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hookitt 0
BASE is a big part of my life right now so I am always rigging in some way.
Dave
DaMan 0
Mine works for Sunpath in various capacities, but I always wondered:
If you are your own rigger, doesn't that remove the "cross check" by another person from the equation? We all have those moments when...
Discotec Rodriguez
Too bad weapons grade stupidity doesn't lead to sterility.
I spread the wealth around and use three different riggers. One is full time, his loft is a good three hour drive away. One is a lawyer , and owns the loft and works rigging when he's not doing the lawyer thing. The other one is a college student working for the lawyer that owns the loft.
councilman24 36
It is a concern. Of course, I have a number of customers who only have me do their rig. That's why I check things that cann't possibly have changed since the last inspection (line rotation) every time I do a rig, whether I did it last or not. Many (most?) of us take it seriously enough to double check our own work. And yes we can make mistakes. Hopefully they are minor. Part of our cross check is doing other rigs and seeing how other riggers are doing some things, as well as other riggers doing rigs we've done. Hopefully there is a lot of friendly communication going on.
Of course, if we don't trust ourselves, should you trust us? Here's trust for you. My old girlfriend, who dumped me and broke my heart, still had me pack her reserve.
BTW Winsor, I also encourage people to pull the reserve with it on, hanging preferably and encourage everyone to watch at least one inspection and pack job to learn about their gear. But, I tell them they will actually get a better pack job if they don't watch since I won't be distracted. My old girlfriend's immediate reply? "I'll watch you do someone elses."
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE
hookitt 0
QuoteIf you are your own rigger, doesn't that remove the "cross check" by another person from the equation? We all have those moments when...
Yes it does, But I trust my work Very much.
Plenty of other riggers can do all that, and more. I have my own checks an balances, they have theirs. It's a lot like being an automobile mechanic. If you were an auto mechanic would you have some one else replace your brakes?
Tim
JohnnyD 0
Plummet 0
I would not want to pack my own reserve. I always want the knowledge that there is somebody more competent than myself packing my lifeline. (At least in theory)
http://www.iplummet.com
Common sense and common courtesy are NOT common.
councilman24 36
Part of the reason I starting training in 1982 was one rigger almost killed me. There wasn't anybody in the area that I trusted. Even now, being a member of PIA and having gotten to know a lot people in the industry there are still only about 3 other people I'd let do my reserve. There are more out there, alot more, but I don't know them.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE
riggerrob 558
QuoteMy guess is that most reserves are serviced by part time riggers. Thanks and hope to see you in Jacksonville.
I make my living rigging as well as through instruction (tandem, AFF) and coaching. But the bulk of my income does come from rigging work. And while I'm a fulltime rigger, I do have two part-time riggers working for me in the loft.
As to whether more reserves or skydiving gear in general is serviced by part-time riggers, I think it would depend on the area you live in. Areas that aren't conducive to skydiving year-round or do not support many fulltime skydivers probably have several part-time riggers servicing rigs and reserves. But I think the tables are turned in areas such as California, Arizona, the Southeast and the like where there seems to be a higher number of full-time riggers and skydivers.
I hope to make it to Jacksonville for the PIA symposium...although my work (too many rigs, too little time) may keep me away...a good problem to have.
Mike
I earned my first rigger rating in 1984 and currently hold FAA Master Rigger with back, seat and chest ratings.
I repack about 200 reserves a year and sew far more hours than I care to count.
I make all my income from the skydiving industry: rigging, tandems, PFF. IAD and am in the process of earning a commercial pilot license. About the only things I don't do at the DZ are manifest, video and mowing the lawn.
Previously work at Butler, Para-Phernalia and Rigging Innovations factories as well as various DZ lofts in Southern California.
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