airtwardo

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Posts posted by airtwardo

  3. Inconsistency regarding personality and patterns of behavior is usually a strong indicator of someone who's still searching for who they are. . .

    That or there's too much gravel and not enough cement in the mix....either way, not a real good foundation with which to build anything on.










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  4. BruceSmith

    Quote

    "...Yeah....THAT'S the part that was B.S.! :D;)




    B.S., Air T? Be careful, now. Those initials are dear to my heart.

    BTW, the acting on Leverage was dreadful. Worse than a day-time soap. Whew.



    :D:D










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  9. CorvusCrypto

    If you're a US citizen then you can apply for the US Global Entry card. This is something that lets you use TSA Pre-check for any domestic flight. On international flights it also means a bypass through some of the customs bs you normally deal with. I haven't tried to use the card to see if they make me unpack my rig, but that's because I'm poor and don't own one. I'm sure they let that slide with the special card, too. Search US GOES for the online application system. Makes crossing the borders by car easier too (**** San Ysidro)

    Other tips include expect to come back with more than you take, avoid taking a laptop if you can, wear flip flops on the day of the flight for easier removal during the TSA check, use a passport for identification so you can keep your purse/wallet stowed during checks, and finally, on short flights go for an aisle seat so access to the lavatory is easier. On long international flights go for a window seat so you can rest without getting bumped by others for said lavatory usage.

    Also, resist the temptation to bail at 10k feet over your destination :P




    Global entry works well at 'part a' of getting through customs but if you have checked bags it doesn't necessarily offer any atvantages...

    And remember customs is a whole different ball game than TSA.

    Customs wants to pull your rig apart they will- trust me. And they don't usually ask YOU to do it...they just start digging.


    As far as no laptop... Why not? I carry one everywhere and have had no problems.

    Flip flops? Really?!? :ph34r:.










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  10. wmw999

    Quote

    ~ Maybe - maybe not...I spent 4 months in Russia with a rather considerable amount of 'uncirculated US currency' on my 6'4"person 24/7 back when we got the kids.



    Fixed it for you:P

    That said, I travel quite a bit too, and haven't had any trouble.

    Wendy P.




    Point taken ~




    I guess it doesn't really hurt that I look like an Eastern European....serial killer. ;)










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  14. quade

    ***Quade recommends the neck thingie...I don't like those and can spot someone wearing one two miles away.



    Regardless of any attempts to conceal items or attempt to "fit in" with locals, most out of towners are easily spotted a mile away and international travelers at two.

    While it is NEVER a good idea to advertise "you're not from around here" by wearing out of town clothing ("Go Sports TEAM!" or "'Murica - Fuck Yeah!"), the fact is you almost certainly will look out of place no matter what you attempt to do. Anyone preying on out of towners for a living is not going to be fooled regardless of where you stash your stuff.


    True to varying degrees and somewhat depending on how much effort you care to put out & where & how you're traveling.

    When I really want to 'fit in' I do...often it isn't until I open my mouth that I'm 'outed' as a non-local. But then again I've traveled in Europe extensively for the past 20 years going 1/2 a dozen times annually.

    ..It certainly does help if you don't have the deer in the headlights lost in the ozone look - not to mention a wife that speaks 6 languages. :D


    And as far as ~ Anyone preying on out of towners for a living is not going to be fooled regardless of where you stash your stuff.

    ~ Maybe - maybe not...I spent 4 months in Russia with a rather considerable amount of 'uncirculated US currency' on my person 24/7 back when we got the kids. ;)










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  16. ryoder

    Never get involved in a land war in Asia.



    I do not think that means what you think it means!




    ~ As fas a traveling...

    -always travel LIGHT, that's the thing that separates a 'seasoned' traveler from a wuffo.

    Only the the rarest of occasions does one really need a monster sized suitcase that needs to be checked in. I went to Spain for 6 weeks last year and took my usual carry on suitcase and backpack.

    When packing the suitcase - roll socks & skivvies up and stuff them in the ONE extra pair of shoes. Roll pants up tightly, lay shirts on top of everything flat as the last thing to go in and fold them to the inside area of the whole case.

    Backpack...I use one fairly large Swiss Army backpack, well made, versatile and very comfortable to use. In IT goes one complete change of clothes, a ditty bag of personal items (shaver, spare glasses, medicine, band aids, etc.

    - I also have an 'el cheapo' thin nylon backpack which goes inside the bigger one....in that goes the things you will need during the flight, snacks, music, books, two bottles of water, longsleeve pullover tee etc.

    When you board the aircraft, stick the big backpack & rollie suitcase in the overhead - the small one goes under your seat.;)

    Wear nice clothes on the flight especially when traveling overseas...looking business gets ya better treatment than looking 'Bum'...

    Loose comfortable clothing is best for long flights, and remember when sitting for long periods at altitude you feet swell...that walk to immigrating can be torture in the wrong shoes lol

    Stay hydrated in the aircraft...that's why I always have and extra couple of bottles of water with me, sometimes it's easier than waiting on a FA to get you something...

    At your destination you can use the smaller backpack for sightseeing day trips and the like without looking like a first time tourist hauling everything ya own everywhere.

    Do some research on where you are going...try to dress & act like you belong there thus keeping a low profile and offering a lesser chance of problems with crime etc.

    Quade recommends the neck thingie...I don't like those and can spot someone wearing one two miles away.

    I prefer the nylon 'money belt' type thing that goes around your waist. At Walmart for under ten bucks and harder to spot. wrap all your important stuff in plastic ziplock bags to keep it dry.

    If staying at a hostel or the like take that money belt with you everywhere including into the shower...

