skybytch

Should it? That monthly fee goes for things like reserve repacks and container washes and new closing loops and main canopy relines and... All the things you get to pay for yourself when it's your rig. If they still offer the no fee for a big deposit deal, that's the hot tip. You're gonna end up handing them all that money anyway; if you have it up front, put it all down and avoid the monthly fee. To the OP: I didn't use the Sq1 demo program, but I worked for them for a few years so I've seen it from the other side. If you have the money to buy a new rig right now (or most of it, anyway) and you plan to be jumping a lot, the demo program at Square One is a fantastic way to go about it. Being able to jump pretty much every container and every suitable main on the market before making your purchase decision is huge. You will be able to downsize from student canopies to what you will want to buy when you have 150-200 jumps, instead of buying something too small for you now or something that might be too slow for you then. You will likely end up spending a bit more on the complete rig than you might be able to find on the interwebs. You have to decide if the benefits of the program are worth the extra cost to you. For sure ask about the possibility of shipping it to a friend in Nevada instead of picking it up at the store (7% + of a complete rig is a lot more than shipping)... The biggest downside to the demo program is that you can't take the rig with you - so you're limited to jumping only at Perris or renting gear elsewhere for awhile. The other downside is that you may have to get to the dz pretty early on a busy summer Saturday to get the container or main that you want to jump that day.

Abby must not have a very active imagination.

Yeah, so it can sit on the ground while you wait to get enough bodies to make the load pay for itself...

You'll get there. You've only just begun to be bored. And once you do it, you'll be back for more. Don't forget the camera. That's a great series! If you like that kind of mystery, check out Earlene Fowler's books too.

Video games. MMORPG's. Facebook. Books. Alcohol (combined with pain meds and crutches, it's a hoot!). Go to the dz and sit near where the tandems hang out before they jump. Drive the scooter cart at WalMart. Don't buy anything, just drive around. Netflix. Internet porn. Figure out what comes after skydiving.

Gotta be returned in the same condition it was received in. If they damage it, they either fix it or pay for the fix; no refund for any money spent by the buyer on the gear (ie for a harness resize).

I've sold numerous gear items without using an escrow service and requiring payment up front. The buyer has 30 days from the day they get it to return it for a refund (not including shipping, and assuming it is in the same condition). I only cash the money order after the buyer has let me know they are happy (or the 30 days has passed). This allows the buyer time to have the item inspected and jump it before making the sale final, and it saves the expense of using an escrow service. imho, it is important that the buyer be able to jump the gear before making their final decision. btw, this is the same thing Square One does with their used gear sales; that's where I learned it.

Twenty years. Hard to believe it's been that long. Hard to believe that someone I knew for only 3 years could have had such a huge impact (pun very much intended) on my life. Keep flying free, Al. Thanks again.

Quote Don't be afraid. I've had a Spectre whack me bad enough to break lines. But that was a long time ago, a rushed packer and that canopy had microlines. Go with Dacron lines and you will be in looooooovvvvveeee.

Your first step should be to contact PD. Your next step should be to do whatever they suggest.

Straight across? No, I wouldn't. A Storm is worth WAY more than a Diablo. You'd be better off selling the Storm and using that money to buy a modern design 170.

Sure hope you meant 'don't jump at that dz" and not "don't jump, period." AFAIK, at most dz's in the US, we do still have the freedom to choose whether we want an AAD on our rig or not.

Maybe. Maybe not. Because you "were" comfortable with it does not mean it is suitable for you right now. Are you current now? How long has it been since you've jumped? If you are not current now, will you be getting current with your new gear? If so, does jumping the smallest thing you've jumped after awhile on the ground seem like a good idea? Just a few things to think about...

Well, given that I'm 6'6" and have two suits - one for belly and one for VFF sitting around not being used right now... How about I just send them to you to use. You'll need to have someone bring them in an bit since I was 240 when I bought them. You pay the shipping. I don't care what everyone else says about you. You're pretty awesome in my book. What she said.

Heh. You said master.

You have three jumps. Doesn't every piece of skydiving equipment you put on feel unfamiliar at this point? You'll get used to it. Really, you will. Why, you may even find yourself putting your watch on the left. And completely OT - Who wears a watch nowadays anyway?

But FYI, it "should" fit better in Florida (or other humid climate) than it will in Arizona (or other dry climate). Canopies pack bigger in drier air. And that said, just because it "should" fit doesn't make it a good idea...

All bright colors will fade. Piping is done with binding tape, which will also fade but since it's a small area it won't be super obvious that it's faded. Also, since it's cosmetic, any loss of strength in the fabric won't matter. My container is almost all electric blue. I knew it was going to fade when I ordered it, and it has. The cordura has faded a bit more than the binding tape. But it's still a bright color, even after 10 years.

I have change my poll answer. I was wearing a red (dz staff) shirt. It was yard work day.

I've had no issues with quality or durability with any REI branded stuff. Put 3 weeks of hard use on the pack (PCT), along with some overnights; still in great shape. Not quite as easy for you to do from there as it is here, but they will take anything back, even if it's been well used.

What's a real job and why would I want one when I can have this life instead?

Check out the REI branded packs. I've been super happy with mine. Regardless of brand, go for the lightest empty pack weight you can get that still has the features you want. You'll be glad you did.

If you're gonna do it, ya gonna do it right and go naked.

So why not build an intentional cutaway specific rig? If you can afford the container to tear apart for the harness, you can probably afford a cheap used reserve to put in it. Swapping the mains out is easy. You can even make a few bucks with it - lots of jumpers would love to do an intentional cutaway.

KISS. Add D rings to harness. Attach belly wart reserve. Done. Another option requiring more sewing and engineering fun would be to add an additional main container, stacking the BOCs. Modify the main risers with a 2nd 3 ring set up; attach first main to new 3 ring and set up separate cutaway for it (this way you can cutaway both mains with one handle should you need to).