dbattman

We lose people every year because they DON'T pull the damn handle. I chopped a cobalt that I only had a few jumps on because of line twists that I couldn't get out. I kicked, but I think I kicked the wrong way (oops). Learn what you can, get back on the horse and move on. I've heard people that pulled silver after two attempts at the pud stand on the ground and say "I should have tried a third time." If they made three attempts, they might have tried a fourth, or a fifth. Log it, buy your rigger a bottle (write your name and date on the label) and say thank you. Hey- if you ever want a tandem rating you've got one requirement filled already.

Just remember: 'It's all Rachel's fault for bringing the jello shots.'

Thank you Jon. I'll double your backing with mine.

One time I was in the post office buying some stamps from a machine. I dropped one of the nickles and it bounced on the tile floor a few times. The dang thing landed on it's edge. I looked around to see if there was a camera in the lobby but there wasn't. Bummer.

Welcome to the road-warriors. You will now become intimately familiar with which airport concourse has the good beer, which hotels have internet, and the best way to maximimze your hotel points and flyer miles. You also get to use all those free flights and hotels by sitting at home with a stack of DVDs and a case of beer because you're sick of travel. Enjoy!

The guy who did Tiger Woods has an office in Richmond and Bethesda. I forget his name, but I've met a few people that had him do the surgery with rave reviews.

Psycho pack that thing. Just look away and hide the scary stuff- it'll work

Just noticing your sig line, Jon. Blue Cross can set you up with a $2000 deductible PPO for about $70. I'm looking at the $2600 HSA plan myself for about $80. Our co-pays at work are up to about $1500 a year now for just myself (no family). Check out ehealthinsurance for quotes. That goes for the rest of you, as well. Buy some darn insurance if you're jumping, at least for the season.

There's no flames here, just opinions that differ. As far as political leverage, government social programs get used to buy votes all the time. 'Vote for me and I'll take someone elses money and give you this.' 'Don't vote for him- he'll put you all out on the street.' 'If my opponent wins, he'll have you working until you're 75.' 'My opponent voted against this outrageous billl to triple your benefit checks- he's evil and wants to see your kids starving.' We have public health care that is still being run through the private sector. The money goes from me to the insurance carrier to the hospital that is taking care of the patients. Taking that and funneling it through the government instead will only create another big pot of money to dangle over voters heads like a carrot. Too many people already think that the government must take care of you, keep you warm, keep you fed, console you when someone dies (we have actual 'grief conselors' here. Expecting the government to be responsible for your health will onyl make the problem worse. You probably have to live here to truly understand this.

The Beech is George Ireland's. Yes. it could be 2.5 the plane with upgrades. It did alright last weekend with 13 jumpers- 20 minute loads or so. Monroe has put it's King Air up for sale. If you know a buyer let them know that ours is for sale. Yes, Monroe needs a winter jumpship. I do not know what the DZO is planning. The big door would certainly be nice to keep for awhile. If you know a Northern DZ that needs a winter home for it's plane, pass it on. I cannot speak for the DZO's plans. This is the situation and that is all I know. I believe the 'eyeball' 182 was sold to the Aggie's. I thought I had read that it crashed last year. Apologies if I am incorrect.

Just so everyone knows, it's all Rachel's fault for bringing the jello shots and Lisa loooooves her toothbrush.

Let's get this straight. Health care is not a right. It is your own responsibility to evaluate your risks and maintain the appropriate level of insurance for your needs. Why do I live in fear of free health care in the USA? Simple- government cannot do anything efficiently. The US social security system was a 'good idea' when it was concieved, but it has grown like a cancerous tumor that gobbles up 15% of our paychecks. It has no security, it has no future, and it also has no money. It has been used as a slush fund for decades to scare old people and buy votes. Why does a country as rich as the USA not provide free health care? Well, we do. If you get busted up, you can go to a public hospital emergency room. You will get fixed up, patched up, admitted and operated on if necessary. Will you get a heart transplant? OK- maybe not. If you do not have insurance you get a bill. If you can't pay it gets chopped up into tiny little pieces and added as a surcharge onto bills to insurance carriers and governemtn agencies (i.e. Medicare/Medicaid). That means I end up paying for it. We do not need socialized health care because we already have it. The only difference is that the politicians can't use it as leverage in an election (yet).