    Keep in mind most anywhere you may be going will have both a tourist shopping area, and a locals shopping area with better prices...you can get whatever 'else' you may need, forgot, ran out of...at the local 'wal-mart' type store -

    - you don't have to bring everything you may possibly need as if you were going to Mars. Remember travel light - it makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

    http://youtu.be/L5UlxHsgD58

    Situational awareness and alert knowledge of surroundings will go far in keeping one safe...it's great to talk to strangers, but don't believe everything they say.

    And if you DO happen to find yourself involved in a land war in Asia...stay low & don't bunch up! B|










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  17. craddock

    *********
    I recall setting an instructors examination paper, and included a Mr Bill question in the written section.



    I remember having to answer a question about a demo jump, where the demo jumper would be dressed up as a witch, with broom and hat, plus the demo jump was to be at night and close to water. Question was, what to prepare and how to handle this. A number of people started writing like a full page how-to. The correct answer was: Don't :S

    what I don't get is the negative attitude of some posters opposing that very legitimate answer....
    once again - dz.com kangaroo-court

    It is a BS answer. Where does one draw the line? Sure there are jumps that only a small subset of jumpers should be attempting to pull off, but if you are answering this question on a test you are at the very least going into an area where some of this subset lie. It was not a yes or no question. As was already said the "Don't" response could be applied across the board. To some whuffos it applies to every jump we do.

    I have done jumps far more difficult talent wise than that, but the point of the question assumes the talent and focuses on the planning. It is a horse shit question if that was the correct response and belongs nowhere on a test. You become graded on the instructors own personal opinions and level of competency and that is just flat out wrong. A trick question has no business on that test

    Edited to reiterate. I don't think anyone is saying it is not a legitimate answer on a personal level. That is an individual choice. Just not a legitimate question requiring that answer on a test of which is assumed to be given to a potential demo jumper that needs to be able to plan. A disguised question that most would assume is meant as a test of one's ability to foresee different scenarios that one must plan for in order to make a safe successful jump. Whether or not they would or should actually make such a jump. Could one answer "don't" to the question of a jump next to a pumpkin patch in light winds because the testie has a phobia of pumpkins? Where does one actually have to formulate a decent response for the test. So it is not so much of a BS answer as that it is a BS question based on the REQUIRED answer.


    Very well stated.

    To add my .02...one should have a somewhat well rounded background regarding the overall spectrum of the sport when being an instructor. That kinda is what the title infers.

    Though you may not personally feel doing a jump of that type is a good idea, let's face it - somebody might want to try, so you should at the very least have some input that would help to make it safely successful.

    If nothing else an answer like - "Direct the jumper to someone with a proven track record of planning & performing speciality jumps of that type" would be a more productive response than 'don't'.










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  19. Quote

    My number was hijacked, and a counterfeit card was manufactured, sold and used within about a week.



    Paid for a meal in Rome a few months back, the waiter said the charge was covered but that was to contact the credit card company ASAP.

    Company said I was either eating dinner in Italy or buying 2200.00 worth of shoes in Florida. :ph34r:










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  20. stevemeg

    Are you by chance a reporter / investigator / cheesehead? ;)



    Nope. None of the above. Just a simple country skydiver who saw a near collision at the DZ and wondered if the reckless canopy pilot would have to answer for it if he had hurt the other guy.


    Cool beans - name just reminded me of a Wisconsin journalist I use to know.

    As to you query. . . It depends on the circumstances.

    For example - sone asshat hotdogging it carelessly through the pattern an crashed into poor ole fragile me...no need to worry about lawers...

    I would be held without bail!:ph34r:










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  21. Quote

    Sometimes I have a hard time looking past the common sense to see how it's possible to break stuff.:S




    I tend to give those unfamiliar with it a pass...unless they do something nutty 'after' being told the right way.

    Lets face it, there are those that feel understanding their gear and how to maintain it is actually a part of being a Skydiver....and there are those who don't care or are intimidated by it. Neither is right or wrong, it is what it is.

    I just tend to error on the side of simplistic safety when offering advice of that type when you're not face to face so to speak... B|

    Years ago I remember a lot of people saying finger traps don't need to be bar-tacked...saw a guy that relined his own canopy that actually believed it...for a short while! :ph34r:










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  24. mr2mk1g

    ******
    I remember having to answer a question about a demo jump, where the demo jumper would be dressed up as a witch, with broom and hat, plus the demo jump was to be at night and close to water.

    That jump can be done safely, but it needs the right jumper and proper planning. That's all. :)
    Twardo would nail it. Whilst wearing pyro.


    Damn Skippy!B|

    And I guarantee THREE things....it would be done Safely - Successfully - and it would not be CHEAP! ;)










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

  25. mcordell

    Yea assuming it has metal links it is the same. Use a screw driver inside the link to give you a way to hold it when you torque with a wrench to loosen the barrel. Make sure you turn it the right way. ;)

    ETA: Don't lose the safety stow on the free bag. The free bag won't have rubber bands as locking stows like your main d-bag. It will have one continuous loop of elastic shock cord and it can come completely out of the free bag, although it probably won't, when you unstow the lines. You need to make sure you have that still. Just in case you find a shock cord loop on the ground when you are done and have no idea what it is for.




    Might I suggest ~

    If someone isn't a rigger or working under the supervision of one, they leave the disconnect alone and get it done by a 'professional'.

    I understand that it's not rocket surgery - but it's also not wrenching on an old lawnmower.

    I saw a fairly new jumper attempting to remove the french links on a main not long ago...he used a large standard screw driver with the sharp head itself inside the link and a vise grip on the locking nut.

    Burrs are HELL on suspension lines. :S










    ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~