cptnstratn

Actually the current problem is going through, getting buzzed for forgetting your cell phone is hooked to your belt, or your chronograph (I mean watch) is still on, and immediately having to go through a wand search. The new procedure will allow you to step back through, remove whatever you forgot and take another try. If you still buzz the thing, they'll still search you. (As I read it.) I kinda like it, after seeing too many people forget to take everything off and send it through the xray machine, I think this will speed the lines along a little bit. Steve

> My wish is for you to hear good news when the phone rings. Love to you and your family. Steve

I work about a half mile from the High School where he was flown into. Shortly after he arrived, I heard a jet flying around, and looked out the window in time to see an F-16 circling, while a small cessna was headed to Camarillo. Must be quite something to be intercepted. Blue Skies, Steve

Naw, Formula1 racing has got have skydiving beat. Guess it depends on how you define "actively engaged". Is that just the jump, or packing, lift time, dirt-diving, etc.???

624:2 - Now I pull stable.

So was it in your car, or your team room?

Oops, my bad!

Then I'm sure a personalized tour can be arranged!!

Hey take the rig anyway, and ask to sit by the emergency door! You might even be able to bribe a local pilot to take you up and let you out. Enjoy the vacation! Amazon sounds incredible, you're a lucky girl! Blue skies, Steve

Hi JT, Perris and Elsinore are the closest. Cal City is another option, but probably a little farther drive. From Covina, Perris and Elsinore are probably about 30 - 45 minutes south/southwest. Check it out at Mapquest to get distances. Are you going to be visiting? Blue Skies, Steve

Hi Chris, Good thread so far. I've currently got a little over 600 jumps. I like dives that work. I like getting advice, pointers or kudos, especially if I did something especially well. Group size isn't all that important to me, just depends what I want to work on that day. I also have no problem jumping less complicated dives to assist lower jump numbered people with their skills. If I want more complicated jumps, I will be a little more selective in picking the group I jump with. That's up to me to make happen. From personal observations, I think that most LO's could benefit from prior planning. Have a series of jumps already designed for various group sizes and experience levels. This will save time during the dirt-dive. Also, it will generate credibility because the people you organize will see that you have a plan. Stick to the plan, yet be flexible enough to make changes to get the dive to work. For example, remove outfacing formations if the experience level isn't there. Try to stick to the plan, don't change it half-way through the dirt dive. Ask questions, lots of questions. About experience level, comfort level, prior jump success, etc. Stress safety. It's easy to forget how much stress we underwent when we didn't have more than 100 jumps, so try to destress the jump as much as possible. Smile in freefall, smile in the landing area. Give a thorough debrief. (Even if the jump didn't build at all, a debrief really sends a message of committment to the load.) If someone really screws up, don't point it out in front of the group, but take them aside and talk about it individually. If someone does well, point it out for the whole group. Let people give input, but remember that you're the organizer and sometimes you have to veto that input. Hope this isn't just ramble, and that you get something from it. Blue Skies, good luck, see ya soon!!! Steve

Keith, Hang in there, brother. If anyone can prove doctors wrong, it's you. I'm sending positive vibes and energy all day, every day. I'll come see you soon. Steve ps., Thanks for passing this along Lisa.

Actually, as long as you're not competing in the "Open" class at Nationals, all you need is the "C" license. (Just checked the SCM)

Hey Mick! Good to see you on here!!

Hi Michele! No, not my gear. Had a friend of a friend get their gear stolen, and was looking for a place to post the particulars. I practically sleep with my gear, I keep it so close.

Hi Sangiro, Any chance you'd be willing to add a "Stolen Gear" category to the classifieds? Or is there another suitable place for a posting of stolen gear alerts? Thanks!

Hey Viking! Johnny Walker Blue Label Absolut Tres Generaciones or Patron McCallan 18 or 25 yr. old single malt Scotch. (About $25 bucks for a two finger glass in a bar or restaurant!) Kinda scary that it's more than a jump!

Hey Girl!! It was really good to see you on Sunday. I enjoyed hanging out with you at the end of the day. The best lessons are the ones that slap us around and step on our toes. Remember it's all part of the learning process. I know that you'll be aware of your altitude from now on. Lesson learned. Now, don't be too hard on yourself any more. Knowing you, you've beat yourself up enough already. Stop it, and start looking towards your next jump. You do know what you're doing, and you're doing fine with the whole sport. All of us, at one time or another have made a mistake that made us say, "What an idiot I am!" It happens. If you didn't see anything wrong with it, and didn't think about it afterwards, I'd be worrying. But that wouldn't be the Michele I know.

Hey, that's my town! If you'd like to get together for a meal let me know. Perris, Elsinore, California City, and Lompoc are all about two hours away. Lompoc is Northwest, Cal City is Northeast, Perris and Elsinore are Southeast. Let me know what the dates are, and I may be able to sneak away to Perris or Elsinore for the day. If it's on a weekend, I'll probably be at Perris anyway. I'd love to meet and jump with you.

The original BT was/is a fully eliptical canopy. It's lined with kevlar lines (IIRC). What I would call twitchy turns, but that's just my perception. I don't know anything about the BT Pro, and the last time I flew a BT50 was about six years ago, so I don't remember it all that well. A lot's happened since then with technology, and even if you can get one at a good price, it's probably better to look at something newer. Also, like Marcin said, it's not a canopy for beginners.

Well Lisa, I could tell you who called. Oh, wait, gotta get back to answering the phones here at the real Psychic Hotline.

There's a list someplace about the most traumatic things you'll go through in life. The top two on the list are death and divorce. Marriage is something like fourth. I've been through two divorces. At the time, I thought life had ended. Everything I had lived for over a period of several years was gone. Both times. And, let me tell ya, it's not any easier the second time. In my case the second time was probably harder, because I had to give up living with my son for half the week. As Zennie said, the hardships and joys in life shape us. Fortunately for me, there's a silver lining to my divorces. I started skydiving again (after a six year layoff)!

Hi Paul, The links from the small stills to the larger shot aren't working. ?? I'm getting a red X through them when I click on the small pic. Also, put in my order for one 8x10 of each. See ya on Saturday.

Oooh, ooh! (hand waving in air) I'm up for Eloy, too. I'd love to meet some of the Texans. Not sure if my schedule will allow it, but I'll sure be watching for a set day.