Cutaway68

A pessimist says “It CAN’T get any worse than this”.

 

An optimist says “Sure it can!!!”.

 

Also, what about the realist option? The glass is ALWAYS full. Because... air!

 

ETA: Yes, I read the first defining post.

On 2/18/2021 at 6:01 PM, TampaPete said:

You?

I’m going to exercise my 5th amendment rights!!

I was at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in 2019.

Look close at the computer screen...

Many years ago before I started skydiving, a fellow SCUBA instructor taught me a very valuable lesson. 
 

He taught me that the best teachers are also the best (and eternal) students. 
 

This means that no matter how much you may know about any subject, there is always something to be learned. Always look for new ways or ideas to expand upon your current knowledge base. 
 

Also, be willing to listen to students (and others) ideas. Don’t be too quick to dismiss them or say “tried it, won’t work”. If they come to you and say “I have (X) idea” and you had tried it and it didn’t work, relate that to them with your personal experience/results and encourage them to look at it from a fresh perspective. They may discover a crucial detail you missed and make it work. 

Have fun!!!

... and remember, Don't. Kill. ME!!

Already have...

 

 

How can you tell when a skydiver has been to an airport??

 

 

They’re still there!!!

10 hours ago, skybytch said:

Aim for the dzo's car.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I always heard to aim for your riggers car!!

How do you cut an ocean in half?

 

 

With a sea-saw!!!

How many South Americans does it take to change a lightbulb?

 

 

A Brazilian!!!

A guy walks up to the bartender and says “Give me 20 shots of whiskey!”

As quick as the bartender can get them poured, the guy drinks them down. 

The bartender asks the man why he’s in such a hurry. 

The man replied “You’d be in a hurry too, if you had what I have.”

The bartender asks “What do you have?”

The guy replies “75 cents.”

sudo242

In a recent email statement, the USPA stated it is testing the waters regarding the use of digital credentials. So the invitation you got was your chance to sign up to use the new digital credentials. You should reconsider and possibly embrace the idea. Why? Because depending on how the test period goes, the USPA may switch over to digital credentials and stop using the card altogether. If/when this comes to pass, the sigma digital credential will be the way that you prove you have a license. It may or may not come to pass, but IMHO the chances are high that it will in the next few years.

I have been thinking about signing up, but now you say I should reconsider???

piisfish

Why do you ask ?

Because he doesn't already know the answer?!

I do remember seeing something about that as I scanned the email, now that you mention it. Thanks for the info/reminder!

I got an email from a company called Sigma. In the subject line it states "US Parachute Association just sent you a merit on Sigma!" There were links to "Claim Your Profile". Scrolling down, I see that the company is actually Sigma Accolade. Seems to be some kind of marketing scheme (scam?). Anyone else get this? Any info?

gowlerk

I can see your point. But bear beer in mind the forum we are posting to.

Fixed it for you.

I know there is a newly converted Supervan 900 at Glidersports in Clinton, Mo. It is a rocket of a jump ship!!!

LyraM45

It's true that USPA dz's are held to certain standards and requirements.

Group Member DZ's sign a pledge that they say they will follow certain standards, but they are rarely (if ever) held to these standards from what I've witnessed.

jlmiracle

I want to know who might be a danger to me in the sky and on the ground.

Well, I'd stay away from the spectator area at Skydive Sussex. I hear they tend to swoop the crowd there.

chuckakers

I'm speaking from a pretty ignorant perspective, but just today I heard for the first time a completely different version of what happened than was reported in the original incidents thread. That thread made it sound like Rich's behavior was blatantly reckless and prompted many who read it to get on a "throw the bum out" soapbox. What I heard today was quite different and didn't sound at all like his actions were anything more than a botched execution.

I don't know which version - if either - was correct, but the original version getting such a venomous response from many members may have had something to do with HQ's actions.

So, it would appear that the "confidentiality clause" is working just fine. Again, someone comes on here CLAIMING knowledge contrary to posted information (even from 1st hand accounts, and does NOT share this version.

It has also been hinted at that we are being distracted from something else going on with USPA that has nothing to do with this incident, but again no details on that either.

airtwardo

I keep wondering, why this incedent - why at this time & who gains when the never before seen unnamed mystery guest shows up.

I actually understand that the reason we are not getting the factual story, is that they were in an email that was kept on Lois Lerners' hard drive.

rwieder

My oh my, oh my. I think DSE has shared all that he possibly can. One doesn't want to burn bridges. "IF" I knew all that he does, I'd be mum as well. Cut the man some slack. It's all gonna come out in the wash!

I respectfully disagree. Seems this is trying to be swept under the rug. There are quite few incidents in these forums where people have said the same thing "wait and all will be revealed", usually ends up forgotten about.

Case in point:
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3672911;#3672911

Seems we are doomed to repeat our mistakes.

edited to make clicky

DSE

I don't support the GOB, no. What I do support is making phone calls to learn answers for myself. I received an anonymous email which was vitriolic and dishonest about a couple of topics of which I had direct knowledge.

Then I learned that the email was sent by a board member, and it didn't take long to connect a few dots. Contrary to popular belief, members of the board are not all buddy-buddy.

So, I made some phone calls and found myself reasonably satisfied with the process as explained to me.

Did Winstock make a bad mistake? Obviously. Is it the mistake illustrated here on DZ.com? Based on several accounts from investigators and people that were actually there... Likely not. I'm satisfied with what I've been told. More than that, I'm not going to second-guess what three different investigations turned up.

I do think it's a shame that the situation isn't being made more public but then again, USPA has never before let the world know about their Article 1-6 investigations and if every other tom/dick/harry is entitled to private proceedings, so should Winstock (as have other BOD members and skydivers been protected by the same policy in past investigations).

Beyond that, upcoming elections will determine the final disposition of the situation.

DSE, I am sorry if you feel I am attacking you, That was not my intention. Like I stated in my previous post I have come to respect your knowledge and insight in these forums.

I guess what I am trying to figure out, is what you are implying in the above quotes. You seem to have come into some information that has affected your view on this incident, while the rest of us are left wondering what actually occurred.

As far as I know, you are not bound by the privacy clause that the rest of the BOD and RD's are. If there is nothing to hide, why not just speak the truth in its entirety?

DSE

If making a few phone calls is "spying" on someone, I'm guilty.
Forgive me for not simply believing what I read on the internet or what inaccurate statements someone without the balls to sign their name to, sends me.

I don't either. I took the time to call my Regional Director to find out more from our governing body, only to find out that it won't matter who I ask, they will not tell.

Quote

Having worked with/around media most of my life, I'm not quite that color of sheeple

.

Do I seem like I fall into the "sheeple" category, when I went further than most to contact my RD and talk to them on the phone?

Quote

There was once a dude that "allegedly" stole a number of military-modified AADs and sold them into the skydiving world. A person was hurt (nearly killed, according to multiple news reports).
When the story went public here, I called the arresting officer and the prosecuting attorney that issued the warrant. I also then called one of the victims. I wanted to know directly before commenting and later writing a story on the situation.
I've been a victim of hearsay. I'd just as soon not participate in it, and accessing facts is quite easy these days.

For example, you could just read this or you could sign up for this (it was free two years ago), or, you could simply accept everything written about it here on DZ.com (a good portion of which wasn't accurate).
If one cares enough to comment on the situation, doesn't one want to be informed of the situation?

You may as well have started this part with "There once was a man from Nantucket..." because the rest of this reply has NOTHING to do with this incident. Are you trying to distract me thinking I will react like a dog with a squirrel?

For what it's worth, part of the reason I am hounding you on this, is because I have found you to be someone worth listening to. Your posts in other threads regarding various topics from cameras to wingsuits are very concise and informative.

rwieder

Quote

It would seem that DSE is privy to information that the rest of us are not, and that he is unwilling to share this information in these forums.

Of course he has his sources. DSE, I invite you here to back this up. It's not an international secret ya know. As "Alf" used to say on that old show "Ya Crawl Under People's Houses, Ya Hear Things!" You sound upset b/c this may simply be the case. And could be that he can't divulge that info publicly. I wouldn't were it me.

Well, I guess since you put it that way. If I were crawling under peoples houses and spying on them, I wouldn't come forth publicly either. Reminds me of the NSA for some reason.

I was informed that the thread in the incidents forum contains some pretty accurate info though.

rwieder

Thanks for being forth right DSE. It's a lot more than I can say for a half of the muck rakers chiming in on the subject. Initially, I felt he should have been suspended, or stepped down. How ever, if he did in fact swoop the beer line or what ever, it does go on real regular like, only this time some one got hurt. In fact, I know of one gentleman who swooped the beer line constantly, w/ a 3.5 WL. But this cat is REALLY good.

I beg to differ on DSE being all that forth right.

DSE

Did Winstock make a bad mistake? Obviously. Is it the mistake illustrated here on DZ.com? Based on several accounts from investigators and people that were actually there... Likely not. I'm satisfied with what I've been told. More than that, I'm not going to second-guess what three different investigations turned up.

I contacted my Regional Director regarding this whole thing. What I was told, was that almost immediately there was a "gag order" (my words because I don't remember the exact wording they used) instated that kept any of the USPA directors and staff with from talking about any details.

It would seem that DSE is privy to information that the rest of us are not, and that he is unwilling to share this information in these forums.