LyraM45

Did you unstow your other toggle? The only chop I've got to my name is because my rig got packed and the one toggle was stowed wrong and essentially knotted the tab in the cat eye. My canopy opened fine (slightly wonky and felt weird) but didn't spin me up hard until I tried to unstow the toggles and the right one came unstowed with the other one essentially stuck. I'm loaded 1:1 on a spectre 135. ETA-- nevermind, I reread this and saw you unstowed. Not sure about this then....maybe you're so lightly loaded on huge square parachute? But even then I would imagine some kind of slow turn if one toggle was unstowed and not the other. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I hear you and totally understand where you're coming from. When it comes to personal decision to decide what/who makes you most comfortable when you jump, nobody can really second guess that. Did you know these people for a good amount of time before they did this to you? I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of somebody who went through this, and if it was with my long time friends, I think I would probably laugh with them if there was zero safety impacts/threats on the skydive. And this would be especially true if it were like one of the other posters stories where they all chipped in and covered the jump for him being a good sport about it. That said, if this was a group that I didn't really know, or did my 100th jump at a new or fairly new dz with newer folks, I think I could be a little put off as well. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I've met a few super great flyers with thousands of jumps over the years who just stay local, don't compete, and just LO and run events around their area DZ(s), and only have an A license. I haven't put in for my C yet, but unless I plan on doing beach jumps somewhere or doing anything else that requires you show a C, then I'm kind of going to be hard pressed to be motivated to send in for it since it just doesn't make a difference to me. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

This one happened to me. I was on my 100th, and well, I almost did not do 101. I found this the most cruel way to say congratz to people, and well... it ruined my relationship with all those on the load. This is sad to say as I really like my dz, but they fucked me over and well, I am never going to forget. What I have taken from it is to not jump with my locals at boogies as I trust none of them, including the most senior of jumpers and his lakies who are on his "in group". I am ok with that as I am the type of person who wants to meet and learn from new people. It has also increased my world view of skydiving while those who follow him, well... stay to their own. As for how I treat new jumpers. I make sure to look out for those who may taken in by the same trick, I watch out for them, and make sure that their experience is better than I. Did you almost not do 101 because you were emotionally hurt over the prank, or was there some kind of danger with the exit? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

^^This. I think they'll get it right back and then some with donations. And the exposure/marketing out of this is intangible. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

You've had some great posts in this thread! Thanks for those! :) Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Hhmmm... seems to me like it's probably NV you're seeing as CA, and the islands (Guam or Marshall Islands?) out in the Pacific might take the cake or be a close second. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I'm a wind wuss, so usually if I have to think about it, then I won't jump in it. But, everybody seems to have hit on the main points-- depends on the dz, set up, canopy you're flying, etc. I'm pretty conservative, but one of the things I always tell pilots when I give weather presentations for work is you'd rather be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than up in the air wishing you were on the ground. I always think the same for skydiving too. It's just not worth it. There is always another beautiful day to skydive in the future! I had a pilot once tell me that if the windsock looks like it has a hard on, then somebody is going to get f$cked. Make sure it's not you. Best advice ever

Thanks. Just checked and found this article that breaks it down nicely: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/11/08/obamacare-by-the-numbers/ Again, I'm missing the part where the majority is down the shitter as bad as all you guys are saying when it comes to Obamacare? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Better for how many? Looks like 168M or over 50% of the country will be hurt worse with the ACA than without it. this and there will still be 30M uninsured So what exatcly does the ACA fix? This is exactly what I'm talking about-- where did you guys get these numbers? Or at least, where are they being forecasted since it technically hasn't happened yet? How about instead of "the sky is falling or is going to fall," can we please see current/factual numbers brought into the discussion? Just a quick look and I found this: http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/11/12/the-obamacare-exchange-scorecard-around-100000-enrollees-and-five-million-cancellations/ Seems like a small percentage of Americans impacted, but the way some people here are talking about it, you'd think it was the majority of citizens. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Here is my story: I got a letter a week or so ago saying that my policy was being terminated as of Dec 31 because it is not compliant with the ACA. I went to find a new policy here is my result. My new policy is $200 less per month than what I have been paying. My deductible is substantially lower, my max out of pocket is substantially lower, my co-insurance is lower and my lifetime max is gone. I couldn't be happier with the change. So yes, I am one of those who had his policy cancelled. It was cancelled because it was a crappy policy that was a complete rip off that's why it wasn't ACA compliant. The only reason I had that policy is because it was all I could get in the past. The reason that I am able to get a much better policy for substantially less money is because of the ACA not allowing them to penalize me for my pre-existing conditions. This is a real life example of MY story, not something I heard from someone who knows someone who went to high school with a guy who lost his policy. Thank you for sharing that. I've also heard from a couple other people personally, and it seems that a few others have your exact story. One of them is saying they are completely screwed and are not happy. I'm still on the fence with exactly what is going on with everything, but it seems like changes may be good for some, but not for all. I think that is to be expected when it comes to any kind of change with something, let alone a huge one in the health care system like this. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Ditto here. I actually don't know one person yet who is part of this "my rates went up 60% and/or they took my policy away, I lost my insurance because of Obamacare, etc." I'm not saying they aren't out there, because I'm sure there are people impacted in different ways. But not having seen one of these incidences personally makes me wonder if it's as widespread, sky is falling, catastrophic that some of the news and right leaning media make it out to be. What would you like to know? Do you need paper backup? What proof do you need? What do you mean what proof do I need? I already said that I'm sure there are cases out there where people are being impacted. My question was if it was as widespread as some media outlets are reporting it to be. What percentage of people is this happening to? Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Don't get me wrong-- I thought the link was funny. It was his post for it and use of terms such as "limp dicks" that I thought was classless. And as far as I know.... it's probably not the kind of language you'd talk in church with or drop in causal conversation with your pastor either; hence it not being very christian like. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

How classy and very Chrstian like of you. Is it just me that finds it funny that the "How Christian of you" comments come mainly from the anti-church people? And you know I don't go to church how? FWIW, I was just in church not even a week ago. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

How classy and very Chrstian like of you. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Ditto here. I actually don't know one person yet who is part of this "my rates went up 60% and/or they took my policy away, I lost my insurance because of Obamacare, etc." I'm not saying they aren't out there, because I'm sure there are people impacted in different ways. But not having seen one of these incidences personally makes me wonder if it's as widespread, sky is falling, catastrophic that some of the news and right leaning media make it out to be. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Ouch! That one stings a little in light of the other thread. Perfect timing Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I am glad you think yourself to be smart Someone has too so it might as well be you I'm sorry, I know this is OT, but I have to throw it out there sine I see it done on a LOT of message boards, and quite often on this one, but...... If you're going to make fun of another poster for how stupid they are, or somehow imply that you are smarter than them, or nobody thinks they're smart, or you do not think they're smart, then you might want to make sure everything in your reply is spelled (and punctuated) correctly. Just a friendly suggestion. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Jebus! You guys rant and rave that the media NEVER gives Obama bad press, they're his little lap dogs, etc, etc. And then when they do give him bad press, you say it's some grand plan to just further support him and tell him to get his house in order. You guys crack me up! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

I'll wager he has. Bill has probably done a _lot_ of things that today's skydivers would be shocked at. I believe he still holds the record for the most expensive camera jump in history. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVvMGLJ0xww[url] (another of Bill's famous antics) OK, OK... what I should have said, is jumped through straight up cloud and came down soaking wet and loved it. I haven't met a person yet who loved it, but more power to him if he does! ETA-- And yes, foot in mouth. I responded without looking at who was posting! What I get for doing that without having my coffee that day! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

You've probably never jumped through a 6000 or 8000 ft tall wet CB. You won't love it so much after that, especially if it's pouring around the bottom of it. I did a 14 way once and we got out over a hole and the whole group drifted a little and I could see us going right for a big fat clump of solid cloud. Bases had to be around 2500-3000ft. The 14 way broke off in that and I basically pulled blind not being able to see in front of my face and had to spiral down for a few seconds out of it below the cloud base, as did the rest of the group. Scared the bajeebus out of me with a large group, honestly! I don't think there is such a thing as getting a choice to go through a cloud cleanly. There is always that chance. I've jumped in a lot of high traffic of student pilot warning areas, so I'd rather not take the chance. There is a reason why we have to abide by see and been seen though. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

True. On the flip side, those people are definitely out there too. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

We had that, AND we had to carry around this electronic baby for a weekend. It was programmed to cry, needed to be changed, burped, etc, and kept track of how well it was taken care of. It weighed as much as a real baby and everything, IIRC. This isn't a problem just confined to young girls. Young boys should also be educated, and it's a problem with 20 and 30 something women in the dating world too. Do I think it's irresponsible to have unprotected sex and not be prepared to deal with the possible outcome? Yes. I went way out of my way to prevent that through my young adult life, but more so because I was also a germaphobe afraid of diseases, but I digress.... Anywho, even if I didn't agree with the whole abortion thing, it doesn't mean I should force anybody to not have one. Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

You don't think that is the case for some? I've seen these people in person. They do exist, trust me! Apologies for the spelling (and grammar).... I got a B.S, not a B.A. :)

Just had my first chop in June. I answered 'looking forward to the first,' but not for the reasons you brought up in the OP. Rush? Not so much. But just to get it out of the way and get rid of the anxiety of 'wonder if it works like I trained, wonder if it feels just like the student harness, wonder how my reserve flies, wonder just how it all feels in general, etc' was what I was looking forward to. Now that I have it out of the way, I just have peace of mind now knowing what to expect and how it will feel. And I've also reassured myself I can do it just like I train to do it. In general it was just that thing always nagging me in the back of my mind, and once it was done, my general take was, "oh, that wasn't that bad!" and a little of that anxiety is gone