huge

Why? I haven't had problems. If you take your rig as carry on TSA might ask what do I have there but they don't seem to care much. So far worst case has been that they swab the rig and move on. Quite surprisingly I got more questions in Europe where I was once requested to open the rig; I just flat out told them that I can't do it and they were fine with it My general rule is that I take my rig as carry on when flying to skydive destination (CA, AZ) and check it on the way home. Once had my helmet on during the take-off as it didn't fit into overhead locker. Old lady next to me was a bit confused, though My tip to the OP would be to be first to board the plane to when traveling with your rig as carry on. This should ensure that you can stow your bags and don't need to check them at the gate - which turns out to be the best way to ensure airline will lose it. Second is to be nice to security and airline staff, no matter what. If there are delays or your luggage is lost don't chew it on the desk level people. If you treat them well they usually go extra mile to make you comfortable, be that vouchers, upgrades, lounge access and so on.

No, not really. RSL can still be disconnected and most importantly you can still fire your reserve without cutting away.

I'm using Neumann batting gloves and if it gets really cold, I use thin neoprene liners under them.

I use regular flat rubber bands. Long for the locking stows and short for the rest.

Both are excellent, but I'd go to Elsinore. Nice people over there and it is busy enough to keep you in the air. Finish your A-license at Elsinore and you can visit Perris as well. It's easy 15-30 min drive.

Skydive City at Zephyrhills?

Would you have packed it if he told you he is selling the rig?

FIFY. Sorry, I know you know that, but I hate to see people getting hurt b/c they follow their gear somewhere sketchy. I'd rather be walking around that bumpy, rocky, hole-ridden field looking for my shit later than pulling my broken ankle out of one of those holes.This is getting off topic but I'd also add that you should stop chasing the gear around 1000ft to fly your pattern. I once chased a d-bag just to end up doing a downwind (~15 MPH) landing on a parking lot. I made sure that I have a good place to land but didn't pay enough attention to the wind direction or anything else. Had there been somebody else chasing down the same piece of gear they most probably would have been landing against me

True. It's worth noting that you need to reclaim your baggage to clear the customs/immigration in New York even if you have connecting flight from there. You'll then check your bags again for the connecting flight. I don't usually check my rig when I leave for skydiving trip (I'd hate to reach the destination without a rig) but do check it when I return.

I don't want to hijack the thread but I feel that there should be a Jr. Rigger rating to allow people to work as packers. Rating should allow them to do the basics like pack and hook up mains. Basically allow them do the same as the individual jumping the rig, just on their behalf.

We sure are. This might useful for determining "Fp" in the equation, but I'm still trying to figure out a ballpark value for "Bs" http://xkcd.com/384/

On 10BASE-2 all ports would be on the same collision domain, but based on the cable you are using something different. 10BASE-T and later generations are all point-to-point. You can "tap" into those as well, but it isn't as straight-forward as just wiring in extra connectors. As you already noticed, "tcpdump -w" along with Wireshark is probably the easiest way to get it done

Are there any downside for having the Y-strap? If not, it'd sound like a good way to mitigate a problem.

Yes. See the post here http://www.dropzone.com/forum/Dropzone.com_C2/Suggestions_and_Feedback_F3/Kill_file_%28aka_ignore_list,_block_poster%29_P2441682/ and here: http://userscripts.org/scripts/review/5638 I haven't used it recently but it used to work just fine.

See IMDB for more information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446714/trivia?tab=tr&item=tr1413871