skybytch

My s/o, who has several thousand jumps on Velocitys at 2.0+, recently added a Spectre 135 to his quiver of canopies. He likes it enough to jump it even when he's not jumping with me. Maybe someday I'll be able to swoop mine like he does his...

Go to USPA's website and download the Skydivers Information manual. The answers to this question in the US can be found here; other countries parachuting associations may have different requirements. Besides instructing, you can make money as a packer (main canopies), rigger (packing reserves and maintaining/repairing gear), or camera flier (video and/or stills). You can also work in manifest (office work at a dz), in gear sales and/or manufacturing, or as a pilot. Generally, daylight hours. Depends on where you work; some jobs are 40 hours a week Monday thru Friday, others are from sun up to sunset on weekends only. Again, depends on what you are doing and where you are doing it. The more you can do, the more money you can make - ie most jumpers who rely on skydiving for their only income do more than one thing (rigging, one or more forms of instruction and video). Most people don't get into it to make the big bucks; they consider themselves lucky if their income is above poverty level.

Try jumping one now that you've learned how to flare.

Maybe not... after what I witnessed on TV tonight I just may end up with better taste in hockey teams next season.

Ya shoulda declined him, like I did. Fucking badger.

You can't afford McBeth.

I'll see your Jessica and raise you a jceman.

You rock.

Group projects. I much prefer failing on my own over failing with a group. History teachers who focus entirely on political history while ignoring cultural and social history. The California legislator who wants to up the tax on beer by almost $2 a six pack.

It could be a desire by the site owner (you know, the guy who paid big bucks out of his own pocket for a number of years so we could have this place to bitch at him) to have all of his websites running the same forum software. It could be the implementation of the long-hoped for integration of website features under one login - wow, you mean I only have to log in ONCE to access everything? What a concept! Or it could just be because he enjoys reading craploads of posts whining about things that in the grand scheme of things matter not a whit. It's been a couple years since these forums changed in any significant fashion, I'm sure he's missed the abuse such changes bring.

The option to show the short version of the forum descriptions doesn't appear to be working anymore.

Matt Stephens swooping the legs. Skydance, April 27.

According to Poynter's books, even sunlight filtered through a window can damage fabric.

I like the new layout and the new options. Haven't noticed any slow down in page loads, nor have I noticed the google ads that people are referring to (that could be because I'm running Firefox with ABP though). Only issue I've had so far is that the link to my photos from the profile page takes me to my account page, not my photos.

L5/L6/S1 fused in January of 2001 at age 35, all because I too enjoy walking. I've done 300+ jumps since with few problems (as long as I remember to stretch). Been living with one or more discs going in the neck for the past three years, which is why I also jump a Spectre with dacron lines and why I don't jump nearly as much as I'd like to. Good luck with the L5; hope you don't need another fusion.

I let go of my toggles often. One nice thing about velcro toggles is that they can be secured to the risers in flight, thus making them easy to find when I need them again. I can steer with my risers if I have to. I don't let go of them once I enter the pattern, though. I'm not confident enough landing with rear risers.

Detroit is amazing, but I don't want the Sharks to have to play them in round 3. Thus.... Go Avs!

The Sucks had a chance. Yay! Round 2!! Go Sharks!! (and just to irritate the s/o....) Go Avs!!

Oh, I disagree with you most emphatically on the subject of who's attitude is shit. And my record in the forums and in the sport is pretty clear on whether or not I give a shit about other people. Some of us refuse to get on airplanes with people who bandy about the word "lawsuit" in relation to skydiving. The fact that the idea of suing even passes their lips gives me sufficient evidence to conclude that should the worst happen and the two of us are involved it, I'd likely find myself needing a lawyer in the aftermath. Not a risk I choose to take. I was brought up in the sport to believe that real skydivers don't sue. Like all blanket statements, it has exceptions. In the case of the OP, legal action would be appropriate against the person who scammed him. But in my and many other skydivers opinions, legal action would not be appropriate against the website he found the ad on. But anyway, thanks for this thread. Because of it, I've decided that I'm going to sue the state of Florida. The signs on the side of the road that welcomed me when I moved there did not tell me that my stuff could get destroyed in a hurricane. Sure, it was my choice to move to Florida without really considering the possibility of losing my shit to fucked up weather, but that doesn't matter. It's their responsibility to protect me from my own stupidity and they didn't do it. I'm not going to do this for my personal gain though. I'm going to do it to protect those people who might move to Florida in the future.

Which is why I suggested large online gear dealers. Square One, Sunshine Factory, Rigs and Things... these are companies that have been around for awhile. Used gear purchased through them will probably come with a riggers inspection and a return policy, and they'll ship just about anywhere.

Isn't that mommy and daddy's job?? Sorry, I already raised my kid, I don't have to educate anybody but myself. Let the Buyer Beware. There's a sucker born every day. These sayings existed LONG before skydiving or the internet, because people were scamming other people out of money from the day money was invented. How many warning labels do we need? If someone can't be bothered to read an obvious security warning on the front of the classifieds (it is very obvious), a line added to an email isn't going to be read either. The words "lawyer" and "lawsuit" may be stock in trade for how you relate to situations in your world. In the skydiving world, them are fightin' words. You may get further in your efforts to protect us from ourselves if you immediately discard the idea that suing Sangiro because someone didn't read and understand the scam warnings that are already up is a good idea.

Please tell me that I'm reading this wrong. You aren't suggesting legal action against Sangiro for offering classified ads, are you?

6) You can avoid the entire problem by either buying locally (dz, gear shop or private party) or from a well-known online gear dealer (who all carry at least some used equipment). You might pay a bit more, but peace of mind just might be worth it... not to mention that buying locally usually keeps your money working locally.

6's & 8's:0:0 Lots of 6's and 8's helped me turn $50 into $200 at the craps table in Reno. Stopped by Skydive Tahoe on Saturday; watched the wind blow and checked out their hangar (very nice place, very nice people).

And you've been jumping for how long?