Ron

All better than the solution of the USPA creating a demo team to compete against the USPA members. I guess the next thing is the USPA creating an official 4way/8way team run by them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I threw my name in the hat for the open SE RD position. I agree, the USPA does not seem very interested in the average jumper but instead has become a DZO organization. It does suck that there is not another organization. The USPA has created this situation by supporting the group members and requiring the GM to only allow USPA members to jump there. So if you dislike what the USPA is doing.... there seems to be very little you can do about it as an average jumper. So I am going to try and make the board. If I can't do anything there, then I at least tried. But the USPA knows that it will not lose a bunch of members since most people need to be members to jump at their local DZ, and since the USPA is the only rating agency in town. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

By all means... Call him and ask him yourself. (540)604-9730 His extension # is 308. Ask him if: 1. Being on the demo team AND the person who created it is a conflict of interest. 2. What collateral was put up by his new organization. 3. If he thinks the national organization funding a demo team that will compete AGAINST the organizations members is a conflict of interest. 4. If he can name another MEMBER organization that funds another organization that competes against it's own members for jobs. And just to make some things perfectly clear... He mentioned that the USPA has *already* answered a call to the HQ and gave this new organization a demo. Then ask him if he would like that to be the normal procedure. Don't get me wrong... He has some great ideas, but I object to his use of USPA funds to seed his own new organization that will compete against USPA members. But hey, please call him and talk to him yourself. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Talked to hayhurst tonight about this program. He flat out stated his goal was to get major sponsorship, which is a goal I can support, but he was excited at how the USPA would recommend them over local demo teams... And this has already happened once with a major 9-11 demo. When I asked him if a membership organization should support a team that competes against it's own members.... He said yes. He tried to excuse that action by saying that the golden knights already do this. And that he woul hope that when someone calls the USPA that the USPA would recommend his team over others. I asked him if he did not see the USPA supporting one team over other USPA members who have a USPA pro rating as an example of my fear that his demo team would be taking jobs from other USPA members.... He became aggressive enough that I had to ask him to calm down. when he didn't, I asked him to calm down again and that if he didn't we should just end this discussion.... At that point he said that I was just afraid and only looking at the worst possible case. When I pointed out that my scenario had ALREADY happened and that he had STATED that he would hope to have it happen again.... I explained that my fears had ALREADY happened. He became aggressive again and again I asked him to calm down and if he didn't, then we should just stop the discussion. He didn't calm down and he said we should just stop and then he stormed off. My opinion... He is trying to create a demo team filled only with the people he approves of and that will not only compete against any demo jumper, but that his team will be the only one to carry the official approval of the USPA... He was unapologetic about this and aggressive in his position. What is next, an "official" USPA funded comp team made up of only the team leaders select few? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Bravo.... I do wish you would have learned this one jump before. But thankfully you were able to learn it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

There is no better learning tool than you debriefing your own jump on paper. Very easy to do. Yet the Pro-track will not rmind you of what the dive was, how you did, who was on it, and what you can do to be better next time. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have several stadium jumps...... They are ALL different and even a second jump into the SAME stadium is different. It is very common to have your wind streamer change directions while on final.... On time it started blowing *UP* while I was on base. Another time in I think the UofI I was under canopy and broke through the lights. Since I was born in IL when they announced my name the crowd went WILD. Between the shape of the stadium and the people yelling like hell... I thought my canopy was literally going to shake apart and the lines were shaking like guitar screens. A stadium jump is nothing to take lightly. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

You use big words and explain yourself well.... I think that will dis-qualify you from freeflying. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Still waiting for you to answer me.... And for you to answer about Bills most excellent (bad movie reference) offer. You wanna know a not so secret secret? I am afraid for you BECAUSE of all the stupid shit I did and somehow managed to not get killed doing. I am afraid for you because I have seen guys that post like you.... end up broken or dead. What makes you better than Sangi? What makes you better than tcnelson? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Yes, his first few posts were crap... but did you happen to read the whole thread? Maybe post #31? Have you said anything like this? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I have seen style and ACC and CRW done at separate DZ's from the freefall events. I can think of one reason... Would you want to ride to 7.5K in a 182 or a turbine? Very few DZ's actually bought Porters (Not surprisingly the same DZ's that could actually host a Nationals). But they can also SELL the Porter at the end of the year, you can't sell a swoop pond. But hey, this is your chance to make a bid for the Swooping Nationals and make it BIGGER than the other events. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

