was to jump outta that airplane. Sigh, maybe next year. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Dude, sorry you have had such a mess. I can relate to your plight as I too went through a messy divorce and have had many dealings with attorneys. Unfortunately, they end up with everyone's money. As for filing a suit against a judge, you will have a hard time winning since all judges have immunity. Trust me, there are a few judges I would like to go after. Good luck. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I saw "O" at the Bellagio a few years ago. The tickets were $100 and worth every penny! The best show I have ever seen and I would pay $100 to see it again. I haven't seen any of their other shows, but I hope to again someday Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Nice Pics guys! Glad to see the Holly Coaster crowd bamming it up in memory of Paul. It looks like much fun was had by all and it was fun to see some old familiar faces in the pictures. It looks like some Perrisites even came up for a visit (and the Anvil) whom after seeing some up close and personal drunken stupor pictures makes me miss his fun and adorable personality Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Looks like I am a day or two late. Happy Birthday anyway. We Scorpios rock, don't we??? Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Well, my daughter's name is kind of a boy/girl name ... but I like it anyway. Her papa was a pilot and a jumper and I am a jumper. We liked the name Dakota because it is a strong name and it is also a kind of airplane (the DC-3 Dakota). I didn't know any Dakota's at the time so I also thought it would be original (I was named Jennifer in the 70s and it seemed like there were a gazillion of us out there). Dakota fits my girl perfectly. I couldn't imagine her being named anything else abd it really has turned out to be a cute girl name. I also liked Bailey, Riley and Madison. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I got my AFF rating with around 375 jumps. What helped me was being extremely current. I recommend spending lots of time on your belly and doing the kinds of flying that you need to fly your slot. Freeflying won't help you much with AFF and being a coach will give you some familiarization with prepping students, giving debriefs and some in air skills training. The thing that worked for me was getting together with some very experienced AFF-Is and getting to make some practice jumps with the evaluators beforehand. I think I made about 15 practice jumps. It helps to be very current and I would recommend a pre-course. I did some coaching since I had my coach rating about six months before I went to the course. I had lots of fun at the course and learned a lot. I have learned even more doing it for real. Good luck! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Congratulations to Leanne and Mike. Leanne is one of the sweetest women I know. I am so glad to hear the great news. It was nice seeing you both at the Mardi Gras Boogie. Fly free together; wishing the two of you blue skies, soft landings and a life full of love together. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I haven't met them all but so far Sangiro gets my vote. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

One day when I lived in Santa Cruz, CA (hippie kingdom of the world) I ran into a guy who worked at the Whole Foods health food store. He was a hare krishna (sp?) dude who started telling me about the benefits of vegetarianism. I was really interested in all he was telling me about and he gave me a short paperback book to read called the Karmic Diet. (I think that was the name). Anyway, I read that book and became a vegetarian overnight. I could not stand to look at or eat meat after reading that book. I became a health food junky, ate lots of legumes, pasta, rice, fish and other creative things. Most of what I ate had 0 fat and I dropped weight fast. I've been wanting to go back to vegetarianism and I am sure that I will again someday. I still cannot believe that I did not eat any meat for over 6 months. I leaned how to cook some very healthy and good tasting meals which were much healthier for my body than had they had meat in them. Overall I had much more energy, felt and looked much better. Good luck. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

John, for whatever it's worth, I think you are such a stud!!! And that is evident by your offspring. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Have you ever made fresh cantaloupe juice? OMG, to die for. When I lived near Venice Beach in CA they had my favorite health food sandwhich shop. Whevever I could afford to pay $3 for a drink I would order the large fresh cantaloupe drink. I am tellin ya, drink of the GODS!!! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Pistachio nuts. Those little bastards are so addictive!!! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Oh well, I guess that one just wasn't meant to be. Either that or don't ever hesitate if you see something you want in Rantoul. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I find the following non-physical things sexy: confident but not too cocky one who makes me laugh sending a message across the room by a look chivalry, romance, strength of character protectiveness, consideration and a good sense of humor Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Thank you all for the very good feedback and some really good tips. So far I have not bought the container but if I do, I will be sure to put some of these hot tips to the task. Blue skies. Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Chuck, that's what scares me. Just kidding . Boy, I hope the guy riggers on this website have a sense of humor ... Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

So I came into contact with a Wings container in Rantoul that I fell in love with. I hesitated to buy it because it required me to downsize 30 square feet on my Reserve. I test jumped some PD canopies which were in that square footage range, felt good to go, went back to buy the container and they had packed up and left. I had a conversation with another rigger who said they are "very difficult" (to put it politely) to repack. The container would hold a 113 PD Reserve and up to a 135 main although I am thinking about downsizing my main to a 120. My reason for posting this is because I respect the opinion of the one rigger I was talking with a lot and I wanted to know if these containers pose a problem to other riggers (especially newbies) and if not, if there are any tricks you can spare? If you do have experience packing Wings, has it been a nightmare for you or is there something out of the ordinary about them which makes them more difficult to pack? Since I am a fairly new rigger who will be the one repacking it, and don't have much experience, if any, packing Wings containers, your feedback is much appreciated. Blue skies.

Awww, come on LT, I knew you could do it. You and Chop Chop, new AFF-I's. I'm getting scared , just kidding . Congratulations Tom, you are now a rating hound. When are you gonna get your Riggers ticket? Just keep bammin it up, LT, you rock!!! Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

I feel your pain. I moved 2200 miles away from my favorite sushi restaurant (The Pink Godzilla in Capitola, CA). Now I live in Union Missouri. Go figure. Midwesterners aren't all about raw fish like West Coasters and Hawaiians are. I am having some serious withdrawls. The nearest sushi restaurant to my house is about 70 miles away. And you think you have it bad??? Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

Well look who got his AFF rating. Wholly Shit, Congratulations Chop Chop! You ARE a SkyGod. Let the games begin. Good luck and stay safe. It's a jungle out there Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires." Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."