fireemt97

I agree with racer42 100% SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

GWB is not screwing the soldier by making them complete the full eight year contract. When I signed up for the Military I knew I might have to serve eight years even though I signed up for four. If someone joins the military and does not know that then it is their fault for not asking questions and reading the contract before it was signed. If a soldier signed up and gets extended or called back into service from the Inactive Ready Reserve for however long, they should not be complaining. Yes, it may suck because you thought you had other plans but you knew what you got into. I'm not a die hard Republican, I vote for what I think is right. But a Democrat is not going to do a better job or make things come to an end any quicker. I had a month left in the service when I was told I might get extended past my four year contract because Saddam was kicking out inspectors AGAIN (and nothing was done AGAIN). I got lucky and was not but a few friends did because they had critical jobs and had already deployed to Kuwait. Oh by the way, this was while Clinton was getting sucked off (which is not a bad thing). So it happens under any President no matter what party they belong too. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

Thanks to the both of you for that information. I own several guns and this is good to know information. I live in tree hugger central (California) and get into this debate often with people. I will research the other side of the issue presented when I have more time. I like to know both sides of the argument.

I wear Vans for other reasons. In a nut shell because my wife buys them for me because I hate shopping for clothes. So I get what she buys me. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

Exactly what Beerlight said. I have been in a high altitude chamber a few times at Beale AFB. They teach exactly what he was talking about. As far as your left ear taking up to a day to clear, they also say that is normal for some people. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

Skydance is probably closer to you then Lodi. I jump at Skydance and have had great experiences . Several people that jump at Skydance also jump at Lodi. I have never jumped at Lodi so I do not know anything about it. I think Lodi is open seven days a week and Skydance is Wed through Sun, unless it is a four day weekend or something like that. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

I can not believe you guys are still debating this. Being that I have arrested many people for DUI in the state of California maybe I can clarify a few things about a refusal to submit to a chemical test. In CA. if you refuse to submit to a chemical test which is a breath or blood test, you automatically loose your license for a year. Depending on the county in which you are arrested a few additional things can apply. Some counties will allow for a forced blood draw without the persons consent. There is not warrant needed and you do not need to call a judge. It is standard operating procedure. In the county I worked there was a specially designed chair to strap the person into, they were not held down on the floor by a bunch of cops. Some counties will only allow the forced blood draw if you were involved in a collision that injured another person. The other injured person can be a passenger in your car, it does not have to be from another vehicle. Other counties will not allow a forced blood test at all. Many people have tried to fight this in court and have lost. Hopefully I clarified a few things for you. I have not payed much attention to the Mel Gibson charges. I have only heard things in passing but he did not say anything that hundreds of people have said to me when they have been arrested. When people talk like that it only damages their case, especially if the stop is being recorded. It is just better to act like a civilized person. In general most cops do not dislike the person they are arresting for DUI and will treat them with respect as long as they are treated the same. I would be lying to say they every cop was that way, but like ever other type of job you have the people that give you a bad name. Sorry for the little soap box speach. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

Thanks, I can not wait for that to open. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

I though a few months ago in Skydiving news magazine I read something about a tunnel opening in Union City, CA eventually. Has anybody heard about this and have any details? For those of you that do not know that is in the Bay Area. I was wondering because I would love to get tunnel time but the nearest one is at Perris. I have not heard or seen anything since reading the article. Who knows, maybe I drank too much when I was reading. (JK) If it was just my imagination just tell me I'm crazy. Any info would be great. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

They still have that 230 fusion, I jumped it this past Sunday. They also have a silhouette 230 (hopefully I spelled that right) that flyes great. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

Hey Mike, This is Mark, I think I met you Sunday at the dropzone. I only have 43 jumps and I can tell you it will get easier and easier to control your fall rate. I'm fairly heavy also and had a problem at the beginning. Now between me adjusting my rate and who ever I jump with doing the same, I can jump with people that weigh significantly less then me. I also jump with s suit that is a little baggy to help. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

I weigh 205 normally and about 225 out the door with gear, give or take a pound or two. If my calculation was correct on my main I would have a loading of 1.09 and with a 189 sq. ft. reserve that para-gears says the square footage is, it would be 1.2. If I used the 176 from PD the WL would be 1.3. I rounded up to 230 lbs when doing the calc just for a little safety factor. Just of my minimum knowledge I can see I'm starting to get into WL past my skill level. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

good point, thanks SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

I'm not sure what PIA means but I did look in the paragear catalog. The reserve is a PD 176 and the catalog indicated the sq. ft. is 189. So would I calculate the wing loading with 176 or 189? I like 189 better just because I will be jumping a 210 main with this container. Should I scratch this all together and go with a larger reserve? SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

According to the manufacture I would be within the weight limit of the canopy but the wing loading would be a lot more then I'm used too. Yes he was trying to sell it to me, but I could have got a new one of any size through him also. This particular one is used but has no jumps on it. SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP

I was talking with a very experienced and respected skydiver the other day about actual reserve size. He told me something I had never heard. He explained that a PD reserve is actually 15-20 percent bigger then the size they say it is. I was wondering if that is true. It concerns me because If I use this reserve I think it will be too small. But, If you add the 15-20 percent it will be a good size for me. Any thoughts SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP