jeiber

Since she's already caught one, you better euthanize her, just to be on the safe side....

... and people actually have valid arguments, at that! ***Second, Jeib, it only feels low NOW. A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, people used to do a whole bunch of jumps form 3 to 3.5. Sometime, they even did their 1st jump from 3K! Oh the horror! Quote Yeah, perhaps it is all relative. Doing the math though.... the reserve needs, what 500' to safely open? The average main takes, what, 700' to open? That's 1200' out of the 2000' gone from the equation, right off the bat. Really not that much left over... especially if you want to turn to land into the wind. Jeff Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

skydivers afraid of a 2,000 exit? sad, sad, sad.... I hate to play both sides of the court here, but I (personally) wouldn't slam somebody for being a little intimidated from a 2k exit altitude. 2k is low - downplay it all you want, but it's low; especially for someone with under 100 jumps. (I hope) few people would be telling this guy to 'go for it' with 84 jumps, out of an unfamiliar aircraft, at an unfamiliar DZ. All I can say is I would be grabbing this guy on the ramp, and telling him he needs to think twice about what he's doing. Would I do it, given the same situation as being discussed? I'd be the first one off the ramp. A poor example to set? Maybe, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a roll model. Hopefully they'd land with the plane to help me find my main and free bag... Jeff Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Glad you're ok, and hopefully your friends will have a speedy recovery. Not to glorify the situation, but.... at least they have a better story to tell other than, 'I turned too low to the ground...' Instructors will be telling this story to their students for years to come. Also, I just noticed you have 84 jumps. This is a perfect example of why we need to look out for each other. I'm just sorry we (as a community) let you down on this one.... Jeff Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

No, someone who just got their A, and bought the cheapest used gear (without an AAD) they could find. I disagree. At 25 jumps, most jumpers don't even know what's dangerous, and they certainly don't know why things are dangerous. As a community, I think it's our responsibility to look out for one another, even if it isn't written in the SIM/IRM. I've never heard of a person denied of their A license, because they were too stupid to skydive. I've even met a few skydivers that I swear suffer from mild retardation, but hold a D license. Jeff Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Yes, really... But, I think you're missing my point. I can add a few 'stupid ideas' too: Knowingly jumping from 2k... ..with a tandem rig is stupid. ..and freeflying is stupid (right Stacy? ). ..knowing you trash packed your main is stupid. ..while doing a Mr. Bill is stupid. ..on gear you're unfamiliar with is stupid. So what does any of this have to do with the situation being discussed? I believe there's nothing inherently nothing wrong with an experienced skydiver exiting from 2k. Your choice of equipment and dive plan are what makes it stupid. And for the record, I just looked up the BSR in the SIM. 2000' is container opening altitude. Minimum container opening altitudes above the ground for skydivers are: 1. Tandem jumps--4,500 feet AGL 2. All students and A-license holders--3,000 feet AGL 3. B-license holders--2,500 feet AGL 4. C- and D-license holders--2,000 feet AGL http://www.uspa.org/publications/SIM/2006SIM/section2.htm Technically, hop n pop from an aircraft at 2000' is much safer than freefall to 2000', anyway. Jeff Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

I don't think jumping at 2k is stupid, (as I'm sure has already been mentioned) 2k' is actually the minimum container opening altitude for C & D license holders. I think the fact that not one person looked at their altimeter prior to exit (or at least didn't question what their altimeter was reading), is kind of, well, dumbfounding. (below isn't directed at you windcatcher) This isn't going to be a popular statement, but I have to throw out a 'WTF?!' to the pilot! Why, you ask? For drastically changing the flight plan, and not telling anybody (assuming he didn't tell jumpers in the front of the plane, and they failed to pass the word). Yes, we are all ultimately responsible for our own actions, but that doesn't mean it's ok for others to deliberately put us into potentially dangerous situations where our lives depend on such decisions. Before I get flamed on this: I don't consider putting jumpers out at 2000' a dangerous situation. Telling jumpers you're putting them out at 6500', then putting them out at 2000' IS potentially dangerous. Let me throw some more fuel onto this fire: What would people be saying if this were a group of newbies that exited? No experience, no AAD's, canopies with a long snivel, and too excited about jumping a tailgate to think about looking down. You do the math on this very possible scenario... Sorry, but I think both sides are equally to blame here. Like many others, I'm just shaking my head... Jeff Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Insurance companies don't bill you based on points, they base it on moving violations. You can get a ticket (with or without points), but if your insurance company doesn't have a reason to pull your driving record, they don't raise your rates. File a claim, and you bet they'll pull your record. This came directly from my insurance agent, at Allstate a year or so ago. Jeff Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Hey, it's a valid question! Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

I second that! Holy smokes, that's torture for the ADD afflicted. So many tangents the mind can wander off on! Better yet, make her read it while the tv and radio are on. If that doesn't work, give me a call and we'll talk about MySpace in front of her - there's no way she'll be able to focus! Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Exactly! And be sure you don't act jealous around her - you have a great chance to earn some serious 'cool points' here. Does she have any hot friends? Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Save me a slot! Biplanes and balloons? Sheesh, this is getting bigger and bigger every year! I still have the video of the helicopter hovering over 'tent city' to look at the 'nakedness', and blowing tents everywhere. That was just too damn funny. RoamingDZ is gonna be there with 'the electric star' again, right Spence?

Nothing gets you over the last one, like the next one! How long was the relationship? Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Good Skymama!

I guess I missed the part in The Bill of Rights, where it's our legal right to break the law. When I have broken the law, I never fought for innocence, knowing that I was guilty. I have always either paid the fine, or pled 'no contest' in court, where I felt there were circumstances that the judge should consider when assessing the fine. Both times, he agreed and let me off with court costs. One time guilty, the othertime he withheld judgement. I really don't care anyway, I was just being argumentative because I was bored last night. There's got to be some mindless discussion here in the bonfire somewhere. Then again, maybe I should actually get some work done here. J Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Ummm. Ok. A law is broken. The person is caught. Pay a private company some money, and they'll make it all go away - no questions asked. Al Capone would be proud! Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

That's right! It's all about lying and cheating your way out of accepting responsibility for our actions! Why? Because it's the American way, dammit! It's our right! Ok, now on to planning retirement... let's see, who can I sue... Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Considering 'we' need to walk 200 miles... does a few feet really matter that much? I say we keep it in case of moon bears. J Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Jay... you know nobody likes a quitter... besides, all the cool people are doin' it! Don't you want to be one of the cool people? Hang in there, Jeff Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Nationally Registered EMT-P, ACLS-P, and BTLS. Let it all expire, because girl I was engaged to didn't want me working around all the nurses. Financially it turned out to be a good career move, but I wanted to be a flight medic more than anything.... I'm jealous... Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Ok, not that I'm one to be giving advice right now, but I think it's pretty safe to say that obnoxious will get you a girl before beying annoying will... Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

But I'm providing a valuable public service to the community! Just think about all the people in relationships right now that are thinking, 'damn I'm glad I'm not single'. If nothing else, you have to admit, the truth of this story is far better entertainment than anything anyone could have made up... And for the record, I've only had three errors in judgement lately!

Yeah, I'm usually a gentleman (more or less), and know exactly what you mean. I did try a variation of your social experiment; no I didn't actually soil myself, but I was pretty obnoxious towards a girl I ran into that I hadn't seen in a while, and she ended up emailing me Saturday and asking me for my number. Unfortunately I screwed up the 'be a jerk' part. I told her she looked good in the email. She hasn't called yet. I bet she would have called if I told her she looked like she'd put on a few pounds. Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

Hey! I resemble that remark! Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!