NWFlyer

People need to stop looking for things to offend them. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Or you could always do it at the boogie and use spools instead of noodles to set up your course. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I saw a reference to Tapatalk on another forum I frequent and was curious if it would work as a relatively quick, easy way to optimize these forums for mobile users. Has anyone considered it? I don't know enough about the guts of this site to know whether it'd even work. According to the site there's a free plug-in for forum administrators - if that was something cost-effective (taking into consideration the integration with the site, of course) and would lead to a good user experience, then those of us who use smart phones could download the supporting app. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

'Zactly. There are people at my home DZ who swoop on every jump. But they do it in the high-performance landing area, and they match the day's pattern for that landing area. You come through the main landing area with anything greater than a 90, there's going to be a talking-to. What I like is that the DZ's culture is such that there are a lot of people who feel comfortable having the conversation with the person who makes a mistake; it's not just the S&TA or the DZO. If (for example) I see someone in the main landing area doing a left hand pattern on a right hand pattern day, I've got no problem saying something - it's a narrow landing area and having everyone come in from the same side is critical to helping us manage traffic and congestion. That's a more common scenario than seeing someone bust a big turn in the main landing area - the swoopers are pretty good at keeping their own in line over in the high-perf area. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

You call that a gym? "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

AggieDave summed up the differences between a main and a reserve really nicely, but there's one other point to be made - if you're not ready to fly a 150 as a main, you're not ready to fly it as a reserve, either. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Probably the same way many of us end up with a 1/2 pair of shoes. Sometimes the errant half finds its way back to you. Left one of my (very overpriced expensive) ice climbing gloves (my winter gloves of choice) at Skydive Atlanta a couple years ago. Didn't discover it till I dug into my gearbag the next time I jumped a month later (and after I was back home on the other coast). I had visions of a glove that had been sitting out in the landing area for a month (in winter), but I asked a friend to check and it was right where I'd (apparently) left it - sitting on a table in the hangar. Guess when you just lose one people aren't that interested in "finding" them. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I'm not even close to a gear whore. If my SO listed all the stuff he has (same amount of time in the sport) your head would spin. And there are lots of people who have way more than he does... "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

They're out there (though if you still have your heart set on a Pulse when you're ready to buy, that might be one that's very difficult to find - because the canopy is so new, there aren't many on the used market yet). However, finding a used container to take a 230 shouldn't be a problem (especially if it's a Pulse - a container that will fit any other 210 will fit a Pulse 230 since it packs smaller). It's possible you'll keep your first set of gear for a while; it's also very possible that you'll want to downsize and will want to sell it fairly quickly. Just means you're the one taking the hit on the initial depreciation. Used gear bought at a fair price can often be sold for not much less than you paid for it; new gear, though, will take a definite hit when you go to sell it. The used market in the sport is very strong, and with proper inspection by a trusted rigger, you can have as much confidence in used gear as new gear. Certain things (like jumpsuits) can make more sense to buy new because the fit to your body is very important. Containers, though, can be bought used and still fit well enough to be safe. Just to use me as an example, throughout my career here's what I've bought used (still have it all unless otherwise noted): first container (which I still jump - I haven't downsized much), first reserve (same - still have it), two Altimaster Galaxy altimeters, two Altitrack altimeters (have one, sold one to a friend), a Protrack (still have it), a Prodytter (dropped it somewhere in the landing area at Perris ), a Spectre 230 main (sold for $50 less than I paid for it, after I did 200 jumps), a Pilot 210 main (sold for $100 less than I paid for the canopy and the new lineset I put on it, after I did 300 jumps on it). What I've bought new: 4 RW jumpsuits to support various speeds/types of flying/wingloadings (one was a gift from a jumpsuit mfgr in exchange for helping her out with a fundraiser boogie), 1 pair freefly pants (sold because I lowered my wingloading and they got stupid-baggy), a Bonehead Guner open face helmet, a FreeZR2 full face helmet, one Vigil 1 at full retail price (it took a salt water bath), one Vigil 1 at cost (thanks to Vigil for the deal after the salt water bath on the other one), one Altimaster Galaxy (also took the same salt water bath and fried itself), a Pulse 210 main, several pairs of gloves and goggles. This of course doesn't include various batteries and replacement parts here and there, but gives you an idea that it doesn't have to be "new OR used" - it can very much be new AND used. I coveted an Altitrack for years but couldn't bring myself to pay full price for something that wasn't strictly necessary (but was damned cool). I kept an eye on the used market and finally lucked into a sweet deal. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Skydive San Diego, Skydive Elsinore, and Skydive Perris should all be able to take care of you - depending on where you'll be visiting, any of those could be closest. Your best bet would be to contact the DZ or DZs directly and talk to someone at their school. Be sure that you have all your paperwork from your home DZ (your logbook plus your A license proficiency card, signed off with everything you've completed so far). The California DZ you choose can then help you to finish off that card.

