Aviatrr

Well, I, personally, think that if somebody is not ready to make a low emergency exit when they board, they are a fool.. Yea, you could exit with the leg straps totally loosened, and most people would probably be able to reach the toggles, but not a good idea.. The chest strap....well, there's no reason to leave it unfastened - and I have seen people do this intentionally many times.. I guess that's part of the Darwinian selection process.. As for the booties...well, if you walk around with those things on, they will wear out damn fast.. I certainly don't have a problem with people not putting them on until jumprun.. Jumping without them on will not cause any safety problems.. Mike

Geez.. Since you make hemp necklaces, I was kinda referring to something along those lines.....and you have to go and turn it into something sexual.. Jeez.. I swear, you people are all the same.. Buncha freaks.. But, that's why I fit in so well I guess.. Mike

I agree - a couple of days delay is no big deal.. The big deal was that when things changed, no initiative was taken to tell me, even though they knew(or at least had been told) about my unique work schedule.. Also, when I called before, I was told the canopy would be back long before it was scheduled to be sent to me and there was nobody on the list between yourself and me.. I have to wonder when that changed, and why a phone call or e-mail was too much trouble.. My only experience with Atair was not a good one.. That, on top of some other complaints I've heard about Atair, left a very bad taste in my mouth.. I decided not to wait several more weeks to demo the Cobalt, but to buy another canopy instead.. Several people I jump with are not too excited about my experience, either, and have made choices based on that.. Mike

Yes, I left messages on your off day - but when I left those messages, how was I supposed to know it was your off day? It seems you have addressed that with the new message you said you put up, but it certainly wasn't that way when I called.. Yes, you said somebody would contact me first thing in the morning, and they started at 0930.. I called well after 11am since I hadn't heard from anybody.. When I first submitted the demo form(and spoke to somebody in the office PRIOR to filling it out and faxing it in), I was told that there was nobody scheduled for that particular canopy after it got back from the person who had it at that time - that person was Carl, right? I'm curious - when did you guys receive it? I also initially explained my work schedule, and that I would need the canopy during one of the weeks that I am off duty.. I didn't say I had to have it any specific week, but I was told it was available a couple weeks from the date I called, so that's when I expected it.. After faxing the form, I called and asked if they received it, and I was told that the date would not be a problem.. If that had changed, a simple phone call telling me so would've done wonders.. I may not have been happy about not getting it that week, but I would've understood.. However, not so much as a phone call.. I'm really interested in what happened, then.. Why exactly was it unavailable? It was supposedly going to be at your facility for over a week from the time Carl sent it back to the time it should've been shipped out to me...yet, the date that it was going to be 'tentatively' shipped to me was pushed back 6 days.. As I had previously explained, my work schedule would not have allowed me to jump it(or even receive the shipment) at that time.. Of the 4 in Florida, 3 of them stated they do not have demo canopies.. The other(Mike G.) didn't have any because he sent them to a kid that ran a college skydiving club, and he went in on a bad birdman jump, and he hasn't been able to retrieve them.. I certainly was not happy with the situation.. Like I said, had I received ANY kind of notification that what I was told previously would not happen, things would be much different.. How was I supposed to know that they would call me prior to shipping? If I had known that, it would've made me question things earlier, and I would have called to ask.. She did offer to arrange a different demo date, but I elected not to do that.. It would've been at least another several weeks before that could've worked - and that's if the canopy was available at that time.. I was waiting for this canopy so that I could make my decision between a Cobalt or Crossfire, and order my choice immediately.. This situation made the decision for me.. Like I said before, why would I spend $1400 on a canopy from a company that can't carry through with what they told me - OR AT LEAST contact me and tell me there was a change? One of the two isn't at all unreasonable.. Everybody that I spoke with there was very nice, and seemed to want to help.. Maybe I shouldn't call it 'bad' customer service, but just a lack of customer service.. Either way, my first experience was certainly not a good one.. Who knows, maybe I'll try again when it's time for my next canopy.. Mike

You'll like the Sabre2.. Sweet openings, flies nice(especially at moderate wing loadings), and is easy as hell to land.. The one I jumped a few weeks ago surfed pretty good at a 1.5 wing loading.. What are you currently jumping? Mike

Definitely a cool offer.. Of the 'Gas, grass, or ass' offer, I never figured you would've offered gas.. If you guys do put Jet-A in whatever he flies out there, I WANNA WATCH! I've always wondered how well a 182(or something like it) would run on Jet-A..

