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The only reason I would support USPA's involvement in the museum would be if there were positive financial reasons for doing so. I can't imagine that being true however. There is no way a skydiving museum would generate enough revenue to support even the cost of the staff, let alone the facility cost. Put the most important gear in existing avaition museums. Tom B

One small piece of advice here. When they ask at the inspeciton, don't call that little CYPRES thingy a cutter. Just say that it seperates or breaks the closing loop. :) They are a bit paranoid about cutting tools. Tom Birdwell

I dropped by Gold Coast over the weekend and found it to be a wonderful place. Starting with the first point of contact at any DZ, the "manifest bitch", Amanda was one of the nicest and friendliest I have seen anywhere. Hell, just look at her, she is obviously friendly :). The facility is first rate. Clean, roomy, student gear was immediately taken care of after each jump. For example, the student jumpsuits were brushed and washed Saturday, starting Sunday again fresh. The showers there have clean towels AND toiletries. Plenty of room for packing. On-site rigging is immediately available. There were quite a few female jumpers, again more evidence that if you have good instruction, clean restrooms, a little food nearby, and treat them like people instead of meat, women will join skydiving in numbers. The DZO, Mike Igo was active, helping new jumpers with advice, and jumping more than a little. Their Otter runs with some of the lightest loads I have seen, letting jumps continue even if 18 people are not around. The staff (Paul Cozic, David Layne, et al) were actively engaged with new jumpers most of the day. I recommend the DZ highly, and will go back. Tom Birdwell

If you go back and read your post you will find you asked two questions, the first one being was he an asshole or were you being sensitive. I was answering the first question. As for my comment, at times the easiest thing to do is walk by someone and say nothing, because anything you saw will make you sound like an asshole. But things need to be said, and questions need to be asked sometimes. It is better to speak too much than bury a brother because you didn't. Tom B Tom B

Sounds like that "asshole" was trying to save your life. We need more 'assholes" like him on most DZ's. Tom B

Well Vern, you can jump mine any time you want. It was one of the two you reference, so it should be lucky for you now. It had been a LONG time since I saw that many big rigs in the sky. Tom B

Melanie wrote: "Medic - how many times do I have to tell you? I am not gonna show you my boobies just to make you feel better!!! " So what reason would accept? :) Tom B Tom B