There will always be a "good deal" available, especially with Wings and the military discount. Buying gear now, especially brand new, is a bad idea. You have one jump. Wait till you've got a few more jumps under your belt to make sure this is something you want to stick with. At that time you'll have built up relationships with local instructors, riggers, and maybe even a gear dealer depending on where you jump. Those folks will be able to sit down with you and give you advice about the right thing to buy/not to buy based on your individual goals and skills. Don't rush. I know you're excited, but after 1 jump is NOT the time to buy no matter how good the deal seems. (That said, in general there's nothing wrong with piecing gear together a piece at a time - it can often get you the best deal - but I'd still recommend that you wait for a while before buying). "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

That's the point. He knows that he can basically force you to take care of his pet because any normal human being is going to want to help a dog that needs help. Welcome to your new life because unless you're willing to make the other choice (ignore the dog and let your roommate deal with the consequences when he gets home), you're now a co-caretaker of the dog. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

They are. Dealers I spoke to at PIA had them in stock. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Because apparently he knows that you will take care of the dog anyway, as you've already demonstrated by taking the dog out for a walk and beginning some of the hard work of training that's also going to be required. He probably recognizes that for you not to help him out with the dog will likely end up working out badly for you because if the dog's been in the apartment for 12 hours without being let out because your roommate isn't home, it ends up affecting you because you now have to listen to a dog whine and have to deal with the mess and smell when the dog inevitably does what it needs to do because it is desperate. So you'll take the dog out because that is a better outcome for you... and, conveniently, for your roommate. He's a self-involved asshole. Move out, or start getting allergy shots because nothing's going to change. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

RE: G2 What was the issue with the face shields. I'm unaware of that. Nor am I. The helmets are being sold in all sizes now. Back in October when I spoke to the Cookie rep, the XL and XXL sizes were not yet available because they were still doing development work on them. But not now. I'd be curious to hear what the issue referred to above was. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Mike got beat by a girl! "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

This is perfect timing, because I just sat down this afternoon with an old friend at PIA. When I had 8 jumps, I'd made so many mistakes that the DZO didn't quite know what to do with me. I was frustrated, my instructors were frustrated, we were at a loss. I couldn't exit an aircraft stable to save my life, which is not a good thing when you're a static line student trying to do your first 5 second delays. This gentleman, who is now beginning his 47th year in jumping, took me aside and just talked to me. Shared some stories of people he knew (including his own kids) who'd had frustrating starts. He let me know that it wasn't the end of the world and that if I was willing to keep working, there was probably a way through it. Flash forward to today and we were catching up (I hadn't seen him in a while since I no longer live up there). I was filling him in on how much fun I had doing 8-way at Nationals last year, and how much I was enjoying the beautiful weather in California where I can jump more often. He told me how happy it made him to hear that because he could still remember the scared, frustrated, crying me of 6 1/2 years and nearly 800 jumps ago. You're at a great DZ with great, supportive instructors and staff. Keep at it, keep thinking, keep working. It'll happen if you want it and want to keep working on it. And thanks, Charlie. That talk means as much to me today as it did in 2004. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Other than her appalling lack of knowledge of typing, spelling, grammar, spacing, and punctuation, what's wrong with it? That's pretty tame for craigslist. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Not sure - I don't see them on the list of exhibitors so I'm not even sure they're represented this year. To the OP: link to the PIA interviews that includes a lot of info on new stuff: http://www.youtube.com/user/VASSTTraining#g/u "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Cookie has the G2 helmet in XL and XXL. My freakishly large head is exploding with excitement. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Valentine's Day was Day 1 of PIA. Jeff Johnston of UPT was clever enough to give heart-shaped boxes of candy to all the ladies in the audience for his seminar (of which I was one). That was nice because it was totally unexpected. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Other books I've enjoyed over the last few months (winter + recovery from knee injury has given me a lot of time to read...): Half a Life by Darin Strauss (memoir) Breaking Night by Liz Murray (memoir) Room by Emma Donoghue (fiction) The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin (non-fiction) Love is a Mix Tape Talking to Girls About Duran Duran both by Rob Sheffield, both memoir Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (fiction) Guyland by Michael Kimmell (non-fiction) The Big Short by Michael Lewis (non-fiction, though you might wish it was fiction) Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (non-fiction) One Day by David Nicholls (fiction) The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean (non-fiction) "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

I'd say keep an eye out for a used ProTrack. You'll spend less overall and still get a great product with all the legendary L&B service. I bought mine used 5+ years ago and have been very happy with its performance. I was also very happy with the L&B ProDytter I bought used ... till I let it drop out of my helmet while walking back to the hangar. Of course, the Dytter is just an audible, not a freefall logger, so it wouldn't meet what you're looking for. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

That's my main concern. I've already got a tube in one ear due to pressurization problems, and I sure as shit don't want to have to put a tube in the other one. Any word as to how keeping earplugs in the whole ride could affect equlization/pressurization? I choose not to wear them in freefall not because I'm concerned about the pressurization, but more for the other reason mentioned - being able to hear/communicate under canopy. Yeah, I suppose I could take them out under canopy but the act of taking them out and stowing them is just another distraction I don't need/want to add to my canopy ride. Even with a full-face helmet on, I'm surprised at just how challenging it can be to hear - I once had to yell at someone on the ground to get her attention when she was about to walk into my path on short final; yelling at the top of my lungs I could hear myself but it didn't seem that loud (though it was clearly loud enough - she stopped and waited). I don't need something else blocking my ability to hear well under canopy. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Definitely come up if you can - the exhibit hall is open every day (late afternoon/early evening timeframe) and you can buy an exhibit hall only pass for $7/day. That'll give you a chance to meet up with all the manufacturers reps who can tell you all about their stuff. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke