seekfun

I just want to fuel the fire with a little factoid: The military has something called the 'Inactive Ready Reserve' from which it can pull warm bodies. And, these are pre-trained warm bodies. Whenever an individual enlists in the military, she signs an 8 year agreement, regardless of the length of active or reserve service. This applies to DOD, DHS, and Guard enlistments. So, if Tom Smith enlists in the Army for 4 years and serves the length of his active obligation honorably, he will separate from the active ranks and be placed on the Inactive Ready Reserve list. For the remaining 4 years of Mr. Smith's obligation, he lives as a normal Joe Schmoe. But, he could be recalled at any time the Nation needs him. I know this because I'm on said list until December. I keep my gun well oiled. , topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

WrongWay, Being that my jump numbers are so low, I've taken the liberty of giving myself 1/2 jump for my reserve ride.

Hummusx, You can safely ship your rig via UPS, USPS, FedEx, or bicycle messenger. The AADs have been checked for adverse effects from XRAY, and there are none. The USPA does suggest that you NOT pack your rig in your checked luggage when travelling - in case it needs to be opened for inspection - but there is no problem with the XRAY equipment. So, if flying, carry your rig on in a gear bag. USPA related links: TSA - travelling with rig document USPA - tips on travelling with your rig If you're worried about them thinking that the rig is something funny, then you should make a note on the box. And, the manufacturer of your AAD should have no problems providing you with documentation telling the shippers what to expect in an XRAY. I got some information to this effect from Airtec for my CYPRESS 2 for when I took it on a commerical flight. Hope this helps, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

ScubaSteve, First of all - I love your DropZone.com name; it gave me a giggle. Secondly - The commercial is funny. Those ad execs are pretty creative sometimes. It's a good lighthearted ad. - topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Folks, The rumor mill is going to go crazy on this issue, but the draft is not likely to happen. From Post Gazzette: Article From the Selective Service: web page So, keep your ears open to news, not e-gossip. Oh, wait, the news is pretty gossipy, too. Well, use your head then. Rock on Milwaukee, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

GravityGirl, I'm not sure why he didn't grab the yoke. But, in retrospect, it's probably better that he didn't. Had ne not had positive control over my head, I'm certain I would have pulled us both out of the plane. He wasn't a big man. Of course, something stuck to my rig would probably have given me greater pause than something that was simply stuck to my unimportant head. - topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Skyrose7, Nightingale's got it right... The 1/2 jump is my reserve ride. - topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

I have a funny skydiving story I thought a few would enjoy chuckling at... On one of my first AFF jumps, the JM opened the door on the C182 and gave me the command to climb out. As I began my climb out onto the step, my helmet got stuck on something and my head was getting pulled back as I tried to climb out. I crouched down a little lower and began climbing out again, but my helmet was still ensnared in something, and I couldn't get my body out the door because my head kept getting pulled back. On and on this went until I was finally gripping the plane with both hands, pulling with all of my mite to get out of the airplane. But, as we all know, the body follows the head, and I could not get out of the plane. Eventually, whatever was snagged on my helmet gave up the fight and I nearly popped right out of the plane. I caught myself, however, and climbed out onto the step to perform the skydive. Once on the ground, the JM was absolutely laughing his ass off at me. It turns out, after he gave me the command to climb out, he decided the spot was bad and grabbed my helmet to stop me from climbing out. I couldn't see what he was doing, and I thought we were overflying the exit point. He said I almost pulled us both out of the plane. I really got a razzing out of that. So, that's my little story... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Leave it to the media to sell advertising on what is likely this man's most painful moment. I support free speech, but that type of stuff isn't news. Give me journalistic responsibility, or give me no TV. Rock on Milwaukee, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

