billindenver

QuoteSawzall, coarse blade, recycle....beer money.

Sounds more like you don't care if you live, by your own rules. You're OK with dying for lack of a small safety device, and screw anybody who is left to face the consequences. It's not that you want your own rules, it's that you're making what I consider to be a really incomprehensible decision that shows a lack of respect for your own life and the consequences that your death could bring, all so you can feel good about not having a hidden safety device. My own rules include using that little device, it's an intelligent decision. Making my own rules does not include stupid choices. Can we please stop with the suggestion that we should all quit skydiving? I cannot understand how you think giving up the activity completely is the same as installing an AAD. Driving without a seatbelt is real driving. Well, if we have to wear a seatbelt, we'd all be safer not driving anyway! Let's quit driving. I get the feeling that it's all-or-nothing for you, and that "compromise" or "finding a happy medium" are not really options in your world. Seriously, you make using an AAD sound like getting castrated. I wonder how you feel about other safety rules that you think affect only yourself, but actually affect others, too. Edit: I asked my girlfriend, who took AFF but is not an active jumper, about this. We've been all over the world together, skydiving, scuba diving, abseiling, riding in some guy's homemade submarine 600m below the ocean, bungee jumping, etc. She is the adventurous type. My question was what she would think if I decided to jump without an AAD because it thrills me more. She said, "I'd think you're [expletive deleted] stupid, and that you don't care about our life together." Yet she's fine with me skydiving in general. Edit again: She added later, "What am I supposed to tell people at your funeral? That you chose (to be) stupid? Chose (to be) stupid over me?" Well that settles it then doesn't it? You and your girlfriend have decided that for my own good, you're going to set the rules. Ok. I'll bite. Now lets see if you can follow my logic here. My wife and I have decided that in order to make skydiving safer...everyone should jump student rigs. No question those canopies are safer. No question our new rule will save far more lives than your required AAD. You can't argue otherwise. So, do you know why our rule will never work in the States? Because this country still has a tiny bit of freedom left. We get to decide on a few things...even if they are bad for us. Like jumping out of airplanes instead of bowling. Small canopies because they are more fun (and dangerous). We get to smoke if we want to (not me...no thanks). We can drink if we want to (single malt please) and the consequences for my decisions....ARE ON ME. It's a personal freedom, personal responsibility thing....that means you have no say in it. I realize you're in Japan and perhaps it's a cultural difference that you just can't fathom...but over here, telling someone you're forcing them to do something for their own good just doesn't go over very well. My point being, if you're still with me, is that no matter how certain YOU or your girlfriend are about what is best for me...no matter how unquestionable YOUR logic....you don't get to decide for me. It's frankly none of your damn business whether or not my wife or daughter cry at my funeral. They would cry because I went skydiving that day, not because I choose not to have an AAD with 30 year old technology in it. What you're being intentionally obtuse about is the point that your argument for AAD's is the same argument people use when trying to stop skydiving or private planes, or high power motorcycles, or race tracks, skateboards, BASE jumping or any of the thousand things people like you get all wound up over because others are risking what you dare not. Your emotional need to get involved in other people's decision making along with the tenacity with which you pursue this crusade to change their minds....can be cured with enough counseling. I very much doubt you would stand on a dropzone and argue this out with a stranger face to face, so why are you being so pushy in here? How about you just relax a bit and get on with your own life.

As usual, an awful lot of BS getting spewed by a few people on Dizzy... Here's your $20 rental fee: "Thank you for reaching out us at Cloud 9 Parachute Leasing LLC. We have the following payment options available for Cypres 2 AADs. (2) month option - $729.89 + tax & shipping (3) month option - $499.33 + tax & shipping (12) month option - $164.53 + tax & shipping These prices are a Lease to Own for new Cypres 2 AAD, at the end of the term you would own the AAD. Please let me know if any of these plans work for you." 150 month service life for a Cypres comes out to $11.50 per month plus interest. If you're going to make your argument towards people of marginal means, do it accurately. Nanny States always start w/a foot in the door technique, because "It's just plain old common sense." Then, they quickly spiral out of control, passing progressively inhibitive laws. The They in those cases being assholes who think they've the right to impose their views on others. That's a Hell of a slippery slope once it starts. Carry on... I think I love you man. You nailed it. Personally I can afford an AAD easily....I just don't want one. Perhaps I'll change my mind one day, in which case I'll buy one. It will be my decision, not some do-gooder who's two whole decades on the planet have taught him everything there is to know. Every argument these guys use for having the 'responsibility' to buy an AAD can also be used for NOT SKYDIVING AT ALL. What's on my back is none of your business.

This is like asking if you are Liberal or Conservative. Do you believe you know what's best for everyone and through some emotional need to help you want to force people to do what you believe is right, or do you believe in the freedom for everyone to decide for themselves. It's as simple as that. I'm a do whatever you feel is right kinda guy. But then I'm old enough to realize that my beliefs, no matter how certain I am, doesn't mean I know everything. That's a reality that takes decades to grow into and this sport is far more populated with those too young to appreciate freedom of choice, so I suspect mandatory is coming.

This sort of ridiculous complaining used to take place around Centennial airport in Denver too. The airport started filing paperwork with the county on every complaint filed. Paperwork essentially attached to the house in the same manner that a home owner has to disclose if their house has ever flooded, or has failed a radon test. In essence, filing that paperwork seriously lowers the value of the house....as they then have to tell every potential buyer that the house is in an extremely noisy area (or whatever the wording of the complaint was). Shockingly, the complaints stopped....and that's at an airport with a huge jet aircraft contingent (top 5 busiest general aviation airport in the country). Someone out at Longmont needs to stop playing nice and start swinging back.