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)

It's going to be HOT, HOT, HOT!!!! 100+ degrees It will be 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)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! See http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1205398 ------------------------- "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 Sid - very cool, indeed. Just a thought - I know SD Dallas takes a lot of wheelchair bound people (for various reasons) on tandems. They have a cool little thing they use for binding the legs to make getting out of the plane, the skydive, and the landing very easy. Seems better than duct tape. Might be worth looking at. I'm not sure the specifics of it and don't want to say something wrong, but it was very cool and made the landing so smooth and easy. GREAT JOB Paula! ------------------------- "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)

It's looking better and better the more people we talk to and the more we hear about it. It's going to be 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)

Ok, here's a stupid question - where do you apply it? Just around the edges where it meets the jumpsuit material or other? My first jumpsuit, I put it all over the bottom and that just didn't seem to work, so I obviously did something wrong. I have a new jumpsuit and a new tube of the stuff - please educate me! 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)

Very true, but if you're on the fence between two choices and one might be known for being a huge pain and that is the only differing factor....could be worth someconsideration. You know, something about not ticking off your rigger! ------------------------- "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)

Also, if you have a rigger you trust, ask his/her advice. They can give you an opinion just based on what they have to go through with packing it - that may affect your decision. I know my rigger has stated before "I hate packing X rigs, they are so hard because of such and such." I added that to my decision making process a little. Really, it comes down to what features you like, what you think LOOKS good, and your price range. ------------------------- "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'll get many, many opinions on which is the "best". None of them will likely help you make up your mind. When I was ready to buy new gear, I went to an instructor at my DZ, and she helped me out by asking a few people if we could look at their gear. We took 3 of the most popularly used in our region and laid them side by side by side. I looked at the way they looked, the way they felt, the way they were constructed, how the riser flaps were, the tuck tabs, the reserve pin cover, the main flap, the bridle exposure cover, the AAD window, and many things. Having them all next to each other made it very easy to see what I did and did not like or prefer in a rig. I'd highly suggest you doing something of this nature. Not only are you making an informed decision, but you'll also gather some 'testimonials' from those owners. They'll be honest and say "yeah, I really like such and such because I notice when I'm doing so and so, it does this...before I had an X and I didn't like how it did this." You'll get more examples of reasons why they like or don't like something instead of just opinions or one word responses with a container name. Hope this helps. Best of luck. ------------------------- "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 BIGUN. I saw your post while I was searching and will certainly look into that option as well. 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 everyone!!!! It was driving me crazy