Andrewwhyte

I have never met Patrick Swazie but as far as I ever heard he could skydive without causing any undue hazard to himself or those around him. I really don't see the merit in throwing him or anyone else off the DZ just because he doesn't fit into someone else's image of a well rounded skydiver. If I had that guy's money I would forget how to pack, so what's the difference if someone forgets or never learned. If you think I am exaggerating about being able to forget, I am not. I do know at least one person who has forgotten how to pack. He knew how to pack rounds, he knew how to flat pack his F-111 seven cells, but he does not know how to pack his Stiletto. I think too many people take skydiving way too seriously. It is not some transcendental route to enlightenment; It's a game. If the rich want to pay people to pack then let them. On the rare occasions that I have played golf, I carried my own clubs. Does this make me a better golfer than someone who has never played a round without a caddy?

Is the real problem that she won't sleep with you? C'mon admit it.

Interesting website Phillykev. The first time I saw that ideology grid was in a book published just before the 1972 election called "None Dare Call It Conspiracy." This book is about the international bankers' conspiracy to rule the world. It's not a jewish conspiracy, but all the big names they use (Rothchild, Warburg, Rockefeller) are Jewish. According to this book communism is a capitalist plot and John D. Rockefeller flew to Moscow to personally fire Kruschev. SOOO... if you went there and took their little poll, welcome to the FBI's Conspiracy Theory Kook Watch List!

The rules in freefall are the same as everywhere in life. If your intentions are to hurt people or to make yourself look good by belittling others, you will acquire a social group who treats you the same way. If you open your mouth primarily to share the joy, you will bask in the joy of those around you. Criticism comes in constructive and petty flavours; particularly safety based criticism. In the eighties and early nineties a lot of people left the sport because they were subjected to petty criticisms by senior jumpers. In the mid to late nineties the juniors just told us old farts to fuck off and went freeflying. Now the senior freeflyers are faced with the task of not repeating history. I think relative work is a much more friendly discipline than it was ten years ago. The no criticism post dive style employed by Airspeed has been a major contributor.

I teach at a DZ outside Vancouver (Pitt Meadows). We have a rig we call Big Boy #1. It has a 340 sq. ft. main and a 280 sq. ft. reserve. I have taken first jump students as large as 295lbs with it. The qualifiers are that you must be able to fit in the harness, you must be able to climb out of a Cessna 205, and you must be fit. If you think 260lbs is your ideal weight then I don't think we would accept you for training weighing any more than 280lbs. Even then your chances for a leg or ankle injury on a reserve ride would be quite high. Like most sports, skydiving ability decreases with excess weight and increases with overall fitness. At Canadian DZs we make you do at least one jump from a Cessna before PFF (AFF sort of). Any DZ that does first jump AFF will be very cautious with someone who outweighs both instructors by a great deal

That is incorrect. If both container and reserve are certificated by the FAA, the FAAs rules apply. If either one is non-certificated and owned and jumped by a non-resident, then the rules of the owner's country apply. BTW The FAAs rules not only mean 120 days, it also explicitly means an FAA licensed rigger and FAA seal. Are people sure foreign visitors have to join USPA to jump there. I thought that was a short lived rule that was rescinded shortly after implementation.

Yes, and a mothers milk can drown a baby. Do you know anyone who was killed by an AAD? I'm not talking about someone whose name you can't remember but you heard the story about. I mean someone you knew or were there to witness. I have known several people who were saved by AADs, I have known some people who an AAD would have saved if they had had one, but I have never in my nineteen years in the sport known anyone, nor have I had the misfortune to be intimate with the details of anyone getting killed by their opener. This is not a pitch for manditory AADs; it is merely a rebuttal to those who claim detriments other than financial ones.

We are in the service industry. If they want it we will provide, but it's an extra. Riggerrob said he would need $120.00-$180.00 to compensate him for the lost Tandems. I would suggest that he do it after the tandems for regular repack rate (times 1.5 if it made him late for supper). Of course the student would have to come back and jump the next day and I would have to be paid my hourly retrain fee to rehash the FJC. No point in giving Rob all the extra dough; but If the customer is willing to pay then why not?

Witches and devilworshipers should be taken to a bonfire so that decent people can feel warm and fuzzy? Ya! Ya! Burn them! Burn them! Heh Heh! Ya Ya! COOL! Heh Heh!

For god's sakes! If you fear this, STOP JUMPING! I do not fear this any more than say a planet killer meteor or the all reality TV universe (shudder). I used an unlikely scenario because in most likely scenarios I would not consider suing. I recently fell down a friend's staircase that he hadn't properly cleaned of snow. Did I sue? Of course not. Would I sue if I was left a paraplegic? Can't say 'cause I'm not there. My point is merely that until put to the test none of us know where the boundaries lie. Would you sacrifice your daughter's education to avoid breaking your word? If so does that make you a better or worse person?

Yes! Anyone who disagrees with me either has better disability insurance (in which case are likely to see the DZ sued on their behalf whether they like it or not) or they are not being honest with themselves. Picture yourself under a bridge, wrapped in newspaper, unable to work. It is cold. you are still you but since the accident you can't concentrate or do any physical work. Honor, Pride vs. a warm place to sleep, hot food and some pain medication other than that stuff you got on the street. The truth is until you are in that position no-one can say they will not sue. That's why waivers look like they do. When I took my instructors' course we had a lawyer (and currently my DZO employer) come in to talk about waivers and the difference between negligence (protected by waiver) and gross negligence (not protectible) and criminal negligence. Basically we're talking bad spot vs. recklessly bad spot vs. intentionally bad spot. A lot of talk has this "everyone is responsible for their own spot" flavour. Are you nuts? If all four people on a four way from a c-182 stop to respot on the way out the door it is a lock that it will be a shitty spot. I have been on a C-130 with over two hundred people on it. Are you suggesting that each and every one of us should have stopped at the door to respot? As a Tandem Master the most common cause of bad spots is morons who think that they can spot better than the pilot with four thousand jump runs, four thousand jumps, and a GPS. It's not that big a deal. I cannot open much higher due to IFR (jet) traffic at 5000' but we have this thing called a van. We use it to pick up people who land out. As a FJI I have blown the spot for first jump students on many occasions because, as the waiver says, I am human and I make mistakes. I mitigate my mistakes by cheating towards the safe places, and by teaching my students to fly their parachutes rather than listen to their radios. At this point I feel my self satisfied smugness constrained by the cold hand of fate resting ever so lightly upon my left shoulder. With that in mind I will add that I have been very lucky in that the students that have landed in town over the years seem to have been brighter than average. The concept of everyone being responsible for their own spot is not practical for aircraft larger than a C-172; looking down after exit is everyone's responsibility.

I live on a DZ, and while Skymonkey is right, it gets old not getting off the DZ, waking up walking distance from the plane rules. Skydiving every day rules. Your profile lists you as a rigger but not a tandem Master or Aff instructor. If you are going to earn your living on the DZ you will spend almost all your time doing just that; earning your living. In your case that would be on the ground rigging and packing. All my rec jumps are free, but I made less than one hundred of them last year. If I didn't enjoy Tandems, Pff jumps and coach jumps this job would suck.

Goddam Comunists! It never ceases to amaze me how the left wingers on both sides of the border can make identical anti-trade arguments about how all the jobs are flowing the other way. NAFTA and its precursor the Canada-US free trade agreement have been good for all participants. The problem with expanding trade relationships is that the benefits are general to the whole economy (increased efficiency) and the pain tends to be acutely felt by a few (plant closures). This is something Ronald Reagan instictively understood, but George W. Bush does not. Reagan was under just as much protectionist pressure as G.W., but had the strength of his convictions to resist. Has employment decreased in the US since NAFTA? No. Has the American economy been in a slow decline since CAFTA (1988) or NAFTA (1992) were signed? Are you nuts? 1992-2000 was the greatest period of economic growth in the century. The last time the world engaged in aggressive currency devaluation (as the US now is) and raising of tarriff walls was in 1929. The rewards for the whole planet over the next fifteen years were not what I hope we are looking forward to.

Seriously though: In Canada we have dealt with secessionist governments in Quebec on and off for twenty five years. No credible person ever suggested that they would not be allowed to go if they decided to in a referendum. The nuts and bolts of such a split were very onerous when considered. How much military hardware do they get? How about pensions? How about the national debt? What about NATO, NORAD? NAFTA? In your case what happens when the president needs support from the senior senator from Montana who wants a 37% tariff on Texas beef? While there is no good reason (military procurement) why Texas could not or should (Longhorns, Aggies, etc. kicked out of the NCAA) not be (NASA moves to Orlando) its own country, the benefits of being American are not inconsiderable.

Umm? If you secede you will not be part of the US. Have you noticed what happens to oil rich countries that don't do what their told?

Every state and every provence have there own regs on this, but the essence is usually the same. It is not correct, however to find one definition and transpose it onto other aspects of the law. You are correct in your assumption that our part time tandem masters are independent contractors for income tax purposes (federal jurisdiction). For Workers' Compensation Board purposes (Provincial jurisdiction) you are wrong. They are employees and are covered by WCB premiums which the DZ is obliged to pay. The deciding factor is whether or not the subcontractor/employee provides materials (I am not guessing this time). While I'm sure I have the rivetted attention of everyone in other jurisdictions, my point is that neither Revenue Canada's nor WCB's definition can be seen as definitive in a liability suit.

I agree with riggerrob. Leg straps set too low on the leg will cause bruising. Part of this is a tendencey on the part of some JMs to leave the main lift webs too long. The yoke on virtually all student rigs is built to fit a very stocky tall man. If that is not you, look at the position of the large ring on your cutaway system. If it sitting up on your shoulder then you need to adjust (shorten) your main lift webs. And tighten those leg straps; for those who say you don't want them too tight, I say don't hold that shotgun too close to your shoulder before you pull the trigger.

Located on what is essentially their own airport, this dz combines a "cater to the tandem hoards" buiseness model with a homey "hangin 'round the campfire" senior crowd. The King air provides ample lift capacity for all. Tim, the owner/national coaching committee chairman(CSPA) keeps the fun going with a good atitude towards safety as well as fun. I'll be back.

If you are doing a tandem you are working. If you are a carpenter and you damage someone's property while carpenting, your homeowners insurance wouldn't cover you either. If you are being paid as an employee (ie using the dz's rig) this becomes the dz's problem, just like any other workplace. BTW I am not a lawyer; I'm just guessing. Peyode Rodriguez

Has'nt Dave Ruckert alwready had a double mal? What are the chances of him having two? 1/625000000? I guess he never needs another repack. It'll work

A used rig is a good idea for new jumpers for many reasons. New gear is like a new car; 20% of the value of it disappears on the first jump. The rig you buy is unlikely to be the one that you use long term. Your choice of canopy styles and sizes is huge and depends on experience. A used rig with a slightly oversized canopy is good so you can downsize without changing rigs. Avoid a rig that the canopy fits into "really easily." You will not be able to downsize safely without changing rigs. If you are mixing and matching, an older canopy is better than an older container. You will probably be selling the canopy first and you will take less of a hit on an older canopy. Talk to your instructors about appropriateness, talk to a rigger about value. Valuing a used cypress is complicated; definately get advice. The used market has been very good to buyers lately. Several newbies on our DZ got stunning deals last year on complete outfits from retiring jumpers. By complete I mean rig, jumpsuit, altimeter(s), helmets,etc. Use the web to shop. Sellers likely will not send you gear without money but they will usually send it to a known third party they know or know of. Your DZO or local master rigger are the usual suspects. good luck

3. Of the remaining 75% of claims, something like 90% are made by students - often suing their instructor for negligence. Like your health insurer example, this case also lacks a third party. If the student is the one jumping they are the first party. In Canada we annually go through the same insurance woes as you. We have managed to keep our rates much lower than yours by limiting the scope of the insurance in a few ways: 1. member to member claims are not allowed. This would leave you exposed in case of a wrap but I only know of one member to member case ever succeeding in Canada. Prohibitions on such behavior on wavers can help 2. Instructors are not covered. If the BPA wants to insure instructors it should be a separate policy. I have been an instructor for twelve years without liability insurance. I do however have access to our $1 000 000.00 legal defense fund. When lawyers for plaintiffs learn that there is cash for defense lawyers but not one red cent for settlements, they tend to lose enthusiasm for working on contingency. One detail for those of you thinking of USPA only. USPA third party coverage covers residents of the US worldwide, but foreign residents are only covered while in the US. At our DZ we welcome USPA members who live in the US. Non US residents still have to provide proof of insurance.

Being a professional TM is not a career for most TM's; it is a really fun way to spend a couple of years. If you are 19 and have a rating I highly recommend it. First of all, what AggieDave said. Start collecting ratings. There are perhaps a handfull of dropzones in the world that have TMs who do nothing else. I suspect that only the TMs on the top of the rotation are that busy. Guess what? That's not you if you are just starting. BTW the only ones I can think of are in the US. Do you have a green card? It is possible to work at some US DZs without one. The cherry jobs at the busier DZs, however, may be problematic. If you are planning to work in the Sidney area I suspect there is a very pronounced seasonal variation in the amount of work available. Plan on migrating to the hot parts of the country for the winter. Another idea is to get a youth commonwealth work visa (or something like that) for Canada one year and for UK another. These are quite easy to get when you are young and plan in advance. You asked how many days a week we work. Well I work in the Vancouver area so that depends on how many days a week it rains. Seriously, when you are the new guy you can expect to be scrounging as much work as you can at least until peak season. Then of course the DZO is scrounging for TMs (read: NO you may not have the day off! Am I paying you so much that you have to spend all your time at the bank?) You asked how much we earn. This is of course a heavily guarded secret. In general terms though it can be categorized as NOT NEARLY ENOUGH. From what I have heard the pay ranges from $20 to $45 US per tandem. Very few TMs do more than 500 tandems a year (see above re:get more ratings) The only people making real money on the DZ is the owner. Have I scared you off yet. If not then sell all your stuff, buy a van and get on with it. As Craig Gerard said to me a long time ago. "There's no way I should still be skydiving for a living at my age, but DAMN but it's fun."

Apparently this is not just a black thing. Our DZ outside Vancouver lists 96 non student members and no African-Canadians. This is not that surprising given the racial make-up of our city. What is perplexing, however, is the lack of east-asian and south-asian jumpers. I may be forgetting someone but it seems to me that we have one Chinese, one East Indian, and one mixed race Jappanese American. Our Tandem base seems fairly reflective of our immigrant heavy society but those who stay tend to be white. Dunno why.