Airman1270

...Anyway, just wanted to ramble a little bit about hot skydivers, something I don't meet very many of... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Really? Maybe there's something wrong with my standards, but I thought just about ALL skydiving women were hot! I've been off the market for years and what few skills I once had are quite rusty, but I've met few women jumpers I wouldn't want to spend a weekend with, if you get my drift (pant! pant! pant!...) I can't help it - I'm just a lesbian trapped in a man's body. At 46, I can do anything I could do 25 years ago. I just can't do it again. Cheers, Jon

First reserve ride on #14, not a cutaway. T-10 main, chest mount reserve. Student jump, a 10 second delay, couldn't find the ripcord and pulled the reserve around 1200'. Unmodified 22'round, oscillated into the trees. My first terminal opening. Oh, the beer... First cutaway was #142, followed by a hard reserve pull & finally opened at 400'. Strong 26' Lopo. Last one was seven years ago, #540 following a streamer. Got open above 1000' & steered (Lopo) to a small clear spot in a neighbor's backyard. There were people on the DZ with more jumps than I had who had never seen a round parachute. Cheers, Jon

...She supports my jumping, she just worries... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wow... I don't spend much time in "envy" mode, but... When we started dating in the mid '80's my wife thought it was fascinating. At the time I was driving 3+ hours to the DZ. She liked to come along & watch, and eventually said she wanted to try a tandem. Then, while camping at the Ranch in May 1990 we watched a guy with 2000 jumps go in. Even so, she wasn't much fazed and made her jump a few weeks later. She said it was "nice" and never jumped again. Meanwhile, she knew that skydiving was something I did once in a while and didn't have a problem with it. Fast forward to marriage... I gave my boss five month's notice and moved to Georgia, with three DZ's nearby. FINALLY I could become current and went to the DZ almost every weekend. I didn't jump a lot, usually one or two a week, but I was beginning to learn to actually fly and get to know people. Meanwhile, she was pissed that I was going to the DZ every Saturday, and wanted no more of it. Sigh. A few years ago I asked if she was afraid of an accident. She said no, it's just the money. (She doesn't have any hobbies or friends and doesn't understand the concept of cameraderie.) When I do jump, she expects me to go to the DZ the way I go to a fast food place. At McDonald's I buy my stuff and leave. I don't hang around and build relationships with the other customers & staff. So here I am, trying to compromise and getting crapped on. I spend most weekends at home and make fewer than 50 jumps a year and she's complaining about all of the time/money I spend at the DZ. She blew a fuse last winter when I put my foot down and said I was (finally) buying new gear after jumping a Wonderhog since 1985. The only consolation was that I wasn't getting much sex anyway so she couldn't retaliate my taking that away... She can be a sweetie, and she's a damn good cook, but I really admire you guys whose wives enjoy watching you celebrate flight and sharing the experience with your friends. Please kill me, Jon

I jump a larger canopy and spend a lot of time riding brakes, frequently landing long after most everyone else has touched down. If the DZ is dictating the landing direction (presumeably as a measure to avoid collisions), would it be a big deal for me to land in the opposite direction, in the absence of traffic, if the winds should change? A reply from DZO's who implement "follow the first guy" rules would be informative. Thanks, Jon S.

...fly dude... much cheaper, faster, and comfortable... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ If absolutely necessary, I'll fly. Otherwise, I refuse to pay all that money to be treated like a piece of crap at the airport. I've made three cross-country auto trips in the past few years. Gas & lodging cost less than the airfare would have been, I was able to bring my guitar, rig, and other stuff without worrying about getting them back intact, had a pleasant time on the road, and didn't get hassled by some brainless airport employee whose job it is to 1) meet a quota regarding searches and 2) avoid hassling people who fit the profile of those who have a history of terrorism and who might actually pose some sort of threat to air travelers. Safe skies, Jon

...Why is it that people are in such a rush?...One jumper at Perris said to me, 'my, thats an awfully big canopy'... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Amazing. Peer pressure is alive & well. Glad it didn't faze you. Today marks 22 years since my first jump. For the past 11 years I jumped a 290 sq. ft. Star Trac. When I ordered new gear this year I wanted something a bit faster so I got a Triathalon 220. It's plenty fast enough, but I can sink it into a tight spot if necessary. I average fewer than 50 jumps per year and have no business under a highly-loaded canopy. Fortunately I have no desire to push that envelope. I sure admire you guys and love to watch, but if I wanted to be going that fast I wouldn't have pulled. There's no shame in landing last. Besides, hanging under canopy watching the scenery is no less thrilling now than it was in the old days. Remember why you wanted to make that first jump? Cheers Jon S.

