grimmie

So why is it so many have issues with BASE? I don't think too many skydivers have issues with BASE. I have heard this tired old crap for years. I think BASE jumpers have issues with skydivers because they aren't cool enough to BASE, in a BASE jumpers view. But all BASE jumpers started as skydivers. I think BASE jumpers have issues with other BASE jumpers. A lot. I think every poster here on these forums believes in doing your own thing is cool. Just don't screw up my cool thing by breaking the rules doing your cool thing. In the old days the BASE jumpers were usually the experienced, rigger/instructor type of guys and gals that knew how to fly their body and a canopy. They also didn't spout off to others the cool BASE jumps they did on the weekend. They were incognito. To get one to mentor you was a process in proving you wanted to BASE jump so bad you would ground crew first. (Someone shoot me. I'm starting to sound like Nick DG!!) But now it's all about "look at me, I'm a BASE jumper and you don't get it, you old uncool dude!" So now a tragedy occurs involving breaking FAA rules. Now you have crossed BASE with skydiving and are treading on thin ice with the skydivers because you are involving their cool thing with yours. No one has any issues with BASE, just BASE out of an aircraft in the US. Against the rules. I'm truly sorry for your experience and loss.

In true "speakers corner" fashion we have debated ROTC medals, Bill Clinton, revenge, TSA etc. I really just wanted to know if you guys cared if GWB and his boys captured Bin Laden before January. With all of the rhetoric revolving around terrorism and keeping the American public safe, I myself am pissed that 7 years later Bin Laden roams free. It's just my opinion and wondered if others cared or just don't give a shit anymore. I really could care less about your politics or who you blame. I'm mad as hell. And nerdgirl. I don't know what you do for a living, but I hope it involves keeping us safe.

There were a number of failures at every level of the US Government that allowed Sept. 11th to happen. I wasn't blaming Bush for it being on "His watch". I just find it sad that everyone wants to fight terror and terrorists, but no one has gotten Bin laden yet. Here's an analogy. Charlie Manson had his folowers murder a bunch of innocent folks. He did none of the murdering himself. The LAPD had some run ins with him. They knew he was a nutter. After the murders the LAPD found him and tried him. Was it the police chief's fault his deciples murdered those folks? Should he have been allowed to hide out and brainwash more followers to do harm to innocent people? So just because we failed to prevent the attacks, Bin Laden should be allowed to go free after 7 years??? We could start an entire other thread to the ineptness of government agencies to work together. September 11th happened because of millions of things that happened to allow it. Should the pilots be at fault because they didn't recognize the situation and go zero-g and pin those bastards to the roof of the planes??? Blame shouldn't be placed. Bin Laden should be found. Some communities love their fire dept., others not so much until they are needed.

343 brother firefighters, along with so many innocent people were killed on this tragic day. Many of you like myself knew someone killed, or a family affected that day. Am I the only one pissed off that the outgoing administration will leave office without capturing or killing Osama Bin Laden? Never forgotten... http://www.minnesotafireservice.com/fdny_343_remebering.gif

Having a reserve too small is not a wise investment in your future.

Every other guy in the world lives without her. You can too.

Nice photo of Belize on their webpage! I'm looking forward to jumping there also!

It has happened before. "Dallas Heat" 4way team years ago. Just one example of many.

Here's a thought for all of you guys. I was jumping a Stilletto 150 @1.5 about 12 years ago. I had about 6 or 7 twists on opening during a jump at Skydive AZ. I looked up and started kicking, fighting it determined to get out of the situation without chopping! I started to get almost to the last twists and realized i was at about 700ft! No worries as I got out of the twists and landed in the peas! Great job! John Lemming, Airspeed video man at the time came up to me laughing and said ' you nearly killed the Airspeed 8 way team"! "Nice job but we all had to get out of your way". I learned a very valuable lesson that day. Duh, I'm not the only guy in the sky. Don't screw with line twists on a loaded canopy, because a collision will be sure death for two of us!!!!!!!! Just my 2 cents.

It would be intersting to know if Bill and Carol dealt directly with Mayor Palin while running the DZ. And if so, their take on her abilities.

9 votes from our stations in Ontario, CA.

I drive the ladder truck, cut holes in roofs over burning buildings, search for victims etc. The rookie works his ass off at the station, works his ass off at a call, makes me coffee every AM and gets tested on his skills every 3 months while on probation. The Battalion Chief stands outside and talks on the radio at a call and drives around in an air conditioned Suburban. THE Chief sits at his air conditioned desk, talks on the phone and does lunch with the Mayor. Guess who makes the most $$$$?????? Damn! life just isn't fair...

Now you will have more $$$'s to spend in Belize!!!!!!

When we are born, we are the one crying and everyone else around us is smiling. When we die, everyone around us is crying, but we are the one smiling. Heaven has a new Angel. She will watch over her friends. I am so sorry for your families loss. Fly Free Shannon.

Nick, I saw a "Shooting Stars" jumpsuit on the rack at Square One a while back and started laughing. Those guys didn't want any help from anyone with any experience. They figured the police academy had them ready for demo's into the Rose Bowl! Damn you have a good memory for an old fart!

Did someone say Belize? Come be my next door neighbor BIGUN! If you think politics are whacky in the USA, just wait till you see what goes on down there!

Craig Girard has the all time funniest "I'm a skydiver" story. He was coming back from the World Cup one year and some guy next to him goes on and on about being a jumper. And of course Graig just eggs him on. He never did tell the guy he just won a gold medal and he saw through the BS. He let the guy have his glory. It's a great story, ask him about it if you guys see him.

Good post Nick! I brought up a proposal once at the DZ to have all sorts of reserve demo canopies available to fly. We have thousands of jumpers out there that have never flown a 7 cell, nor do they have a clue how their reserve will fly or flare. I have seen a lot of reserve riders crash and burn over the years. Most jumpers don't have a clue as to what size reserve they even have in their rig, or what color it is! Talk to your riggers folks. Ask them what the characterisitcs of your reserve are. There's nothing like being over a bunch of obstacles under a never flown reserve, Murphy's Law at it's finest hour!

Thanks. Amazon has one of the ones I need.

G'Day mates! I'm a fan of the Les Norton books written by Robert Barrett. If any of you are heading over to Perris Valley could you bring a few paperbacks with you? I have the first five in the series. I pay in cash, beer or jump tickets! Thanks!

My wallet!

What makes you think the citizens of either nation would want to go to war, ever?

"Lost Wages" overbuilt to much, too soon. Everyone thinks their casino will be the best. Think about it though. Only so many people want to go to Vegas. The condos like Turnberry Place sold well at first so every developer wanted a piece of the action. There are only so many people in the world that want or can afford a second home. So now there are huge condo units being built that won't sell and casinos lacking customers. With gas so high it is killing the major source of income there...Southern Californians. And the Indian casinos here in So Cal are very nice, so why drive the I-15 in 105 degree heat.

Don't worry. You or someone you jump with will do something really fucking dumb and the fear will return.

Most call me "Reaper".