In regard to your note: I've been going on these rugged kayaking trips in Canada for the last several years. We're paddling river and lake chains until we reach Hudson Bay. Anyway, one year I left my shoes and boots in the car and ended up covering over 100 miles of terrain in my Tevas. After the portages, lining rapids, and ferrying loads overland, my feet were much worse for the wear. They were downright ugly. So, there are many notes-to-self one can make with regard to sandals and outdoor recreation. - topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Does an all volunteer military work? Yes. It works much better than one with a draft. Many people have already touched on motivation, morale, and fairness. But, another issue to consider is technology, for two reasons. 1. The battlefield is infinitely more high-tech than it was during Vietnam. Though many don't believe it, today's rifleman is not the village idiot. These brave young men and women handle sophisticated weaponry, complex communications systems, operate under utterly confusing rules of engagement and still kick ass time and time again. I'm proud to have served alongside many of them (as a medic). And, you have to maintain standards for this type of military. A draft won't support these standards. 2. We don't need to draft when we have the most sophisticated weapons in the world. We need to stop being such damned humanitarians and simply teach terrorists what happens when you make bad decisions. We could end the war in Iraq in 48 hours if we started to value the lives of brave American sons and daughters over the sanctity of some damn mosque that was housing terrorists. The last country that thought we were weak and tried to harm us in our homeland was Japan. We dropped two atomic bombs on them. Radical Islamic Militants are challenging us now. We need to drop some heavy munitions on them. I don't like the idea of shedding innocent blood. But, it's funny how the world pays attention to things that make impressively large booms. Our tax dollars pay for these fancy weapons systems so that thousands of brave Amercians do not have to die. A select few brave Americans spend their youth learning how to use these weapons systems so that their little brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews will never have to be afraid to work in a high-rise building or fly in an airplane. Don't draft and don't let legislation keep warriors from bringing the battle to the evil-doers. Send in the U.S. Marines...And a few Corpsmen Rock on Milwaukee, topher EDITED TO ADD: "as a medic" You see, a rifleman I was not. I simply admire them their bravery, their intelligence, their patriotism. "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Maestro, It's OK if you thinks it's funny. Truth be told, I have a tendency to either laugh or sing when I'm nervous, and I did emit a giggle when the toggle came off. So, it was funny in a "Wow, that's interesting" sort of way. TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

The salt stuff is incidental. Truly. Although, there's a guy named Mark Kurlansky who recently wrote a book called: "Salt, A World History". I've been thinking about reading it. In my boring - other than skydiving life - it looks interesting. TTFN, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Brian, I take it you're a fellow reader of The Onion? Rock on Milwaukee, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

I guess I need to get a life... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Raistlin, The 1/2 jump is my reserve ride. Thanks for asking, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Raistlin, You got me. I hadn't taken note of the fact that you weren't from the egocentric USA. I haven't taken part in the wonderful international aspect of skydiving yet, but I'm learning. I apologize. Good Luck, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Sabre2th, I don't want to be salt in the wound, but you seem to be sweating this problem. And, where there's sweat, there's salt. It's the basics of human electrolytes. While you guys are on a break, she may not be. You two on a break is a perfect time for her to 'test drive' this other POSSIBLE relationship. So, be ready for the break to become a spontaneous cutaway. Sometimes the handle gets snagged (or I'm just making that metaphor up). And, if she takes the 'test drive' and finds she doesn't like the features, are you willing to be that car she almost traded in? Good luck brother. Love's a funny thing. topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Raistlin, I heard a few people tossing this idea around recently. I think the idea is wonderful in theory, but in practice, it might not fly. Pun intended. First, you're talking largely about lending money to young people - who can't come up with $800 bucks - for the purpose of jumping out of an airplane. From a bank's perspective, this doesn't shine out at them as a wise investment of their free funds. There's no collateral, even a mild injury could result in a loss of the borrower's employment, and there's a lot of overhead in lending out many small loans, especially if they're paid back in short periods of time. If a bank bites off on this, it's going to be with a pretty hefty interest rate in mind. We're not talking 0% financing on this one. No siree. A more realistic perspective may be a loan arrangement that covers jump training, some coaching, and a first rig. However, we're still not over the issues of collateral and young people with no credit. Now, for the working adult who wants to get into skydiving, an arrangement like this may be feasible and practical. I'm interested to see where this one goes. I know I'm paying off some credit cards... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Folks, I just read this in The Onion yesterday, so I thought it would help clear things up here. The Onion is a satirical newspaper, so take it with a large grain of salt. Catholic Church Condemns Metrosexuality VATICAN CITY—Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Monday that metrosexuality, the trend of heterosexual men co-opting the aesthetics of homosexual men, is strictly prohibited under Catholic doctrine. "The truly faithful will avoid the temptation to adopt this hip urban lifestyle," Navarro-Valls said. "The devout Catholic must remain on the path toward salvation, no matter how good he'd look in an Armani pullover, and no matter how much he might covet his neighbor's set of Williams-Sonoma lobster forks." Karl Weis, director of the New York-based activist group Freedom From Religion, responded to the ban by stating that "metrosexuality is so 2003." He He He... Check out The Onion. topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

