Joea

Tru dat. I've worked in the media (TV) for over 20 years and while the story is indeed important, superfluous details, like how a freakin' parachute actually works, is irrelevant. A beginner surviving a mishap -ANY mishap- is the big deal. HOW it happened doesn't sell advertising space. Additional details that fluff up the survival aspect (exaggerated speeds, embellished malfunctions, or the ever famous "his chute didn't open!") only add to the mystique of the story and the wild imagination of viewers/readers who just don't know any better. Sad indeed. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

Again... BAH! There's no 'statement', therefore no defamation. LUTZ is an acronym for Losers Undermining The Zport. There. Ass is covered. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

Feel free to nominate her. Add the details in the Discussions area. If you don't have a facebook account, just add it here and I'll put it in. Or get a facebook account... all the cool kids are doin' it. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

She is one of two nominees so far. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

All in favour of nominating Andy... say aye!! It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

Oh... yeah... libel. God damn English language and its homophones. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

Bah... there's no liable. But dammit I like the K-Lutz award better just for its catchiness. Where were you a week ago?! It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

If you're on Facebook, check out this page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Lutz-Award/105432892831417 The Lutz Award is given to a newb or media outlet from anywhere in the world, that does its best to bad mouth our sport through sheer ignorance... a la Scott Lutz. The more people from the around the world who join, the more nominees there could be. If it catches on, maybe the awards will eventually be televised. It's a bit of fun. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

There were at least five people who said that a heavier person won't fall faster than a lighter person because of Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. Even though it was explained over and over again that the 2nd Law of Motion doesn't factor into a 15000 foot fall with upward wind resistance and terminal velocity. I understand why people don't get it, I probably would have thought the same thing but we learn as we go. Thanks futuredivot and Sletzor, it was just for a bit of fun. I'm amazed at how many people seem to be an authority on something they've never done. I'm still green and I have A LOT to learn yet. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

I wrote that list! I am Skydiver! And good call... I have only 75 jumps and an "A" license. I wrote it specifically for whuffos because we all know the myths... who else am I gonna write it for? And quade... just so's ya know. I didn't pick the pictures... any of 'em. They were picked by the owner of the site. I had a great shot of a fella with a pilot in his hand and the bridle behind him but I guess the guy wants to use his own photos for copyright reasons. I also had a great shot of Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves yelling at each other in freefall for #9. I thought it was a good myth because I can't tell you the amount of people who ask "when do you pull your ripcord?", and I have to describe the pilot chute. It was just a bit fun for my friends who choose to keep their feet on the ground. Maybe it'll convince a few of them to try it! I can't believe how many grade school scientists there are telling me that heavy people don't fall faster even though I've explained why and provided a link to the scientific explanation as to why! It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

I'm now Solo Certified (CSPA, Canadian Novice rating before "A") and have done three 45 - 50 second free falls (as well as my student progression FF's). I'm all on my own now. Because I'm a big guy, my stability is great and very relaxed. All my instructors said I fall faster than anyone they've seen. One instructor had to add a weight belt and follow in a sit fly just to stay with me while I was belly down. According to his logger, he figures my belly down terminal is about 140+!! I did my first sunset jump last night... I really know why the birds sing, it was amazing. No questions or concerns, I just felt like gushing. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

You people are all fucking nuts..... MY GOD... I love skydivers!!! It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

I began skydiving last October. I never met Ahmed but he's jumped at my DZ, and many of the friends I've made there over the last few months knew him well. This is the first contribution I've made to the Blue Skies section... I hope it's my last. My most sincere condolences to Ahmed's family and friends. BSBD. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"

Amazing... that's all I can say... ok, no it's not... I stepped away from the plane and immediately felt myself going backwards. But I did as my instructor said and just arched like I was trying to tuck my head into my ass, and and what do you know... I felt my body turn back and suddenly I was belly down. I felt for a split second that I could easily stayed in that position, but then I got to "FIVE" and I pulled. Beautiful, smooth deployment and a nice flight down. To all students... Listen to your instructor. Your natural instinct to flail your arms and legs is strong.. fight it... the arch works and it did what it's supposed to do for me today. I'm still a student, but today, I'm no longer just a jumper, I'm a skydiver!! Onward and upwards to my 10 seconds! It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. - Clarence Worley from "True Romance"