mattjw916

I use Optima beeps + eyes personally. The beeps ensure the repeatability of the setup and the turn initiation altitude and the eyes ensure that the prevailing conditions and other anomalies don't put me in the corner. My $0.02 is that both the brain and a computer can fail so I might as well use both tools available to me to mitigate the risk of going splat. That said, just because I hear my final turn alarm doesn't mean I blindly yank a riser and hope for the best. Sometimes it just looks bad so I skip it and *gasp* land straight in. ;) NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

The question usually isn't how long it will take, but how much money... Personally, I think it is possible to get on your head within 10 hrs, if that is your goal and you stick to it. I agree that quality of instruction makes all the difference. I think it took me a couple hours to get decent on my back and twice that to have a solid sit plus all the various transitions down. If I actually had free time, I'd continue working on carving which I suck at and eventually supported headdown. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

BSBD bro... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

They may disgree, but they'd be wrong. Physically touching or staring at an AAD control unit does nothing to enhance aviation security and the premise for doing so was not based on TSA training. You obviously haven't read any of the threads on the frequent flyer forums if you think that just because there is a policy that: a) the TSA is properly trained b) that they comprehend the training c) that they even posses the mental facilities to understand how a parachute system functions and why an AAD is or isn't a threat. It's clear you don't fly much. The TSA are well-known for making up "rules" on the spot and claiming they can't show you the "rule" because it is "secret". That is separate from the fact they are often rude and yell at passengers needlessly. Now, alternatively you can check your rig and risk it being tampered with _without_ anyone being present. Wait you say, you can lock the bag with a TSA approved lock so only the TSA can touch it vs. any nosy baggage handler. The TSA often cuts the "approved" locks off anyway and often damages the luggage in the process. There is a clear policy about locked luggage which is "available to everyone" as you say but there are a myriad of cases where the TSA cuts up luggage to get inside even though the proper locks were being used. So much for following SOP. Please remove the rose-colored glasses you are wearing and face the reality of the pathetic state of airport security. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

surrounded by 20 or so TSA people and two of Chicago's finest, I don't think I was going to ultimately win this battle on the first attempt. I guess it was "show and tell" day at school... It's amazing how much inadvertent attention a rig can get. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

Just another day in New York IMO. This is one hell of a city to work in. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

...and launch the fighter jets!!! oh wait, they already did... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

yeup... I'm in Manhattan, downtown. I could hear loads of emergency vehicles heading uptown... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

The point is that _visually_ inspecting the control unit is not going to show you anything more than a black box with a couple cables coming out of it. An x-ray is far more detailed. The TSA agent and whether he was technically allowed to open the reserve is not the issue. The issue is that he based his need to physically inspect the Cypres control unit on something his buddy told him. AFAIK that is not TSA SOP. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

The reserve does not need to be opened to determine the possible presence of explosives. Any combination of x-ray+swab+puffer is more than sufficient. The fact that the TSA agent was misinformed that an AAD contains "an explosive device" was what I was referring to. I know what the letter says, I travel more than you. Anyone who deals with the TSA on a weekly basis is more than aware of the consistent inconsistency of their security polices from terminal to terminal. Examples of TSA ignorance regarding parachutes I have personally experienced: -A TSA agent tried to tell me that my AAD uses a CO2 cartridge. -A TSA agent tried to tell me that every jumper has a "jumper card" and it's required. -A TSA agent told me parachutes aren't allowed (I had to involve several levels of supervisors before I was allowed to pass.) -A TSA agent told me my AAD contained "explosives" and was not allowed. (Also required supervisor intervention) ...and those are just the ones I remember. I successfully talked my way out of having my rig opened everytime. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

