chuckakers

That would be funny if it wasn't missing a key element of comedy - a bit of truth. But what do expect from a guy living in a country that got its ass kicked by a group of citizen soldiers. Tea anyone? so the best you can do is call up a 200+ year old reference. that sounds like the mark of a HAS been I could have mentioned WWII, but common folks with musket loaders smearing an entire uniformed, trained, fighting force was funnier. Besides, reminding you that you still speak English rather than German was just too easy. it would be a leap to say that WWII anything but a monumental success for the brits. they have nothing to be ashamed of there. Easy to say in hindsight, but things would have likely ended much differently without the US led alliance. It's just too bad that the US consistantly comes to the aid of any and every country that needs help, yet we're the ones that get bashed for our success. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That would be funny if it wasn't missing a key element of comedy - a bit of truth. But what do expect from a guy living in a country that got its ass kicked by a group of citizen soldiers. Tea anyone? so the best you can do is call up a 200+ year old reference. that sounds like the mark of a HAS been I could have mentioned WWII, but common folks with musket loaders smearing an entire uniformed, trained, fighting force was funnier. Besides, reminding you that you still speak English rather than German was just too easy. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That would be funny if it wasn't missing a key element of comedy - a bit of truth. But what do expect from a guy living in a country that got its ass kicked by a group of citizen soldiers. Tea anyone? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

You might try my version of a pro-pack. Make sure the lines are clean from risers to canopy, flake out the nose, put the brake lines on top, wrap the tail a bit, and shove that thing in the bag. Beyond everything else, make sure the brake lines stay on top the stack after putting the mess on the ground. Flaking the fabric between every line group is a waste of time, except for making you feel better. Remember, they're all trash-packs when the come out of the bag. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

...you remember jumpers moving up to the front of Beech 18's and DC-3's for takeoff. I can remember standing up between seated jumpers for takeoff and climb-out to keep CG forward on those planes, with the back third of the plane empty. We'd hit 1500 feet and the pilot would give the "all clear" to go your seat. Of course, back then it wasn't dangerous. Your turn - you've been a skydiver for a while if..... Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Sorry to pee on your parade, but the country's economic woes are due largely to the lowering of lending standards in the mortgage industry during the 90's. The (democrat led) congress forced legislation that allowed people to buy homes they couldn't afford with no down payment, and not even an income verification process, and then banks that bucked the laws were politically beaten down by the likes of organizations like ACORN. In fact, Bush asked congress three seperate times to review and tighten lending standards to a reasonable level to reverse what economists called a looming disaster. Just the facts. IN FACT, the CRA loan default rate was no higher than that of "regular" mortages. The problem was NOT CRA loans, it was subprime loans created by greedy brokers so they could collect large commissions, which were then packaged into securities and greedily gobbled up by Wall Street's "masters of the universe". JUST THE FACTS. Nice try, but the sub-prime loans you refer to ARE the mortgages I'm referring to. The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 was the beginning of problem, which was worsened when congress lowered even further the standards on borrowers, even allowing people to be approved for a loan without so much as an income verification!! These were high-risk loans that the banks were politically arm-twisted into making to people who can read and write, but now claim they didn't know what they were signing. Huh? Buy a house and NOT understand the contract. That's called stupidity in anyone's book. Many of these folks were banking on having better incomes by the time their adjustable rate mortgages went up, or being able to sell their house for more than they paid for it in a rapidly rising housing market, thus allowing them to get out of the situation. That fell apart when the housing market peaked and they found themselves with a house they couldn't afford that they also couldn't sell for the owed amount or better. And what did these folks do when they couldn't pay a NO DOWN PAYMENT loan they signed onto? They said "let 'em foreclose - I got no skin in the game!!" Were there greedy mortgage people conning clients into these loans? Certainly there were some, but every single buyer had the opportunity to read their contract (or have it reviewed by someone who could read) and say no to a loan that would eventually bury them. My wife has been in the mortgage business for 30 years. She watched this happen day by day. We often spoke of how crazy it was that loans were being granted with NO down payments and NOT EVEN verification of income. THAT was the doing of the democrat led congress lowering lending standards under the "affordable housing" mantra, and THAT is what led to the insane default rates, and THAT is what led to the securities you speak of becoming worthless paper. There was indeed greed all along the way, but much of it was on the part of buyers who saw an opportunity to own a home for nothing more than a rent payment. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Sorry to pee on your parade, but the country's economic woes are due largely to the lowering of lending standards in the mortgage industry during the 90's. The (democrat led) congress forced legislation that allowed people to buy homes they couldn't afford with no down payment, and not even an income verification process, and then banks that bucked the laws were politically beaten down by the likes of organizations like ACORN. In fact, Bush asked congress three seperate times to review and tighten lending standards to a reasonable level to reverse what economists called a looming disaster. Just the facts. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Or perhaps because of people who can't use proper punctuation. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

might wanna rethink that. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Actually Obama was called "Barry" by choice as a younger man. I think "socialist" is a better name. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I knew a biker chick that was an ex-porn star. She was high mileage, but very nice. I've also met numerous porn stars through my work in radio - mainly having them on the air to promote appearances at local gentleman's clubs. Hey, somebody's gotta do it. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I haven't been a TI in years, but I think I would've gotten out. At 3K with the uppers only attached I might use the reserve rather than the main. Here's why I would have bailed: First and easiest, you said there was smoke coming through the dashboard. Fire equals get out at any safe exit altitude in my book. Even if it stopped, as might happen if the problem was isolated to a small component, there's a chance that it could re-ignite before landing. I wouldn't want to be in that plane if I had the altitude to get out. Second, you mention the plane was shaking and vibrating. That can't be a good sign, and - depending of course on what the problem was - it could have gotten worse over the time it took to get to the ground. Not a situation I would want to be in if I had the altitude to get out. Third, had the problem caused an engine failure or power problem on the way to the airport, you may well have landed off the airport IN the plane. I'll take an off-DZ landing under a canopy vs being in the plane any day. We've all seen the results. With that said, you brought your passenger home safely. Good move. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

At 250, you're almost down to an acceptable weight at any DZ. Just keep up the diet and schedule your first jump course! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

AFF - go big or stay home. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Jane Skinner and Harris Faulkner from Fox News. Ooooooh yeah. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

While I have never peeled the velcro before dumping on my 7 reserve rides, I do know many people that train using a peel and pull technique. So do you think not peeling the handle first contributed to the hard pull? And was it a pillow style or loop soft handle? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Oh yes, I remember the nationals in Muskogee well - a wind hold everyday by 11am. Not all of Texas is so bad though. C'mon down to Houston where we have winds that area a bit friendlier, sometimes even calm right in the middle of the day! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Correct. Except for the friction between the cable and the edge of the housing, which should be very low, the cable doesn't know which direction the handle is being pulled. It pulls the pin the same. Certainly, if you pulled it 180 degrees in the wrong direction, back in the direction of the housing, that would be the most friction and the hardest pull. But the system is designed to function with a wide variety of pull directions. Straight down in line with the housing is the most efficient, but straight away from the body is the direction with the most muscle power available in the average body. There are a lot of variables. The regs state that the pull force should not exceed 22 lbs. I believe that is measured in a straight - inline with the housing - pull. Kevin K. I agree. After all, we're not talking about a blast handle here (don't ask, kids). Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Wonder what time the jump was. Looking at that chart, it appears that there were some hefty winds at times for a stadium demo, even without the gusts. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

cuz we all know the way to a man's heart is through his...uh..well, you know. Well, maybe that's acceptable if you want to be the "Dropzone Doorknob"! I prefer the Emily Post "thank you note". I doubt that'll even get you his blanket next time. I had my own blanket in my car .... and pillow! So you think the next time I see this dude I should be like, "Yeah, I sent you the thank you note saying to call me before you come down next time and I'll bring you your favorite beer or whatever, but the guys on DZ.com think you'd rather have a blowjob? What are you thoughts on that, nice guy?". I think that'll go over like lead balloon. "The guys on dz.com said that?" ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZIIPPP!!!!!!!!!! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

cuz we all know the way to a man's heart is through his...uh..well, you know. Well, maybe that's acceptable if you want to be the "Dropzone Doorknob"! I prefer the Emily Post "thank you note". I doubt that'll even get you his blanket next time. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Dogs have masters, cats have staff. That's why dogs come when you call them, cats come when they want to. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

cuz we all know the way to a man's heart is through his...uh..well, you know. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

$*@#$'ing whiner. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX