cloudseeker2001

Tandems did become more "mainstream" in the early 90's, but they are not now, were not then and have never been "safe." But that perception could play into why so many people quit before they get beyond an A license. They're sold Disneyland with tandems and AAD's but within a short time they discover that skydiving isn't as safe as they were told (whether that's due to injuring themselves or someone they know getting hurt or dying). Another possibility is that pre-A license jumpers get attention from staff; that attention often stops once they have their card stamped (not because instructors don't want to jump with them but because they are too busy too jump with them). The appeal of solo skydives does wear off after awhile for most people. I also think people being encouraged to buy canopies that are too small for their experience adds to the quit rate as well. Most would never say that the reason they find other things to do on weekends is that the canopy they are flying scares them; who would admit to that when the "experts" at the dz said they'd be just fine with it? Not to mention injuries caused by being on something they can't handle when shit happens... There's the money issue as it relates to gear as well; some people want to keep jumping but they can't (or won't) spend that much money on a rig and they're told by gear snobs that the gear they can afford is not safe. So what can we do to retain them? Stop selling skydiving as a safe activity that anyone can do. Stop telling newbies to buy canopies that they won't be able to land safely when shit happens. Make an effort to get to know (and jump with) the new skydivers at your dz. Perhaps dz's need to hire "Julies" (think Love Boat - Julie was the boat's social director). Don't be a gear snob; older, less expensive equipment is perfectly safe to jump as long as it's jumped within it's set of limitations. But the best way to retain them would be to encourage every skydiver to smoke cigarettes. Heck, we should include a pack with the FJC. There's no easier way to meet a new person than to walk up and bum a ciggie from them. Tandems "safe" in terms of someone else being in charge of the skydive. That may be one of many perspectives people have when thinking of this sport.......When thousands and thousands of people "safely" walk away from a skydive, it is good advertisment and a small percentage of people will take the bait. I do not know everyones experience, but I am the only person out of about 8 still jumping after student status. Everyone else sold their gear after one year and about 100 jumps. They all sold out because they saw someone get hurt or got hurt themselves. "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

It seems your trying to say that Clinton receiving a BJ and lying about it is worst then what GWB has done. Not only you but many of the fact challenged right tend to bring up Clinton whenever the lies of this administration are brought up. It always makes me wonder how you can compare the two. We almost impeach Clinton but GWB has made sure that we can not hold him responsible for the Iraq war. I mean am I the only one who thinks thats fucked up? If we tried to impeach Clinton for a BJ should'nt we be hanging GWB for crimes of high treason? I am hoping that when the new congress comes to power they will start a "Ken Star" type of investigation...... "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

One reason A license may have picked up is because in the early 90's the economy picked up and more people had money to spend on things like skydiving. Another reason could be that tandems are perceived to be a safe introduction to the sport.

HAHAHAHA! I think you should travel there first before making any big plans! For the most part Moab consists of one major street and is really only populated 6 months out of the year. At the end of the summer most all the business leaves until March or so. Average wage is probably 6$ an hour. You might be able to get on the list to work at Denny's on Gonzo Motel. If you are really lucky, you might be able to get a job working at the grocery store! If you are going to retire or have money, it will probably be a great place to live. Living used to be really cheap, but the tourist industry has really driven up the prices of land and housing. Locals can not even afford the property tax anymore. When I first went there for vacation in 90, it was a great place........Last time I was there the air conditioned desert Hummer tours made me want to vomit! Utah has some really odd laws, but Moab is not really part of the rest of the state......But they still must follow them.....or most of them anyway! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

Please do not take it seriously!

At first PsychoBob looked like a pornstar.......with black hair, he looks like a gay pornstar! Not sure what it will do for you though! I think I have had too much coffe this morning! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

I am having such a good time on this thread I did not say my fisrt jam.....Huey Lewis and the News in 85. But the first real concert to make an impact like a concert should was Dio in 86 Last in Line tour. Two years ago I saw Cake. When the opening band came on, I realized I was surrounded by 13 and 14 year olds and for most it was their first concert and they had no idea what to do. But, by the time the show was over, I had them screaming with their fist in the air! After the concert, many kids were telling me what a great time they had and how cool I was! I felt like Dewey Finn! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

Hey now! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

My mom grew up with Janis......My grandmother was good friends with Janis mom as well and we went to her house many times when I was a kid.

"Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

I saw that show as well in Houston. Front 242 did not open for them, but New Order did. Great show!

HAHAHAHA! Stops just short of says.....I GOT HIGH FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!!! Getty plays bass, not guitar........bass is part of the violin family, but, yea, I know, everyone calls it a guitar! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

I would tell myself to take school a lot more seriously and make that a priority. And to dump that hot, horny Spanish girl and stay with Janet because when she turns 21, she gets a trust worth millions that she does not even know about yet! Yea, missed that boat, but it was probably better for her!

I think they could have bargained a little more for article 20! Lets get Russell's take on it!!!!!!! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

He looks like a guy named Carl Radle who was a bassist back in the 70's! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

I support the right to carry in the Parks and any backcountry area. A person would have to be a fool to not carry. But, I am more worried about some crazed person than most animals. But then again, I have no experience in Grizzly country...other than camping in one of the big Yellowstone and Glacier tent sites......If I were on the trail, I would carry. I was on a guided river trip in Idaho in 99 and the guides were very nervous. On the second day they told me that during a private trip prior to ours, some guy on a horse chased the rafters for several miles firing a shotgun into the riverbank while screaming at them. At first I thought they were kidding until we got back town and watched the news to learn the sheriff had arrested a man for such threats! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

May we have one without the sunglasses and pants?

Yep, I thinks it is sexy! I buy CD's at a small music store and the girl who works there was way prego last summer and she would only wear cut-off jean shorts and a spandex workout top.......she let it all hang out! She was very sexy.......too bad for her that "her baby's daddy" didn't think so. "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

Nothing is better than spending a week together camping in the desert without showers! Oh yea!!!!!!!! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

I think it is great! But I am surprised your child has not been "disciplined" by the school for some kind of misunderstood meaning! I would not be surprised to read that she was kicked out of regular class tomrrow! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

For those of you who viewed this before I put up the direct link. The promo about the guy with two wives is about a trio next door to the DZ. HAHAHAHA! That was funny Russell! Where the hell is the guy with two wives?????? Is it the guy that works in the golf proshop?????????? HAHAHA! "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

No, they just don't like you Yea, that too! HAHAHA! Funny story........I got to work and we had a major problem going on. I did not see any of the guys I work with but I did see the director talking to another suit type VP. So I go over to this guy, who is a fat slob, pit bull type manager, and stand next to him while he is talking. Out of blue, this director looks at me and laughs and looks at the other guy and says something like "this idiot skydives, can you believe that?????"..............The other suit looks at me and literally pushes the director to the side and starts telling me about how he used to fly jumpers in Z-Hills back in the 70's and it was the best part of his entire life! We talked for about 20 minutes about skydiving and the director was pissed! HAHAHAHA! That guy made an ass out of himself more than once actually. "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

I have a good family friend that is an expert in oil and gas field and he believes at the current rate the world uses oil, all known oil fields will be mostly dry in 250 years. "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"

Not any more. "Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance, others mean and rueful of the western dream"