airdvr

Well certainly I hope not. I would never ride as a tandem that uses a pilot chute. And I'll be damned if I pay a fee for something that I don't get. So - I guess in answer toyour question, Yes, they did NOT get what they paid for. Explain please. I don't understand what they didn't get. Marketing does not have anything to do with the process of doing the business. Huh?? Marketing has everything to do with the process of doing the business. Example: I'm in the insurance business but what I really do is market the fact that I'm in the insurance business. It's business 101. My profession is one of the most regulated in the US. There are very specific rules as to what I can and can't do. And it isn't the Nat'l Association of Insurance Professionals that makes me do this. It's the laws of the State of Ohio and the federal gov't, or whatever state I do business in. If Skyride is breaking the law they'll be dealt with accordingly, and not by the USPA. I noticed that you avoided answering my question about employing or doing business with employers of illegal aliens. I didn't avoid it. I thought it was rhetorical. I wouldn't employ illegal aliens. As to whether I would do business with one that does...well...that's really their problem and they'll have to deal with it. I know, I know...I'm an enabler. I'd rather they put that on my tombstone than the "Closed" sign on my business. The USPA is a third party insurance holder that is not responsible for businesses and their success or failure, and shouldn't be. However USPA should use at least a good faith effort (Which they tried at first) to distance itself from those that can, by their documented actions, harm the reputation of the USPA by being even remotely affiliated with such an entity. Your statment is contradictory. Either they should be helping with businesses or they shouldn't. Don't you see? They tried to undermine a business and they were about to get spanked for it. Rightly so. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

That depends . . . if you can do it in good conscience, I guess that might be OK to you. But look at it this way - as a business owner - do you employ illegal aliens or do you deal with those that do? If so - then that tells us A LOT about your ethical standards. If NOT, then perhaps you will rethink your original statement. At what cost of your integrity does it make it OK? Did they expect something that I didn't deliver? They paid for a tandem ride and that's what they got. They paid for a video and that's what they got. If they didn't get what they paid for that would be a problem. Certainly you're not so naive as to think that marketing and advertising is 100% truthful. It wouldn't take me long to find a whole bunch of examples where that wasn't the case. It still gets back to who can do a better job of it and why isn't the USPA jumping into the fray with it's own marketing plan. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

If they're lying than the states AG needs to get involved. In the meantime there's nothing stopping us from doing it better than they do is there? It's about competition. Group member DZO's had found a way to hang on to their turf through the membership requirement. SR fired a shot across their bows and they don't like it. USPA did a piss poor job of marketing for the DZO's. I can remember the 1-800- SKYDIVE program a few years back. But they left it to the individual DZO's to do the marketing. I wouldn't be surprised in the future if they find a way to lure Member DZO's away from USPA and to their newly formed (Insert some official sounding skydiving terminology here) Organization. After all, they'll do the marketing for the DZO. Drop Zone's would be like having a franchise. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

If you don't think so, let your membership expire, go get some third party liability insurance and go try to skydive at Group Member DZs. That's not wrong. There are hundereds of examples of the same thing in every aspect of your life. Your always free to go elsewhere. If it bothers you so much start a new organization and compete with them. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Thanks, GC-taking DZOs! You are a credit to the industry. I think that's unfair. And for the record I'm not nor have I ever been a DZO. I am however, a businessman. I have a responsibility to myself, my employees, and my family to make money. If a customer comes to me and has an expectaion that I'll provide a service for a fee I'm going to take their certificate. WHy wouldn't I? Because somebody doesn't like the way it was marketed? I think SKyride beat the USPA and/or DZO's to the punch here. They have a brilliant marketing plan, albeit somewhat misleading. As an organization the USPA probably could do a better job of it. So why don't they? What's stopping them from doing the same thing? Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

The Group Member program was born from the greed of DZOs sitting on the BOD That's one possibility but I really don't think it's the reason why. It's not always a conspiracy Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

