skreamer

Dude, I can totally relate to that! Thing is they don't even have proper seasons over here, it just rains a little less at some times than others. And if they had proper winters with snow it wouldn't be so bad, but it is always just grey drizzle. If I had a European passport I think Spain, Portugal or the south of France would look mighty tempting.. "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Hey, Chuck, thats really nice, BUT skydives are $13 a go in Sweden...... "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Thats funny, because I find packing for myself to be both social and relaxing (and my packing is not the fastest or the best around). Its kinda like not ever wanting to jump from a little Cessna - there is a whole sense of camaraderie that you are missing out on. Chatting about the last jump while you and your friends pack IS part of the whole experience (IMHO). Will PS bottom line : 4 pack jobs = 1 skydive "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

I got taught to pro pack last year by a very experienced FS camera man. His motto was 'if you are sweating and swearing then you are not packing right'. He broke it down into easy steps and also explained every single line, cascade, line group etc. The only time he doesn't pack for himself is when he is filming FS teams, doing a LOT of jumps every day (15+). In almost 3 000 jumps he has had to cut away twice and he didn't pack either of those.... Will PS the dude spent about 2 hours helping me and making sure I was confident to pack for myself, what did he charge me for his time? A cup of coffee and a chocolate, thats all. "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

I know you Americans are big on tipping, but I just don't understand people tipping a packer. In a restaurant, the waiter probably gets paid minimum wage for the service they are providing, so if the service is good you tip. But tipping a packer??? They are selling you a service, they receive the full payment for this service, so why tip them as well? Does tipping them mean you get better openings and won't ever get a bad pack job? I'm not flaming you here, Andrea, I have just never understood people tipping packers. They are selling a service for a set price, why pay them more? You americans are weird, man!! Will "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Plus of course the packer might have 5 or 6 other rigs to pack before they can even get to yours. And no matter how experienced that packer is, he/she will never have as much experience as you at packing your canopy type and size in your particular container, ie you *should* be able to do a better pack job yourself. "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Uhhh, dude, you don't know much about the weather here in England do you??? "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

98, took me a while to get my FS1. How about yourself? "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Well done dude!! Glad to hear everything went well and by the sounds of it your leg is completely healed. Looks like things are really looking up for you!

I've never met a nice South African.... "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Well then perhaps you should have qualified the following statement a little better : It didn't appear to me that you were only referring to yourself, but making that statement in general. And I would hate for anybody with 20 jumps who lurks this forum to read something like that and think 'hey that seems like fun, I'll try it on my next solo...'. If you were only referring to yourself with your gear then fine, but that wasn't the impression that I got. My apologies if I misread it and I am definitely not flaming you, I just happen to think that getting your FS1 before you start freeflying is a rule that makes a whole lot of sense. Will "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

You have GOT to be kidding me??? So a low-timer with 20 jumps doing a solo tries going head down. Doesn't realize he is burning through altitude a LOT faster and can't see his alti. This guy isn't wearing a freefly friendly rig and has no audible. He does or doesn't have a cypres (either way he could be phuqed). You think it is OK for a low-timer to try freeflying on their own???? NO WAY!! (and I haven't even mentioned scenarios like the solo newbies "head down" attempt actually being a very long steep track that takes him into a previous group as they deploy) I think you should give it a bit of thought and revise your opinion. Will "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

I am so glad that we have more experienced jumpers of your stature looking out for everyones safety... BTW there is no jump requirement for the FS1, if you have the skills you can get it very quickly. Some people have it by 50 jumps, others (like me) take a bit longer. I am really enjoying learning freeflying but definitely don't resent having learnt basic flat-flying first. Will "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

This is something I have noticed more and more : people starting freeflying with very few jumps to their name. In the UK they have a requirement that you must have your FS1 license (basic formation skydiving skills) before you can start freeflying. This is flat 2, 3 and then a 'graduation' 4-way. If you don't have the skills to do this then what makes you think you would be any better at freeflying? Also, with the added dangers of freeflying (faster and *3-dimensional*) doesn't it make sense to get a bit of experience before starting freeflying? Now somebody is probably going to say you can't set numbers or a hard and fast rule blah blah blah BUT there is no substitute for experience. Is this the same as people downsizing their canopies too quickly? Wanting to do everything they see all the kewl people doing and wanting to do it NOW? Will "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Popping out to buy some watermelons are you? "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Bile rising, instant nausea, lunch no longer a viable option.... "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Maybe you should post this question in the Safety and Training forum, you think? Chop..... "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

Why are jump tickets so cheap in Sweden? I've just looked up a couple of Swedish DZs and JTs all seem to cost £9 or less for '13 000. This seems really reasonable, is fuel/tax/insurance cheaper there? These prices are even cheaper than the average JT price in the States. Anybody know why? Will "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

I'll be going to the Swedish Freefly Festival.

Uhh, dude, I did 6 hop 'n pops last weekend AFTER I had 200 jumps. I never did low lobs to push up my numbers, I do them because I enjoy them and it is better than sitting on the ground drinking tea and bitching about the cloud. Steve has over 900 skydives, do you think he does low lobs to push up his jump numbers? Why don't you come and do a couple with us the next time the weather is shit, you might just enjoy yourself! Will "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

So, you posted to tell us you have 193 jumps and will have 200 soon? Man, you must be really bored at work.... "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

ROFLMFAOPIMP!!!!

:10:2 First RW big way (meant to be 14 way, I WAS one of the 10 who got in!!!

Exactly! Now, everytime someone compliments you on the suit you will have to say 'thanks, but here's how long it took to get to me....'. Same for me - I haven't even received this bit of kit but I am already a pissed-off disappointed customer. No matter how good this product is, now I would never be able to recommend it to people the way I do Pro-Dytters and Pro-Tracks... Will "Look before you jump, don't die until you're dead"

OK, let me just start out by saying that I won't be giving the manufacturer's name but I am REALLY fucking annoyed here. Here's my story : I ordered a custom bit of kit a while back. I then got an email saying that the kit was ready and would I like to pay for it. I paid via visa debit card. A week later I phone up to find out when I would be getting it and am told that it is just being painted and will be posted on the Friday. I was really keen to jump it, so proposed instead that I would make a detour on the Saturday morning to collect it in person (also try it on and make sure I was happy with the fit). Person said they were there 7 days a week and would be there Saturday morning when I got there. Saturday morning I drive to the workshop and nobody is there, ring his number and got answering service. Left message on his service and a note on his door very politely saying 'I was here as agreed, where were you?'. Get a phone call 2 hours later at the DZ, he says 'sorry I had to pop out, you can come back now and fetch your helmet'. I then told him that he could rather post it to me (the delivery was included in the price) since I didn't feel like stopping jumping to drive BACK to his workshop to collect the item. Now it gets even better. I had told him pertinently on the phone NOT to send the helmet to my billing (home) address since nobody would be there to sign for it. I gave him my work address and asked for the helmet to be shipped there. Well, I checked on Tuesday and was told it had been shipped off and would be with me soon. I rang them again today to find out why I hadn't received it yet. Got told that it had been posted yesterday and should be with me today. I check and ask where they posted it to.... THEY POSTED IT TO MY FUCKING HOME ADDRESS WHERE THERE IS NOBODY TO SIGN FOR IT!!!!!! Now when the hell am I supposed to collect it??? I'm not even going home tonight. So, do I have now have to take an extended lunch break next week to go and collect it from wherever it is held??? I am really pissed off here, I feel I have been screwed around royally TWICE by the same company. I have had the best service of my life from a skydiving company (Larsen & Brusgaard) but have now also had the worst. No matter how happy I am with this product (should I ever actually get it) whenever anybody asks about it I will have to tell them about the crap customer service I received. Thank you I am done venting now.