riddler 0 #76 October 9, 2010 I remember when I started jumping, and my thoughts were about how much I needed to improve, what I could do to make myself a better jumper. I thought USPA seemed like a good organization. It seemed everyone was so much better than I was. Now, I kinda feel like you do - it seems USPA is somewhat worthless (they still provide some limited value, IMO). They care more about DZOs than jumpers. It seems like there are too many people that don't know their limits. A lot of times, I worry that *I* don't know my limits, either, and no one will tell me. And the worst part is, people that are trying to make a profit don't care if other people get hurt, as long as they make money from it. Back in the day, when there was a Cessna and a handful of jumpers, I think it was different. If you wanted to jump, you needed to get out of the plane yourself. If you were gonna do something stupid, people would tell you it was stupid. They wouldn't stop you from doing it, but at least you were warned. Today, it's about large aircraft, fast turnaround, tandem fun-rides, someone's hurt in the LZ, who cares? get 'em outta the way because we have other jumpers coming down, and we're losing money. 30 MPH winds? No problem, we'll still put you in the air if you want to risk it. Balloon jump? Sure, you can do that with only 50 jumps, as long as you pay. Let's put the cute girl with 20 jumps in the base of our 60-way - we can probably keep her stable, and wow, she's cute. At some point, you stop worrying about yourself, and your eyes open to all the other crap that's going on. And it doesn't feel good.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFKING 3 #77 October 9, 2010 QuoteI've only been posting here for ten years. F**kin' tourist. Don"When in doubt I whip it out, I got me a rock-and-roll band. It's a free-for-all." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #78 October 9, 2010 QuoteQuoteI've only been posting here for ten years. F**kin' tourist. Don F*cking wuffo. :-pRemster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #79 October 9, 2010 Quote 30 MPH winds? No problem, we'll still put you in the air if you want to risk it. Balloon jump? Sure, you can do that with only 50 jumps, as long as you pay. Let's put the cute girl with 20 jumps in the base of our 60-way - we can probably keep her stable, and wow, she's cute. Hey, that stuff is nothing new. It all happened years ago, on a smaller scale. Sure, the main canopies were safer in the 2nd generation of squares, but people still got killed a lot. Half the fatalities were students. I wouldn't want to go back to those days. I don't think anyone takes injuries and fatalities lightly. Do I see people making stupid choices in our sport? Of course, just like the old days, and people still try to talk them out of it. I don't think I had fifty jumps before I lost my first friend in a fatal accident. I feel my eyes have been wide open a long time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #80 October 11, 2010 Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyytch! Thanks for the jumps over the years. There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #81 October 11, 2010 Quote Quote I wonder if she'll sell her rig to a newbie. I'm more likely to give it to a newbie than I am to sell it to anyone. Most likely to a broke young female who loves to skydive but can't afford to put together a rig. Kinda like the person I was 20 years ago. + 1 That's exactly what I plan to do with mine. Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,123 #82 October 11, 2010 Go Bytch! Go Bytch! Go Bytch! Wendy P. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amstalder 0 #83 October 11, 2010 Quote Quote Quote I wonder if she'll sell her rig to a newbie. I'm more likely to give it to a newbie than I am to sell it to anyone. Most likely to a broke young female who loves to skydive but can't afford to put together a rig. Kinda like the person I was 20 years ago. + 1 That's exactly what I plan to do with mine. ...are you done jumping too? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #84 October 11, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Quote I wonder if she'll sell her rig to a newbie. I'm more likely to give it to a newbie than I am to sell it to anyone. Most likely to a broke young female who loves to skydive but can't afford to put together a rig. Kinda like the person I was 20 years ago. + 1 That's exactly what I plan to do with mine. ...are you done jumping too? No, life's just been getting in the way and I think I'm ordering all new gear. We'll see... Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amstalder 0 #85 October 11, 2010 Quote Quote Quote Quote Quote I wonder if she'll sell her rig to a newbie. I'm more likely to give it to a newbie than I am to sell it to anyone. Most likely to a broke young female who loves to skydive but can't afford to put together a rig. Kinda like the person I was 20 years ago. + 1 That's exactly what I plan to do with mine. ...are you done jumping too? No, life's just been getting in the way and I think I'm ordering all new gear. We'll see... Aha. Yeah life has been getting in my way too.. Thats great of you to consider giving it to a newbie in need Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #86 October 11, 2010 Quote ...are you done jumping too? Quote No, life's just been getting in the way and I think I'm ordering all new gear. We'll see... Quote Aha. Yeah life has been getting in my way too.. Thats great of you to consider giving it to a newbie in need I just think I've been so fortunate in life that passing it along one day will keep the love flowing... And I LOVE my old Talon. She's sooooo good to me. Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tink1717 2 #87 October 13, 2010 I hate reading these things. I hate even more that you are right.Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off. -The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!) AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #88 October 14, 2010 Lisa, sorry to hear you're leaving, but understand - and respect - all your reasons why. I don't think the climate has really changed all that much from what it's ever been. It's just that the balance of your own personal equation has finally tipped the other way. And I respect that too. There really IS life off the dropzone - and it's a very full life too. And what you have from your years skydiving is something nobody can ever take away from you either. Nor can they take away what you have learned and added to yourself as brass plated bitch from the experience ;-P. Live long & prosper, etc, etc.... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scrumpot 1 #89 October 14, 2010 LOL - Krisanne!! - You beat me to it!!! coitus non circum - Moab Stone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #90 April 9, 2012 Well that didn't take. "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #91 April 9, 2012 Next thing you know, she'll be begging to be a Moderator again. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #92 April 9, 2012 Quote Well that didn't take. Relapses are to be expected when one is in recovery. Quote Next thing you know, she'll be begging to be a Moderator again. Did hell freeze over when I wasn't looking? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #93 April 9, 2012 Quote Quote Well that didn't take. Relapses are to be expected when one is in recovery. Quote Next thing you know, she'll be begging to be a Moderator again. Did hell freeze over when I wasn't looking? You even quit at quitting.... Quitter.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #94 April 9, 2012 Quote You even quit at quitting.... Quitter. Yup. I can quit anytime I want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,341 #95 April 10, 2012 Quote Quote You even quit at quitting.... Quitter. Yup. I can quit anytime I want. Sure you can. Anybody can quit. It's staying quit that usually doesn't work. Welcome back."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
