jimmytavino

you say that you're "not sure of what kind of responses I'm looking for. " well here is a shocker response... unless your "large sum of $$$" ,,, is SUPER large..... then First be sure that your family and children have a safe, clean, solid and comfortable HOME, in which to live. second, estabish college funds for each of them, and make some sensible and cautious investments Into them... YOUR hobbies and interests may come next,,, IF and when you are properly set,,, in these other areas of your life... windfalls ( depending on How they have come to you ) should be treated with care and not used to SPLURGE on things,,, imho. If it's an inheritance, be careful not to disrespect the source.. would that person/persons approve of something that many consider frivolity....??? i.e. skydiving... If it's a settlement, know that life , likely won't be a continuous stream of those sorts of sums of money... Be careful with it... don't squander it... IF skydiving IS important to you, let it be Tough as well.... IF it takes work AND financial sacrifice, for you to afford to make jumps ( as is the case for MOST of the folks in our sport,) then THAT adds importance and value to your jumping accomplishments. If it's easy.. and just a matter of Blowing some Coin on gear and training and alllll that goes along with it.... then I dunno,, THAT kinda cheapens its value, to MY way of thinking.. sorry to be a downer,,, but you asked... I often wonder how SOME people are so easliy able to upgrade gear, buy a second rig, travel where and when they want, make as many jumps as possible, and care NOT for the cost.... and then snicker when looking at the old or "outdated " gear of some of Us.... I never gave a thought to the possibility of having " a large sum of money " coming their way... But I guess it DOES occur. Prioritize....family first , financial security next, correct and fair consideration to extended family members and friends who may have been there for You in the past ,,,,,, a PAID FOR Home....reliable and paid for transportation, and THEN blow it on a hobby.... while having a clear conscience.. With all the best intentions,, and NOT trying to rag on anyone for WANTING something,,,, I remain yours, cordially, jimmytavino

has this rigger done repacks for you, in the past??? is the "loft" at His place or at a dropzone somewhere.?? I sure hope you didn't also leave your MAIN... with the rig. Can you talk to any OTHER jumpers nearby to the rigger,,,, to at least ask them to LOOK around for the rig??? IF it might be in a loft ON a DZ..... Does the DZ have any other riggers??? who may be able to search for it, locate it, and send it to YOU.... send them a picture, and if you have it, the serial number for the H/C. At this point,, you may need to try to GO Over the Head of the first dude......imho good luck... keep us posted jmy

Around Here...... I'd say , about the middle of JULY!!!!! we got a Foot and a Half of SNOW... On Wed... no kidding

That does seem a bit ridiculous doesn't it? We load organizers at the (late) WFFC got our registration paid, our jumps comp'ed, and the opportunity to purchase the official WFFC jackets for half price. Some of the best organizers from around the world came to the WFFC at their own expense to participate. We also got the opportunity to jump with our great friends from around the world, (which is what it is really about). People that are our friends to this day. Isn't that enough payment? True story: When I was in charge of the load organizers at the WFFC for years, Danny Page asked about helping. He told me, "Now you know, I normally get $300 per day for doing this?" I said, "I know Danny, but this is the WFFC. We volunteer here." He grumbled, but I know Danny had fun, even if he wasn't a "paid" organizer. in full agreement with both of these guys. Some compensation is due, and free jumps never hurt... but room, airfare, car etc is overdoing it. imho Hell we HARDLY even give the PILOTS that,,, when an out of town turbine visits....... and pilots are waaay more important. There was a time when skills, including organizing, were shared more freely because it was done among friends.... Now sadly, like many other things in life, economics intrudes...and so some things change. As for boogie Fees,, a necessary fact of life. And very appropriate for sites where the locations are NOT an operating DZ. siucc !!

Thanks airtwardo.. it arrived in my mailbox a couple of days ago. and thanks pchapman, for raising the subject of ripstop.

I'm happy that you have found a Good Home DZ... I bet that THEY are happy to have You,,, as well.

IF he was shady to you... He was shady to others I'd say.... "OUT this S.O.B. " IN his OWN Rig !!!????? you gotta be kidding.... Good move that your ex went over the head of the DZO to contact Aerodyne directly..... Suggestion... Never leave gear At the DZ or In your car..... Maybe if you have a locker and it's locked.. maybe. Even then I'd be nervous about a fire, or a break-in and huge event of gear theft.. sad to say, it does happen. Only exception , is when I'd leave my rig for a reserve repack, and I learned a Looong time ago, just WHO is trustworthy and responsible,, and who isn't... I have Always taken my rig and gear bags/ cameras etc. OUT of my vehicle and Into the House or into the hotel, EVEN if, I knew I'd be carrying all of it Back out the next morning... sadly I read about a person who had a car stolen,,, and their RIG "just happened to be IN it ".. that stinks... jmy

