Gravitymaster

So you got all your info and perspective from one web page on the internet, huh? You are criticizing America and you are from South Africa? Would you like it if I publish a little history of your country?

Better traction

Knock it off with the MR. GRAVITYMASTER. An hour?...... Oh, you mean packing the main and reserve?

Well, theres still that pesky little problem about explaining what happened to all that VX nerve gas, the Anthrax, the long range missliles. Oh, thats right we now know they have the missiles cause we got the "smoking gun" regarding them.

I suspect the degree of nevousness is directly related to where one lives. I have to admit, living outside D.C. I'm a little more nervous today than I was last week. Especially when you see F-16 flying low over this area the last few days and see a few missile lanchers around the city. Yeah, it makes you a little more nervous than if I was living in another area.

I didn't reply because I thought the comments were childish and didn't even warrant the effort to type a response. I have never worried about being banned even though I have had a few heated arguments here. Go for it.

Is it effective at preventing stains?Quote Yep

Pretty soon, packing data cards are gonna have to be notarized.

Sorry I didn't make what I was saying clear enough" I'm not saying they didn't declare them. I'm saying they forgot they could fly beyond their own borders and strike countries like Israel.

I never underestimate the ingenuity of someone trying to subvert any system. My understanding is one of the reasons USPA went from the paper membership cards to the plastic coated was because people were forging them. So how simple is it to have your own stamp made.

I'm not suggesting isolationism at all. Just saying we should reconsider our prescence in countries where we clearly aren't NEEDED and in some cases not wanted. If one of our 'Real' allies neede us, we have the capability to deploy troops much faster than we did 60 years ago. I rather those troops spend money in the local economies here in the U.S. I'm pretty sure the people in places like Rantoul and other similar towns across America would too. Perhaps the 20 million who want us to stay should become more vocal about it and tell the protesters to STFU. Just a suggestion.

It means Iraq made a little boo boo. oooops !! They just forgot they had missiles that can fly beyond their own borders and strike countries like Israel and Saudi Arabia. You know kinda like what Colin Powell said they had. Damn, next thing you know the inspectors will start finding the VX nerve gas and Anthrax Powell said they had. But that too is probably just a little BOO BOO too.

Thanks for posting a link to that excellent article.

Rob Thanks for the excellent response and information. I know where rigger rate as far as the FAA is concerned and you are 100% correct that would be a huge obstacle to overcome. I understand and agree with your observations about who I would rather have packing my reserve, but my question was more along the line of allowing the skydiver to ONLY pack his own reserve, not anyone elses. One of the reasons in favor of creating this catagory would be the possibility of reducing the number of pencil packed reserves which we all know occur. I also think most skydivers would be pretty serious about inspection if it was their own gear they were inspecting. I usually group skydivers into 2 catagories as far as this is concerned. There's the group who toss their gear to a packer because they are anxious to get to the debreif and then on the next load, and there are those who pack there own mains. I think the "Junior Rigger" Certification might appeal to these later folks and would probably lead to them getting a lot of experience before going on to obtaining their Senior Rigger Certificate. Just a thought, It would probably never happen anyway because of many of the reasons you point out. I do think its a good idea to include some degree of rigging training in the new 'D' licence certification FWIW. Then there's always the politics of something like this Bob

But who are protecting form whom in Europe? It initially was protection from Germany, then the Soviet Union. Thats all changed now. Russia, Germany and France are now allies. Shouldn't we consider removing our troops, bringing them home to protect our own country? We are apending Billions (I have heard close to 100 Billion) per year for what reason? We obviously aren't appreciated except for the money we spend in those countries protecting them from each other. Let the French, Germans and whomever spend their own money on their own security. Why should we continue to be the worlds policeman for free? GM

Considering all the anti-American sentiments around the world in places like Europe and S. Korea, do you think it's time to start reducing the number of American troops. I don't know the exact figure but we spend Billions of dollars each year protecting places like S. Korea where it is becoming clearly obvious we aren't wanted. Why do we still have American troops in Europe? World War 2 has been over for almost 58 years. So why are we still there?

Heh, heh...

*There is also the very real possibility that disclosure of what happened to it may bring the fury of the entire world down on him. Why is Saddam willing to risk his own life and his rule over Iraq because of this non-disclosure? The simple solution, if he has nothing to hide, would be to come clean on what he did with it. This would end all this conflict. Why is that so difficult for him to do?

Then there's still that ever present pesky little detail about what happened to all that VX nerve gas, Anthrax and missiles.

What are your thought on creating a new rigger classification that would allow a jumper to pack ONLY his/own reserve without supervision? I know a lot of jumpers who are only interested in packing their own rig but don't want to invest the time or money to go through a rigging course. It could lead someone to acquiring the skills they would need to become a Senior Rigger. It would allow someone to gain more experience before taking the Senior riggers course. It would also produce a safer skydiver because people would learn more about their gear at an earlier stage of jumping. I would even go so far to propose it be part of the new 'D' licence set to go into effect later this year. Only difficulty in getting something like this through would be convincing the FAA of it's value and then getting it approved. You know how Gov't red tape can be.

Just getting in here before this thread is locked.

It's not an issue of convincing the FAA you are proficient. In fact the FAAs' precence at the Practical Test is only to observe the DPRE. The FAA inspectors wouldn't have the slightest idea as to whether you are proficient or not. The person you have to convince is the DPRE and that is done by packing 20 reserves correctly during the course along with showing at least some proficency in other areas' such as sewing, installing grommets, snaps etc There is also a sense of what to do if you are unsure ie. call the manufacturer or anothe rigger as well as basic rigging ethics. During the Practical exam you are required to demonstrate your abilities to completely assemble a rig while closely watched by a DPRE. There is absolutely no help given by the DPRE. You either know what you are doing or you don't.

One thing I haven't quite figured out yet is why France thinks opposing the war with Iraq diminishes the possibility. If the French, Germans and Russians were as gung-ho as the U.S., Hussein would be more likely to give up his WMD. By continuing to insist on more time for inspections, they have increased the likelyhood a war will occur because Hussein is given hope they will be able to convince America not to strike.

Chickenhawk: What about that pesky little problem of what happened to all that VX nerve gas, Anthrax, and missile delivery systems? Peacenik: Well we sold them to him. Chickenhawk: But what did he do with them? He certainly didn't pour them down the kitchen sink? Peacenik: Well I think we oughta listen to Germany and France. Chickenhawk: Why are the Iraqi scientists afraid to talk to the weapons inspectors? Peacenik: Saddam hasn't threatened us. N.Korea is a bigger threat. Chickenhawk: Why does Saddam need unmanned drones that have a range of 650 miles and are designed to deliver chemical weapons? They give him the capability to strike Israel, Turkey and Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Peacenik: Those Isreali's are bigger terrorists that Saddam. Almost as bad as the U.S. America is the biggest terrorist nation on earth. Chickenhawk: About that pesky problem with what happened to the VX nerve gas.................etc.

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20030210_561.html