captain1976

Personal character and integrity are more important than IQ scores. Would you also support lowering the qualifications to be an airline pilot? Should the government force the airlines to hire pilots who failed the tests? Should skydiving instructors pass students who fail to pass AFF course objectives? Should teachers who can't pass tests be given jobs teaching your children? Should College Professors pass medical students based on failing test scores just to reach racial parity? How much more dumbing down in our society do you find acceptable? Good point, however the discussion was regarding lowering qualifications for certain civil service positions. When it comes to these other occupations that require different skills, the standards should remain high with no exceptions. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Well, it's basically what the DOJ is saying. You are just being more blunt about it. Right, but being blunt and not caring what sounds racist, I do agree with others here that considerations should be made with respect to lowering those standards. Personal character and integrity are more important than IQ scores. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Its just that African Americans historically test lower in IQ and other tests. Racist statement? Maybe, but I can deal with the truth and if its offensive to say it, I really don’t care. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I have been at that DZ for an event and they wanted us to pay for all the jumps up front. The weather looked iffy so I asked about the refund policy. They told me no refunds. So I told them there was no way in hell I was going to pay for all the jumps in advance. They told me I had to... I told them that unless I was able to get a refund there was no way in hell I would pay for all of them in advance. Now, most Tandem students are not going to be so savvy. In the end, the DZ didn't provide a service, so they should not charge the customer. There was no additional spoilage..... It is a crap policy. Interesting to hear they don't just limit their SLEAZE tactics to the student. At the DZ's I jump at, you put money on account and can take any or all of it in cash on request. Spaceland has no excuse for their tactics and I as well as many I know will spread the word. There are plenty of other DZ's to jump at without supporting those crooks. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Also explained by: http://www.bbb.org/houston/business-reviews/sky-diving/skydive-spaceland-in-rosharon-tx-13004079/ versus: http://www.bbb.org/west-florida/business-reviews/parachuting-instruction-companies/skydive-city-in-zephyrhills-fl-52002471 (yes I am bragging) Exactly, and though I don't see eye to eye with you on a number of issues, to maintain a good BBB report requires proper management which Z Hills shows to have, and mis-management which is apparent by Spacelands report. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Hey Billvon, This ain't a party with food, this is a situation where someone probably looked at a video of Booth, got a briefing and was screwed for no consideration of the service they paid for. A small service fee would be more in order, but to keep all of it is simply a fuck job. This is obviously a policy that can be attributed to mis-management. You just don't do that in business. Unfortunately many DZ operations are simply skydivers pretending to be businessmen, and the overall responders here seem to favor Spaceland's policy of no refunds simply a method to make money for nothin'. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I agree completely. I was just pointing that out relative to a post that defended the policy by stating that the sign is plainly visible at manifest. I understand. Signs are everywhere, we are inundated with a shitload of them everyday. What really needs to happen now is for Spaceland to make an argument here and defend themselves. The best response would be a statement that they realize this policy was a mistake and will be reversed. I predict that failure to do so will cost them dearly. But for the time being we should give them a break, they are probably very busy dealing with the loss of their plane and 2 people yesterday. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Back to the topic at hand ... I'd like to address the "no refunds" sign part of this. I think that many people coming to a dz for a tandem are likely so caught up in watching, looking around, etc. at this totally new environment/experience that they may never see even a prominently displayed sign. Watch them at your dz sometime. Many remind me of tourists at any attraction ... :) ... all agog! Yes, but why put up a sign or even have that policy to begin with. It makes no sense at all to keep peoples money for goods not received. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

They are already trusting the DZ with their life. It may be legal in most states, but not refunding due to weather hold is a breach of trust IMHO. I see no ethical justification for keeping money for a service that was not performed and the person you took the money from did not in any way prevent the service from being performed. It is just plain sleazy. I agree, they are simply a SLEAZY operation with no justification for keeping someones hard earned money for no consideration. I don't give a shit about their no refund policy. They have shown their true character here and I wouldn't give them the time of day not to mention my business. I like the fact that he posted on the dropzone database here. Maybe it will sink in the heads of the so-called management there and get them to change their policy of screwing people. This is why I use the credit card as apposed to debit card purchase on anyone I haven't done business with before. This way its pretty easy to initiate a fraudulent chargeback and the bank will usually rule in your favor, especially when they find out the goods or services were never received. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Many years ago I read an article (not skydiving related) which listed Daytona Beach Fl as the most favorable and temperate climate in the US. That would make DeLand which is 20 miles away among the best. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Thanks again to the USPA. I am proud to be a member of this great organization that along with its dedicated staff and board members has done so much for so many. A shame there are dysfunctional civil servants out there who grandstand on occasion with stupid, useless bills to show off and try to justify their otherwise meaningless positions. Also a shame there are some skydivers out there who put down our organization .These are usually do-nothings like the those civil servants anyway who simply ride on the backs of others. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

I might have too, but I don't know what he looks like! You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Looks great. Put a picture on it and it might pass for a drivers license in some non-English speaking Countries

This years SpringFest’s dates have been changed to the following dates, April 3 to April 10, 2011. This is the week immediately following the Florida POPS record attempts taking place at Deland. New Event 8 Way Scrambles Speed star Fun jumps & POPS 8-ways early in the week with competition beginning not before Thursday. Come early and meet and greet old friends. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Love that hat. RIP fellow sky driver You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Wonder if he got champagne, he's not old enough to drink it! You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/20/yes-oral-sex-is-sex-and-it-can-boost-cancer-risk/?hpt=T2 Looks like a lot of jumpers are at risk here

If you think that opening was bad, jump a PD Spectre with its designed snivel and you'd probably cut it away! I'm a Rigger and I would change nothing. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Wouldn't work unless carefully orchestrated over a period of many years. Nice ideas though. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

leejumps, I would imagine that most UK jumpers coming to the States would go to the big name dropzones which would mean that most injuries would occur there. I doubt however that they would keep such records, but maybe they do and you might try emailing them. Good luck with your endeavor. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Are you saying you're against the killing of children but for the killing of abortionists? If so, kind of hypocritical. Hypocritical in that I do justify some types of killing yes, especially when that killing means many others can live. Kind of like killing Nazi's during WWII actually saved lives, or would you rather the Nazi's lived on to murder millions more because any kind of killing is wrong? You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Isn't that whats great about this Country TK? We can believe what we want, even if its an abomination to some. My comment about saving lives is factual, my support of the bill is also my constitutional right. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Just think of how many children will be saved for each abortionists killed. I support the bill. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

Anyone, didn't BJ Worth do one a few years back? You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime

See if you can get Enterprise Rent a Car. They are generally pretty reasonable. You live more in the few minutes of skydiving than many people live in their lifetime