tough situation.... the person who has it NOW, likely paid something for it....and likely does NOT know it's history.. technically, he should be required to "return it " and be left with Nothing.... The true OWNER i.e. your EX should have the canopy returned to him,,, though it's "value" is much reduced, especially IF there is No idea of HOW many jumps have been put on it....in the last 5 or 6 years. IF the DZO, whom You have expressed, "uncertainty " about... is STILL operating... Then HE (or She) should be challenged... and IF the DZO Did sell it... SOME amount of money should come from the DZO.... as should have been the case if that person "brokered " the sale in the first place... Then if the person who is selling the canopy can verify that it was purchased "in good faith " some of the proceeds FROM the DZO should Go the the person who is selling the main,,,ONCE your EX has had it returned to Him... Your Ex gets the Canopy BACK ( a good thing ) The DZO PAYS,,,, and getting nothing in a return ( a GOOD thing ) and the person who currently HAS the canopy, gets some amount, as compensation, for having the canopy restored to the rightful owner...(also a good and Fair thing ) IF the dzo refuses , then Your suspicions would seem correct.... and depending on Past " track record " and How you and your ex FEEL about it... Maybe file a criminal complaint, if for nothing ELSE,,,,, to make the DZOs life,,,,miserable.. good luck... jmy

34

regarding : "Rather sudden" Just a Guess....

done,,,,and done. thanks twardo jmy

yes back in the day we'd always make a 2 sided patch using the peel and stick repair tape.. You know?? i have a need right now, for enough white ripstop to fix a one inch sized 90 degree tear in a panel, on a 28 foot orange and white cheapo which i bought, a few years ago.. if Anyone HAS some white they could spare, i would be grateful And would put it to a good use... you can reply here or PM me, thanks jmy

is there any chance, that within the hour prior to the jump, you may have had an "energy drink", or Two??? those can hit, all at once and give symptoms like you described.. glad you were Ok.

Great photos When i saw the stole, i had a certain sense about it's origin, Before i even read skymamas explanation,,,, which verified it...Great bargains ( as would be Expected ) by the happy bride...

Sure..... "we're interested "

YAY!!!!!! Continued Happiness forever and ever !!!

Old : 1. 5 dollar reserve repacks. 2. "Flaking some cheapos" during a weather hold, or after a busy day of SLs. 3. SLs.... i.e. static lines 4. "A buck a thousand " for jumps. 5. Double zipper jumpsuits, as a HUGE step forward,, from mechanics overalls. 6. 4 - pin containers 7. Sleeves and then, PODS 8. Using temporary pins to pack a MAIN. 9. One A3 or Two MA1s 10. A 'formation load ' meant a 180 and a 182 which I was always invited to join.

thanks for posting the photo....

I grinnned when I saw this thread title I recently received a 40 year certificate in the mail along with a nice form letter, signed by someone. The letter thanked me for " 35 years of membership ", when the certificate ( which IS accurate ) clearly states Forty...... so I'd say it's possible that somebody is 5 YEARS behind jmy USPA # 9452 A 3914 D 12122 scr scs nscr

Yeah? Good. Nice "holier than thou " reply........... there was not much Good about it...but sorry to disappoint you,,,,, it wasn't ME. rather, a family member who was in No position to manage the issue.. I stood by,,, physically, emotionally and financially, throughout... We got him through it and there HAVE been changes...(well, maybe some good.) long story.... best left Untold. nice to know that some of our colleagues here, are sooo sympathetic... jmy

I HEAR you,,,,wrjoe.. ah... IF Only,,, we could cure all the worlds' ills... hopefully when Anyone drinks and drives they will promptly run into a Roadside checkpoint,,,, then it's on THEM... as it should be. practice alert and defensive driving, at all times...and encourage your loved ones and friends to DO the same...

Man,,, what a tough situation You have a good heart, McSwervey and it's evident that you CARE for others. somehow, society tends to look at the "prosperous" alcoholic Soooo much differently than the "down and out and livin' in the streets " alcoholic... both are tragic. and are a REAL medical issue. approaching someone,,, or the someones "peeps" are about all you can Do.. and then hope ( often to no avail ) for the best.. Denial... is a HUGE symptom of the disease..especially when the enablers also deny the truth. Vodka, straight out of the freezer, can become an eventual death sentence May your friend awaken to the severity of these circumstances well before some calamity slaps him in the face with it. ps...to the well meaning poster who suggests it......... "sic'-ing " the cops on ANYONE is overintrusion, in my opinion..wouldn't EVER do it... EVER have to DEAL with what's involved in a DWI or DUI charge?????? it sux. sending good vibes, that your friend can be saved. jmy

don't follow the news reports very much.... do you?? it's always best when more that ONE option is available... ESPECIALLY in skydiving even if it's a 2 hour drive, it's sensible to "look around"... and if you're Not all that excited about what you see.... extend that driving timeframe. and though I came up, through Static line , and we had nothing BUT cessnas,,, those are tough planes (imo) for learning AFF... it's easier and better from a turbine, for a Few reasons... anyway....good luck jmy USPA # 9452

not sure,,,,but i would THINK that the gondola would have an interlock AND switch..... which would prevent it's movement Unless ALL doors are closed and Latched... was that a frozen River that he chose for a landing..?? why not select what looked like a road/path to the side of the frame??? ..nothin' like a one man show to impress a girl i like the thread title...

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