airbigdaddy

Don't bet on it. Pretty sure that's been discussed before - the last time the SCR thing was about to crumble. There isn't any money to be made in the program, so the masterminds at the head shed could care less about it. Maybe you (naively) thought the egos at HQ really care about the skydiving side of skydiving. Having worked at USPA HQ for almost three years up until a couple weeks ago, I can vouch for the fact that the "egos" there are non-existent and that the people working there are a great bunch of men and women (many of whom are current or former jumpers) who have the members' best interests in mind. Give them a break. They're working with less than half the staff USPA had in its heyday with nearly the same number of members to serve. Contrary to popular belief, they're not collecting enormous paychecks and don't really have some strange hatred for skydivers. Thanks for your comments. I'm not kicking the staff at HQ. As my reply indicated, I'm talking about the people running the place - the board. They have turned USPA into something it was never intended to be. They morphed a solid, simple student training program into a complicated one that produces skydivers no better than (and some would argue worse than) the old one did, cost the organization piles of cash with their idiotic skyride decisions, and lost the trust of skydivers with their back room leadership mentality. The one thing USPA should be doing is the one thing they aren't - marketing the sport! I'm glad you had a good experience there. However, if you failed to see the egos, your are either horribly unobservant or someone has slipped some of the koolaid into your morning coffee. I'm not unobservant at all, and I certainly wasn't brainwashed by any "Ain't we great" covert propaganda. Your comment made it seem like you were specifically talking about the people AT USPA Headquarters. Without getting redundant, I stand by my comments. The people AT HQ are fantastic. I was never privy to the majority of BOD interactions (nor did I want to be). We just got internal updates on anything that changed our policies and how we operated. The dealings I did have with a few members of the BOD were mostly positive. Having said that, I can't specifically say whether they're the greatest bunch of guys and girls or secretly a bunch of assholes, but my guess would be that the majority of them don't volunteer their time just because they like to write "Director" on their resume. Anyhow, we're obviously arguing two different points. Your beef is apparently with the BOD. My comments were pro headquarters staff. Many people fail to realize there is a difference. Lastly, I would feel remiss if I didn't spit out my $.02 on the ISP (assuming that's what you meant by the "complicated training program" you mentioned). Having worked with it since its inception, I think it churns out a great product. For the most part, it produces students who have a pretty good foundation of gear knowledge, canopy skills and freefall techniques that help keep them alive. While the original program obviously did the job, I think most DZs have grown too big to have people on their own who just barely know how to exit, freefall and land without bumping into another canopy. (Yes, I realize there are still programs out there using the older system who are producing great students.) Within reason, more required education in a sport that seems to be killing more and more people by the day doesn't seem like a bad idea. It's not like DZs have to adopt the full-fledged system. Many have simply chosen to stay the way they were. If you were talking about the introduction of the coach system, I do agree the coach requirements are a bit too lax. I'd like to see a 200-jump minimum and two years in the sport at the least before someone starts teaching students anything at all, but that's a separate discussion. Anyhow, back to your original comment: People still have plenty of time to vote. I hope a BOD more to everyone's liking will be put in place by everyone getting off their ass and voting. I think for the first time in years, there are enough people on the ballot to have plenty of people to choose from whom you find capable and willing to do the job the way the members see fit. -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Don't bet on it. Pretty sure that's been discussed before - the last time the SCR thing was about to crumble. There isn't any money to be made in the program, so the masterminds at the head shed could care less about it. Maybe you (naively) thought the egos at HQ really care about the skydiving side of skydiving. Having worked at USPA HQ for almost three years up until a couple weeks ago, I can vouch for the fact that the "egos" there are non-existent and that the people working there are a great bunch of men and women (many of whom are current or former jumpers) who have the members' best interests in mind. Give them a break. They're working with less than half the staff USPA had in its heyday with nearly the same number of members to serve. Contrary to popular belief, they're not collecting enormous paychecks and don't really have some strange hatred for skydivers. -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

What is your full name and home town and country (England, correct) so we will have them if we publish your question? Thanks. -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Michelle, Maybe I'll see you all there this year. Sorry I've been such a slacker. -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

There's something about her. She's quite hot--even when they have her all frumped out on the show. Even hotter in real life. Anyone agree? http://www.jennafischer.com/ -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Bump -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

If anyone out there has a good way to get in touch with Dave Donnelly, would you please send me his contact info or have him contact me at airbigdaddy@yahoo.com? I have an e-mail address for him that appears to be old (the one with "Bigvrw" in it so please don't send me that one). Thanks, -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

N/A

Yup, replying to the poster above you. Remind me never to piss you off as I vaule my nuts.

Okay, so if you and your buddy both played the lottery thinking there would be only one grand prize and he won, you would be happy for him and a tad sad for yourself. Then, if the Lotto Commission asked your buddy if he would mind if you won the same exact prize without detracting from his winnings and he said "no", I'm guessing you wouldn't be pissed at all. Heaven forbid you both win. Randal is a jackass. -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

I personally thought Randall was overrated. He was definitely a good competitor but he seemed to get flustered fairly easily on stupid shit. What kind of moron doesn't check the weather CONSTANTLY when planning an outdoor event and have a backup plan from square one? Although my heart goes out to him for his loss, I think he played the grandmother's death card a little too frequently. If it bothers you that bad, you leave the show. If you can cope with it, stay with the show. But don't stay on the show and then use every opportunity to tout to everyone what a strong soul you are because you stayed. (On that note, I do think Rebecca also did some of the same regarding her broken ankle). Once he threw Rebecca under the proverbial bus, I lost what little respect I had developed for him. It makes him look like such a pompous ass. He had just finished telling "the Donald" what an incredible person Rebecca is. Then, when he realized it would choke in on some of his Good Morning America time, he recommended her not to be hired. Rebecca is a balls-out super hottie----(though her hair in the final episode wasn't nearly as flattering as it was all season). I definitely wouldn't want to work alongside some fuckball who only had his own interests in mind. Wouldn't it be sweet justice if Donald does hire Rebecca and she eventually ends up being Randall's boss? On a final note, did anyone see the episode where Rebecca's boyfriend came on to accompany her on her sailing reward? Is it just me or was the guy a toolbox and she is WAY out of his league? -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

I figured I would see if any knuckleheads I've met over the years at the many fabulous DZ's and boogies I've been to will be at Eloy Oct. 3-8, 2005. Nikki and I will be there hanging out with Josh, Rebecca, the Colonel, Danny G., and Jamie. Let me know if you'll be around and we will see you all there.......... -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Please don't let this thread die.......It has been, by far, the greatest waste of time I have experienced in a LONG time. I do beg that if anyone who has never visited our wonderful DZ has formed a poor perception of it from these silly ramblings, PLEASE don't come and visit. If you are that impressionable, you and I should not hang out because your mother would not like the naughty things you would learn from me. -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Ivan may have the record but Viking is close behind with 103.64 posts per jump. (compared to Ivan's 132.73). -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Doug, look at you casting stones.............how would you know what goes on in this forum without frequent visits?........dirty boy..... -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Friday floppers -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Thursday tonguers -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

something a little nicer -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

DO NOT LOOK AT THIS PICTURE........I MEAN IT..................SAVE YOURSELF.................... -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Hump-day hooh-hahs -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Tuesday ta-tas -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Hey Willie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

You have to be willing to up the ante for shock value. Eating live bugs is old school nowadays. Kids eat that shit for breakfast.

alright, Casie, we need SPECIFICS...........would you gargle someone else's vomit for $1,000? $5,000? Eat an amputated human toe for $100,000? hey, I warned you this would get a little sick (but I'm BORED). -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Before you read on, this will probably offend the hell out of some people...... I've been involved in tons of conversations trying to figure out random dollar amounts and the absolute worst thing you would do for that money. I'm interested to see what others throw out before I chime in with my answer....it's pretty damn disgusting/morbid/and all-out wrong. But, hey, we all have our price. p.s. try not be lame.........answers like "I'd french kiss someone of the opposite sex for a million bucks" are dumb. Pick the absolute lowest amount you would take to do something incredibly painful/embarrassing/cruel, etc. -Lambert- "It's better to be looked over than overlooked."