John Storrie, Storrie Parachute Works in Denton, TX. He still makes them. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well..... I'd skip the nationals and just go to a boogie. The boogie is going to have much more of a party atmosphere. That being said, it is only 5 hours from you..... But while there is a lot going on..... It can be boring from a non-competitor perspective IMO. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

There is an old story I heard either from a comedian or from a movie: If one person thinks you are an ass.... Screw em. If two people think you are an ass.... Think about it. If three or more think you are an ass.... You are. So if just one person thinks you are in danger... Ignore them. But if a bunch of people think you are... then you are. And tcnelson and your buddy Sangi should show you the error of your ways. I hope we don't read a thread about you someday.... But history shows that thinking you know more than everyone else does not normally end well. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I used to have a list of "Dead men jumping" that later died or got seriously broken. My computer crashed and I lost it..... But I can tell you the list was much longer than you would think. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

I'd let them fly by themselves and not get involved. I have seen this play out before in the tunnel. They new flier gets screwed by the old guy trying to "do something cool" for their friend. Better to just let them enjoy the experience without added stress. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Still waiting to see if YOU learned anything from this. He was flying a canopy he should not have been jumping, YOU are flying a canopy YOU should not be jumping. I am willing to bet you will continue to ignore this post AND I am willing to bet you will continue to ignore the lesson. AND I am willing to bet YOU will get hurt. I hope you don't get hurt, but history shows you are at the exp to wingload level of being in the most danger "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Then petition the USPA to remove the requirement. Personally, it is not that big of a deal and it is for the highest license the USPA has... I'd like to see the requirements increased, not dumbed down. But hey, petition the USPA to remove it... But mainly quit crying about it. It is their license and they can require what they want to require. Whining about it on line is not going to change jack. So either DO something and quit crying about it, or just quit crying about it. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

1. Do them and quit crying about it. 2. Get a waiver and quit crying about it. 3. Stay with. 'C' and quit crying about it. The point being to quit crying about it. And YOU decided to try an talk down to a person since you were jumping longer than him.... So quit crying about someone doing the SAME thing to you. Basically, quit your crying. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

My question is have YOU rethought your 1.7 WL at 350 jumps? "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

My car fund is currently 6.5% more valuable than my deposits..... It was as high as 17% till this last drop. Still +6.5% > - 1% So why in the world would you go more into debt to buy something that you in no way need? You are bitching about being broke, bitching about "bankers".... Yet you are willing to go more into debt by paying the big evil banks? This goes against every thing you have been bitching about. I have funds that have been doing 8-10% in this market. They are out there, you just have to find them. But even breaking even is better than going in the hole. 1. You bitch about being broke.... Yet you are talking about going into more debt. 2. You bitch about the evil bankers.... Yet here you are talking about paying them more money. 3. A car is a depreciating asset..... So going into debt to buy one makes little financial sense. Still, hell.... I don't care. I am just pointing out buying a "toy" car when you are deep in debt while you have a car that is in good mechanical shape makes ZERO sense. BTW, I am shopping for a plane. Makes zero sense to buy one. But I will pay CASH for it and the only debt I have is a house payment.... Which is a house that my wife and I bought for less than one years combined salary. You have a choice.... Be smart with money, or piss it away. It is your choice, but to bitch about being broke while buying a toy car makes zero sense. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Well, I never *claimed* anything, unlike the good Dr. I just pointed out how his position is not that strong. So your point would be valid if I was acting like Kallend. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

My car has 105k and it is still running fine. Is there a problem with the car mechanically, or are you just wanting a new car? If you are going to live your life that way.... you are going to forever be sad. "OMG, my ex and I used to eat there" "OMG, my ex once talked about that" "OMG, my ex once wore shoes" Buying a car is not going to change your life. Going more into debt when you bitch about being in debt is not changing your life.... It is just keeping you in debt and making your life worse. If there is nothing wrong with your car..... Keep it. If there is something wrong with your car.... Buy a cheap used car. You wanna change your life? Change your life, don't continue to wallow in self pity and bury yourself in debt. http://www.daveramsey.com/article/drive-free/ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Whatever you do... Start slowly and add slowly. You do not want to strap on 10-20 pounds for your first jumps. Start with ~4 then add slowly. And as others have said, consider WL's Bill's point about body position is valid.... As is the person who suggested the bigger person wear lead. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

Ding ding ding...... This is what they should do. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334