packerboy

I did read the entire thread. There is nothing wrong with being 15. I do think there is something wrong with being immature and doing tandem vids at 250 jumps, and being 170 under a Stiletto 120 at 250 jumps. So do the manufacturers of the tandem equipment and your Stiletto. I'll wait and see... no mind.. carry on. Good luck. I still think your mentors are crazier than a three legged monkey for letting you do what you are doing. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

If you think letting someone do tandem videos at 15 years old with 200 jumps while downsizing like a madman isn't stupid, then you go ahead and take it personal. I think it's downright irresponsible and borderline criminally negligent, but hey.. that's just my opinion. I dread the day I log in to check the incidents forum, and I see that a 16 year old kid w/ 400 jumps killed himself and others because he got in over his head learning something new. And all the while, people who were morally and legally obligated to watch out for his safety sat back and watched it all go down. Where do YOU draw the line? 100 jumps? 150 jumps? I'm surprised the gear manufacturers aren't getting involved with this one. This is a disaster waiting to happen. In his profile, he lists his location as "Yourafag", if you were talking about that being a personal attack. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Where exactly is Yourafag? I'd like to let my friends know to never do a tandem there. BTW your dad, DZO, S&TA, and TI you are jumping with are the ones who should get a serious ripping. They are the ones who are being really stupid. Not you, what the hell do you know, you're only 15 right? That's no joke. Just my opinion, I don't know much either. What I do know is that if I was a TI or let alone any staff at that DZ, I'd be fucking hightailing it out of there. Someones gonna get fucked up.. someones gonna sue.. and someones gonna win. Hopefully noone dies. Good luck with that. Anyone with me? -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Anyone know if there is any sort of card or letter available for travelling with the VIGIL, such as there is with the CYPRES? -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I would really like to hear more about this. I jump with a Vigil. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I'm kidding... I quite dig the hat..

While that does sound fun... it doesn't sound very safe. With 30 jumps, you shouldn't be jumping with someone you have to chase across the sky, it's a high potential for disaster. Read below. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I do believe that PD has a 3 on back system for their testing, but I could be wrong. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

quote ' I think people who are arrogant to begin with start skydiving because they want something else to brag about (skygods). Arrogance isn't usually a trait acquired as an adult, from what I've seen. I've seen people grow more confident because of skydiving, but not more arrogant. ' end quote I agree. And I bet some of those arrogant ones who want to start skydiving to brag about something else are the ones who do static line or AFF because they are too cool to be strapped to an instructor, and end up landing in the plane and going home quietly. Or end up finishing their program and running with their tail between their legs never to be seen again. Or heaven forbids if they are real cool.... end up femuring or killing themselves before 300 jumps with a tiny elliptical and a camera on their head. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

N/A

Right on man... See you there! You gonna be wearing that stupid hat so I can find you? -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I know I'd be uncomfortable with people screwing with my gear in the plane if I had a PUD system. It's uncommon, and you may be asking someone who thinks they know what they are doing, but really doesn't. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Gear manufacturers have them for testing canopies. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Watch freefly videos... but again your looking at a few jumps first. Honestly, different things are fun for different people. Maybe it's not for you... it's a lot of money to sink into something that you are indifferent about. Maybe get a few hundred jumps into you and then look into taking a BASE jumping course. Get a couple thousand jumps into you and hundreds or thousands of wingsuit jumps, and then look into wingsuit BASE.. who knows? My guess is if you are fairly bored after 3 jumps.. it may not be what you are looking for. Perhaps you've wanted to do it for so long and you've worked up some sort of dream in your head as to how exciting it would be and thus let yourself down when it actually happened. I have a feeling that is what the Miami Vice movie is going to do to me... I can't wait to see it.. but it probably won't be all it's hyped up to be. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Apparantly people still want to discuss it though. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I'm thinking of going to the WFFC next year... is it safe.. fun? What's the deal? Is it just a bunch of drunken drugged up yahoo's trying to kill me and themselves? Is it the best time I will ever have skydiving in my whole life? The epitimy of boogie safety? -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

What if you do a H&P from 1500ft? -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I haven't lost my soul.. but I did lose a sandal once! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

She shouldn't be filming tandems at 250 jumps. My opinion, what do I know.. I'm new. I started flying camera at 450 jumps or so, and I'm comfortable following a tandem out and filming from a distance maybe, but not even close to doing tandem production videos.. but I'm no superstar. No chance anyone w/ under 300 jumps (or 500 for that matter) is getting anywhere near a tandem at our dropone, especially with a video camera. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Just playing devils advocate I guess... it's all just semantics really. Someone is just as entitled to call someone elses opinion ignorant and close minded as they are entitled to having an opinion of their own. After all, it's just their opinion. Their are many opinions that I find here on dropzone.com that are very different from my own that I find quite intelligent and well thought out, and some that I find are pretty stupid. Not because they differ from my own, just because the opinion is idiotic and dumbass. That being said, I thought both posts were ignorant and close minded. But that's just my opinion. The honest truth... I was just post-whoring and doing a little trolling at the same time, because I'm at work and have nothing better to do! -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

I thought the original "deterioration of skydiving" and the "old fart stoned hippy" response were both strikingly ignorant and close minded. And no, not just because the opinions differ from mine, but because of the fashion the arguments were presented. But that's just my opinion... I may be wrong. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but just because they are entitled to it doesn't mean it's an educated opinion, or open minded, or even remotely close to being right. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

We have had perfectly able bodied people fall from harnesses harnesses too. There have been perfectly able bodied persons fall from their personal rig harnesses as well. The reasons for these needless deaths have been examined under a microscope and are being dealt with accordingly. Are you claiming these people died because they were rushed into the plane by greedy negligent people? That's a pretty damn serious accusation! The way I read your frustration is that skydiving for you used to be like playing hockey on the frozen pond as kids for the love of the sport. And now what we see is lockouts and seasons not being played because greedy professionals want millions of dollars to do what others would do for free if only they were given the opportunity. If you look hard enough though, you will see that there are far more "oldtimers" playing in rec leagues everywhere and enjoying a beer in the dressing room after a game than there are greedy professionals who are part of the "evolution" of the sport. It's the same in all sports. BTW, I think you would find that "cripples" have been able to participate somehow in anything you may consider a sport. Those greedy professionals may seem more prevelant in skydiving however, because unlike hockey, you are playing on the same rink at the same time. You need to find a new "oldschool" rink to play at. If what you want to do is point fingers at people and scream gross negligence... well that's a fairly classless way to get your point of frustration across, and you should be prepared to explain with facts exactly what and who you are accusing. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

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

If you find something of equal quality and comparable price from a different company that treats you better, go with them... simple as that. If you get poor customer service from one company and good customer service from another, rat them out! Tell us all about it on this website. I like to learn from other peoples mistakes. Especially when it comes to my safety or my wallet. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Part of our rental cost for gear includes $5 per jump for a pack job. Rental rigs/Student rigs must be packed by staff packers. However we are a little flexible with experienced people, but last pack job must be done by staff. Typically those renting gear are not highly experienced jumpers though. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson