livnbored

that was pretty much my way elfanie, 'xcept I went static line... I did my first tandem at 150 jumps, and man, was that scary, I don't think I would've continued had I had to do tandems or AFF.

I learned how to pack while I was a student (and have been a packer ever since) and so did every other student. Anyone who didn't learn to pack or know how to pack was kind of deemed to be reckless and careless. If you care so little about your gear, it says something about your character. I find that because packing is not regulated in the U.S., people often only do what they need to to get their "A". As a packer I rely on the lazy to make my jump $$, but I do not like packing for people who don't know how to pack themselves because it just lets them continue on without the responsibility or ever knowing the responsibility. This really pisses some people off. I'm not saying that packing should be regulated, but I do think that people shouldn't get away so easily with not knowing how to pack. (I love to give packing lessons myself...NOT)

Never hated xkeys, just hated work and being so far from home. But, no, sadly, I am not comin' back...there comes a time in every packers life when they must move on...this season I may be packing somewhere else... just kidding I think I'm gonna try and focus more on rigging from now on.

I miss XKeys......

hahahhahahahhahaaha this is funny!!!

Depends where you're going. Most dropzones in Florida will not ask you to buy a USPA membership. Many of them are actually BPA affiliated. As well, many DZs in Florida will value the 180day cycle as long as it was packed in England. If you have to buy a USPA membership, no biggie, a temp is really cheap and last 15days. Have fun... If you post exactly where you're going, someone from that DZ or those DZs can probably help you out. cheers

I ordered my 105 from butterflyphoto in August. I got it for $730 plus $20 shipping and got it in 4 days in the original box, sealed. I love it. The only problem I had with side mounting is that the hand strap is attached to the side of the camera with these little protruding bars...I just had to drill into my bracket a bit to get it to rest flat. As well, the photo button pushes against the side as well, and I had to make a hole for that as the flash kept popping open and I had a lot of pictures taken... I don't know if this is common place for most cameras... It was my first one, and yes I had a very experienced cameraman help me assemble my helmet....

it's highschool all over again...

I used to do a lot of solos. I found they gave me time to work on a lot of maneuvers that just aren't practical to work on when you're with other people. As well, they really make you altitude aware.

yes. without the people who take risks and push the limits we would be no where. We would all be sittin in caves still eating gopher on a stick. All the people who jumped before us and took those risks made it safer for all of us. All the people who sued before us made it more expensive for all of us. I'm sorry, but I have to go with the Canada thing. We don't sue much in Canada, and sometimes i just don't understand.........

Painted the hangar, weeded the flower beds, picked rocks out of the landing area, built a firepit, picked up more rocks, cleaned the hangar, cleaned the washrooms, answered the phones, sent out 3000 mailouts, oh, and all this when I wasn't packing...OMG I had no idea......

Here are some things to take into consideration. Most container systems are sold with the reserve being smaller than the main. Of course when you begin to get into airlocked and cross-braced canopies this changes drastically as there is way more fabric to now fit in the container. The idea of the larger reserve is fine if you're willing to sew pillows in your container. Suggesting to fly a triathlon to have an idea of how an F111 7 cell will fly seems a little strange. ZeroP and F111 fly pretty different. It is not common to load F111 at 1:1, where as with zerop it is more common. Another thing to consider is that in the last 5 years there have been a few deaths they may have been attributed to too heavily loaded reserves. What comes to mind is blown Aortas. It might be cool to have a tiny rig, but the question still stands at what will deploy safely and what you can land safely. It is your last chance. The question of conscious or not, well... there's a lot of if's in skydiving... if they ruled every single decision, I'm sure none of us would be skydiving.

Basically, what specific authorization means is when the alteration is not listed in any manual you generally need written approval from the manufacturer in order to perform the alteration...generally it is backed up with you own written agenda and how you will go about doing this alteration. Then you get something called approval when you go ahead and do your "alteration". A line set does not need to be authorized. MEL you make good points. I remember in the rigging course everyone having questions about lines, luckily we had good teachers.

I had no idea if it was really legal... but it makes sense enough. Very good info to know. Thanks everyone.

That's the kewlest thing I think I've read so far.

So what you're saying is that choice has nothing to do with nature??? life is not fair, and you are just as big of an idealist as me if you think that it's possible to have everything together or for someone else to know exactly what information you need to draw conclusions... but good point! Actually, this is interesting. But I do trust. Maybe I am nuts. But I bet I don't get a bigger rush. I tell people I skydive because it's the only time in my life when I'm 100% in the moment. Different strokes for different folks maybe, but I think that fear that something could be out of my control is what keeps me alert and alive, and maybe some of the people on my DZ alive too. If someone came at me with a chainsaw mid-air, as previously noted, I would probably charge them with some form of assault, but I wouldn't sue the dz for letting them on the plane.

I agree I'm sorry if I wasn't exactly on the point in previous posts, but in the issue of gross negligence, I'm trying to look beyond society and law. I think it's called survival of the fittest or something. Everything contrbutes to this way of life and if we continue to go around blaming everything we can for everything we can, we are going to end up with a pretty shitty world where skydiving won't exist because in the end, no one is going to be left who will take the chance to open a Drop zone or own an airplane.

When I worked at a FL Dz last winter we allowed unsealed rigs from overseas, and reserves that were within foreign countries own policies...Not sure on the regulation at all, but maybe it has something to do with the liability. Not sure just throwing it out there....

[reply If your answer is "but I really want to jump; everyone ignores the waiver!" then realize that you are essentially lying to get what you want. You don't really agree, but your signature lets you get what you want, and you know you can legally back out of your word later. This is the way I'm seeing this. It like some people think it's their "right" to be allowed to skydive. People provide the service to us...they let us get in their airplanes so we can jump out of them. So we can have our fun... I don't own any airplanes or employ and pilots, or own land to land on... so I have to use some elses stuff. They say... well, ok, but you know, I'll let you use it as long as you promise not to blame me if you get hurt.... because you know that thing called "human error" well, all my employees are human, and they're not perfect and ... And well duh, the moment I'm gonna sue someone for not being perfect will be the moment I declare to the world "I AM PERFECT" This is because it is the only way I can live with myself... this is because of my, as some would call it "flaw".

I think you draw a good and reasonable point and I like it. Just the same, who takes responsibility for me skydiving?

unfortunately, i might not be around for that... depending But, if the maintenance failed, they'd have to prove it... but we all know that equipment can fail... no matter how good you take care of a plane, it can crash... So, it crashes because it wasn't properly maintained... Well, i'd probably be pissed off a bit, but after I got used to the feeding tube I would wonder what life had in store for me next. See, than to explain this, I'd have to get all spiritual, which I'm not gonna do. Everything happens for a reason. If i could sue everyone for every thing they did that I thought affected me negatively... I'd sue that kid in first grade for repressed trauma, but what if it doesn't affect me negatively.. what if I do live, what if I'm fine, what if I find more reasons to live a fuller life? Why would I want to sue anyone than? Sure I'm not thinking of medical costs if there is a feeding tube, but rest assured, somehow that feeding tube will be there, even if I'm too out of it to know.

If I were a judge I'd be like... skydiving... You got hurt skydiving? This person died skydiving? hahahha, get out of my courtroom!!! But, of course, I watch too much tv....

There is a thread from just in January... Ralph Ponce made the Skybands (black "bag lock" bands) as mentioned. But there is speculation as to whether they are being made anymore. Super bands are from Aerodyne.

I feel the same way... The dz I'm at this season only jumps strong and I've not packed one of their reserves yet... and I'm not packing one without supervision. Maybe two or three or four. Until I feel confident.

Listen to this man. What he's trying to prevent is a few things. Primarily a lineover and possibly line burn on the canopy. I don't think you have ever seen me pack a parachute, but I do this, have always done this... I was just answering the question that was asked, not shooting my mouth off, as you may notice...I didn't ask any question, so i don't know why you posted that... do you? Nor did I explain how I pack a parachute...did you read this somehow subconsciously placed in my answer? As for rolling the tail real tight...I agree with dude above... I have never found it to do too much for the opening, just keep the pack job together. Of course, I'm just a girl...