No - but when the BOD has members directly receiving funds from the business in question, do you not think that there is a conflict of interest? Conflict of interest is a seperate issue here. Does the USPA not have the right to suspend membership to those that they feel have or may harm their reputation or the reputations of those that they are trying to protect? In the realm of safety I say yes. Again, they could find themselves in a very bad position if they cross the line from protecting the safety of the membership to deciding if a member's business practices are ethical and legal. That's what Attornies General are for. I don't think this is an "old-boy" thing. Once the USPA says we don't like the way you do business and it has nothing to do with how safely that business operates they leave themselves open to all kinds of problems. My read on this is they were facing one hell of a lawsuit over this which they most likely would have lost. They also have a responsibility to the members to make sure the organization exists. Form the Constitution page: The purposes for which USPA is formed are as follows: To encourage unity among all persons interested in skydiving; to promote safety in all skydiving activities in the United States, to sanction skydiving competitions; to document officially all national and world skydiving records set by citizens of the U.S., to promote and encourage the study and knowledge of skydiving among the membership and the public at large; to cooperate with all government agencies connected with aeronautics or aeronautical activities; to compile information regarding the science of skydiving and to edit, publish, and disseminate the same; to select and train the United States Parachute Team for world competition. It doesn't say anything about regulating the business practices of it's members in regard to ethics. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

True. My ex actually traded-in my original ring for a larger diamond. That hurt. I think I spent about $1200 on it but the real point is it was every penny I had at the time. In hindsight I should have known then it was only a matter of time. Point being, the dollar value of the ring really means nothing. My SO's daughter was married last summer. Huge deal, contry club wedding and reception. Bill came to just over $30,000. I remember thinking at the time "what a waste of money". And for what? So your friends and relatives would be impressed? Same thing goes for the ring. If you can afford to put a rock on her finger do it, but it doesn't mean your marriage is any better or worse for it. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

From the USAP website http://www.uspa.org/about/index.htm Among the USPA’s primary objectives is to guard the integrity of the sport of skydiving by demanding that USPA members uphold the basic ethical principles outlined in the USPA Constitution and other policies. However, within these parameters and in accordance with state and federal law, USPA members are free to conduct business as they choose. Consistent with its policies and procedures, the USPA does not—and will not—seek to regulate the business activities of its members. My take on this is the threat of a Restraint of Trade lawsuit or something similar...I'm not completely up to date on the history here. I have to believe some attorney rightly stated that the USPA is not responsible for the legality of the business practices of it's members. To think otherwise would be folly and place the organization is a pretty precarious postion. I have no problem with this. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

The thing that troubles me about this type of legislation is I really don't think it will have the net effect of lowering gas prices or reducing our dependancy on foreign oil. It will however, raise the average price of a new vehicle. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

The underlying concern most have with this type of suit is how it has stymied the aircraft manufacturers as a whole. Manufacturers have mostly stopped creating newer designs due to their fear of lawsuits. Take a look here The basic design of a single engine cessna hasn't changed in almost 60 years. Why? Lawsuits. And don't even get me started about why aircraft are so damned expensive. There's a ton of new designs that will never see the light of day commercially because of this. I'm sure someone on here knows much more about this aspect than I. I feel bad for the parents. I don't really think their intent matches what the attorney will end up doing and saying to make a buck. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Depends on who's not cooperating Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I always thought it was 6 months...wait..maybe it was 1 year support for every 3 years married...I get confused. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

So I was thinking today while listening Grand Funk in my car. We never had videos when we were young. We listened to the music and let our minds do the painting Take a look at these pictures. Would we hear their music if they started out today? I think not. They're not pretty enough...not marketable. Sad really. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/AMA/story?id=3937478 Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Clinton News Network Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Nice. Doesn't look like tha bag worked to well. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Naw....you guys are reading that all wrong. Now that we've become a "swing state" that's an outline of the big d#%k that's gonne be given to us. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Why do you support disenfranchising Californians of a full 3rd of their vote relative to residents of those states? I support disenfranchising Californians from voting on anything important Why does a guy who owns a farm deserve more of a vote than a guy who lives in an apartment? Don't get me started. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Agreed. They are awesome. My story...purchased a Tri-190 used. Canopy was slamming me hard. It was manufactured prior to the new management and there was a problem. They tried to fix it but were unable. Gave me a great deal on a new Pilot! It's rare anymore to find a company that understands customer service like the folks at Aerodyne. They know it's a small community and your rep is everything. I'll tell anyone I talk to about Aerodyne and how much I enjoy dealing with them. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I feel better now...thanks Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

Lucky...don't beat around the bush. Tell us what you really think. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

If you haven't already give this a read. http://www.basejumper.com/Articles/Getting_Into_BASE/Getting_into_BASE_660.html Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

My problem with Hill is real simple. She put up with her lieing, cheating husband forever. There's only one reason a woman in her position would do that...power. She knew that if she walked on Willy after Monica her political life was over. Goes to character. I don't trust her. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne

I gotta wonder if this is real or not. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne