pirana

Do the smart thing. Do the transition to 190 then 170 and see where it goes from there. Don't set an arbitrary target based on your limited experience. It's not just about the landings. Others mentioned the downsizing checklist. All those things on that list are important. What if you have to land out in a tight spot? What if you had to avoid canopy traffic? You might be surprised at the results of each downsize. I could hardly tell the difference from 215 to 190. Then I went to 170. Big difference. Very fun indeed, but I remember my first thought (actually said it out loud - VERY LOUD; "So this is what they were talking about!" Yeeha. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Wow! That is a serious transition. Tempted to call you lucky. I too started on a Manta and now jump a Sabre 150. But in between there are 200 jumps on a Falcon 215, and a few jumps each on 190's and 170's. I can't fathom our instructors allowing me (or anyone) to go from a Manta to a Sabre 150. How big was the "bigger" canopy? Bigger than the Manta (what would that be?), or just bigger than the Sabre? And they gave you the Sabre just because it had a Cypres? Strange and dangerous. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Sounds impossible. I don't see how a canopy could even fly with "extreme" slack across all the front lines, but with enough tension on the steering lines to be actually flown in the direction of choice. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

So, is this one of their sites? http://www.floridaskydive.com/index.html I wasn't aware that they actually owned DZ's. Some of the listings fake? I can't imagine a DZ in Clearwater. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Not everyone turns a blind eye to it. Go veg! You are empathetic and compassionate, why put the tortured meat of animals in there! Protein shmotein - you can get it from beans, nuts and grains. Cruelty free! :) I'm pretty sure there are a few (maybe only a couple) protiens that can only be gotten from meat. Humans can live without them, but they do make a difference. Been a few years since I read about it, but I would think it to still be valid. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Still not seeing a link to news source or a punch line, so unsure if this is a joke or not. My initial assumption was joke. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Didn't know Sanford & Son were crack dealers. A scandal I must have missed. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Good question. Anyone know of this happening? My band is so tight to my flesh, literally buried in callous on the bottom side; that I can't see how it would snag on anything. It would be very tough to do on purpose and by design. My altimeter, goggles, chin strap snap, RSL clip, and just about everything else I wear on a jump are more of a snag hazard than my wedding band. But again, ever happen to anybody? Any incidents ever result from this? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

What I see is the difference in behavior from DZOs who get into it because of love of the sport versus DZOs that get into it because they see dollar signs. The issues I'm concerned about arise from the latter. I totally understand that DZOs need to make a living, but when their heart's in the right place, and with decent business skills, the money needed to put food on the table will follow. Other than the small number of mega DZ's (mostly in fair weather states that can stay busy year-round) I do not think DZO's got into it because they thought it was a good way to get rich. It appears to me there are very few people getting rich off of skydiving. I think most became DZO's because it was there chance to live what they love while paying the bills for all of life's little necessities. There are far easier ways to generate the kind of income the average non-mega DZO makes. In the end, I think what people choose to do for a livelihood is really not much about the money. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

As Chevy Chase says, they always have the best stuff. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Love the exit and swoop. The other bits are pretty darn fun too. Not that I WANT exits to funnel, but I always tell the new guys not to be too hard on themselves for funneling an exit, cause I love the chance to swoop the big wobbling round that usually forms afterward. Yeeha. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Emphasis on GOOD. Very dissappointing when someone comes back from the local liquor store with a case of Blatz. And downright disgusting when an experienced jumper reaching a milestone or a significant first "treats" everyone to a Busch Light. Blech! " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

That's the spirit in which I thought the question/poll was originally asked. My ring hasn't left my finger since the day we married, and would now require a tool for removal. The callous built up on the bottom side of the finger could probably be sanded or clipped and the ring gotten over it. But over 19 years, the knuckle has swollen to the point where removal of the ring would definitely require a tool - such as the doorframe of the plane. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

A bring-back-the-good-old-days thread/complaint? As others have said - Twin Otters, incredibly improved gear, DZ's with classroom and video and flush toilets, not to mention plenty of experienced old-timers to share their knowledge. No time like the present; we have the best of both worlds. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

450 jump wonder chiming in just to say this thread has made an impression. Experienced veterans, keep up the good work. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

