firemedic

I think it oftenl boils down to the old saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." When a group makes a loud enough noise, like making a campaign out of an issue, action gets taken. Someone decided that 21 was an appropriate age to legally drink in the US and got a bunch of other people to agree. It got make into a political issue and "presto", law passed. I know this may be a simplistic way to look at it but I just don't see it as being that complicated. Make enough noise, draw a crowd and get something done, even if it doesn't make sense.

Not just at a school. It's the same gun that was used at 2 other shooting in the last few weeks, as piish said, targeting French Para's from North African origins, and another from West Indies origins. I was wondering if the it was confirmed to be the same gun, The last report I heard was it may be the same gun. If it is it looks like terrorism to me

From the information available on this incident, it appears it is very unlike most other school shootings. It isn't a case of a troubled student going off the deep end or bullied one out for revenge. This attack came from outside. This looks more like a hate crime or a terrorist attack at a school.

I remember being very disappointed that all TV shows, only three channels back then, were preempted by JFKs funeral procession.

I'm glad for your and your friends. My wife was unemployed for 2 years due to downsizing. She can't find a full time job so she works 3 part time jobs at a much lower hourly rate than she earned before and no benefits. I think you're correct that a few jobs here and there is a miniscule. I can't say they are looking up based on that sample though.

I bought mine from Silver Parachute Sales in California. He calls it "EZ Close Parachute Closing Ratchet. They are a bit pricy but well worth the money when you need that third hand. I do want to make a disclaimer through. I do not use this device to close containers. I use it to hold minimal tension as I work the container flaps to the closing loop by hand. I would use extreme caution with a tool like this because you could damage gear with it.

I wouldn't have a problem with that. I'd take the kids to the gun range and have a family shoot fest.

550 Tandems total. All mals on a Sigma H/C System 1 on a Sigma 370-Tension Knot (Dacron) 3 on Precision 365s-All were tension knots (Vectran) Edit: I was originally equating malfunction with cutaway. I had one mal where the rear lines tangled together and caught in the slider about 3/4 the way down. I was able to clear it by alternately yanking on the left and right rears. Took maybe 20 seconds and it all came free.

Yep. Had to pay an import tax on a camera helmet I ordered from Cookie.

__________________________________________________ This is e mail for customer service rep Rosi Sigmon Rosi@uptvector.com

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I've heard the same thing. I've only packed 6 or 7 in the last 3 years and I didn't find them any more difficult than any other container. I got a Racer Packing DVD from Nancy a few months ago. I watched it several times and once again when I got a racer to pack a couple weeks ago. Using the techniques in the video it went very smooth. Didn't even break a sweat.

Now those Nordic folks......s-t-a-b-l-e but then again when was the last good Swedish invention? oh relax! I'm Sorry but I must interject: SAAB. Oh. Sorry. You said "good invention." Never mind.

Decided it was time for a new main so I demoed a Katana 150, a Stiletto 150, and, since I'm getting a bit older and more conservative, decided to try a Firebolt 164. The Stiletto opens too erratically, the Katana was too ground hungry for me, though both were fun to fly. What I noticed about the Firebolt was the awesome openings and powerful flair especially at the bottom end. Another thing I noticed was how easy it was to pack. The largest canopy I've been able to put in my container is a 150 Cobalt with an H Mod. The Firebolt 164 packed up smaller than the Sabre 150 I used to jump. This is the best canopy I've ever jumped. I've ordered one and I can't wait for it to get here.

Thanks BV, I feel better now.

So then everyone who has demonstrated all of that except hasn't made 2 night jumps isn't? If you haven't made 2 night jumps, you are lacking the experience of .... 2 night jumps! This isn't rocket science people?? Agreed, I've got my "2" and now I can say I've got the experience of it. This doesn't answer the question though.

So then everyone who has demonstrated all of that except hasn't made 2 night jumps isn't?

Here's a followup article. The university has said it's OK for him to display the flag from his dorm window. It makes me wonder if the decision would have been different had the student been white. http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/12/01/1882395/uscb-student-allowed-to-display.html

I haven't seen a good answer either. 'Ya don't have to like it, ya just have to do it' It's a requirement because it's about the most basic way of showing you have the skills to handle something out of 'normal' routine. And it gives you a skill you may need sometime. Skydiving itself was once out of your comfort zone, then ya did it a few times and realized that it wasn't the boggieman...same thing with night jumps. There's nothing wrong with showing you are able to jump anytime of the day to get a D license. IF someone is that afraid of the dark, get the 'almost' D license...then give yourself a hug and order up a Shirley Temple to celebrate NEARLY completing the requirements. I don't think making the 'Expert' or 'Master' parachutist license easier to get is a good idea, if anything they sould add 1/2 a dozen MORE requirements...same with the PRO Rating. If one is to hold the highest designation in a sport such as ours they should be at least familiar with ALL of it's aspects, not just the ones they like or are easy to do. Sorry for the late reply to this my computer died and had to replace it. I agree that requirements for an expert license should be just that. Expert. Perhaps it is time to revise the licensing requirements. Perhaps proving expert proficiency with canopy skills (glad to see some are to added to the B license beginning in Jan 2012), proving expert proficiency with FS skydiving skills, etc., etc., etc., I'm sure there are many more things others could suggest. What I don't see is how making 2 night jumps makes you an expert. All this does is allow you to check off the required boxes so you can get what you want. It is not a meaningful exercise. It's not about fear, I've done my 2 and I got my D so I could get my TI. I haven't leaped in the dark since and don't care too. I've made dozens of sunset jumps and it took 15 or so to really get comfortable flying my canopy in low light. Oh yea, I have one parting thought. Does a blind skydiver have to do night jumps or do all of um count

And Gore was condemned for how he spelled potato(e). Gore? Dan Quayle

The confederate flag is called both a symbol of pride and an emblem of bigotry. Here is a young African American's take on the subject after studying it's history. http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/11/30/1881122/black-student-calls-confederate.html

I'm just asking why is it a requirement? Specifically, to get ratings that have nothing to do with night jumping. I still haven't seen a good answer yet. I haven't seen a good answer either.

Nothing in the regs says you can't injure yourself! Im not sure what your getting at here.

Take your pick

First of all, a PRO rating is NOT required for a demo. Second, an "expert" should be someone who has experienced skydiving in many different forms, including night jumps, water landings, group jumping, accuracy, and so on. If you want to be called an expert, you have to fulfill the requirements. If you don't want to make a night jump, that's fine, but be happy with having only a C license. We had a discussion on this some time back. I think it was in the Training forum. I take the position that Night Jumps should only be required for those who, 1. Want to do them and 2. For those who wish to do night demos whether they are Pro Rated or not. Reason being that a D license is required for a competition and a tandem instructor rating. Night tandems are prohibited and competition does not take place at night. My feeling is why make someone prove they can survive 2 night landings uninjured when that is the only time they are going to do so. IMHO It adds no skill to doing tandems or competing.