At what point does the erosion of your civil liberties and personal freedom in the name of "safety" become too high a price? That's a dangerous attitude to have. Doesn't it strike you as odd that they rescinded the liquids ban for airside shops but you can't bring your own in from outside security? That decision was purely financial. There is no "special" screening of water/toiletries vs what was already in place pre-liquids ban, i.e. run it through x-ray. You think they are spot-checking Evian and lotion for sale inside the terminal? There is no reason to open a reserve. Doing an ETD of the inside of the main pack tray and the exterior of the rig should be sufficient. Either that or carry it through the stupid "puffer" machine. An AAD is readily identifiable on the x-ray machines. The TSA inspector was misinformed and didn't know the rules. I've even had a TSA agent tell me I "had" to have my "jumper card" with me when I carry my rig. There is no such rule. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

I'm right behind you on miles... TSA=Takes Shampoo Away Those people are all idiots. I usually have a copy of the TSA letter regarding AADs with me for this reason. Jumping out of a plane with "explosives" in my rig doesn't seem at all logical. They once reran one of my bags that had nothing but clothes in it because they were "concerned". NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

My ass!!! Messy Airlines is a disgrace as far as UA codeshare partners are concerned. The ones between JFK-IAD are hiddeous. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

We spend a lot of time backsliding with our friends about 50-100ft away wearing horrified looks on their faces. Working on freeflying in the tunnel is almost like cheating ... and there's no packing involved. edit: "freefly" is one word... and everytime you say it, you have to pay Olaf a royalty. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

I stand my ground and request a supervisor before I get to the point I need the card. I don't even know where mine is anymore. I've also found that "volunteering" to unpack the main and "make a mess" makes them back off as well. Carrying a copy of the TSA regs helps too, but I haven't needed that for years. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

You won't need the Cypres card. I've been asked for my USPA membership card twice before though so I started carrying that. The average TSA screener will not be able to comprehend the Cypres card or even know to ask for it. Don't volunteer it, or give them more info than they specifically ask for. Hell I even had a TSA screener try to tell me that the AAD uses a CO2 cartridge. I just basically agree to whatever ludicrous thing they say about parachutes and they send me on my way. Remember, the object of the screening process is to get through quickly, not give the TSA a skydiving gear lesson. I have 56 flights and over 60,000 airline miles this year so I think I've got the screening process down. Cheers. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

I've travelled with my rig extensively and have never had an issue. The "new" rules don't affect rigs. That said, some noobs at the TSA will need to call everyone and their mother over to stare at in on the x-ray machine before they let you through or do the swab-thing. Make sure you show up early in case they decide to be a PITA. I always carry a couple pull-up cords just in case, but have never needed them. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

Dude, I wear Vans... in the sky and the tunnel. I've had at least one pair of Vans in my closet for the last 20 years or so. I've got a couple different colors now. Plus, they are nice to slide across grass with and if I lose one, they aren't very expensive to replace. I'm a SoCal guy at heart I guess. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

test jump it first... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

Yes, the tower's instructions are repeated back by the flight crew along with the flight number. For example: Tower says, "United 123, 23-right, position and hold." f/c replies, "23-right, position and hold, United 123." NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

Sorry, I don't get back to Manhattan until Tuesday... NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

Well, if it was at Eloy... I'd aim for the tunnel and see if I could hit one of those big exhaust ports. Now, if I was in a commercial airliner that broke up mid-air (at a realistic altitude of course) I'd sure as hell unbuckle my seatbelt and get in one last freefly jump. If all else fails, I'll try and dock on some flailing whuffo and give 'em a thumbs-up just to see the look on their face. edit for spellin' NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

Right or wrong, you'll have the rest of your life to think about it. Personally, if my reserve is out and it's _definately_ unlandable, I'm dumping my main into it. If you are going to land under a ball of shit, you'd better have as big a ball of shit as possible. My $0.02. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

I'm a pillow fan personally. All my handles are pillows: main, cutaway, and reserve. As such, I know they are all harder to pull than d-rings, hackeys, monkeyfists, etc... so I plan accordingly. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

...and make sure you open it at 10k. NSCR-2376, SCR-15080