heftee

Hi everyone - sorry to post a search like this - but this is the best place to do it. I'm trying to find some contact information for Josh Hill. Josh, if you see this, I'm trying to order a certain photo print from you, can you please contact me as soon as possible? Erika Hefter at [email protected] Thanks so much! Erika ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Could you explain more on 'carpeting is bad for canopies'? I've never heard this before and am interested. What is the best platform to pack on if not carpet? Thanks! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

You know how sometimes you just get that feeling - that 'not feeling it' feeling. That, for some unexplainable reason, I just don't feel like jumping kind of feeling? On more than one occassion, I've just hung out with friends and watched people jump while my gear sat piled on the floor. On more than one of those occassions, someone got hurt or had a cut away or something odd happened. Obviously, not saying I knew something was going to happen or that I think it would have been me instead - just that sometimes your guts are your best inner voice. I've always done well with listening to it. There are plenty of days, plenty of planes.... ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Again, I can understand her need to help with medical bills and expenses and all of that. I find myself more upset about what is NOT said on the interviews than by what is. I agree, her saying "I'm jumping again" is a good thing. The average person will think "wow, it must be great if even SHE is willing to go again!" However, why hasn't she (from what I've seen - if she has I haven't seen it) say some of the stuff of what you said above? Why didn't she force the interview to explain possible reasons for what caused her spin and possible fixes. Yes, she's a student with less experience than us who claim we would have fixed it blah blah blah, but even though she didn't do this fix, it sure would be nice to hear an interview with intelligent information (bash in the interviewER not interviewEE) and explaination of the situation. I just get so mad the interviewER doesn't include an "expert" - someone to help shed some light on the incident. Our DZ.com forum's purpose is to learn from these situations - I wish the media would have the same intentions. What I tell all the dozens and dozens of people who ask me about this is "It's a horrible accident and I'm glad she and her child are okay, but this is something that could have had a different turn out if she had done some things differently. I wish she had, but if she had, you wouldn't have seen the story on the news." I'd like to express the wish that the USPA consider having a representative try to work with the media on these types of things. Oh yeah, I also wish for a few million bucks.... ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

After watching her on Good Morning America - I don't believe she did any better on this interview - she didn't make anything clearer (or more accurate/true) or do anything to un do what damage she's done. Of course the media doesn't make it any easier by asking "was there anything you could have done to stop the turn" or "what should you have done differently". They're not going to do that, but she could have interjected some of that information if she wanted to. Doesn't seem like she wants to. I can understand needing $$ for medical bills, but not at the expense of the sport. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

I'll be in Seattle on business during the week, but I noticed that hours of operation on 2 places I looked at are not open during the week Are there any? I'll only be there a Tues - Thurs. Thanks, E ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

The link to that other forum has some good advise. I used to just do the pony tail and struggle for days after to get all the knots out. One day, our video guy came up to me after a jump and said that I needed to do something with my hair. His concern wasn't specific to the risers on deployment - his was specific to the risers during a cutaway - he was afraid they could tangle when leaving. He didn't say he knew of this happening, but just the thought of it even being slightly possible made me change my ways. I do the 'swim cap' option mentioned in that other forum. It works great, and now I never have to deal with knots and horrible tangles. Approx $15 and so very worth it! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Are they open since the hurricane? I can't get a hold of anyone and am in town. Thanks! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

thanks - I did call. The last student appt they take is 2PM, so likely not enough people to get a load up. soooooooooo, I'll stick around Saturday AM for one or two jumps before heading back. see you then! thanks! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Hello. The week of 8/29, I'll be in Miami on business and am hoping to squeeze in a jump in the evenings. Question - what time is sunset load now adays there and what time does the last load typically take off? Is it busy enough during the week for me to get in a load after work hours? I don't yet know if I can stay through Saturday or not, so I might have to get them all done during the week. It's been over 2.5 years since I've been there, so any help/advice/tips you can give me is appreciated. Thanks Erika ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

http://www.survivorfever.net/s11_blake_towsley.html some of his model photos are here ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

Hey everyone! Yes, Blake is a jumper at SDD. Yes, he does have his license. Yes, he is a super nice, cool guy! I met him some time ago when he first started AFF. Then, he took some time off and finally came back to finish up and get his license. He's a model and does a lot of traveling and such, so he didn't jump too often. When he left to do this, he just said he was traveling and didn't (likely couldn't) tell us he was doing this. He hasn't been around since, so I'm guessing when he does show up - he'll have to keep his mouth quiet. Anyway, he is one of the good guys, yes. And, last I knew, he had a girlfriend. Don't know the latest on that though.... ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1768723;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread OMG! He's stirring it up again. Read Post #35! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

That reminds me of someone who honestly blamed his packer for an off-DZ landing. people are great! ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)

That other hackey might have been the one from SD Dallas that happened July 4th weekend. We had the same thing happen, but it was a 13-way jump. He was in the base and we had divers heading towards him during his deployment - thank goodness no one was hurt. Same thing - he got to the ground and saw he was missing his hackey completely. Glad you were safe. ------------------------- "If you've never jumped out of a plane, the best way I can describe it is it feels as if you've just jumped out of a freakin' plane." David Whitley (Orlando Sentinel)