jfields

I was wondering if anyone reading these forums has been to Millenium Skydiving in Kankakee, IL recently. I'm probably going to be headed out that way on a long weekend trip and I was looking for feedback on the DZ. I'd only be able to jump for one day at the most, so I was curious if there was anything particularly interesting or unique there. Also, is it a decent scene of experienced jumpers or a tandem factory? Thanks! Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Thanks for putting up a link to that article. I found it helpful, and it gave me more to think about. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Yeah, you got me on that. My mom always said I was a smartass too. I just couldn't resist. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

You don't have my permission to leave until we get a jump in together.

1.38 lb / in2 = 198 lb / square foot. Man, that is highly loaded. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

But think of how much more time doctors would have to spend giving quality care to the sick if they weren't dealing with so many gunshot-wound traumas. Karl, I like you, but I have to disagree on this issue. I responded to your post in the other (Zero tolerance hysteria) thread. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Ouch! I'm wounded. I love Maryland. Like any state, it has its great spots and its not-so-great spots. I don't say that all of New Jersey is like Newark. If so, the whole state would commit suicide. DC isn't in Maryland, so don't hold it against the state. And Baltimore. Well, I suppose I have to admit that Baltimore has issues. I'm not saying Pammi and Merrick should move here, but it is a nice place to live. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

This is a hot-button issue for me. Even though I'm about to debate some points you folks have made on gun ownership, I want to make a few things clear. I'm not saying that guns are bad. Guns are guns and it takes people to fire them. No arguement there. If your gun gets discharged accidently, it probably won't effect me because I won't be there. Go ahead and own one. Cynical, but true. Nope. I hadn't seen them. I also question the validity of comparing gun deaths to doctors, but that is really moot anyway. You quoted 1500 accidental gun deaths some given year and note how low the number is. How many wouldn't have happened if the gun hadn't been there? 1500. That is 100%. A tragedy in avoidable deaths. No, the guns aren't at fault. It is the owners. This "Old Gun" might not have been there, but somebody's was, and now there are a lot of dead people. Go figure. Someone clearly didn't have a handle on their posessions. Perhaps. But dead is dead, and might some of those people have lived if there hadn't been a gun sitting handy in a drawer? If the person had been forced to take a gun from a secured place, load it, then the "heat of the moment" aspect is removed. Yes, bad people do bad things with good guns, but do we have to make it so easy? To wrap up my long post: Responsible gun ownership = No problem. Gun owner accidental deaths = Not my problem. Gun owner domestic dispute deaths = Also not my problem. Irresponsible gun owner's gun in kid's hands = BIG PROBLEM. Own 'em if you want, but do it responsibly. If my wife or (future) kid was killed by some irresponsible gun owner's negligence, I'd go and strangle them with my bare hands. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Zennie, philosophically, I agree with you. Guns don't fire themselves and they can be used safely. I just hope you are safe and careful with the weapon(s) you own at home. Sadly, the statistics I've seen on gun ownership seem to show a much higher liklihood of the owner or a member of their family being shot than a burglar or criminal. I don't own a gun, partially because I haven't figured out a *foolproof* way to keep it away from any children I may have in the future, while having it be useful in case of criminal intrusion. My personal choice is to do without the gun until that dilemma is solved to my satisfaction. However, I respect your choice to take the other path as long as you do it as safely as possible. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Not a problem. I'm sure you'd do me the same favor. What are friends for, if not to point out your faults and never let you forget? You should hear the flack we give the guy at our DZ whole had a huge, wide-open landing zone to land into and put his canopy over the windsock instead. He'll never live that down. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

I was wondering where you experienced jumpers and rigger-types recommend hook knives be placed. I bought one (Jack-Knife type), but haven't actually done anything with it yet. Unless I try CRW, I'll just jump with the one knife. Should I put in my chest strap, have my rigger sew it one somewhere, or what? What location has it easily available in the widest range of scenarios? If it is best to have the knife sheath permanently attached somewhere, I have no problem paying my rigger to do it, but I just don't know where. Any ideas or suggestions for this would be appreciated. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

GeekStreak, as I am sure that is the first time you've ever been wrong, you owe beer!

Michele, Sounds like you did right. You saw a major problem and corrected it by putting a good canopy over your head. There are a lot of people with many more jumps than you that wouldn't be as calm and wouldn't do the right thing. You didn't freeeze. You didn't just wait for your Cypres to fire your reserve into whatever mess was left of your main. You did as you were taught. Great job! I hope I do as well as you when I have my first malfunction. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Yup. Virginia has good schools. So does Maryland. Consensus is not to live in DC itself. And Diva and I won't get into the usual local MD vs VA squabble as long as we can both bash DC.

It's okay Merrick. I'm sure you'd be the only one allowed to dock.

Pammi, We have everything you want, with one exception. The housing costs near Washington DC are just stupid. I wouldn't recommend living inside the city limits to anyone, but the 'burbs are great. Excellent schools, good job market, within 2 hours of about 5 DZs, wonderful museums (best in the country) and lots of other plusses. Just crazy expensive housing. Most houses in the area are $200k and up. Mostly "up". Oh well. I guess I'll have to hit wherever you settle on a road trip sometime. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Depends on who else is on the load with you. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Why? We'd rather see you on your bad behavior than acting like an angel. Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

I'm looking for suggestions on skydiving videos to buy. I already have a bunch of techniques/training ones, but I want to add to my collection with some more entertaining stuff. My focus isn't on the "Hey Look, Boobies!" boogie videos, although I certainly have nothing against them. (The videos or boobies.

Yeah, and what were you holding back saying in the "motoroil & jumper cables" thread? Enquiring minds wanna know! Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

What he said, two times!

That's great! Mine would be like "The Little Engine That Could".

Nah... I bet if you posted, you'd have plenty of ever-helpful skydiving buddies willing to chip in and help boost your score. After all, isn't helping what this community is all about? Justin "If it can't kill you, it isn't worth doing."

Keeping up your hRW currency is certainly commendable. But maybe you could have backed it down to like 2 or 3 at the dropzone and still made a jump from more altitude than a box spring.

That depends. How was the weather? If you were rained out, then it was a good weekend considering. If the weather was jumpable, then you'd better have a really good excuse for just having sex this weekend and not jumping!