macfrite

I've jumped at dropzones with both sets of rules and they both work ...as long as there is a clear understanding by all parties. The rules shouldn't change on the whim of the DZO. I don't quite see the "liability" issue as long as everyone is on, and stays on, the ground. The Laws covering DUI and the "liabilities" for letting someone drive while impaired is a different issue. If you are providing the alcoholic drinks and they are impaired while driving afterwards you ARE liable. How this covers "free beer" is anyone's guess.

I met Roger in Zephyr Hills Florida. He was the hit of the party and larger than life. I remember his whole "family" arrived on a bus he owned, when they went to leave the bus wouldn't start talk about a bummer end to a skydiving vacation

Anyone know the whereabouts of Paul? A few of his friends who jumped with him from the 80's are wanting to know what he's up to and if he's OK

Shocked to hear of Peter's passing, what a waste

Nothing wrong with that jump, they both got to walk away without as much freefall time as expected. I had a jump where I lost an altimeter, I was crying over a coffee when I heard the owner of the DC3 I jumped out of say he had just lost an engine the same day (made my loss sound trivial). Losing stuff is just a fact of life and a good argument for keeping "spares"

This so reminds me of an incident years ago when we (all instructors) were discussing canopies when someone suggested I jump his rig and try it out (alarm bells went off) I said OK, the rig was more or less standard so I felt comfortable with it. When I geared up, the owner came over and said to watch out for the pilot chute because it had a habit of sitting on his back (sniveling) I looked him in the face and asked him why he didn't fix it (we were both riggers) He said it didn't bother him as he knew all about it. I took the gear off and scrubbed myself from the load. I've had a dozen reserve rides and I don't need to go looking for another one. I believe instructors owe it to their students to be as safe as possible and not jump with questionable gear. I've known a few people who died because they didn't follow this simple principle.