NWFlyer

I've stayed in the bunkhouse, in a 4-bunk teamroom, and at the Motel 6 in Casa Grande so I can comment on at least some of your options. Bunkhouse: Pros: It's cheap. It's pretty clean - you'll get clean linens upon checkin, and the bunk areas seem to be kept pretty clean. The cleanliness of the common room probably depends on who's there/how many people are there. When I've stayed at the bunkhouse it's been pretty empty, so the "room to move" hasn't been an issue. However, if it were completely full, I'm not sure I'd personally like staying there because then you end up with a lot less space for you and your stuff. You'll get a locker for your stuff and can share the fridge & microwave. The bunks have curtains on them so you can get a little privacy, too, which is nice. Cons: noise - there's a lot of people in there, and even if they're all being quiet and respectful (and when does that happen?) they're still going to make noise and not everyone will be on the same sleep schedule. If you're a light sleeper it's probably not for you. Even though you have a locker, there's still not a huge amount of room to keep your stuff so pack efficiently. Team room: Pros: It's cheaper than a hotel and it's on the DZ, especially cheap if you're sharing it. I shared with my SO - with single bunks it's not exactly romantic accommodations, but they're comfortable enough. Cleanliness of the bunks is similar to the bunkhouse - you'll get clean linens when you check in. The cleanliness of the common space is up to you since you won't have to share with anyone (unless you choose to share with someone). With 4 people in there I could see it getting a little crowded, but with two, it's great. They have a mini-fridge and microwave, which is great if you want to save a little money on food by not eating every meal at the restaurant. You'll have a lot more room to keep your stuff secure than you would in the bunkhouse. Cons: Like the bunkhouse, you're still sharing showers and bathrooms, but they're fine ... it's just a short walk to get to them. Depending on where your team room is it may be very close to the bar/restaurant, but in general they're quite a bit quieter than the bunkhouse. As for a car - it can come in handy if you want to get off the dropzone to buy groceries or go out to eat somewhere other than the Bent Prop. But, there's usually enough people on the DZ with cars that if you get to know some people you can hook in with a group going out to dinner in Eloy or Casa Grande and if you're really nice they might make a stop at the grocery store for you. Motel 6 in Casa Grande is a pretty typical Motel 6. Eh. I haven't stayed at any other local hotels to comment. "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 find the fact that he had an Aunt named Frank interesting. "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 used to LOVE the zoo dives, trying new exits, trying new goofy-ass jumps (tubes, horny gorillas, weird hybrids, magic carpets, etc.) I still like that stuff from time to time, just not most of the time. But I also *love* good, goal-oriented RW jumps. Last year I trained for 8-way intermediate and went to nationals, and also threw together a 4-way team for nationals (we did a whopping 2 jumps together before nationals). 8-way training days were at times grueling and frustrating, but man was it fun! And even though sometimes it felt like one step up and two steps back, I felt like I was getting better over the course of the season. And what does improving my skills get me? The chance to be on some really cool jumps that, had I only ever done zoo dives, I wouldn't have been invited on. All I have to do is look at the centerfold of last August's Parachutist (a fairly complex color-coded 24-way). which I have blown up poster-size on my "I love me" wall to realize how much fun I can have being a slightly more "serious" skydiver. Being on the set of jumps that yielded that photo was one of the coolest experiences I've had ... I got to jump with a group of incredibly talented folks and do some really cool, successful dives. Improving my skills also helps me be a better coach, and I think going up with a student can be some of the most fun I can have with skydiving. Seeing their enthusiasm in the plane, in the air, and when we debrief on the ground is a hell of a lot of fun for me. "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

Wife standing right behind you as you post? "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

We have a place to discuss this stuff. It's not Bonfire . Now don't go ruining my self-imposed vacation from Speaker's Corner by bringing politics in here. "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

Ah, but there's something to be said for the old-school, cash-only, grass strip, manifest is a table set up under a tent with a lockbox for the cash and a rock to keep the waivers from blowing away kind of DZs. "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