Thanks Tom B. for details we may not have thought of. There might be a few cases in which jumpers were injured due to real, actual DZ negligence. In such cases, I'd hesitate to blacklist anyone. I'm a little sensitive to this since I was kicked off two DZ's. While fresh off student status in the mid 1980's I inadvertently stepped on some toes at the Long Island DZ (Not the big one currently operating at Calverton.) They said I was grounded "for life." A few years later I almost went in due to a hard reserve pull at Woodstock, Connecticut. The DZO was paranoid of the courtroom and banned me, saying if something happened he could be held liable for allowing me to jump after I "proved" that I might have problems. He was nervous, in part, because I didn't jump very often - a result of having to drive 3+ hours out of state to the DZ because I couldn't jump near my home. I broke my ankle on my first jump (September 30, 1982 - happy anniversary to me...) While recovering, I was taken by surprise by the number of people who suggested I sue the DZ. Even after I said the accident was my fault, they still insisted someone owed me something. These are the people who end up on juries. A real eye-opener. Cheers, Jon

Yeah, classical music rocks... no, wait a minute... Seriously, I enjoy it too, though I don't listen to it much. I remember growing up with an "us vs them" mentality - the people who liked the classics hyper-criticized my music (Alice Cooper, etc.), instead of encouraging my budding appreciation for music. Created a bunch of attitude problems. Stay with the guitar; I've been playing for 30 years. It starts out fun and gets better if you don't quit. Kind of like skydiving. Cheers, Jon

...how can you ever say, "No," to anything he asks for?... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Yeah, those things are so cute. I have three of them. I try to give a warning such as "You can watch this show, then we turn off the TV at 4:00..." Then I'll offer to ride bikes, play SORRY or "bouncy ball", etc. instead. Bedtime is bedtime, and they know it, but we can make it more pleasant by helping them get ready and cut some minor slack if they're mostly behaving well. For years before I had kids I listened to progams such as "Focus on the Family" and heard the advice of people who warned that the time goes by so fast, etc. Armed with this knowledge, raising kids has been a real blessing. I savored every stage and have few regrets. People who complain about the "terrible twos" don't know what they're missing. I love those years between 2-4. Then suddenly they begin to pronounce words correctly and turn into little people... My older kids are fast approaching the age when they won't want to spend much time with me, but no problem. We've had a good run so far. My youngest just turned 5. I changed diapers every day for nine years, then suddenly it stopped. I miss those poopies... Cheers, Jon S.

QuoteHey Airman1270, The cool thing about THE FARM is the undiscovered camping areas.....Scout around during daylight hours and find a nice quiet place to sleep at night. Come party around the fire and when it is time crawl into your tent and get a good night's sleep, you are all set... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Good idea. I thought I'd picked a good spot, not too close to the hangar; not too far to walk. In fact, I avoided the "main" camping area near the pond so I wouldn't disturb people with MY music. Hope to be back soon. Jon

I once paid $64 to use a DZ's C-182 to fly 30 miles out along the beach so I could jump alone and land in front of the beach-side cabin my whole family were staying on vacation... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wow, the memories... Back in 1991 I was in Georgia a few months (newly married and underemployed) and had made a few dives at the Ellijay DZ. One day I went to the DZ intending to make one jump & return home. Surprise - they were having a DC-3 boogie & state record attempts. Okay, nobody to jump with, but I'll take my first DC-3 dive. What - a registration fee?! Okay... Then they started talking about dropping me off at 12,000' while they all went to 15,000'. I protested, saying I was paying $28 for this jump. They let me follow them out after I assured them I'd give them a decent head start. Oops - the pilot didn't know about my solo, and began banking to the right after the big-way's exit. No problem. What a nice dive. Cheers, Jon S.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I suppose next you'll tell me they were drinking beer... This was more noticable this time because the music didn't start until after 3:00. Until then there were people hanging near the fire all through the night, but nothing real loud. Anyway, don't ever repeal the "party zone." Maybe next time I'll take a nap at sunset; then I'll be able to keep up with you guys after midnight. Damn, getting older sucks, except for the alternative. I saw your cutaway (in the distance) just before we left. What happened? Did you get your stuff back? Jon

Amen - A real nice time. Had an awesome 12+ point 2-way with Frank, as well as a couple of clusterf**k loads, chasing people around the sky. Calvin enjoyed watching videos and riding around in the golf cart. On another point, what's going on with the blasting music in the camping area at 4:00am? I love music and enjoy it loud at times, but, gee, was I the only one trying to get some sleep? (Actually, it was interesting music and I was enjoying it, but it would have been better listened to at another time.) Reminds me of that boogie last year at Thomaston. As we were sitting down to the barbeque dinner at sunset the DJ fired up his rave crap and blasted it so loud we couldn't carry on a conversation with people sitting at the same table! Not to call all rave "crap"; I do enjoy a lot of it. It's just that, as a musician, I can only take the same musical phrase being repeated for so long before I develop an intense desire to hear something else or kick the speakers. If I wanted to hear the same riff for 10 minutes I'd play the live version of "Free Bird." Anyway, yes - a great time. Thanks Hans, and a special high-five to Admiral Lance. Hope to see you guys soon. Cheers, Jon S. (We weren't able to get the high-altitude load up because they were two slots short. Could the load have been filled if some people had gone to bed an hour earlier? )