Our King Air is moving on to other, and hopefully better, things. We spent the last few weeks getting well acquainted with the Green Ghost and launching four-ways off the step. But, the silver lining has appeared! The Beech 99 has landed at Skydive Monroe for the next two weekends with it's big cabin and huge door. In two weeks (I believe) it is scheduled for turbine upgrades and it will be back faster then ever! Come out and help us end our season in style!

Why is this even news? Geez, we need another major scandal to take up all the 'dead air.' As far Bush or Kerry, I don't think there's going to be a big difference overall. They're all part of the rich guy network. They all have a bunch of money and they're not going to do anything to jepordize the bank accounts. It just depends- which rich guy network do you want? You have the Bush/Cheney big oil big business network or the Kerry/Edwards trial lawyers/gold diggers network.

Welcome to the biggest con job in history.

How about different planes coming through, but no special prices?

Clicky

Thanks for the link. After careful analysis of the candidate positions I have decided to follow my conscience this November. I'm voting for the 'National Barking Spider Resurgance' party.

Nice! I loved my ragtop. You'll get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Hey! That IS my old girlfriend! It's real!

When you put it in the container, pay attention to how much slack you have between the last stow and the risers. If you don't have enough slack, the risers get pulled along the bottom of the reserve container. On opening the risers can bump the container causing a spin. When you stow the risers, place them so the come straight down the sides of the reserve and not at an angle along the bottom of the reserve container. How much is enough? That's a good question, and you'll have to find what works on your particular rig. I like to leave about 24" or so, enough for about 1.5 stows.

I wrap a few ice cubes in a towel and wear it across the back of my neck to cool off. It works rather well in the summer heat. Keep it in the freezer when you're not using it and the moisture refreezes for the next use.

Here's my sport progression. 1st year/100 jumps- typical newbie jumper wanting to get on the plane any chance I get. I'm still alive because of instinct and I had some great people around me. 2nd year/100-300 jumps- thought I knew a few things and wanted to be more active. Here I am at 200 jumps talking about wingloading and canopy control with someone just getting their A. Idiot. 3rd year/300-500 jumps Mid year I finally realized what a complete moron I sounded like and shut up. I think a lot of people appreciated that. 4th year- I feel that I am finally ready to START learning. It's out of my system and I have the correct mindset. Looking back over the last few months it's amazing that I've learned more than the previous three years. I think this is the intention of the 3 year statute, not just jumps.

Oh, she said it alright. I was listening to the whole thing on the radio. Here it is Let's not forget pandering to that Saudi Prince for his money. You know, that money he offered to New York City for the WTC relief and clean up. That money that Giuliani turned down. That money that had a political statement attached to it that said "Oh by the way, you had it coming." This money right here. Good riddance. edited for link and to make a general reply to the forum

Man, just give it up. You are never going to win with these guys. They will never admit that Gore lost. There will always be an excuse that something wasn't done right, or this was changed allowing this county to do somehting easier than this other county, blah blah blah blah. But of course, there was NOTHING wrong on the other side. Let's ignore lawyers trying to get military absentee ballots thrown out, overseas military that never received their ballots, republican registrations that were screwed up (and yes, that DOES happen just like it happens to Democrats and minorities- they just don't whine about it). Oh- here's my favorite: You can become a Nader Trader! Support the green party and help Gore win at the same time! If you live in critical swing state, and you support Nader, you can cast a vote for Gore and a friendly Gore supporter will cast a vote for Nader in a non critical state. Gore can win and the Green party still gets their votes for federal money! How can we lose? This felon list is always going to be held up and waved around as how GWB stole the office. I have no doubt that the list had errors. I also have no doubt that the 2000 election purge had errors, the 1996 purge had errors, etc. etc. There were errors all over the place on both sides. Voter registration is purged on a regular basis. Things get fat fingered, databases are merged and cause problems, you name it. It is up to YOU, yes YOU, the responsible American voter to go to your library, or your post office, and get the damn form and fill it out. If you don't get your card you call the election board and give them your social to verify your status. I have been purged in the past. I reregistered and voted. I also moved several times before the 2002 election. I called and I was registered in the wrong place. I fixed it again, but then again I'm a responsible voter. You think this is bad, wait for the introduction of computerized touch screens. People can't take a stylus and match up the number next to a candidate with the number in the column, and we expect them to understand touch screens? Gore lost. Move on.