ACMESkydiver, Don't tape your thumb TO your hand! We humans have opposable thumbs for a reason, you know: skydiving emergencies. If you have to go for your handles in a real emergency, you'll want your trusty - albeit sore - thumb ready. Try instead to find a flexible brace - perhaps neoprene or something. Don't use an ace bandage, though, it'll just come off in freefall, mess up your video, cover your eyes, or one of those little ace bandage hooks will catch your instructor's nostril or something. All bad juju. Having spent many a year taking care of Marines in the field (Semper Fi), I can say that you don't want gear failure screwing up the mission. And, half-ass first aid jobs will result in gear failure just when you don't want them to. So, if you must jump, use a neoprene brace or wrap made for the purpose. What I'd really suggest though, is a few days of what we in field call "light duty". Take a break, pop some NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naprosyn), eat lots of meat, and let that puppy heal. Then jump. If you love your freedom, thank a Marine and the Corpsman that patched him up. Rock on Milwaukee, topher EDITED TO ADD: Web tutorial on sprained thumb "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Raistlin, I'm going to assume you're talking about buying AFF jumps in some sort of package deal. I can touch on this issue from a student's perspective. I have been fascinated with the idea of skydiving since I was but a wee lad. So, at the age of 19, full of piss and vinegar - and short on cash - I went to the local DZ and started making AFF jumps. I made about 1 jump per month. I didn't learn anything, but I did have fun. Then I wandered off into college, the Navy, a war or two, and came out 9 years later ready to try this thing again. So, I took my 60 days of saved up vacation time from the Navy, a bunch of money, and I drove down to Skydive Chicago. It was late in the season, I pitched a tent at the end of the runway (not literally) and stubbornly told the instructors I wasn't leaving until I was a skydiver. They dug my attitude, had me do several jumps a day, and in less than a week, I was off student status and having fun. Then I took a job with the DOD and it got in the way of my skydiving. So, I quit that job (over a cell phone from IHOP) and took one with less travel involved. Now I'm jumping every weekend - except the ones with clouds. So, package deals rock in my opinion. Jumping frequently added immeasurable value to the already quality instruction I was receiving. SDC's program has 18 levels, and on some days, I made 4-6 jumps. That allowed each lesson to build on the next and helped me immensely in reaching my goal. Thanks Nannette. Thanks Dave. Go Navy, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

dustin19d, I can empathize my friend. Last November, I had just gotten off of student status and decided to visit a new DZ to get over that umbilical issue that affects most new jumpers. When I arrived, the staff informed me that they'd just purchased new rental gear and were eager to have people jump it and give them feedback. Now, I don't know what kind of meaningful feedback a newbie is supposed to give on new gear, but it was new gear and I was excited to jump it nonetheless. So, I go up and make an uneventful first jump from the C182. The second jump was exciting though, because I was going to get my first King-Air jump and we were going to build some three-way speed stars. So, we're falling and I'm all smiles having just jumped a new DZ, a new aircraft, and participating in my first three-way speed stars. Then it comes time to deploy. Several cells collapsed on one side of the canopy (lineover?) and I'm entering a moderate spin. I reach up, clear the toggles, and try to pump them to clear the mess. The next thing I know, I'm holding on to a steering toggle that isn't attached to anything. I'm simply holding a nice, new, bright yellow, steering toggle that is on strike or something. There's no steering line to be found. But, what occupied my mind slightly more than the toggle's employment status was my rapid loss of altitude. So, I chopped the main and was in the process of extending my reserve-handle-filled hand when the reserve reached line stretch. Man, those RSLs can work fast when you chop from a spin. So, on my first day at a new DZ: New rig New aircraft (for me) New jump (for me) And my first Reserve Ride!!!! We recovered the main and the steering toggle. Both were in perfect condition. Neither was broken in any way. So, now I pay lots of attention to how steering lines are attached, I got my own damn rig, and I pack it myself - thank you very much. Incidentally, I have visited said DZ on a few ocassions since, and they're all an absolute riot to jump with. We all learned from the incident. I learned to do a better damn pre-jump check and they found different union representation for their toggles. Rock on Milwaukee, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Slug, Believe me, if the rubber band breaks and the pilot yells, "Get the ^%$# out of the plane!!!", I'll be in compliance with the command. I was just asking a physics question, really. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to deploy my bag through my Nikes and have something else to deal with on top of rubber band schrapnel flying everywhere. Thanks... topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins

Thank you everyone for the continued input. I thought it was safe, and the preponderance of responses support that supposition. I think some people are challenging me to hop n pop head-low, though. So, if the weather comes around to my way of thinking, I'll make a go at it this weekend. It's funny how an honest, simple question can unleash so much testosterone-induced chest thumping. We men must calm down. But, at my experience level, it's all learning. And since learning means jumping, I guess I'll get to learning. Thanks again, topher "...there is a there out there..." - Tom Robbins