Nope. Then again, neither do all USPA DZs ... some are pretty bare-bones operations that don't have/need all that fancy new-fangled technology like 'puters and the Internets. That's where that nifty little card that USPA issues comes in handy. Or, for that matter, where the card that BPA, APF, and the many other countries' parachuting associations issue comes in handy. In fact, come to think of it, I can't recall ever checking in at a new DZ (of the 25+ I've gone to) and having them validate my license/membership online - they've always relied on my card. Manifest is usually pretty busy and I think most would prefer to use the online verification as a backup (say when you've renewed but haven't received your card yet, or if you forget to bring your card). "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

The USPA has existed as an individual membership organization that issued credentials long before the group member program was added. It's not going to fall apart if the group member program goes away. "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 have been to one non-USPA dropzone that didn't want to even see my USPA license/documentation. Why would they? Because even though they don't participate in the "trade association" part of USPA, they think that validating a visiting jumper's credentials is a wise idea? "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've learned that skydivers are not special. They're just people who skydive. "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

There's a list of speakers in one of the comments on the Facebook event (see comments from 11/4/10). Not enough to help anyone plan but at least it's some additional info. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=153225984703181 "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 maybe both of you need to re-read ... he moved TO New Orleans FROM Florida ... and is looking for recommendations near New Orleans. "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

Bummer ... just followed up with Don DeMuth at the FAA and received this email: Looks like the web site has been updated to reflect that classes are currently only offered in Oklahoma. "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

Are we talking about a normal commercial aircraft cargo hold? Never heard of any issues ... as for the AAD, make sure it's turned off before you put it on the flight. Good practice even if you're carrying it on. "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

Random historical trivia for the day - LBJ orders new pants. http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/79872 "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

Bravo.

Are you looking at separate pieces? If you're only looking at "complete systems" you're going to miss out on a lot of opportunities. I have a rig that fits a 210/230 and I pieced it together (used container & reserve came together from one seller, used main from another, and a new AAD from a dealer). It took a little while but it all came together. Assuming you're already doing that, consider posting a wanted ad. They're free - no harm to it and gear might find you (that's how I found my first main). Also, get in touch with the larger dealers to see what they have 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

Only place I've ever smacked an ass in public is at the dropzone, usually when someone's packing (it's just so ... out there ... waiting to be smacked!). I'm an equal opportunity ass-smacker, though, I'll smack male and female asses. What does it mean? You're my friend and I'm saying hi. Or it's your birthday. That's about it. "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

Wait, what? 2nd grade!!! When the hell did that happen? "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

When does it beep at you? "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're at the Blue Hole doing one of the most memorable jumps ever. Or at Lost Prairie doing a lake jump (still not good for the electronics, but the fresh water is easier on the rest of your gear than salt water). I've done two water landings; one unintentional, one intentional (Blue Hole). The intentional one was done with older borrowed gear, no AAD, no alti, nothing that could get "fried." In both cases (especially the first) I was very happy that I'd had water training - it greatly increased my comfort level in being able to deal with the situation of being in the water in a calm manner. "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

What he said. Start reading this site: www.asktheheadhunter.com "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 have noticed that newbies sometimes get confused between the priorities for tracking when you're doing a tracking dive (when the "never go parallel to jump run" rule is the right one to follow) and when you're tracking as part of breakoff. They internalize the "never go parallel to jump run" rule and spend valuable breakoff/tracking time trying to figure out which direction to go when "turn 180 from the center" is the right answer. "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

And in your case, most of that luck has been needed when you're on the ground. Chuck, even though I haven't had the privilege of jumping with you (yet) I'm glad I can count you in that list of friends I've made in the sport. to another 30 years! "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 would add a couple things: 1) your top priority is separation from the jumpers in your group; a secondary concern is jumpers from groups before/after you. 2) plan ahead whether outside video will or won't track (especially in groups with multiple outside video) "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