...Coming back from Mexico, I told the Border Patrol that I had left my DL in my other pants. I showed him my Sam's Card, and he let me back into the United States. Is that just crazy?... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I still carry my high school ID issued in September '75, showing my glorious full head of long, shoulder-length hair. When asked for ID I show this card and watch their expressions as I pull out my real ID. At the Atlanta airport I went through this routine at the Delta counter, but before I could extract my license the clerk handed back the high school card, said "thanks", and processed me right on through. How does this exercise enhance "security" anyway? If I'm willing to blow myself up, how would I be deterred by being forced to show ID? Jon

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - They used to do that in Georgia, but the policy was modified a few years ago... ...In a mostly unrelated story, I was going 45mph in a 40 zone back in 1997 when I was stopped by a motorcycle cop with a radar gun. I was surprised he'd stop me for that until he said he had me going 63! (I read years ago that guilty people will try to come up with an explanation; I didn't have one and didn't try. Later it occurred to me that the radar had probably caught the large "Blazer"-type vehicle which came up behind my Camaro as we both turned the corner.) When it became apparent that he was writing a ticket I stopped protesting my innocence and asked procedural questions, such as what he thought my chances would be in court, etc. He said it would depend on the judge, and what they thought of me calling him a liar, etc. "No!" I said - If he said his radar showed 63 I took him at his word, it's just that I didn't make it do that. I was firm & polite, and I suspect that these guys develop a sixth sense about these things and can tell when someone's shoveling a pile of bull on them. In court the prosecutor babe offered a tempting deal, but I wanted to prove my innocence. After one more chance at a deal, I was able to face the judge. While waiting, I saw the cop in a hallway off to the side of the courtroom. They probably agreed behind the scenes that I had been mistakenly accused, because before I could present my evidence the judge told me that the witness against was not in court and I was free to go. I almost said "No, he's here - I just saw him" but I didn't. The funny thing is when the prosecutor offered me a sweet deal, saying she'd "never lost a radar case." I asked what this had to do with her. Moral: If you don't BS the cop, you'll stand out from the crowd & he'll remember you later. This might not necessarily be a bad thing. Also, try not to accumulate a bunch of violations. My case was most likely made easier becaue I have a clean record. Moral #2: Get rid of the Camaro. Cheers, Jon S.

Just so you know, I wasn't really questioning your abilities. I don't know you and have never seen you fly your canopy. I was just playing devil's advocate and suggesting why having a higher license would be a good idea. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Hi. Sorry to take so long to reply - I do this at work, and haven't been in since Friday... No problem, I knew what you were getting at. Odds are I will someday get a "D". I was kinda hoping to get some response from the people in positions of authority (DZO's, etc.) regarding whether they'd allow me to participate in beach jumps, etc. after I'd made the trip to their DZ's. It was a good discussion, though. Thanks. Jon S.

...I believe what was meant is that the PD z-po material is not the same fabric as the material that Triathlon canopy is made out of. PD material used to be noticeably, the stinkin' slickest stuff around.... at least it used to be... this could have changed over the last 5-6 years or so.. not sure... but PD material used to be hands down slicker than Triathlons, Heat waves, etc. ... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ DOH! You mean it can get even worse? Cheers, Jon

Just because you've jumped a lot doesn't mean you've worked on things like accuracy, canopy control or have kept up with the regulations in the SIMS regarding safety. You may have done all of those things, but how does anyone know for sure when you show up at a boogie without a higher license than an A? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I've seen plenty of "D" holders who cannot consistently land within 50' of a target. But I'm intrigued by your thinking here, suggesting that 800 jumps and many years in the sport mean little if I don't have a "D". Of course, an organizer might raise an eyebrow when he sees the "A", but after asking a few questions and checking a logbook it seems the proper response would be "Oh, okay...have a nice boogie." It would seem to me that anyone with a few hundred jumps or more who could not fly & land safely, regardless of the circumstances, would be the rare exception, not the rule. Even when I had fewer than 100 jumps I was landing on, or very close to, the target. Something about training on rounds that teaches canopy control like nothing else can. I have near-excellent canopy control and am well qualified to attempt to earn a PRO rating. I think if I can make the required number of accuracy landings I should be allowed to get the rating. I will be no more qualified after I fill out the paperwork for a "D" and send the $20 to USPA headquarters. The "D" requirement here is cosmetic - it has nothing to do with one's ability to land a parachute on target. So far I've made my share of boogies, night jumps, and high-altitude loads, and have never yet been held back because of my "A". But I fear being taken by surprise someday. If they're so paranoid about my license, wait 'til they find out I don't have an AAD... Happy weekend, Jon S.