OK, that is wierd. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

All I'm saying is, I've pointed a telescope at the moon and I couldn't see one single spaceship. So you tell me, where did all the landers and moon buggies go? How big is your telescope? You funning us too, or should we engage in a discussion on the resolution limits of various size telescopes. Related BTW: There are no human activities that can be seen from the Moon with the naked eye. Being able to see China's Great Wall is a total myth. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

This point is purposely hidden. I'm happy to see just about any veto on spending. Maybe if the joker does it once, he'll veto more spending bills - FINALLY Damn republicans are spenidng like democrats - I can't tell them apart in the last 20 years Yes, they're all shopaholics; but there is a difference in what they buy. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Which is why I keep stating that I can not see how this will ever end. Both sides have taken a position and act out behaviors that ensure the hatred will never end. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Yep, that experiment failed. Capitalism and free markets have their flaw, but they are vastly superior to Communism and central planning. I do believe we have the best system going, and it should be noted that it is a hybrid of planning and open markets. I'm betting 99% of the population would not like a pure free-market economy. It would look a lot like Fuedalism; kick butt or get kicked; align with powerful people or eat mud pies for dinner every night. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Quite to the contrary, this stuff does get made up all the time. Recall the "reconstructed memories" cases where groups of kids were aided by shrinks in "reconstructing" memories of abuse. Later exposed as completely false. I did not see any mention of evidence in the article. Are they really going to sentence this guy based solely on the victim's word? Given the victim's mother's professional (and probably competitive) relationship with the accused, I would expect the jury would want evidence beyond he said-she said. If there is no coroboration and no physical evidence, I'd say this guy is getting railroaded. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I'd rather get no reply to a serious question than that old dead horse response. Well then, why do you think we invaded Iraq? You'll have to get creative because WMD and Al Queda have proven to be BS. If you cite the need to Liberate Iraq then you are either in the bumper sticker business or have not paid much attention to our governments behavior related to all the other major atrocities in the world. We've ignored far worse murderous rampages and genocidal activities repeatedly, as we are ignoring another right now - TODAY - so all the mindless ditto-heads with the Liberate Iraq signs need to add a few banners to their lawn if they seriously think that is why we invaded; because they must think we should invade Darfur immediately. Is there a certain answer you are looking for that you immediately rule out the one given? That infers that you know the answer. Do you have an answer in mind? If so, why did you bother asking? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I asked the question in another thread but received no replies. I am at a loss as to why Iran could/should be attacked in the first place. What would be the reasons and objectives? What would constitute winning? For the same reason we attacked Iraq - OIL! All we need is for them to give us some other pretense - and by flouting and taunting on the nuclear issue they are doing so and playing right into this administrations hands. Bush and cronies are unscrupulous greedy bastards, but they are not stupid. They play this game very well. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

You're right, bill. I'm pretty sure he's funning us. Though I gotta say, nothing surprises me anymore. On stem cell research, blocking funding is effectively the same as driving with your foot on the brakes at half pressure. We will get there and will reap the benefits, but it is going to take much longer. We've got a goof of an executive who is completely out of touch. Despite the fact that a majority of Americans wanted this to go thru, he vetoes it. Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans favor abortion, he supports the anti-abortion position. He no longer represnts the citizens as a whole (not sure he ever did - fooling them into voting for you isn't the same as representing them), just a minority (what is it now, about 30%?) that happen to agree with his personal views. And that is just a matter of chance and coincidence. I do believe this moron would follow his personal agenda even if nobody agreed with him and his approval ratings were zero. That being said, this too will pass. We are only a couple years away from what will basically amount to the next president and congress getting to work and correcting the errors of this administration. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Very good point. It reminds me of when we lived in the Uptown neighborhood in Minneapolis. Fun place to live - mostly students, young professionals, musicians and other artist types, good ethnic mix, lively scene. Only drawback was that we were the "prey" neighborhood for the not-so-nice elements of the neighborhood to our east. Miscellaneous vandalism and occassionally serious crime were routine. I got to where I quit locking my car at night. I'd rather give them the lose change then have my window smashed again, and again, and again. Left there in 96 when we decided to start a family. The crack houses a few blocks east were a large part of that decision. Too bad, used to be a very nice place to live. The serious crime there is starting to get routine, and the city officials are all debating what to do about it. DUH????!!!!!! " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley