Scrumpot

You seem to have "the perps" contact info/#. DON'T LET THIS GET AWAY!! As pointed out in a previous post - also contact Mirage with what you have. It has CUSTOM tie-dye handles and embroidery. Chances are high/good that you can get this rig identified quickly, IF YOU DO NOT HESITATE. VERIFY if the rig is stolen, or not. Then, proceed accordingly. Good on you for coming here quickly, and at least TRYING to do a good turn, for a (suspected) injured (by virtue of lost/stolen gear) brother!! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

I would think that the rightful owner would gladly reimburse the $250 as reward $$ in recognition of someone successfully recovering this for them. I know I would! I mean, so long as the intent wasn't for the OP to themselves just pick up a rig for themselves "on the cheap", and intents were pure/honorable to RECOVER this, before it is lost/further damaged/goes "underground" or even at this point just "tossed" - c'mon... really? Charges pressed?? I don't think so. Oh yeah, sure. With all the (what the cops perceive as) much more serious crimes out there taking place, you think they're gonna get all this set up and be responsive to the un(directly)involved skydiver-dude's simple suspicions/request, so as to be timely AND EFFECTIVE in actually doing this? I doubt it. Probably technically "correct", but again - seriously. Something this OBVIOUS, and egregious?! ...Sometimes a brother skydiver has just gotta step up for the benefit/assistance of another. Sure, okay - TRY this 1st, and bring absolutely EVERYTHING you so far have, to the authorities in the jurisdiction. Get ANYTHING at all other than they will IMMEDIATELY get right on this - and I'm with Lepka. Document ALL the info on the "sellers" as you possibly can, and continue to track this down/pursue it once the rig is in SAFE hands. If I were local to there, I would do it/that is what I would do! Any DA, ADA, or prosecutor of any sort with any even tinge of moral self-respect (not that they all have, so I suppose it is a "risk", but one I for one anyway would be WILLING to take) most certainly would not actually prosecute such, as such, for "receiving stolen goods", or being "complicit". If they did - I mean, c'mon. ...Be REAL!! My .02 FWIW. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Stay Strong, Sky - and know you still have all the love and support from those of us (who are many), who remember, and keep you in our hearts. BSBD, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

He knows (now) - and was told SEVERAL times before, that on his previous "swoops" (such that they even were), that he was already DANGEROUSLY "in the corner", and seen to be "digging-out" each and every prior. However, because he simply continued to get away with that, he just plain (until now) REFUSED to let himself prior - realize any better. On this (fateful) jump, he simply reduced his prior ZERO "margin(s)" to SUB-ZERO, and really - NEVER even realized how/what he was doing. Same kinda mentality I think, but from a different aspect/issue with something else saw just this past weekend. I approached a jumper in a loading area I noticed with a gear alteration/issue - (another lowbie/newbie), and I pointed it out. ...The INSTANT response: "I've had it this way before, and it's okay (worked out so far)." Sometimes they just don't even know, what they don't even know - and "getting away" with something MARGINAL for a couple of times can really prove to be the WORST possible (set up for disaster!) combination. I was able to pull the jumper aside and speak with them - got them to CONSIDER a little bit better and further, and HOPEFULLY got them to see the light to make a correction to the situation before they learned (as Sangi has only now done here) the hard way. I only wish that somehow, SOMEONE could have effectively gotten through to Sangi here, similarly. I've heard it over & over again - that there are SOME, that you just cannot (effectively) ever get through to, and that they really need to "learn their own lessons", for themselves. I dunno. I just can't bring myself to accept that though. So, regardless of (sometimes) continual or repeated frustration, I still - at least keep on trying. Sangi - Now that you have experienced what you have, and you are going through what you are ...can you think of ANYTHING, or even any "style" perhaps of approach from anyone, that might have gotten through to you, BEFORE your incident has now occurred, which might have effectively helped you AVOID it? You now have a unique potential opportunity here, to maybe help OTHERS hopefully, avoid similar fate. In short - was there ANYTHING Sangi, anyone could have ever said or done - that you can think of now in retrospect, that might have been more EFFECTIVE? Hope you heal well and fully, and that you are in fact, able to return. I'm sure you will this time, progress with "pace", grace and humility, and hopefully further thereby - you can also become an effective mentor, to others. I know that if you do, and if you try - you will have my full support! FWIW Blue Skies, -Grant coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Hey Christoph. Glad to see/hear that you were this time, actually able to save yourself - from the bad situation you put yourself into! Whew. Pretty freaky/scary, huh? What did Sangi's on-dz instructors and mentors think of him, flying on the canopy(ies) that he did, and (apparently too) "allowing" him to do so, until he pounded in? - Do you know? coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Yeah... and the BOOGIE KICKED ASS!!!! I'm just sayin'. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

"Threaten to report him (the DZO)" ...? "Has ILLEGALS working there" ...? Rain a veritable "shitstorm" down on him (her) via US Immigrations! ...?? Where do (any of you) get this? For Ref: What is an H2B Working VISA? Everyone is so quick to grab their torches and pitchforks against this (uknown/unheard-from/undefended) DZO. Even to the point of making up their own, and adding on as well, their own (apparent) FALSE ACCUSATIONS, that even the OP himself, has never made. Looks to me like they BOTH at least TRIED to do everything fully forthright, and above-board, and used/went through the PROPER channels. But then, the OP himself "blew it" by EXCEEDING his cumulative TEMPORARY per VISA issuage occurance/allowance, and further - did nothing more to attain (if it was needed) a more appropriate longer-term solution. Sure. Just automatically and unilaterally (and as you are only also seeing possibly now, clearly even INAPPRORIATELY) throw the DZO straight under the bus, straight out-of-hand. Hope none of you ever gets annonymously accused of anything too! - THINK about that. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Free of charge to you, or possibly even rather, as PART OF YOUR COMPENSATION? Attorneys are not cheap. If you were expected back, and the DZO was thus far "fronting" these expenses, with a recompense expectation from you, that as a result you would present yourself timely, and available for work, then - because of your own mistakes entry/exit rules mis-steps, ...instead all of a sudden you can't make it back (as it sounds like/seems) - perhaps he is just "recapturing" his expense(s) based upon YOUR inability to perform (make yourself available) accordingly? ...Just a little "devils advocacy" here. There are always 2 sides to every story. Again, if you have EVIDENCE he actually owes you FUNDS - and has further stipulated as such (stated "the check is in the mail") - then you are in the right. You do not need any further advice from us - USE that, and "file" against him/her, or do not. Hope that everything works out well, and settles out equitably in any case, for you both. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Feel free to take a few moments to also read through THIS thread, before you go forth and just blithely flitter thineself from a heat-inflated aeronautical envelope. Balloon jumps are not just a "routine" - go on out there and "just do it" type of jump. They certainly CAN be a blast, and are well worth the experience. Be sure you are in a position (and prepared) to fully enjoy and appreciate that experience - before you "just do it" is all. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Post it anyway. Peeps who don't know should get a glimpse of this magnificent rare bird! There never was (nor probably will be again) such a "fine", unique jumper-hauler (in Twin-Otter iteration anyway) as was - in her most primal form, the FrankenOtter! Wasn't she (probably) even re-painted, sometime BEFORE "Hi-Res" (digital) became even available? OP - you may just be SOL with regards to getting anything "hi-res" regardless, in any case. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Anyone can pack for themselves, regardless of who they were "taught" by - just so long as they are the ones (and the ONLY ones) who are jumping their own pack-jobs. No "rigger supervision" even needed for any of that. However, a freshly minted/A-Licensed (or A-Licensed candidate STUDENT - as you have mentioned as well) packing unsupervised for either a tandem, or a rental rig? - Clear violation. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Where's that animated "popcorn" emoticon, like what other bbs seem to have available to them, when you need it? coitus non circum - Moab Stone

What he said. Bears repeating. And I will remove the parrens! ...Not merely secondary or "non-applicable" here at all. In fact, probably should be PRIMARY. Think. Please. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Mark "Mel" Lancaster. MasterRigger1 on here. When it comes to lines (of any kind) he is [uTHE man! Edit to add phone # for you: 864-429-8428 coitus non circum - Moab Stone

And perjure himself to do so? Unless he is an actual "mechanic" with a verifiable W/O (he actually did some MX work on the item being filed on), this is NOT good advice! Not only could the DZ vacate the filing quite easily (it usually requires at least EVIDENCE upon filing, to be accepted - but let's just say he "got away" without that) - but the OP could also then be exposing himself for CRIMINAL prosecution for filing a false (such) lien. Otherwise, he needs a judgement (either via attorney proceeding on his behalf, or small-claims/pro-se) before he can file a lien APPROPRIATELY. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

You must still have friends/contacts who are themselves still local / locals to/at the DZ. Here is what I would do: To avoid any and all confusion, the next phone call / arrangement you make for your pay check (I'm assuming as you've indicated that there is at least no actual dispute over it being owed, as they've indicated it would be posted, etc.) - have a local willing to pick it up for you, and state VERY CLEARLY that on XX-day, Joe will pick it up. If anything BUT you actually then getting it occurs, THEN you can start exploring your legal remedies (advising the DZ you are going to do this, and still - give them an opportunity to make good/avoid it). I also presume you have some record(s) / basis for proof that you are owed/unpaid? Many states have a "wage & hour commission" or some similar. File a complaint with the state if ALL ELSE FAILS. Let the state investigate/resolve this, as this is their jobs in fact, to do. Also, most likely the amount you are owed falls under the maximums for small claims action (or - you could still just file for the limit @ $5k in most states) & no need for expense of attorneys to proceed that way, as absolutely last-ditch measures in either case. If you are owed, and the DZ has actually fully stipulated that you are owed, and there is no disagreement (as it seems you are portraying) - there simply must be a communication disconnect taking place here, that I would expend every effort, and be absolutely CLEAR & take accountability for being so myself first, before employing either of the the above 2 other suggestions I've now given you as an ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT only. Good luck. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Who said it wouldn't be appropriate? However, keep in mind that not everybody just has such ready access to wind-tunnels absolutely everywhere, and that is also not necessarily either, what was (by the OP) asked. Glad the tunnel worked for you! That's coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Oh yeah... it's ON!!!

sign of a good instructor +1 coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Maybe we should start a "catalog" thread of them. Then make it a sticky. "Those who thought they all knew better" or are/were different/better somehow, or some such. - That way, the reader(s) we are trying to get through to can maybe find via perusing the MULTITUDE of them, which one(s) (traits/characteristics) he/she best/most identifies with - and SEE (come to their own individual applicable epiphany's) THEMSELVES? You're right. The history and pages of DZ.com (and rec.dot before it) are literally littered with these - But there exists no good single place/search source to quickly/easily reference them. Maybe a links catalog might actually help. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Not sure I understand your question or point. ...?? What does your reference to a NASA devices catalog document (albeit within it showing a device listed/shown that looks strikingly similar to the loop cutters our AADs also use) - have to do with anything? You seem to want to be throwing disparagement on Airtec GmbH with your post somehow, and maybe I'm dense - but I just don't follow/see your point here, relative to the post you are responding to. ...??? The post merely quoted a section from Airtec's manual on the inspection process (which has included x-rays on their cutters as a part of the mfr process, since DAY/CUTTER 1) used in their manufacturing process of THEIR OWN cutter(s). Someone had asked whether CyPReS was or was not currently doing this as a part of their process - to which, in essence, the answer was: YES, they are, in fact, they ALWAYS have. So you reply that this answer is "nothing but a slogan", and provide link to a totally unrelated (although similar cutter design, granted) NASA supplier/vendor catalog document (where mfr test/evaluation standards and procedures are not even mentioned) and cry "bunk"? You've lost me here. I just don't get it. What are you trying to say? coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Some of the quotes that come out of this just so directly seem to apply too: Mod: "I'm doin' Society a Favor here" Mod: "You know somethin' recalcitrant... you might wanna spend a little more time maybe actually tryin' to do somethin' with yourself, and a lot less time tryin' to impress people - and we all then might just be a little better off" BWAAAAAAA!!!!! - Perfect! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

Okay - So I've been watching a little "back-n-forth" suddenly going on (it seems to come & go in waves) between a few of our more, let's say recalcitrant posters in here, and the mods - and I just can't help but compare the exchange(s), to the following: "You Wannanother...?" I just couldn't resist drawing the parallels. Mod: You keep it up and yer gonna get a vacation (ban) to think about it Recalcitrant Poster: Yeah - do it! (etc.) Enjoy your next 7 Saturdays (topical forums posting-priveleges free), punk(s)! coitus non circum - Moab Stone

You sure about that? Just sayin' Both, or either, of these DZ's make just fine selections for the OP to choose from, based upon whatever best suits them and their needs and desires, accordingly. No need to see who can newby - "my DZ is better than yours" - piss the hardest and furthest here. - You don't wanna go there. coitus non circum - Moab Stone

+1. Best answer in this thread. Trying to take the tack of attempting to convince others against their opinions, and that they should be either invalidated or diminished is a mistake. Instead rather, that you APPRECIATE them, recognize their concerns from THEIR PERSPECTIVE, and respect them - then further you also look for that commensurate regard as a mutually-respectful adult (unless you've not EARNED yet that capability in their eyes - which is an entirely different subject matter then in of itself, altogether!) is the MATURE (in every sense of the word) way to go. coitus non circum - Moab Stone