betzilla

Hey Iceman, I'd give it a little time -- maybe your passion will be sparked again. I'm a bit burned out on it too (only five years in the sport, but a bad injury made me rethink it a bit). But for me, it has to do with not having good friends to jump with (moved to a new DZ -- it's not the same as "home"), and a lack of confidence that I won't look like an ass in the air, after two low-jump-number seasons. All the other stuff you mentioned comes with the territory, and happens in any other similar hobby too (except the maybe the dead friends ). Give it some time, think it over, and if you still want to leave the sport, it's your choice. It's your life -- you have to make it what you want it to be. If you do quit, we'll be happy to have you back if/when you change your mind

My sweetie had a reserve bag lock (one line got caught on his altimeter - he's cool under pressure, and he cleared it). Anyone who's been to SDC has probably seen the video. It's pretty sick.

Great info Lisa! I would add that, in the case where repairs/alterations have been made to the harness/container, a packing data card, or photocopy of one, should go with the container (if sold separate of the reserve). Lisa makes a great point about fair market value (fmv). FMV has nothing to do with your love for the rig, or the dent it made in your pocket. If it's 10-15 years old, you may be surprised at how little it's worth, even if you paid top dollar, and only put 100 jumps on it ! Happy selling!

Doesn't the Atom (parachutes de france) use something like that? I haven't seen an atom yet (cut me some slack -- I just got my ticket), but have heard they have non-elastic hesitator loops under a protective flap on the freebag... I've been told that hesistator loops are one of the most effective ways to control line payout. But why elastic loops on the Icon? A rep from Aerodyne will be at the Spring Expo here at SDC in March, so I'll have the pleasure of finding out then (hopefully before!).

I got back into the store after a day away today to find a note which said that: the owner of the company had called today, apologized for the error, and promised to replace the helmet at no charge. How cool. I'll call the number he left tomorrow and give you all an update. Maybe there's hope for humankind after all

you need an option to answer: "I think I know which is which, but in reality I don't have a clue."

I received a simlilar quote from Icarus for a single-color full-size logo. I've been told that the price increases with the complexity of the design.

Has the freezr started shipping yet? I saw it at the PIA last January, and I agree -- it's awesome! But I haven't seen any on the market yet.

I would totally pull it. 1. mechanisms can fail in ways we've never thought of. I don't want to be the person who reveals a problem for the industry by going in. 2. new jumpers learn by example -- I will land from a cutaway with cutaway with all handles pulled, lest a newbie think you need not pull them all... I mean, if you look up and see a quare reserve and haven't pulled your handle yet, there's no reason to pull it, I guess. But I'm not going to wait for my RSL (I have a skyhook on my current rig) to save my life -- that's my job.

Get this: We sent a brand new piece of equipment in to the manufacturer for repair of a defect. With it was letter explaining the problem, and our hope for repair. Unfortunately, we forgot all about it, and so did the owner. This was late 2002. I ran into the owner of the equipment the other night and both our memories were jogged. Today I called the manufacturer to find out why they hadn't shipped the equipment back to us yet. The reply: "There was no safety issue with the item, and since we never heard from you, we threw that out months ago." Say what, you THREW IT AWAY!!!? I was told by this guy that he had attempted to call us several times about the equipment, to find out what we wanted done with it, but never received a reply. Not true -- I have been here nearly every day since we shipped the item out, and ain't nobody been calling here about that helmet. Not to mention that our address was clearly printed at the top of the letter sent with the item. Did they really think it was better to throw the item away than send it back to us with an invoice? For the love of God, we are a dealer of theirs, and have an account with them!! I was told by the gentleman on the phone that they would not replace the item (which they claimed there was no problem with, but inexplicably threw away). Nor did he show any intention to compensate our customer for the value of his "perfectly good" equipment. I am expecting a call from the owner of their business next week. Let's hope he has the sense to make this right. I offered my customer a refund of the money he paid for the item (which he bought from us), and he wants to wait for a replacement. And I want to get him one. Here's quote from the fellow I talked to: "If you had any idea the number of helmets that get sent to us for repair, and never claimed..." I guess they just throw them all away. Anybody need a new helmet? There's some good dumpster-diving to be had. If anyone wants the address, PM me. GRRRRR.

That photo shows the guide rings over on the LEFT side, where SunPath normally puts them. My question about the photo is, why is the RSL lanyard on the right when the set up is on the left?

I was also pretty worried about the two Sigmas in the loft that needed assembly. That wouldv'e taken me all day too .

sadly, i haven't had the pleasure of closing a Racer yet. I was in a near panic last night that the DPRE would dig one out and make me do one on the exam. We don't have many of them on my DZ. It would have taken me all day for sure if I'd had to do one.

Well, I've been threatening to become a rigger for months now, and I've finally done it. I passed my practical this morning. At last I can earn the big bucks!

20ish is my limit -- less if it's gusty or the winds are squirelly. My limit is lower if I'm not very current too.

No, you really can remove it (I was told this by a bonehead employee, I think -- it was a long time ago). It looks really strange, but the chinstrap is enough to hold the helmet in place.

You can remove the entire face shield, or just the lens -- your choice.

Oh baby, that's a face only a mother could love Just kidding -- congrats on your new rig!

rock on, Professor! Glad you sent in for your award, too (and glad I could help, in my own small way

wow, that's harsh! They actually push you out? I was nervous about my first unstable exit too (in static line progression, we called it the "bomb-out."). I was one of those students who (miraculously) hadn't been unstable yet before then, and I was worried that I might have to pull on my back if I couldn't get belly-down. But it was a piece of cake, really fun, and is still one of my favorite jump memories. My guess is, you'll do great and you'll love it.

I hear ya. I always think vacations will perk me up. But when I come back to work, I'm so annoyed to be back to my stinkin job that I'm extra crabby for a week (not so bad with this job because it's like a perpetual vacation. buhahahahaha. not). The best thing for me would be NOT to take a vacation. Oh wait, that's what I do currently. Hey Lisa, it was nice meeting you by the way. Sorry the weather blew chunx while you were here. I'm wokring on my weather-control-thru-esp, but I still have a ways to go...

what billvon said. But I wave off on every jump -- even solos where I'm the only one who exited. It's just habit. It only takes one time seeing a guy below you dump without a waveoff (surprising to see a rig open with no clear warning! luckily this guy was far below me and I could track over him), to realize how important it is. It keeps you safe, and all the people in the air with you safe.

What a great story! Thanks for sharing that with us. I'll use that story as encouragement next time my 71 year old mom says she's too old to jump.

I totally agree with Phreezone -- have a rigger look at that before you jump it again. It *could* be a piece of the pull-up stuck underneath the closing loop (I just took a rigging course, and we saw that on a rig). If so, it will take your rigger two seconds to pull it out. If not, a half hour to re-close, and you'll be good to go.

Maybe that's cuz you really do have a favorite. that's the one you should get -- the one you wish we all were voting for!