Yesterday marked my 12th pack job on my new Triathalon, and the first I was able to approach with some confidence. It took an hour, including breaks, and I probably could have done it in half the time. Not my fastest pack job, but the smoothest to date. Everything was neatly in place, and it went into the bag without too much of a struggle. (I'd better pull high...) Hooray for me. Cheers, Jon S.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Interesting point. Some input from DZO's & event organizers would be useful: Are you saying you would not allow me to make beach jumps, jump specialty aircraft, etc. with my "A" license, even though I have nearly 800 jumps? If not, why? Jon S.

...If you ever see more than an 'A' next to my number you'll know that my life took a major change...but why do people keep buggin' on me for it??... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Amen! I graduated in 1985 and continued in the sport without the issue ever being brought up until late 1987, when I was driving from Georgia to New York and stopped at a DZ in Hartwood, Virginia. Even though I had 120 jumps and was current, they made me do a supervised solo because I didn't have a license. Soon after that I purchased an "A" license, which I've held since. Meanwhile I've long since qualified for a "D" (under both the older and the revised standards) but have not yet had a reason to upgrade. And why should I? I can do anything with my "A" that I could do with a "D". I believe USPA pressures us into getting a "D" by artificially requiring it for certain things. If I have enough experience to qualify for an attempt at an instructor rating, a PRO rating, or competing at the Nationals, why should my "A" license hold me back? Requiring a "D" is like requiring purple underwear - it has nothing to do with one's ability to do the task at hand. If I ever decide I need a "D" I'll study the S.I.M., fill out the paperwork, and buy one. Until then, that money might better be spent on a jump ticket. Cheers, Jon S.

...To me there is absolutely no proof Jesus existed. None whatsoever... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wow. Jesus is the single most researched person in history. You may not accept His divinity, but it's puzzling how you can claim He never existed. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ...Not to mention the bible itself is chalked full of flip flops... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Such as? Here's a question for all skeptics and not-so-sures. (Resist the temptation to answer a question not being asked): IF God is real, IF the Bible is true, IF Jesus is who He claimed to be, and, most importantly, IF it were possible to prove this beyond all doubt, would you be pleased or disappointed? Cheers, Jon S.

...I'd really hate to see him bounce and cause the DZ major legal problems just because he smoked a joint 3 days ago... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ If he smoked it three days ago, it wouldn't have had anything to do with the accident. Of course, the toxicology test would reveal the presence of the substance, a fact which could be blown out of proportion for the purpose of vindictive litigation. Once again, the defendant (in this case the DZ) would be punished not for doing a bad thing, but for failing to prevent a bad thing from happening. After all, they can't sue the guy responsible because he's dead, man. Too many law school graduates; not enough legitimate work to keep them busy. Jon

...I figured that he was talking about bjs... ... ... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ My my, I feel like I should be paying $3.95 per minute for this conversation... At age 46, I can do anything I could do 25 years ago. I just can't do it again. , Jon

Ok, so giving blow jobs are the only thing that makes a woman a wife? If she doesn't give him head she's a bad wife? How about all the house cleaning (woman do 90% of it)? Or taking care of the kids? Tending house? I guess none of those things work in a marriage - its all about blow jobs. Give your wife a break - if she doesn't like it, then don't get resentful; instead look at everything else she does for you. Jen _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wow - way to fall into my trap. Can't disagree with most of what you say, but you may be missing an important point. Each spouse is responsible for serving the other. This is not limited to sex. After I wash the dishes, vacuum & shampoo the carpets, clean the stove & the bathrooms, take out the garbage, do the yard work, help with the laundry, spend much time playing with the kids, and work two jobs to help pay the bills, I'm not sure I appreciate being lectured on the importance of pulling my weight around the house. Of course, any man who fails to lift a finger to help out with life's routine chores would eventually prompt the kind of resentment that would interfere with his wife's amorous attitude. No argument here. My point about serving each other was based on the ASSumption that there was not any conflict regarding the points you mentioned. For maximum satisfaction for both spouses, and to increase the odds the marriage will thrive, each spouse has an obligation to serve the other's desires & needs, short of doing things that are illegal, immoral, or dangerous. If you're going to react with hostility because your man might want to do something that most guys like, perhaps it's not the man who's being unreasonable. And if you don't love him enough to want to do these things for him, give him a break and let him marry someone who does. That's all. (And for the record, my wife is a sweetie. This doesn't mean there can't be room for improvement. I'll accept her suggestions... ) Cheers, Jon