-SK-

Just curious why do you say that? I would think adding a rig would significantly change your aerodynamics and center of mass... especially for backfly and sitfly...

They don't have them at my tunnel... it was the first thing I asked.

If I were you I would research historical legal cases so you are making points from actual data related skydiving lawsuits as opposed to assumptions based on what people tell you in an internet forum. You could also consult a personal injury or wrongful death attorney for purposes of research, although that could be expensive, most attorneys will chat with you over the phone for a few minutes or so for free and give you enough general information that you could use it as a starting point to do more research. One thing I do know, although I am no expert, is that injury and death lawsuits typically run in the millions, which even losing a single one would completely wipe out and bankrupt a DZ. Injury and/or death has occured at most larger DZ's throughout the US (I assume you're writing this from a US perspective, after all we lead the way in being excessively litigious). Just browse through dropzone.com's fatality database. The fact that every one of those DZ's continues to operate proves to me that waivers definitely do hold up; although again in the context of a research paper I would research the actual data and draw your conclusions from there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD95-QJMiOs

Perhaps not the best way to stow the brakes? (image attached)

Human-assisted PC in tow FTW

A wingsuiter from Iran with a flag? Or am I supposed to read more into it?

Better yet, if you want to maximize the value you get for your budget, look into getting a custom built laptop. I've had my MSI notebook from XoticPC for a year now and could not be more happy. Just select whatever video card, processor, hard drive, and memory fit your requirements, and you'll have exactly what you need instead of being stuck with the limited choices Apple has to offer.

I suspected as much... my landings have always been spot on but my openings haven't been the best; have had a lot of line twists and off-headings. As much as I would like to downsize, I have come to the realization I need to sort out my opening issues first.

First, what size have you been jumping on your student jumps?

I thought I heard this somewhere but am not sure; will I have a greater chance of line twists during an opening with less-than-ideal body position, on a smaller canopy? Assuming make/model is the same.

What's your exit weight and what main are you flying?

It had to have been someone who knew a thing or two about airplanes, though. Your average whuffo isn't going to know what a fire bottle is, or that pulling them will create a mess.

From what I understand they've located the canopy. The only reason I didn't come back during the week was because I did not have (and could not get) those days off, otherwise I would have. What I don't get is why there aren't insurance policies covering the rental rigs; when I rent a car from Enterprise or wherever I can pay a little extra for an insurance policy that they have through an outside company. Why not do the same thing with rental rigs and require jumpers to purchase it or at least require A-licenses and below to purchase it. Gear is covered; inexperienced jumpers remain safe; insurance companies continue to make obscene amounts of money; all is well with the world.

I know that is probably true, but based on their reaction to it (as well as to a prior chop) it would seem like they prefer mistake II. Don't get me wrong I love the DZ and the staff is overall a great group of people, but I don't like the situation I feel I have been put in. I feel like I have been taught, whether they intended to or not, that I better not chop a bad main. Most likely I will just wait until I can afford my own gear before jumping again, there or anywhere else. Silver of course...

I'd sure like to know who it was and where so I can make sure and jump elsewhere...

I like the idea of having to pack first; you never know what you are getting off the rental rack. In the future I will probably always just unpack / repack before my first jump of the day so I know it is good. It would be better if DZ's had a rule that if you're renting gear, you have to pay for packing after your last jump of the day. It's human nature do a less thorough job if you know you aren't going to jump it again.

It was a 2500 cutaway, was trained that that was my "decision altitude", kept both handles. I understand canopies are expensive, but my point is, if they are going to give you crap about it, doesn't that present a potentially unsafe dilemma to the skydiver under a bad or less-than-ideal main? If they are that expensive they should be charging more for gear rental which I would happily pay for the extra peace of mind.

It was only the three of us and the pilot spotted and opened the door when he decided we should jump. Had an out of sequence opening (pretty sure the lines were improperly stowed) and line twists several times over that I couldn't kick out of. It was a sunset load so there wasn't much light left to look for it. I stayed until the sunlight ran out and then everyone went home including me.

I'm relatively new to the sport and still renting gear from my home DZ. Recently I had a malfunctioning main and had to cutaway / pull reserve. Since we had a long spot the main landed off the DZ and they had to go look for it and hadn't found it yet by the time I had left. The whole time the pilot and the DZ owner were giving me shit about it, telling me how much it costs and acting like I did something wrong by not flying an unsafe canopy to the ground. Then they tried to act like the long spot was somehow my fault, even though it was a 3-way and the lead guy took forever to begin the count. Not once did they ask if I was okay, just seemed pissed off about the missing main. It wasn't even my pack job, first jump of the day using a rig from the rack. I may be way off base here but that doesn't sound very safe to me, I mean doesn't that discourage people from cutting away a bad canopy if they know they are going to be guilted about it later? Do all DZ's do this or do I need to find a new home DZ?