Andrewwhyte

They don't have to use the triangle. they can opt not to drive their buggies on the public road. Religious beliefs do not trump state law, nor should they. A similar group here in Alberta, the Hutterites, refused to get pictures on their drivers licenses. The Supreme court of Canada ruled against them. Freedom of religion does not include the right to endanger others on the road.

Since I have not left the continent since 9-11 I cannot say what it has done to the world. 9-11 however did change North America very much. The Security Industrial Complex switched into high gear and has not abated. The US-Canadian border has thickened considerably. I now need a passport to go skydiving in Snohomish for the day or to go to a football game. My new reserve just spent 10 weeks in customs; more Canadians than ever have been denied entry into US; constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms have been trampled upon on both sides of the previously longest undefended border in the world. Canada's role in Afghanistan was shaped considerably by the US commitments in Iraq, but it is still Afghanistan and the fallout from 9-11 that have defined this country's military posture and action over the last decade. The Iraq war was ill advised to be sure. It was however just another case of adventurism by the US that neither redefined nor permanently altered the country any more than the Spanish-American War, Vietnam or Panama did. The Afghanistan campaign, including the prison at Guantanamo Bay, the incursions into Pakistan, and the numerous cases of extraordinary rendition (also known as "torture by proxy") have changed the way the US conducts itself in the world. It may be argued that these things have laid bare the way the US was acting all along, but the change nonetheless is profound. 9-11 changed the world (at least the part I can see) more than any event in my life. If you consider the bombings in London, Bali, Madrid and Mumbai to be part of the same phenomenon I think it is very hard to say it has not changed everything.

Well said Andy.

If I am not mistaken USPA defines a student as someone who has not yet earned their "A" license. Since the DZ's legal jeopardy is higher for students (I think we all can agree) than for licensed skydivers, I wonder if management has done this to push people to get their "A" sooner rather than later. I know we have found it frustrating to find that people whom we thought had an A or even a B turn out to have neither.

Here's some http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2W3aG8uizA

I have tinnitus and have had as long as I can remember. I wear ear plugs in the plane but not in freefall. I don't care to have anything blocking my eustachian tube in freefall. My logig is I am more concerned with a 15 or 20 minute 70 db plane ride than a 50 second 90 db freefall.

Do have any idea how pathetic you sound? Stand up like a man and tell them you are not going to earn their paycheck any more. Just pay the kit rental, walk through the lines, leave the toggles dragging through the dirt and leave the rig in a heap. Take the next one off the shelf and walk away. these people are not gods (and they are certainly not your friends), they are packers; the bottom rung of the dz hierarchy. Stop being such a chump.

Seriously? over 100 pack jobs? You need to change Dz's. If what you are saying is true these people are thieves. Even if they sign you off tomorrow why would you want to have anything to do with them?

CloudyHead, Brian usually makes an appearance every year to Edmonton Skydive Centre. Keep your eyes peeled and you can come take his course next year.

Since the OP is not in the US it does not answer his question at all.

I do it to snuggle up with hot chicks and get paid. OK really I do it to get close with dudes and fat chicks who can't lift their legs

Actually Andy "solo certified" in Canada means you have jumped through a predetermined set of hoops, passed an oral quiz and received a "Solo Certificate" from CSPA.

What Cloudyhead said is largely correct. The details vary from Dz to Dz, but your next goal is a solo certificate. This will allow you to jump without an instructor at any CSPA dropzone. The solo is available after your tenth jump; your A certificate after your 25th. As this is only 15 jumps you will have to remain focused on the tasks if you want your A certificate in the minimum number of jumps. At least five of these jumps must be with a coach. Check here http://cspa.ca/en/resources/parachutist-information-manuals to download the Parachute Information Manuals (PIMs). The PIM 1 has the requirements and privileges of the various certificates and ratings. I would absolutely disagree with Cloudyhead about not worrying about the PIMs until you have your solo. You should download the PIM 1 & PIM 2A today and start going through them. Pay particular attention to the theoretical models for freefall and canopy flight. This can only help you during your PFF and costs nothing but your time and effort. Have a great time!

No, I am suggesting that higher earning people tend to live longer than lower earning people. Whether the mean earners are also close to the mean in terms of longevity I do not know.

Hate to confuse the issue further but you need to consider the correlation between income and life expectancy. Everything I've read suggests it is positive. I doubt it is linear.

We have discussed this. The real problem I see is the students saying, "That's Ok. I brought my own." How can you tell them it is OK to wear your camera for a fee, but to wear theirs and keep the money is not safe?

I am over 40 and find digital hard to read in freefall. However I watched my analogue dial jump 500 feet while taking a tandem low(ish). They are useless on high performance landings.

"UPDATE: The east coast earthquake apparently was caused by an unknown fault line running under D.C. and through Virginia. It is now being called Obama's Fault, though Obama will say it's really Bush's Fault. Other theories are that it was the founding fathers rolling over in their graves or that what we all believed to be an earthquake was actually the effects of a 14.6 trillion dollar check bouncing in Washington."

Cloudy head, The point on the map on your profile indicates you jump at Eden North. If you have 23 jumps I highly doubt you cannot pack. If you cannot it is because you have not tried to learn. It takes one weekend of really trying to get your packing endorsement and this will pay you far better than anything else you can do on the DZ right now. As for working for jump Tx, Lyal always pays better if you take it out in trade rather than cash.

Zombies

Yea... your probably right, he seems more like a "Oh Canada" type of guy. Who do you think sent those "Bombs bursting in air?"

We did it a bit last year. Our results were not great. The percentage of people who arched was particularly poor compared to a Cessna exit. We never had anyone grab the pilot chute, but I could see the potential.

Meh, Christian, Muslim, what's the difference? Crazy fuckin' Theists.

I Promise Not to Come in Your Mouth.

The Vancouver Parachute Centre in Abbotsford BC uses a Porter on a 400 metre runway (sea level and temps rarely above 30).