thomas_crowe

I have to update; the instructors completely turned the experience around for us; they were awesome!! My experience, it would seem, is limited to the front desk. To the instructors, a sincere thank you; you did a service to iFly and really turned the experience around for us!! I now know how to book time better, and make for a better experience. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

My girlfriend, and a very good friend of mine want to learn AFF, and we were going to ben in the Orlando area this time of the year anyways, so i called iFly directly. Not being from the area, and not having much tunnel experience at all, i presumed this was the best way to handle it. Called and spoke with iFly (manifest i presume?), explained i was looking for around 45mins of tunnel time & RW coaching for myself (~360 jumps, all RW), and 2 others looking at going through AFF. No problem i was told, was given the times they had available, and i paid for the tunnel time and the coaching. Fast forward to today, go to check-in and waiver, get told a completely different story. Was told i did not purchase a block, that we 3 would be treated as first-time flyers, put in with the "tourist" flyers (not keant to be disparging at all, but there is a difference in a one-time flyer and someone wanting instruction), be given different instructors for each 15-block, and that "coaching" was limited to keeping us stable, NOT instructing! We aren't doing this to just have fun (well we do want to have fun, but hopefully you get my point), we are doing this to help with skydiving flight skills. And based on what i was told, that is not aparently going to happen. I now know, that i should book through a tunnel instructor, and NOT the company, to get skydiving coaching. Would have been nice to have been told that initially. I've done tunnel time with coaching at ParacleteXP before, and the difference is night and day. I'm hopeful when we get to an assigned instructor it will be a different experience. As of now to say displeased is a HUGE understatement. Sorry for venting, maybe I've got it all wrong and this is on me. But to spend this kind of moeny to be spoken down to in a rude fashion just doesn't seem right. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I will be right there with y'all. Depending on how much leave time I have accrued by then (taking a new job, and only having 2-weeks vacation a year versus the 10 weeks I did have, SUCKS!) I may head out from here Monday after work, or earlier in the day. If anyone needs anything from the Atlanta area brought to the boogie, including a ride, let me know. I will happily haul whatever I can, and should have room for 3 or riders and gear if needed. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Thank you both very much! That is great and useful advice. I'm not real good at this kinda stuff (I'm a computer geek after all), and I appreciate all the advice that I can get, so again, Thank You!! Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Those are great, but not always the same ones that one would use for fund raising. I should have worded more clearly, my apologies. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I've dove (SCUBA) the Blue Hole, I've been a scuba diver for many more years than I've been a skydiver. I'm very aware of coral conservation, but it is good that you mention it for those that may not be. We stayed at a place in the Turneffe atoll and did 6 days of 3-tank boat dives every day - it was amazing! Spent a day in Belize City, it was ummm interesting. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Hello everyone; I'm helping Spence out again this year by taking on the task of trying to get stuff for the charity raffle that we have every year at the boogie. If anyone has the contact information of who I should reach out to, I would very much appreciate it if you could share it with me. Last year I did this basically blind, and I still have those contacts. This year I'm hoping to do better. There's something, in addition to swag, that I want to talk to them about too. Please don't worry, all communication will be polite, professional, and non harassing. I'm not putting together some type of bulk mailing list to copy everyone on, each email will be written by me (with lot's of help from copy & paste I'm sure), and sent from my real email address. Feel free to PM the contact info to me, or if easier you can email me directly at my work address; [email protected]. Thanks again; Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Hey guys and gals, I'm helping Chris out with the Charity Raffle fundraiser again this year. If you have any manufacture or vendor connections that I can harass, errr politely request, for stuff to put into the raffle I would appreciate their contact info. There's more than just hitting them up for swag that I would like to talk to them about too. Feel free to PM me, or email if it's easier. [email protected] is my work email, but the one I will be using most. In all seriousness though, all communication with them will be polite, professional, and not harassing in any way. Thanks everyone; Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

+1 I really wanted to do that jump when we were there in Sept., but chartering a helicopter for a Blue Hole "tour" and arranging a boat to be onsite was going to be about $4k (USD not BZ) and they wouldn't help with the aviation authority permits - so that jump didn't happen. Would love the opportunity to do it at some point though. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Dang, that sounds pretty good. Will they write a policy that covers me while in the US? I'm calling State Farm corporate today, and will report back what they tell me. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I voted that it was fine as is; but after reading through this thread, and the other one mentioned I think there may be better phraseology that could be used. I really liked the comparisons to private pilot training, and the cleared to solo terminology they used (maybe because I am also a pilot). It conveys the right message, you've learned enough to have reached a milestone in your training (and it should be recognized and celebrated), however there is more training to be done in order to obtain your license. Really, it's basically the very same thing, and has the advantage, quite a few skydivers have at least a passing interest in aviation, and have probably looked at getting their pilot's license so are probably already familiar with the concept (not assuming everyone will be, but some). So I would suggest changing it to something along the lines of "Cleared to solo jump" with there being accompanying information about the next steps to getting their A. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

HEY, I resemble that remark! Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I'm waiting on a suit that I ordered the beginning of November from him. From the last emails I've gotten from him; he claims the suit is finished, and he just needs to ship it out. I've been waiting for it to be shipped for over a week now. The last email was incredibly cryptic and difficult to read to say the least, and mentioned January. If the suit is done, why would he have to wait until Jan to ship it to me? Like many people here, I've heard lot's of good things about EG, spoke with him on the phone and he was very accommodating and seemed very customer oriented. However now, it's difficult to get hold of him, and I can't really trust what he is telling me. I do believe I will get my suit from him, I don't get the impression that he is a crook or dishonest; I'm just not sure when it will be. (Edited to correct a mis-statement about when I ordered the suit) Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I placed a very last minute order with Bev Suits, hoping to get it before Christmas and take advantage of their 35% off special running through Christmas eve (orders placed by Christmas eve, not delivered by then). Brenda was amazing to work with!! I'm probably not the easiest customer in the world, I ask lots of questions, and sometimes have odd requests. She answered them all VERY QUICKLY, and even did a couple of one-off things to the suit for me involving magnets. The very best part to me, I ordered the suit on 12/10, I'm trying it on now (morning of 12/18), of course there were rush fees involved, but it was still an amazing value. It fits perfectly, and looks great!! I can't begin to express how happy and satisfied I am with the experience. I would emphatically and enthusiastically recommend Bev Suit without hesitation. (Edited because I'm a dumbass and put Barbra instead of Brenda, fixed it with the right name). Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Let's plan it!! I've been focusing a lot of attention lately on successfully launching formations out the door. With that and, hopefully 30 minutes of tunnel time over christmas, I should be in great shape (round is a shape, right?) to participate. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Jimmy, you're always invited sir!! I consider it an honor and a privilege every time we get to jump together. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Hell yeah! I'm bringing several smaller rafts, then when we have a large enough pool, I've got a pretty damn big one that we can launch. As long as you (the global "you", not you personally) can be safe on the jump, you're welcome! Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

You up for another raft dive this year if we can get the right A/C? If not, how about some heavy ways Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Hopefully I'm doing this right Normiss Skymama promise5 Rick Bunky Jon Wayneflorida Florida wingsuit crew Trafficdiver mwolfe Tisket Thomas Crowe --> Bringing rafts, potato heads, hoops, and a 20x30 packing tent :) Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I imagine that it would be covered up to the limits of the policy. I don't have mine handy, but I don't think that sporting goods had that high of a coverage (though I could be mistaken). It's possible this agent made a mistake, though claimed to have spoken to not only an underwriter but also a supervisor. I was trying to get additional (or find out if I needed to get) coverage so it would be specifically covered (against theft mostly, but also fire, etc). I think it was her attitude and the statement about State Farm not wishing to be associated with high risk activities that really irked me. I will have to pull my policy out and go over it to get more details. Thanks to everyone that responded!! Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I think that is actually very doable. I work in IT, but I'm not a developer, so take it with a grain of salt. GPS coordinates can already be embedded in the metadata of a picture, most phones these days also have some sort of an electronic compass built-in as well; so it would seem that all of the data sources are already present in the phone. I will have to play around with this and see what I can come up with. May even be able to estimate distance based on the profile of the canopy in the air. Yes canopies are all different sizes, but a rough order of magnitude should be possible. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I know several skydivers that have their rig's covered under their homeowners policy. What insurance company do you use? I just checked with State Farm, and was actually told that as a company they do not wish to be associated with skydiving or any other high risk activity, so no they will not offer me insurance for my parachute. So, time to go insurance shopping and say "so long" to State Farm. I've already switched my cars over to USAA a couple of years ago, and will be checking with them. Any other suggestions of who to check with? Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

I don't think you would really be bothering anyone on Wed night, and if you need a hand setting up I will be there and happy to lend a hand and a work light. Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

If anyone still wants to go in on a packing tent, I've got one reserved, and am looking for a few people to go in on it. Just shoot me a PM or contact me on Facebook. Tom Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek

Here you go http://www.paragear.com/templates/base_template.asp?group=29#S7111 Thomas Crowe, NRP Nationally Registered Paramedic Red Hat Linux Geek