NWFlyer

This... Better if you can sneak online during work in the mornings. Most of the good deals are gone by the afternoon. Yep. And to the OP, I'm going to assume you've got cash available and are ready to buy. Because if you're not, you're going to miss out on deals because the seller can sell to the person who has cash and is ready to buy. As a seller, I'll say that I respond better to buyers who are clear in their questions and intentions. You're just going to annoy me if you ask questions that are already answered in the ad (and I take care to make sure my ads are as complete as possible). So if I've got a choice between "guy asking question I already answered" and guy who isn't, I'll go with the one who isn't. As others mentioned, completing your profile helps; that way I can look at your DZ info and think "Oh, I know someone (or know someone who knows someone) there" and while we're emailing, I can be doing a quick check on you to find out if you're for real and someone that is trustworthy. "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

Another vote for the Pulse. As already mentioned, it has nice advantages in that you can potentially upsize without having to buy a bigger container (though if you're upsizing your main, you'll probably also want to look at upsizing your reserve ... and you might be able to get a bigger Optimum into your current container*). The Pulse's openings are pretty consistent, they're soft but not snively, and are generally on-heading. Even brand-new it practically packs itself (now wouldn't that be great for us old folks!). *No, I don't work for PD, nor am I sponsored, I just like their products. "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

Better analogy: drunk driving laws. As an over-21 adult, I can drink myself blotto and pass out face-down and drown in the kiddie pool in my back yard. That's on me - alcohol is legal, and I have the autonomy to do whatever damage I want to my body, ego, and psyche with it. The second I put my drunk ass behind the wheel is when the state really starts to care about me, because at that point, I have a much higher likelihood of hurting other people in addition to hurting myself. The guy who has no business being on the Velo 90 is basically driving drunk all the time. Of course there are a lot of times when he'll be able to adequately control the parachute so that he doesn't put himself or anyone else at risk. But, like the drunk driver who gets away with it several times, it doesn't mean that he has adequate control over that canopy. The DZO and the other jumpers on the dropzone have an interest in having "sober drivers" on the dropzone. They have an interest in having people under canopies that they are adequately able to control given their experience and skill level. Just like not all drunk drivers run into telephone poles and hurt only themselves, not all Velo jockeys pound themselves into the ground and only hurt themselves. So, if Velo jockey can find a plane and a landing area where there's no one else around, I'd say that's more like the drunk passing out in the kiddie pool and drowning. But dropzones aren't like that. And even if they were, just as I'd hope that my family and friends might have a chat with me about my drinking problem if I were regularly passing out in kiddie pools, I also like the fact that other skydivers will have a chat with Velo jockey, even if he's figured out a way to skydive with 100% clear airspace all the time. Because seeing people you care about hurt themselves still sucks, even if it's their "free will." "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

One trick - log on every day (or multiple times a day if you really have no life) and click on the "New Ads" link. I've gotten some sweet deals by regularly checking that section and pouncing on the excellent deals. "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. +2 +3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ktv2QqWYGY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlGqN3AKOsA&feature=youtube_gdata_player "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

PayPal is NOT safe! User uses stolen credit card to link to Paypal, makes payment (to your PP account), you ship canopy, credit card issuer refuses charge, PayPal comes back to you for the money. In this case the scammer gets the canopy. The Cashier check scam often they don't want the thing you are selling (but it works that way, too); usually they send you a check for more than the sales price, and you send them back the difference. Later on your bank lets you know the check is no good. (And the guy who was supposed to pick up the canopy never comes by for it). Let's amend that to say that PayPal does not keep you safe from scammers. However, it's perfectly safe with known quantities; I've used it for many a transaction as both buyer and seller. However, in all cases, I'd done some offline vetting before sending money through PayPal. Kudos to the OP for trying to keep someone safe; glad that in the process, it also helped keep you safe. Keep your scam radar on high alert. (And report the guy if you haven't already: http://www.dropzone.com/content/Detailed/593.html) "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

It wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't dislike it, I just didn't like it enough to buy one. But I know people who absolutely adore them. I wound up really liking the Pulse, enough so that when I put together my second rig I got a second Pulse.

Scott has given you some good facts to consider. I was going to go with the more obvious one, which is that if you you indeed have 132 jumps, there's probably quite a bit you can do just in flying skills and suit choice to improve your aerodynamic performance in a wingsuit or tracking suit that will make a much larger difference than any helmet will make. I'd venture to guess that even if a helmet of that shape makes a difference, it makes a difference at the highest performance edges of flight. To think a helmet like that might make a difference at a lower experience and skill level would be like a beginning swimmer thinking that shaving off all his body hair will make him as fast as Michael Phelps. "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

A 1995 Teal Pontiac Grand Am? You might if it were marketed like this! "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

Why would you want a helmet like that? (Serious question - trying to understand what problem you think that helmet might help solve or what need that helmet might meet that can't be met by more traditionally-styled helmets). "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 guess I could check Doctor/Nurse as close enough ... was digging on my physical therapist several years ago after I had shoulder surgery. There's a lot of touching going on in PT! My friend who was also a PT assured me that taking any action on that attraction would be totally inappropriate (at least for the PT ... I was single at the time and would have happily switched to another place for my rehab). "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

Who's requiring the report in NZ? The skydiving association? Or the civil aviation authority? I imagine if the FAA required reporting from dropzones, it'd be a lot easier to get compliance (force of law and all that) than if the USPA required it (what with their complete lack of effective enforcement mechanisms). "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 been much more monogamous, enough so that I don't really need a logger to keep track. 30ish jumps on a Skymaster 290 200ish on a Spectre 230 300ish on a Pilot 210 The rest on Pulse 210s (I have two) Oh yeah, and hook-ups with a Fusion 210 and a Silhouette 210 in rental gear while I was waiting for my rig to get put back together. Quickies with a Storm 210 and a Sabre 2 210 (demos). And a one-night stand water jump with a PD 210. "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

Except I think this piece might have been made before Mr. Spot even started jumping. I know for sure the photo I sent to the artist was taken before then. (You can tell it's from an old photo because there's no wingsuit. ) "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

Oh! That reminds me - how could I forget? I commissioned a painting from an artist who specializes in monkeys a few years ago for my Monkey's birthday. I was really happy with the results. "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 something similar hanging up outside of manifest at Skydance. The first photo is a close-up of the 4-way, the next includes the vidiot. I guess you could also count an ornament as art - the third photo is one that I have. And finally, the last photo is some art that I made in a meeting a few weeks ago. "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 work the dinner rush (we were a delivery & take-out only location) primarily as a driver (we'd help out in the kitchen if they were backed up). I'd work 4-8 and get to the bar with a pocket full of cash just before they switched from "dinner" to "bar" schedule at 9:00. This was important because if you were coming for "dinner" you could get in before they stationed the bouncer at the door. Which is helpful when you're 19. "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

Those were my favorite part about the summer I worked at Pizza Hut. That and the free pizza (what can I say, I was in college ... my taste buds have matured since then, and now I think even free Pizza Hut costs too much). But we did get to play with cool knives. At home I just have the pizza wheel. Considering how often I cut up pizza (not very) it does just fine. "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

In this day and age, it's hard to keep anything that involves a death or life flight out of the media, and with nearly-instant online access to media worldwide, reports usually make their way public regardless of whether someone at the DZ is doing the reporting. Any DZ would be stupid to claim a perfect safety safety record if the newspaper report of their recent fatality can be found through a quick google search. (I'm sure there are still DZs that do that, but it's not too hard to disprove when searching the media reports is as easy as it is these days). But that wasn't the question you asked, so I'll try to actually address your specific question. I'd venture to guess that at least a few DZs don't trust USPA with the information. One reason cited in this thread. "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

Well, it's been a couple of years since I've seen Brett. For all I know he's covered himself with tattoos, gone vegan, and started wearing retro glasses, mixed plaids, and knit caps in the summer. (Glad to hear that's not the case). "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

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/23/157250870/sally-ride-first-american-woman-in-space-is-dead?sc=tw&cc=share Damn shame. She led one hell of a life. "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

Decent approximation of 90 percent the the dudes on fixies in NoHo and Silver Lake. Also, the cutter working bay one of the facility I work at the most. Meh. People think it's trendy, but folks were taking track bikes on streets back in the '70s and probably earlier as well. They didn't call them fixies though. They were simply track bikes. http://dadsaretheoriginalhipster.tumblr.com/ And yeah, that pic cocheese posted looks like half the guys in my neighborhood (an enclave of hipsters & aging hippies, along with a bunch of us that don't fit into either category). "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 you guys go being reasonable again. "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 kind of stuff are you interested in? Museums? Art? History? Outdoor activities? Wine? All of the above? My brother visited me last year and spent his entire week geeking out on military history (Fort Point, Fort Funston, Fort Mason, the Presidio, USS Pampanito sub, the USS Hornet carrier, etc.) My folks are more into cultural stuff, so we've done shows, art museums (SF Moma is great, as is the DeYoung museum in Golden Gate Park), and lots of wine tasting - Napa/Sonoma areas are more upscale and developed, Livermore is a bit more low-key if that's what you like. If you'll have a car and want to geek out on aviation stuff, there's a few options within a reasonable drive (small air museums - at Oakland airport and the Hiller Air museum, and a huge one near Merced called the Castle Air Museum). Of the "tourist stuff" that's can't-miss, I'd say definitely go to the Golden Gate Bridge - plan enough time to walk at least partway out onto the bridge. Alcatraz is also a big highlight - but you will want to plan ahead for that, as those tours consistently sell out. If you want to do it, I would recommend reserving tickets now online. http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ One more thing - be prepared for it to be a LOT colder than you think it will be. Always have a jacket with you - San Francisco in the summer can be VERY chilly, and it can vary from hour to hour. Even if it's warmish during the day, the temp will drop when the sun goes down, so jackets & sweaters and long pants will be necessary. "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 like Harness Hickeys. I just call 'em RSBs (Random Skydiving Bruises). Sometimes I know exactly where they came from, other times it's a complete mystery. You know it's been a fun weekend when you do the inventory when you get home. "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