Well, the owner of the raft has set forth the rules....you know what you have to do to get inside the raft.. Mike

Well, here's how I look at it.. I can get myself a Crossfire 139 in about a week.. If I'm not happy with that size, I can call 'em within 30 days and tell 'em what size I want.. I can then keep the 139 until my new canopy comes in, then go trade.. Can't beat that deal.. At my home DZ, there are people jumping Crossfires in every stock size from 99 to 129, so I could probably borrow one for a few jumps to see which size would be best.. I am a freeflier as well, so I know what the long spot thing is all about.. One of my home DZ video guys is sponsored by Icarus, and jumps a Crossfire 99 at about 1.8 and a 72 at 2.5.. He normally does video for tandems, so his spot is even longer than freefliers.. He dumps at 3-3.5k most of the time.. He has no problem making it back, so I don't think I will either.. I'll just have to wait til I get the canopy and see what I think of that specific size.. If it's too big, I'll send it back for a smaller Crossfire.. Mike

Man, that's sick.. We all know it's just a sexual reference to what you do while at work.. Ewww.. Mike

Yea, it can be kinda nasty.. I sliced up my hands pretty bad hanging on to it during deployment.. I should've known not to do it with a fast opening canopy.. About a year ago, I saw a guy deploy with the raft in his hands, lost control of it, and somehow it ended up in the lines of his main, which caused a very interesting spin, and he had to chop.. I wish I had been jumping a camera then, it would've made great video.. Actually, I will have to downwind it at some point, but I'll probably do that at my home DZ where I'm familiar with everything.. I'll pick a light wind day to do it, so that I know what to expect if I ever have to make an out landing downwind.. Landing downwind on the nice grassy surface at the DZ is no big deal - landing downwind in an unfamiliar area sucks, especially if you don't realize how much ground your canopy is gonna eat up.. Cool! I was banned from getting anywhere near the golf cart at my old DZ.. I don't remember a whole lot, but it had something to do with a lousy weather day when the beer light came on around noon.. Mike

It looks even funnier when somebody is wandering around(usually more than just slightly drunk) with a camera helmet on.. I haven't done it yet with mine, but I'm sure the day will come.. Mike

Sounds like we'll have a pretty good group of dz.commers there.. The raft dive will be a blast.. We could probably get as many as 10 people in on it, depending on how large the raft is.. 6 outside, 4 inside.. Maybe a couple people just flying video.. We need some fast fallers outside to help stabilize the raft....and we would need to designate the poor schmuck, errr, I mean lucky soul that gets to deploy with the raft.. I did it once - it's somebody else's turn.. Do they usually have people camping at the DZ? I think that's what I'd plan on doing Sat night.. Do they have some pretty good sized landing areas? With the new canopy I have coming, I think I'll be eating up lots of ground my first 50 jumps or so.. On the bright side, I'll be one of the first on the ground - so everybody gets to follow my landing pattern!@# I'll be sure to downwind it a time or to - just for fun.. Mike

I plead for a fifth....err, the fifth.. I know nothing.. I remember nothing.. Uhh, what were we talking about? Mike

150.. If everything I head about 'em regarding speed/size was true, I probably would have ordered a 135 or 120.. I wanted to be able to compare the Cobalt 150 directly with a Spinneto 150 and Crossfire 149 - all loaded about 1.45.. Instead, I ordered a Crossfire 139(picked one from the stocklist that's ready to ship), and there's a chance I may take advantage of Icarus 30 day guarantee and send it back for a 129.. I haven't jumped the 139 yet, but I have jumped a 149.. Mike

Skykat rocks.. I have dealt with them a few times, excellent results every time.. There are a few specific dealers that I deal with when I need something.. Skykat, Rigs&Things, and Square 1.. Skykat and Rigs&Things are both excellent places and will bend over backwards to help - it's a tie as to which I think is best.. Square 1 is not far behind - only behind because of the fact that they're on the total opposite coast, so delivery takes forever or costs a lot more.. Does this mean that you're getting rid of that hankerchief reserve for something of decent size?!

Sorry, but I don't like any game where you whack balls with a big metal rod......it brings back painful memories.. Mike

What's really funny is whenever you get a sudden blast of air from anywhere but straight ahead, you instinctively arch.. A friend of mine(ya know, one of those belly flyers

I thought other people may be interested in my experience with Atair - the company that makes the Cobalt.. Several weeks ago, after hearing many good things about the Cobalt, I called and talked to 'em about a demo.. Since my work schedule is not really normal(I work a week, then have a week off - but away from home during my week on duty), I had to arrange a specific time to demo the canopy.. We talked dates, and I was told the canopy was available when I wanted it.. I sent in the demo form, called later that day, and was told they received it and the time frame would work.. Well, fast forward to yesterday.....the day I was expecting to receive the canopy.. I called 'em to find out when they had shipped it, so I would know when to expect it.. Well, no answer on numerous calls.. Turns out they don't answer the phone on Tues and Thurs - why not put that on the voice mail that answers? This morning, I talked to 'em there at Atair.. Turns out they sent the canopy elsewhere, and pushed back my demo time to the 20th(shipping date from NY) of this month.. So I would get it around the 22nd.. I go back to work on the 23rd.. That won't work.. I guess when I was told that I would be put on the schedule for the dates I requested(since the schedule was empty at that time), it really meant I would get the canopy then if nobody more important asked for it.. Why would I order a $1400 canopy from a company that can't even carry through with a demo date they told me they would - or AT LEAST call me and tell me they had to change it?! I have heard lots of good things about the Cobalt, and some bad about Atair's customer service.. I figured I would give it a shot, see what I thought.. Well, due to the poor customer service I received, this canopy is no longer a consideration.. I was planning to buy a canopy immediately, and buy another in a month or so when I order another rig.. Plus, there were 4 other people at my DZ that were gonna jump the Cobalt while I had it rather than wait for a demo of their own.. So Atair just lost 6 prospective sales, and will certainly not be getting any good comments from any of the 5 of us.. On the bright side, they made my canopy choice much easier.. I now have a Crossfire on order, and should receive it within a couple weeks.. My second rig will probably end up with a Crossfire, as well.. As I'm sure the other 4 people will end up with in their rigs.. It was basically down to the Crossfire and Cobalt for 4 of the 5 people.. Thanks Atair, you guys made the decision much easier.. Mike

Hey man, think about it for a minute.. You get married, throw a big ass party, with free beer for everybody.. Make sure you tell everybody they MUST bring skydiving related wedding gifts.. Ya know, new canopies, containers, etc.. Get 'em drunk enough, and you may get some good shit.. Then you have 2 weeks in many states(check on the laws in GA to be sure) to get an annullment(sp?).. Don't ask me how I know this - just trust me..

I still want to go to Richmond, but I won't know for sure until just before the first weekend.. I am expecting a new canopy next week, so I've gotta see what happens there, too.. Once I get it, I need to make a couple jumps at my home DZ on it(where I'm familiar with all the terrain and used to the conditions), then I'll be starting my travels for the next few months.. I want to visit all the boogies I can in the next few months before the weather goes to hell all over the country - then I'll just stay home and jump here all winter.. God I love Florida!

Well, you don't DEFINITELY need a tailgate for it.....but it sure helps.. Launching a raft out of a side door is a pain in the ass, but it helps if you have a very cooperative pilot.. You seriously planning on doing a raft dive then? Have you checked with the DZO to see what he thinks? Some will not allow it.. If you wanna do it, I'm definitely in! Mike

Cool.. As soon as you guys get everything finalized, and update the website, be sure to make a post here to let us all know the specifics.. Mike

I don't know if either one of 'em is going.. Marc said he wanted to a couple weeks ago, but hasn't responded to the email I sent him last night.. He's probably working, so may take a day or two to get back to me.. I just found out yesterday that I got the couple days off I needed for that weekend, so I'm DEFINITELY going! I'll see if Andrea is interested, but I doubt she can pull herself away from the family for that long.. I'll let ya know as soon as I find out.. Hey, I'll have my new canopy by that weekend......is there a swoop pond at Monroe?

The CASA boogie at Monroe is the last weekend of Sept, right? Sept 28-30? I haven't seen any info on it in any magazine or on the Monroe website.. Who's going? If I've got the dates right, I'll be there from Friday to Sunday.. Mike

Move to Florida and you won't have that problem.. With multiple turbine aircraft at many DZ's, the wait time is usually not too bad.. Uhhh, no, wait a second.. The wait is 6-8 hours normally here.. We jump strictly 182's.. Don't move down here.. If you do, my wait time may increase..