NewGuy2005

I've got XM and love it. You can also stream it off your computer. A couple of things: XM has a 24/7 reggae station, which they claim is the only one in N. America. Also, if you like bluegrass music, they have an excellent station for that.

I love mine. It's 10 years old and still looks brand new. I'm just interested in getting some bridle & riser protection. You are right about the service Mike offers. He made some add-on leg pads for mine for almost nothing.

Excellent. Thanks. What do you not like about the container?

Has anyone had it done to their pre-2000 Dolphin? How do you like it? Please post pics if you've got 'em. Thanks

Good question. Can't say for sure because I bought it used. To give them the benefit of the doubt, it's possible that it was the receommended size back in '97, but they have since revised the recommendation to a larger size. Don't know for sure.

Hi Folks, I've got a PD-230 9 cell made in '97 that I've had trouble on with hard openings. Tried all the tricks in the book, but still opens pretty fast. Last time I packed I measured the slider and e-mailed the dimensions to Performance Designs. In a matter of hours, Donna e-mailed me back and told me the slider I have is about 33% too small and she would have the correct slider out to me in the mail the next day at no charge. THAT is what I call service. Thanks Donna and Performance Designs!!!

If both of my calves instantly cramp up, I call it an authoritative opening. (Does that happen to anyone else?)

Be sure to call ahead before you do and discuss your intentions and your experience in detail with the head instructor. I've traveled and made some student jumps in different places and I can tell you that all DZs have their own policies.

My rig cost $1800 with Cypres. It only had 70 jumps on the whole kit. It's not FF friendly, but I can get the container modified for $200.

You're dead on about training at multiple DZs. I travel some with my job and attempted to make training jumps at some different DZs. That did not work because most of them wanted me to do a lot of remedial training. Not a problem here at home, however. My home DZ did not offer AFF, but the awesome folks at the DZ in the next state did offer it and took the time to review my previous progress and determined where to start with the new program. Since the DZs are close and everyone knows each other, that made it work.

It's fake. Ain't gonna happen.

Here's what I did, and I think it's a great way to go: Take S/L up through your first 2 hop & pops. Then you can switch over to AFF. The initial S/L jumps get you past the sensory overload/freakout stages. Since you've technically proven you can pull for yourself, you will be able to jump with one instructor once you switch to AFF, which saves $$ Since you will be past the sensory overload stage, your AFF jumps will be more productive, fun, and less likely to have to repeat a level. More fun, less $$

Sweet pictures. Thanks!!

If you get a magnifying glass, it looks like he's holding a small giftwrapped box up between the risers. Hmmmm

That makes sense, but he's got short sleeves and short legs on his pants. Would that rule out a wingsuit? Don't know much about it.

Reference: Cruising Under Canopy pictorial in the December Parachutist Mag. In the lower left corner, the guy that's twisted around backwards under his canopy has something hanging down under his right leg. What is it?

No it's not. It's a thread about having "The Last Word."

Working or retired? If working, what does he do?

Didn't think of that. Also, I have a job that allows me to work (and post-whore) from anywhere in the country. Just gotta get those kids raised.

You freak!! Seriously, I would have done the same thing if my wife would have let me.

I'm 47 and think about retirement. Don't know if I'll ever get to, but getting a small RV and following the warm weather around the country and jumping for a few years sounds pretty good. Anyone out there doing it or know someone that is?

You guys must not have kids if you think that's a fair trade.

Excellent advise. Thanks all.

Should a 12 year old child have a cell phone? I'm not talking about the kind that only calls 3 or 4 numbers. I've got two 12 year old girls that want phones. They do not need them. They are rarely out of the sight of either my wife or myself. However, they want them. My old school sensibilities say no way. What do you think?

Any of the Tony Hillerman mysteries are great.