chuckakers

It's not what you know, it's who you know. I suspect that's a relevant quote in this sport. That statement shows your ignorance, your arrogance, or both. I've been doing this stuff for 3 decades at all levels of the sport and the business and have never seen a pattern of people or companies choosing favorites over safety. In fact I have seen quite the opposite. In case after case I have seen ratings pulled, memberships revoked (individual and group), jumpers kicked off DZ's, etc. because of safety issues. I'm sure there have been exceptions on a local, personal level but if you think Strong and USPA sided with the TI in this case by playing favorites or siding with a buddy over taking action based on a safety issue you are further out in space than I thought. Your statement is patently incorrect. By the way, I'm still waiting for the video you said you would post proving the photos you provided previously were something more than a few bad drogue throws. Put up or go away. You're way past looking like an ass on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_fWzikD1yo That's your damning evidence? Snorefest. I will trade you your rig for an old bowling ball I have in the closet, though. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Not once did we have a staff meeting there. Not once. When I spoke to the TM himself over FB message and addressed my concerns in the winter of 2013, this was his reply: "You make many very valid points. Over the course of the winter ive had time to ponder everything you have said. I am aware of my faults and plan to improve. I have already talked to dave about Many things you have brought up. I definately grew up mentally over the winter. the time away gave me some much needed perspective. I also know my mouth gets me into more trouble than anything and I understand how that can ultra frustrating to you. I appreciate the blunt honesty and character you have displayed with this message. " But he didn't change. Whether you didn't hear me the first few times or just refuse to believe me, I tried like hell to keep it in the family. My face is in the video I posted as well. I'm the last TM on the exit. In Z-Hills the issue was not safe or unsafe. The issue was the one got reamed (no pun intended) and lost his rating to some extent while the others were allowed to do the same thing at the same time as the 'violator' and not be spoken to. My argument wasn't safe or unsafe, it was that some people get singled out and others seem to be given a bulletproof status. Night jumps are a requirement for a D license. I'm not sure I agree that they have anything to do with tandems, but they're a requirement. If you can't do them safely I guess that's supposed to mean something. If you can go around the rules effectively, I guess that says something too. Great. Now on top of everything else you're publishing private conversations on a public forum. You are rapidly working your way completely out the industry and quite possibly out of the sport as well. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Oh hell no. This is very enlightening and is certainly spurring plenty of conversation about our perceptions of safety. Just because the thread has an obviously contentious atmosphere to it is no reason to kill it. DiverMike, you always have the option of leaving the room if you don't like the conversation, ya know. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Glad you asked. I was there for nearly a week last May during the swoop Nats and never saw anything of the kind. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

It's not what you know, it's who you know. I suspect that's a relevant quote in this sport. That statement shows your ignorance, your arrogance, or both. I've been doing this stuff for 3 decades at all levels of the sport and the business and have never seen a pattern of people or companies choosing favorites over safety. In fact I have seen quite the opposite. In case after case I have seen ratings pulled, memberships revoked (individual and group), jumpers kicked off DZ's, etc. because of safety issues. I'm sure there have been exceptions on a local, personal level but if you think Strong and USPA sided with the TI in this case by playing favorites or siding with a buddy over taking action based on a safety issue you are further out in space than I thought. Your statement is patently incorrect. By the way, I'm still waiting for the video you said you would post proving the photos you provided previously were something more than a few bad drogue throws. Put up or go away. You're way past looking like an ass on this. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Go for it. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

And if he backs down he's equally guilty I suppose. Heh heh. Let's all piss on the sacked vidiot, there must be something wrong with him or he wouldn't have been fired! You omitted the vast majority of my points in your reply. What do you think about his expressing the same argument (and presumably presenting the same evidence) to the DZO, the rig manufacturer, and especially USPA with all three turning his complaint away as unfounded? All three of those entities have a vested interest in halting any unsafe practices yet all declined to take action. Says a lot doesn't it? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

That was me. Yes, videos please. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I'm glad you mentioned that. I would like to point out [to everyone] that most complaintants, when they have weak accusations or evidence, quit posting here rather quickly. The fact that "theforkguy" continues to explain as much as he can to us tells me that he is serious, and perhaps has legitimate complaints, (whether they have been presented well or not). Personally, I am going to continue to read, and to try to not place judgement. I encourage him to continue explaining, (and also to try to "clean up" or modify some of his early descriptions of his complaints.) Modifying his descriptions of what happened will of course be considered as "changing his story" to many, but that's the way it goes. Again, I'm listening. This guy's relentless pursuit is in no way evidence of the validity of his accusations. That's the same as repeating a lie often and long enough that it becomes the truth - which of course it does not. It's completely possible that he simply won't take no for an answer, just as he has done after communicating with every authoritative entity in the loop on this. I too want to hear more. Maybe he's right. However we know so far the DZO, Strong, USPA, and most here who have heard his so-called evidence disagree. That should be a pretty good indicator. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Bill, I agree with you in spirit. I'm a no-bullshit guy like you are and I appreciate folks who call out stupid shit. However so far this guy hasn't shown me any evidence that the TI in question is dangerous. He's claimed a lot of things but the only evidence he has presented are some vid caps that - as I mentioned earlier - could be a select few drogue pitches with less than perfect form. I don't know a single TI that hasn't done that at least a few times. Beyond that he showed us video of the guy screwing around doing a quasi stand-up with the drogue out (which I don't personally think is some kind of sport death) and supposed breast gropes...with a closed fist, no less. As you know, I managed DZ's and ran my own for several years. I have seen this before - many times, in fact. This sport is loaded with big egos and when they get stepped on things get rough. This appears to me to be a case of a guy who had issues with the TI, some possibly valid, and decided he was going to make it his mission to force the guy out of the operation. He complained to the DZO who apparently didn't see enough evidence to take action and got the same result with USPA and Strong. I have trouble believing this guy is right and everyone around him is wrong. His relentless defense of his position clarifies a lot for me. IMO, it's just like the situation in general. He has made up his mind that he is righteous in his view and no amount of opinions, objective and disconnected to the issue in the case of this thread, is going to change that. Most guys like him eventually fade away and go on to pull the same crap in a different arena. I might shift my opinion somewhat if he produces the video showing repeated unsafe performance on the part of the TI as he promised in a previous post. He'll have to show me a whole lot more evidence that the TI is unsafe and if he could do that I wonder why he couldn't show the folks at Strong and USPA the same thing. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I didn't say you shouldn't say anything, and based on the evidence you presented and HQ's decision not to take any action I'd also say the incident report you say is so imminent - isn't. I must admit though, your sour grapes make for some great whine. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

You wanted opinions so here's one for ya. I think you're a disgruntled former staffer with a D-cup sized chip on your shoulder that can't stand not winning a fight over silly shit. I think nearly any TI could be made to look bad from some carefully selected vid caps of less then perfect drogue tosses. I think your behavior here - and likely everywhere - will make it harder or maybe impossible for you to get another job at any reputable DZ for fear that you will stir up shit, especially in light of your very public way of doing it. I think if there were truly safety issues with the TI in question there would be at least a few other people voicing concerns and/or backing you up. Let's face it Mr. "I didn't fill out my profile because I mainly lurk" - worst excuse ever BTW - if Johnny Mammergrabber really wanted to get his jollies he could just restrict his handy hijinks to jumps without video. If you have valid safety issues pass them along to HQ and STFU. You're making yourself look like an ass - or maybe just proving it. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Which wasn't mentioned in the OP. Guess your mind just goes there. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

a. What's scummy about it? b. Aren't you passing judgment by calling their actions scummy? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Unless the jumper snuck his rig onto the balloon and jumped without permission, the pilot got himself in trouble. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Well there ya go. I learn something new every day! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Tunnel crashes? Exactly what could go wrong at a tunnel that would endanger flyers? Honest question. Chuck: a motor did fall into the chamber in Orlando a couple years back. No one was hurt but it was a close call I believe. Similarly, poorly maintained fans on more modern design could vibrate themselves into destruction, sending shards of metal through the recirculating chamber. Regarding competition and price cutting: look into the European market and what's happening: I don't see any unethical price cutting. Besides, having one competitor in the market may just be what the market needs in the US. I think the tunnel industry as it stands is pretty far from businesses having to cut quality or safety to reduce prices. I don't know much about that industry but a basic understanding of business would dictate that with so little competition current prices aren't based on the minimum necessary to maintain the gear and put food on the table. Smart business people don't leave money on the table. Currently there is virtually no competition in the US. My guess is the current pricing structure is based on what the market will bear rather than a competition-based strategy. There has been some competitive pricing going on between Skyventure operations but nothing major. An outside player might be the start. Or maybe not. The conversation makes me wonder, though. If there is a risk of a catastrophic failure that would injure or kill, why is there not a design in use that would keep any shrapnel out of the chamber. It's obviously possible. Too costly relative to the risk???? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Tunnel crashes? Exactly what could go wrong at a tunnel that would endanger flyers? Honest question. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

Pigeon Forge and Vegas are not iFly/Skyventure AFAIK The most important is that Arizonians will discover the "no sandblast tunnel" Pigeon Forge and Vegas aren't competition. I'm talking about hourly rates for team-worthy tunnels. A new player in the business might drive rates down as they try to capture market share. Unfortunately, I don't think that's going to happen in the local market here. I bet the new tunnel will be pricing significantly higher that SkyventureAZ. The clean (airflow, not sand ) recirc air will be a big advantage. But, we'll see!

Pigeon Forge and Vegas are not iFly/Skyventure AFAIK The most important is that Arizonians will discover the "no sandblast tunnel" Pigeon Forge and Vegas aren't competition. I'm talking about hourly rates for team-worthy tunnels. A new player in the business might drive rates down as they try to capture market share. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

No more iFly monopoly. Could this be the beginning reduced prices? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

And artificial sweeteners supposedly cause cancer - if you don't die of something else first. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I win. Yes you do, Mike! Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

I think the problem may be with the wording of your original post. In that post you asked about a canopy that might be more "fun" than your Sabre2 at 1.5:1. To some that implied that you were asking about stepping down in size. You apparently were asking about switching to a canopy that would be more fun without downsizing, but that is also a difficult question to lend advice on without knowing more about your situation. Example - you could go with a Stiletto and stay with the 150 size. That might give you the "fun" you asked about without downsizing but it also might not be safe depending on all the variables I asked you about in my initial reply. Your profile indicates you have 1100 jumps but factors like time out of the sport, total jumps on the Sabre, etc. all come into play. Answer the questions in my reply and I'll gladly give you my thoughts and I'm sure others will too. Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX

and? Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX