DJL

Don't worry, I know it's not a flame. I do understand your point and agree completely. I'm not a demo jumper, and at 180 jumps am no-where near it. I do think that it should be left to people like Jim who not only have the expertise but the patience and self discipline to scrub it if it's not going to work or if the organizer wants something that's unsafe. I get amp'ed up after a good dive, I would be absolutely buzzing if it were into a packed stadium with cheerleaders. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Bettina, I make your body look GOOD. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Mine. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Hey Bettina, how about you post the uncensored version... "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Ok, this is splitting threads but since the only thing that is firmly settled is that I don't know much about demos; as I emphasized TWICE in MY post. But, that has nothing to do with it. The point of what Jeremy is asking could be polled like this: Would you pay more so that demo jumpers can do their demo jumps? Answer: No. I also don't want to pay more car insurance so that race-car drivers are covered. How can one ask that someone pay for their particular aspect of their sport. Quoting Airtwardo: "demos and skydiving are two very different animals." This is specifically about paying more for demo's. I know I risk getting my ass kicked by you two old farts but I'll assume you understand we're talking as if sitting down for a beer. I'm asking questions as the devil's advocate. In fact part of what I do for a living is question people who have 40+ more years than me. I learn a lot and I'm sarcastic. Replying to Jim: "What have YOU done to increase the membership of our organization?" I didn't realize that I should be increasing membership. We're not curing cancer or stopping hunger in Mali... If this is so important, then where's the effort from USPA? I've been to two sporting events in which there were demo jumps. No mention of local DZ's or USPA. In fact, if this is so important, then why, as a jumper have I never heard of my role as a missionary. I don't have to go door to door selling subscriptions to Playboy to keep MY rates down, Hugh takes care of that... Yet, all of a sudden the onus is on me? I do recognize that the reputation of skydivers is related to demo jumps, but how is it dependant upon it? Demo jumps don't even get televised in the pre-game unless something bad happens. I'd be interested to hear how demo jumps helped someone open a DZ. I imagine that there could (unfortunately) only be a negative side because of a a demo gone wrong. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

How do other countries handle the risk of third party damage? Why is this so murcurial to only destroy jumping in the U.S.? Why do we want a skydive museum? Do I get my life membership back if USPA folds? "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

I hereby declare that research PHD's shall make no attempt at humor. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

This was all over the news. I saw it and I don't even watch the news. As for TWA 800; it was an internal explosion. No terrorist attack or missile misfire. The streak that many people saw was fire coming off of the plane in the first explosion and then (surprise, surprise) the second larger explosion was directly in line with that. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

I voted for the Heidi game just because that was the most hillarious. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

On my girlfriend's comp and it won't work w/ window's media player or real player. Will updates of either allow it to run or should I download something else? "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

And on there I find exactly what I was talking about in my original post: "I work with Johnny, and sometimes he stops in the middle of our corporate hallways, but instead of shaking my hands he gives me a fist pound and says "what up." He's so in touch with the street, its astonishing." "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

The knuckle thing. Oh, we're "G's" now? I'm your homie? "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

I'll add "whuffo" to that list. It just sounds like a desparate and annoying attempt at self-deification. Kind of like how native Hawaiians call outsiders "hoolies" or something like that. Even the explaination that, watch out(!), you have to be on the inside to hear, "What for you jump out of..." sounds like a bad contraction. Why not just say, "He doesn't jump" instead of busting out with lingo so you can share in putting down people who don't get what we do and likely don't care to? Next is anything having to do with the Atkins Diet. Congrats, you're on a diet. Ok, now eat your food and quit talking about it. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Do more, better, faster. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Danny Brosnibean, you mean? I thought he was "Donkey" not "Monkey". "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Do demo jumpers ever get paid? I don't know much about demo jumps but I'd like to do one. But, my feeling is that the lure of a demo jump is more entertaining to the jumper than for the spectators. Yeah, they think it's neato-completo for a guy in a parachute to land on the field but I imagine that it's much more thrilling for the jumper. Who would not jump at the chance to jump into a crowded stadium before a big event? Yeah, not all demo's are like that, but oh well, life isn't fair. I don't see how anyone can argue that it's work, not play, unless they're on a military team and they're being told to do it. So, how is it anything more than everyone else paying for the insurance to cover a few jumpers' fun, and therefore, a group that is standing on our shoulders? Is the purpose REALLY to promote the sport? No, it's just something that people want to do. They should arrange to cover the cost of the event and insurance themselves. As I said I don't know much about demo jumps, but really, that doesn't matter, I'm being taxed so that someone else can have more fun. Maybe someday I'll do some demo jumps. But just as I don't expect anyone to cover my jumps right now, I can't expect anyone to cover those jumps. If the cost of insurance is just too high, then that's simply a fatal flaw. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

EXTREME POSTWHORING!!! "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

EXTREME POSTWHORING!!! "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

EXTREME POSTWHORING!!! "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

EXTREME POSTWHORING!!! "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

EXTREME POSTWHORING!!! "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

EXTREME POSTWHORING!!! "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Neither. I skydive because I'M soooo EXTREME!!!! "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Excuse the ignorant question but why would you want are larger riser covers? "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

I think I've made myself clear: http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=689672;#689672 And to my thread someone linked Maddox out. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher