david3

When did the UPS uniform get so formal?

Are you sure you weren't hit by a bus? Wow, when you f up you do it right. Feel better.

This is fairly common on bigger-ways - people are assigned sections of the landing area and (sometimes) there are penalties for landing in another area without a damned good reason. It's usually not seen as necessary on "normal" loads but maybe it's something to consider (but there'd have to be enforcement/penalties for not landing in your assigned area). I'm totally fine with walking in - I do it a lot. At some DZs, landing far out will have me in just as fast - at Nationals this year at Skydive Chicago I got to know the grounds crew and their golf carts really well as I always landed on the far end of the landing area to get as much of my "own" space as possible (which is extra challenging when you've got planes taking off every 5 minutes, like they did during 4-way). Yes, I have been on big ways where my sectors landing area is off the airport. We don’t need anything that extreme but dividing up the LZ may not be a bad idea. Enforcement of this or any rules would be difficult at first but once the effort is made by the DZO or his staff to strictly enforce the rules I think it would empower the average jumper to police it. I don’t know what the interval would have to be for enforcement by the staff but when jumpers get lax they crack down again and encourage others to speak up when they witness infractions until it becomes ingrained in the culture.

This is the simplest (best?) answer. It also seems to be the hardest for many people to personally implement, me included. It’s like a parking lot, everybody wants the spot close to the door. Why? Are we not healthy enough to walk from a farther area of the landing zone? Is getting a good place in the packing area (or getting your gear to your packer first) worth dying for? Do you have to land in the peas? Can’t you make an imaginary target as your goal? Maybe if the dz is big enough the plane should be divided up into separate landing areas. 22 people divided into 6 different areas of the dz. Maybe if the drop zone just provided a ride from a point farthest from the packing area to encourage people to spread the landing pattern out a bit. It just seems like target fixation is our problem and if we could give everybody a different target we could lessen our proximity to each other. Just thinking out loud.

I recall a few years back when a guy with about 50 jumps wrote a freefall simulation to explain exit order and separation and posted it on the old rec.skydiving newsgroup. It was initially greeted with derision by most experienced jumpers (Bryan Burke, Billvon and Winsor were about the only exceptions). After all, the guy only had some 50 jumps, what did he know? Bryan posted it on the Skydive Arizona website. Now it is still regularly quoted as a good source of information on the subject. Not everything he posted was a gem.

Nope, a flashlight is for taking photos in low light Even since ancient times a torch was used to light your way in the world; giving constant illumination ... a Flash light on the other hand make no sense... seems some around here ain't so bright Are you sure? FIFY (nsfw)

Are there any large amount of people who really have bad things to say about PD? I have heard horror stories about some older sabre1's that had terribad openings, and some insist PD is overpriced and no better. But is there any reason people legit don't like them? I have no problem with PD.

That is the impression they gave me. Kind of like they are on double secret probation with the airport/locals and if things go smoothly they will add fun jumpers. I wish them luck. They would only be an hour from me. @ Matt I didn’t realize the photos they had on their site are the same ones Skyride uses. That is funny. edit for spelling

I disagree. A solo jumper leaving after a tandem, while wearing a camera, and he puts his hand on the tandem rig as the instructor rocks for the 'ready set go'? That's lurking behavior if I've ever seen it. Looking at it again you are right. Scary stuff.

I don’t even think that lurking was his intention. It was just a byproduct of him not giving the tandem enough time after exit.

SKYDIVE JERSEY to PENNRIDGE

Did anyone else think the thread title was a knock against PD canopies?

I just gave them a call. They seem legit. Said they had no affiliation with Skyride. They expect their 182 to be there tomorrow. Would have been there for the past weekend but weather didn’t hold up. No experienced jumpers allowed yet. Maybe in a few months. Less than thirty miles from Skydive Pennridge (Skyride) so I doubt they would open up another dz so close. How do you use genuine photos from your dz if you haven't opened yet?

If Charlie had bailed him out, now that would have been a story.

I like the Eagles. Saw their Long Road Out Of Eden tour. All I can say is tank God for Joe Walsh. Otherwise I would have thought I was at the wax museum listening to the best of the Eagles. Come on guys have a little fun. Joe rocked the house. Worst: RUSH First time I saw them was in 1980 and it sucked. I like RUSH so over the years (still in the eighties) I gave them two more chances. Sucked and sucked again. Best: Pink Floyd (with Roger) not that thing they call Pink Floyd now. Honorable mention: The Who, Little Feat, Aerosmith, Bowie, Elton John

I can only guess the guy must have been wearing a neck brace. That is the only reason I can imagine him not looking around more for other people in the air under canopy.

Ouch! Glad you are okay. Your story painted a very vivid picture but you left the part out where you handed someone your beer and said “watch this”. I am also guilty of not wanting to bother people for help and it does get me into trouble. Hope you heal quickly.

Just watched this last night. Nice surprise. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Among these already posted it would be tough to pick a favorite. Little Feat - Waiting for Columbus Skynyrd's One More From The Road Seger's Live Bullet I’ll add the soundtrack to The Band’s The Last Waltz

Wow, one year. Tonight I'll raise a glass to you Burt. Blue skies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiVKjAjZbuc No but... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A5t5_O8hdA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiVKjAjZbuc

Why do you say that? Of course, you can do that with a D...unless you jump at MH, I guess. I could be wrong, but I think Spaceland also has something like that going... I don't believe it's a monetary consideration though, more aimed at keeping under qualified people from bending up the 20 jump wonders. Again, I'm not sure of the 'policy' but I was pulled off a newb jump a while back because I didn't have a coach rating and the n00b didn't have his A yet...another buddy went on the dive with the new guy and paid for his own slot, you know ~ like in the OLD DAYS! I understand the desire to keep things 'safe' for the unlicensed jumpers, but on the other hand I know a coach examiner that can't really DO a lotta the stuff he asks of his candidates! Though not current, I've held multiple instructional ratings for years...I don't have the time or desire to sit through a class to teach me how to 'coach'...who loses? The student does, I jump with N00bs all the time and have never seen the need to make 'em pay for MY fun! And I know I'm not alone in that. Fortunately you can still jump with newbies even if you don’t have a rating like Dave said here. http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=4097077;page=3;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;#4098584 .

I have carved a few up for soup. Does that count?

Very nice work.