Ron

OK, things have been good. The people on here have been great...I mean REALLY great. Now its time for me to up the ante.... There is a saying to put your money where your mouth is...So here goes. If I can get at least another 100.00 bucks from here...I'll match it dollar for dollar. If you put in a dollar...I'll put in a dollar till I put in 100.00 bucks of my money. (I'd do more, but a guy has to jump ya know). There have been over 300 views....And I can tell you that not every one of them put in a dollar. So there it is...From now till the March on April 24th....I'll match every donation till I put in 100 bucks of my own money. Make sure that you send a message saying you are a DZ.commer. I have other "Promotions" going on and I'd like to give credit where credit is due. Thanks. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Nice Bait john...But I'm not biting. Besides I told you I was done with the political BS on here. Social Security is screwed...And Thats not Bushes fault. The economy is better....Bush's doing or not, it IS. This is a thread to say I'm happy things are turning up...To point out the FACT the economy is turning up, and how I am glad about it...And how I am taking steps to ensure MY future by being financially responsible...which more folks should do. Like I said...Nice bait...But just keep on trolling Doc. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well I just got info from my 2003 retirement fund. Its up for the last year...And doing I think pretty well. 37.75% return. My Job gave me a raise which is nice since I'm topped out and they didn't have to. But they had a good year as well. I just bumbed my Retirement account up another 2% to 12% (I know I need more, but I'm 31 and like toys, and Im saving for a house). Things are turning up. What every the current administration is doing...I hope it keeps up. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I know we have already talked about this, but here is some more info for you about my last rasie. I got a 6.7 review out of a possible 7.0. I had two sick days and that really smacked my review in the ass. For being what my boss said a "Top performer" (AND a DZ.com post whore)...I only got a 2% raise. Now to be honest I am a topped out employee and they didn't have to give me anything...But they wanted to so they bumped up my top of scale. If I was not "top of Scale" I would have gotten a 4.6% raise. Like I said, I can't complain...I do OK. You are doing better than last year, and doing MUCH better than the year before that. Given that info...I would be OK about that raise. However....Like I said last night..Create a "Good Job" File at work...Keep a copy of ALL atta girls...Take them into your next review and fight for a better one. Your issue is not the raise, but your job title. Use this job as a pring board to move up...They saw the fact that you had skills in an area...So get more skills and move up, or get the skills and move out to a job that pays you what you think you are worth. How YOU doin? Of course I live in a trailer on a DZ..So I am betting I don't count as a"Sugar Daddy"...So keep looking. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

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 "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Hit a tree root on landing. This is why I land back and do a head count. If I was on that jump, and landed off with them....We would have two people off, and no one looking for them. If I was on that jump and landed back at the DZ...Then I could do a headcount and start a search. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

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 have followed mains, freebags, people, and even once a helmet. The only time I land with the person who is out is if I KNOW that someone else is sending help...Or if I am jumping with my cell phone (which I do when I do CRW.) A broken jumper sitting in a field needs emergency people there...not me with my limited training and no equipment trying to help him. Its brave and portrays a noble effort to land out with someone....But in most cases you would actually help more by landing on the DZ and making sure that others know EXACTLY where the jumper is. That way emergency crews can actually respond quicker. Imagine this..a jumper goes down and you land with him....He has a femur sticking out of his leg...Are you going to leave him to get help? (Most people will not...Its a trama thing...even though they can't do anything, they will stay there and try to "help") What if no one else saw him or you land? Now you have to wait for someone to miss you, realize that you are not there...Then start looking for you. They then have to actually FIND you. Then they have to call 911. If I see a jumper go down...And If I see them hit..I can call 911 while I get to the jumper in the DZ truck WITH emergency gear and if I am so lucky a Dr. or Nurse that jumps ridding with me. An exception to this rule would be if I can't make the DZ either..Then I land with people...Two people off in two different areas is really bad. This is why I count people in my group after I land..In most cases I am one of the first to land in my group and I take a mental headcount before I start to pack. If someone is missing, I find them. I have a friend that was in the middle of a field with a broken femur for 6 hours while no one looked for her....Thats bad form. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Rumor has it that color affects pack volume...I don't really know, and it should never make that big of a diff anyway. I like to have a HIGH visability color reserve..A color that does not match my main. That way people can see me, and I can tell what is what in case I get both out. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

A PLF would be hard to teach a student....And if they did it the wrong way..It could be ungly for one of the two...Its better to just have them pick up their feet, and leave it to the TM to handle any landing issues. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Can't spell "KNOW-it-all". "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Has quite a following on here "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Maxim has WORDS?!?!?!?! Who knew? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well I would take a jello shot from YOU "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yep...that dude is fast. If I don't do 4way this year Im just gonna do the FSL's with him. Ron..Still looking for a 4way team "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

easy "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Damn...we only got a 20 on the board... You should be a judge...I like the way you score.

Hey wait a min...you offored ME a jello shot. Now you know why I don't drink "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well the less people know about me...the harder it is to hire a hitman.....Im not saying I'm paranoid...Hey, did you hear that? I fiqured it would be bad form to list names...even numbers. How about I narrow it down for you...It's more than one...And less than 100. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have had several people I trust tell me that the Smart is a good reserve. Having said that I have no personal experience with it other than taking a good look at one in the loft. Seems to be a good canopy. I will say this much I have 6 rides on PD products...I have done everything from hooking them to half breaked approaches...And I have been happy every time. I also don't run out and buy new products...Yes that means I may pay more, and not have the shinniest new toys. But I also know what I am getting. If I were to buy a new reserve right now...It would be PD. But Smart is gaining ground with every day that they don't have a problem. Think about it...It is your LAST chance. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

This is an AD...It should not be on this forum. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Which is another reason to land on the DZ and send help. Plus many times the best thing you can do for an injured person is call 911 and direct them to the injured person. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

OK what if you have hooked up with several DZ.commers...But none due to DZ.com? In fact what if you only found out later they were on here...? Not saying I have hooked up with any DZ.commers... But I'm not saying I have not either. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well if we can toot our own horns...Peep www.4way.us/NSL/TVFSLTeiwaz.WMV I'm tail. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. I only had 1700 jumps and was still stupid. 2. It was an 8way competition. 3. The guy that had gotten hurt had MUCH less experience than me, and he landed directly downwind of some tall trees, While I was landing right by the mile long runway. If I had the experience I have now...I would not have jumped. Funny thing about expereince...You get more everyday. Things I used to do back then I would not do today. Even if you told me back then that someday I would not jump in those condidtions. I would not have believed you. I would have listend to you, but I would not have believed you. If it had not been for the competiton (Which we won) I would not have been jumping. If I had not been able to land in a wide open area with over half a mile open in front of me, I would not be jumping. If I was not able to determine that the reason that guy got carted off was directly due to him landing downwind close to trees.I would not have jumped. So it was stupid. There was no way I could guaranty that I would land in that open are...But I had 1700 jumps and knew it all. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

It all goes back to ONE question. "Do I feel that I can safley land this?" If yes, then land it...If no then "go plan "B"". However, I would say this....If it is flying straight and stable..I'd probley land a bigger canopy...If it was taking control inputs to hold a heading...Its gone. Once you get low, if it goes to shit you are screwed. ANY "A" LINE broken...and its gone...I have seen some nasty shit happen with broken "A" lines. I jumping 8 way,a nd I had a line knot...Not bad, but it was turning me slowly to the right. I have a 1.6 loaded stiletto...And it was turbulent on the DZ...So much so that one guy was already taken to the hospital....So turbulent winds and a not perfect canopy? Not for me thanks. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334