packerboy

Would you complain if your dropzone didn't compensate you for heavies? Or would you accept it as right, because that is what you know, and that is what those around you think. If Johnny jumped off a bridge.... oh never mind. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Actually I am trying to put what is fair to the customer in perspective. Contrary to popular belief you don't kneed to be one to know one, I got over that in Grade 5. Did I mention that I believe you that is harder work to take a larger student... I just don't care. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Just looking at the 2006 Student-Orino's... looks like you've had a nice mix.. I wouldn't complain! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I don't wholheartedly disagree with the line being fuzzy either.. Fact is.. and it may suck for some who show up, If you have no instructors around except for the 135lb girl who just got her rating last week.. the limits are going to change. If there is a 15kt wind blowing, the limits will change. If you have no instructors around that coupled with the student will be under the maximun weight limit of the tandem system, limits will change. Somebody just needs to grow some balls and say "I'm sorry, you are too large to safely make a tandem skydive." If there are oustanding circumstances, go out of your way to rebook. If you were to tell the student "I'm sorry but you are too large to safely make a tandem skydive, but for $10 we'll overlook that.. how well would that go over?" Not directed at you Twardo... just a convenient post to reply to. Somebody stated above that their DZ pays the instructor extra and does not pass it on to the student.. What DZ is that? I'd like to know, because if I'm in the area.. that's where I'd like to spend MY money. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

-------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

-------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

No I am not. But, I am no stranger to hard work either. My work ethic is to work as hard as I can for the amount of money that I agreed to work for. I don't look for handouts for working harder (not monetary wise anyway). -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Well... there are two kinds of wind tunnels. One sucks One blows HARD!! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

You'll know why when a Katana or Crossfire or VX or Velocity is your new fave! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Is he American Twardo? Or Canadian? I think we all know the answer.... -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Parachute argument aside.. tandem passengers are people, not objects. If you are out to "haul meat" then tell manifest that you would only like premium sirloin tips.. Tandem canopies generate WAY more profit to a DZO than sport canopies, so they pass the profit down to it's employees. A tandem passenger who weighs a few pounds more cuts in to the profit marginally, and you pass that cost on to the customer?? I started a thread a long time ago about customer service and what businesses provide the best and worst service in this industry. I got a lot of replies with fantastic stories from L+B, Alti-2, PD, RW, Sunpath, etc. In my opinion DZ's that charge fat tax are on the opposite list, right below ASC/Skyride and Para-Gear. Shitty ass customer service skills is what it boils down to. I could care less what airplanes, world class coaches, and boogies these places have.. I wouldn't spend a dime there. If I had the ambition.. I would try to bring a page up the list on a google search about weight and skydive, which I'm sure heavy people serch for, that let's large people know that they don't have to put up with a fat tax, that there are respectable places out there that don't charge extra and direct them there. Instead I'll just bitch about it here. On top of the fat tax, why not add a "large plane" tax or "gear rental" fee, or "extra altitude" tax? Oh yeah, everybody knows that would be wrong... -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Just leave our pot-heads alone.. they are is important to us as hockey sticks and igloos!! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

It's not the physical aspect of having the camera.. it's the mental. You won't forget that it is there. Not too mention your mental preperation before exit is thrown out of wack as well.. you are now a little less worried about your gear and a little more worried about making sure the camera is turned on. I thought that I could set it and forget, but I couldn't. The instant you leave the plane with a camera on your head, you are a cameraman. Freeflyers do it all the time.. set it forget it, but that only comes with experience and having more concern about performing well on a high complexity dive and the shot will come natural, because it is second nature. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I'm right at the end of the strut, and the pilot said really it wasn't that bad.. but keep in mind these guys are used to 4 way teams and tandem + video hanging off the side of the plane. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

all sport rigs are them same, all tandem rigs are the same (price wise) Do packers charge more if you have a new slippery canopy (more work)? Or charge more for a Sigma vs. a Vector (more work)? Or charge more for a 210 vs a 135 (more work)? No they do not. Apples and Oranges. If tandem students are oranges, than the large ones are still oranges.. big ones, but still oranges. I don't feel it's wrong to discriminate against rigs. I feel that Mirages are inferior rigs to Vectors.. does that make me a bigot. No. I feel that fat people should pay more for the exact same service as skinny people. Is that discriminatory? Yes, it absolutely is. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

No kidding.. looks like his head is shaped like a video camera... must need a good helmet to fit over that one!! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

No, I'm hanging from the wing, and I'm pretty sure that was in my no shoes era. I used to jump barefoot.. till I swooped the top of my foot off. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

You will still be thinking about getting the shot whether you just want the first person view or not.. trust me. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

The reason for having experience before jumping camera isn't all about having entaglements. That stuff is pretty simple actually. If you dump and have an entaglement, get rid of the friggen helmet!! It more has to do with the flying aspect. You are going to to be distracted trying to get the shot wether you think you are going to forget about it or not. Your flying has to be second nature. You can't be thinking about how to make a succesfull skydive and how to make a succesfull video at the same time without having a few jumps under your belt. Unless you are a 15 yr old phenom that is... -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Post Whore!!!! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

How can you tell? In no part of my post did I type the word labour, or grey! or eh for that matter! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I get that all the time.. I keep fixating on the earth.. no matter how hard I try not to hit it, I end up landing right on top of it every time. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Haha, no doubt! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

The fact that you are concerned enough to be asking questions.. and being smart about it.. If you lend that sort of mindset to actually flying and landing that canopy.. ie. open high, practice flares, and start on a bit of a windy day... you'll be fine on the 210 Silhouette. My gf flies a Silhouette loaded about 1.2:1 at 250 jumps and does fine. She comes in a bit quick sometimes.. but performing cautious straight in approaches, she's done good, and yes she has put it down between powerlines and trees downwind in a small yard on a terrible spot without a problem. (It wasn't gracious, but it worked) Don't take canopy loading advice on DZ.com though, talk to your instructors. My guess: Your instructors will tell you to go for it. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Righto... case of the last line of a communication being the one that sticks in the mind. My bad.. You are right, if you can't pull your feet up there on the ground you won't be able to do it in the air. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson