RALFFERS

I didn't personally 1'st LT. Neel, but that doesn't negate my frustration & anger. I have the ought-most respect for those that serve our country and pay the ultimate price so that the rest of us can take advantage of the freedom we so often take for granted. Having said that, there is not a day that goes by that I don't hope this war ends. Those in power have to realize that life is not a replaceable commodity! My heart-felt sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends. Salute LT. Neel! Thank you for your service.

Ralph

Congrats...You are most certainly a very cool mom, and your kids are blessed to have you.

Please, really, humor me. I've been so bored over the last couple days I'm about to lose my mind! I'm practically bouncing off the walls. If all goes well, I start working on Monday; but that's a WHOLE 4 days to kill. Don't let anyone tell you bordem isn't hazardous to your health...

I'm most certainly junping, just maybe not the first time I come down (short on cash) Thank God I start work on Monday (hopefully.) When do you guys open and when would be a good weekend to come down and hang out? Don't be suprised if I call on the way in lol; I live on the North side of Chicago, about two hours away and have a knack for getting lost... Looking forward to meeting you guys, and starting the AFP in August

LAters,

Ralph

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Seriously, SDC IS THE BEST and have instructors very very willing to help you on your jump. I reccomend asking for David E who manages the TMs and he will be happy to help! I look forward to meeting you there- I'm one of the Manifest girls so I'll look for you!

-Tory

ps We drink Corona :)

I'm not too hard too hard to miss. Corona it is

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DON'T WAIT! JUMP!!!!!!

I wish I didn't have to, but short on cash, starting a new job next week; unfortunately, I'm forced to be patient.

By the way, what do they drink over there? I could never come empty-handed.

Ralph

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I'm Sam Waterston, of the popular television series "Law & Order". As a senior citizen, you're probably aware of the threat robots pose. Robots are everywhere, and they eat old people's medicine for fuel. Well, now there's a company that offers coverage against the unfortunate event of a robot attack, with Old Glory Insurance. Old Glory will cover you with no health check-up or age consideration. You need to feel safe. And that's harder and harder to do nowadays, because robots may strike at any time.

LOL!

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You are not your job.

Eh?

I'm lost (don't worry, this happens often lol)

That's the one good thing about working in insurance sales, you don't have to bother anyone; someone's always looking for one type of insurance or another. There's always business to be gained. I know that there are many people out there who can tell us horror stories about what they went through with an insurance company; I'm sorry any of them had to deal with whatefver BS. However, that is not the fault of the insurance company, it 's the agent's. There are winners and losers in this industry; the losers sell a policy just to sell it, without a care in the world for the customer, the winners are the ones that are successful in this game and stick around because whatever policy they sell has the clients best intensions at heart; you don't lose when something happens because that policy is tailored to your needs.

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Welcome to the world of sales

I take it you work in sales as well> (just a hunch)

More and more I'm starting to see that I may not have as much to worry about as I thought. I'm sure that I'll be trained well, and if I could grasp equally well what it is I'm being taught the income potential is unlimited. The other cool thing is I don't always have to be in the office to be working, all I need is a phone and a laptop,,,,,are there wireless connections at drop zones? lol

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You need to think a little harder than JUST salary. I'm not saying take the job but evaluate this opportunity based on the earning AND LEARNING potential. If this guy is really good at what he does there is A LOT of "added value." Not saying you should take it...........just think "bigger" than just today.

VBery good point. I have thought about this opportunity (or at least tried to think about it objectively.) He has been doing this for 30 years and therefore is very good at what he does. Because what I learn will be bvaluible and used throughout my career I'm leaning towards taking the job...I mean the office is 5 minutes from my house, he's wiling to personally train me, and the commissions are high. To be honest, the only thng I'm worried about is if my sales don't go well during a given month and I hit hard times I still have to pay the bills and eat. Choices choices.........crap

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Fuck it all and move into a trailer at the dropzone.

Haha, that would all good....accept you still need money to pay for the trailer

Hey Guys,

Here's the last 2 months of my life in a nutshell: I am in the midst of a career change and just got licensed to be an insurance agent in the state of Illinois; I'm licensed to sell all lines of insurance....that's the good news. But here's the thing, I just got hired on in a full-time position at a broker's office. (for those that don't know, a broker is a company that sells the products of many insurance companies. Anyway, in most cases (but not all) when you work in this industry you are compensated 3 ways; base salary, % off of every policy sold and % off the policy when the client renews his/her policy (I'm told this is where most of your money is made.) To make a long story short, I just got a call from my boss and he told me that he would hire and train me, but only pay commission (and I think a renewal %.) Thing is, I don't know whether I should accept his offer or wait for something where I'm paid a base salary + commission. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ralph

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Where is your first road trip going to be to?

I don't know; you reccomend any drop zones? A buddy of mine and I are planning to go to Superbowl this year, and since it will be freezing here in Chicago I know I'm jumpin while there (plan on having a license by than.)

So, over the last few days since learning about this site I made a few posts here...a few posts there..but only now stumble along this thread; wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself.......so, um......my name is Ralph and I look forward to meeting you guys and learning all that I can. I've been meaning to take up skydiving for quite sometime, money was the only thing stopping me until now. Besides, mom said I needed a hobby.

This sport is going to give me great excuses for road trips

Ciao,

Ralph

Who is Gary Allan? Of course, I could just google this and not make a moron of myself.....then again.......there's nothing like making a moron of yourself for the amusement of others.

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good luck bro!

Thanks man. As for the botox...isn't that like a face lift thing? I got a pretty face (as I'm sure your girlfriend does as well). Hmm, botox and CP......now I gotta go look that up.
In terms of jumping, I'm sure you are right; where there's a will there's a way. I thank you for your encouragement, and that of everyone else. I've said this before and I'll say it again (without having jumped yet) that's the one thing I love about this sport; everyone looks out for everyone else; it's a real homey feeling-family like. I really can't wait to first, just start jumping (a tandem or two) and than start working towards an A License. If all goes well, I'll do my first tandems in July, maybe sooner (depends on cash flow). Thank God I'm about to work in the insurance industry, which pays well...I could support my habbit........YAY!

Ciao,

Ralph

I'm already in contact with SDC; will talk to them more after my tandem. I wish my birthday was sooner, haha; I can't wait for that first jump. Correct me if I'm wrong, but other people, diabled more than I can jump I at the very least should be able to. Than again, I don't know a thing about skydiving and will wait to see what the instructors say. Best-case scenario: I have to put more effort forth and spend more time in the tunnel in order to jump not only effectively, but more importantly, safely. It's really nice that you guys are taking time to reas this and help me out. Many thanks.

Hello All,

Is there anyone here from Chicago, or the surrounding area? I'm a pre newbie to this sport, in that I haven't jumped yet, but will be on my Birthday later in July; plan on going far beyond the tandem jump. How could I say that wiothout having jumped yet? Simply because I've always been a thrill seeker and fell in love with bungee jumping and see no reason the same wont be the case with skydiving. I want to make thisd a lifelong hobby (yes, I intend on collecting my social security benefit). Not only am I looking to make new friends, but also want to learn as much as possible between now and my first jump; call it pre-ground school. Obviously ( would hope) safty is a top priority for all of us. Note, I do have a very minor case of Cerebral Palsy (CP), but it's as if it hardly exists. Sure, there are people who have little to no mobility or are unable to speak, but luckily, I have none of that. Have very good upper body strenght and walk just fine with forearm crutches or by slightly holding on to something. I have all feeling and movement, so I don't think skydiving will be a problem; people with much worse conditions jump. I look forward to learning and hearing from you.

Enjoy the sky, be safe when you fly

Ralph

Hey,

I'm a studying insurance agent....I have a property casualty license, and am 3 days away from getting a life and health license. Anyway, the oly way (I can only speak for Illinois) you can be insured is through a group policy; another words, through your employer. If I come accross any good information, I'll post it here. Best of luck.

Greetings All,

To make a long story short, I've been a thrill seeker for as long as I can remember (granted, I'm only 25 years-old). Whether it was driving at high speeds on an open road or bungee jumping, I love anything thats not the everyday typical and has a degree of risk; I think I'm addicted to adrenaline ;-) With that said, I may be crazy, but certainly not stupid; safety plays a major role in whatever I do. Anyway, recently I decided to do a tandem skydive on my 26th birthday, coming up in July. I already spoke with an instructor and after giving him a brief, but detailed description of my condition, he gave me the green light to jump; awesome! Now, I fell in love with bungee jumping, and I see no reason that wont be the case with skydiving. Logically speaking, if I I was given the go-ahead for tandem jumping I would think the same would be the case for solo jumping; but I will wait for your input on that. Just so you have an idea of how mildly disabled I am I'll give you a brief rundown. I am able to walk anywhere with the use of forearm crutches, have full feeling and movement in my legs and I drive a car with no special equipment at all. The only thing I can't fully do is straighten my legs fully at the knee when standing; they're about 97%-98% straight. THATS IT! Otherwise, I'm in good shape; I work out, swim, ride a bike (stationary) and obviously have no major medical conditions , such as kidney, liver or heart problems. Please advise

Best Regards,

Ralph