incendium

I agree, I will pass. Lived in that state for a while.

Some things take a while

and then their over.
I just hope he didn't suffer, cancer sucks.

Ed,

welcome and good luck with your training.

And yes the skydiving thing is more fun than that thing the military calls jumping....

Pink,

Welcome to a sport with friends for a lifetime and then some
Just think of touching the ground with your pelvis. and relax, oh yeah keep you eyes on your instructor

Good luck and have fun.!!!!

It says your in Law enforcement, think of the euphoric feeling you have after putting the cuffs on a real shitbag. Well when your in the sky it's almost the same thing. Just get the feeling, relax and let your body do what you Instructors are telling you.

Skydive Alabama is a great place to learn, did quit a few jumps there a few years back...Enjoy the people and the times...
Good luck...

Third try - computer crashed the other two times

I learned through Tandem-AFF progression because it was all the DZ offerred. Ok off we go.

I earned a coach, S/L-I and IAD-I rating thereafter and taught at both Cessna and Turbines DZs. Our FJC was taught the 1st and 3rd Week of each month from Monday-Friday (YUP 5 days, 15hrs). Then they got to dope on rope it on Saturday !! that being said, our students put in at least 15 jumps and ten more with us and a grad jump for their A-license. I am now an AFF-I and Tandem-I. AFF is a great method, however I don't near the level of familiarity with my students, why because most people won't sit through a FJC that long, they just want to jump and be in the mix. All for it but lets all be reasonable about it. They are the future of OUR sport. Many DZs I have worked on or visited have a mix of those willing to work with newbies jumeprs. Why I don't know, hell we should encourage the newbies. I know for a fact no of us got great over night and jumping solo just sucks.
I have seen through the posts that there are many newbies that have trouble jumping with experienced folks, why no clue other than it's a shame. Conversely I have seen folks with less than 50 jumps doing 16 ways...One comment between the disciplines has been cost, S/L and IAD instructors don't make near the same as AFF and tandem instructors. so most see it as having fun and teaching for pay. I got all of that however what WE all invest into the people in the sport is what WE get back to the sport.
It ironic that I see posts of people getting hurt or killed yet people post the "they had it coming" comments. Well I am not here to judge their actions, but I will put out to all US out there one simple question, "What have you done lately to further another skydivers experience in this sport for the betterment of all of us?" If you can't answer that one.......then think about it for a while. And for those of you that judge folks based off of the SIM and IRM, I leave you with this thought, just because it says you can do something, doesn't mean your level of experience means that you can actually do it. The SIM is a guideline with certain hard facts. One of them being the ground.
More JP-8 for the flames........

I tend to agree with the spot issue. Personally I think it's a lost art. At large DZs it's green light and go. Having learned on a Cessna DZ and worked on both ever since, it pays to look before you jump. Having said all that, I broke my own rule being caught up in the moment on a tandem jump and the pilot told me "Door" and I opened it and got into position and one, two, three out we went. I set drogue and said "Sh*t".
So after we had a perfect standing landing in the soccer field behind the DZ My passenger, experienced type, asked me if I looked before we lept.... Nope!!!
But it all worked out.... and I owed beer....so it definitely worked out for the dz folks.....

Funny how the founder stepped down 7 days before Triple canopy took the new security contract for the State Dept. "Prince announced his resignation as CEO of Blackwater (now called Xe) on March 2, 2009. Prince will remain as chairman of the board but will no longer be involved in day-to-day operations."

conspiracy......

yes..........

Anybody here run half marathons before?
Just getting any idea of how much fun it was or wasn't for folks.
I am running a 10 miler and half marathon 13 days apart and looking forward to it. Should be a good time. although the weather is gonna be hot at 90 deg plus.....
Cheers!

"Far too few skydiving instructors understand the difference between military screening methods and civilian teaching methods."

I must say that I agree completely on this one. Too many people out there think riding front is a game...... not cool.

Cheers!

I will be happy to trade places with you......

good times.....just makes the first one that much more enjoyable....
too bad the first one is usually the last one after such a long time.....

I would only comment to say that men are intimidated by other men that show them their own shortcomings or impression of shortcomings. it's about measuring up I suppose.

The difference between confidence and cockiness is air and opportunity.......and one really big Marine.....

Given current location......water

when I get home....... Captain Morgan's Special stock with real coca cola or a nice glass or Merlot

Ironcially I went to college in Mass, so I do know the party life and what it was like....
Some of my closest friends are born and raised in Mass....
good times.
now not living there I get a chance to poke fun at us former Mass folks....

" this is New England and people here tend to be very uptight ... (That is actually true.) "

no kidding.....
there is a term for people that are originally from Massachusetts.... and its not a nice one....
So what I hear from my Dad living there.....
It's the imported people that give the state life.....
Kennedy pretty much killed that state.

Half German and Half Polish/American Indian. Half the time I don't know whether to love or hate myself...... ok ok bad joke.

that was a joke....but I guess some people took it to heart....

true story though.....many moons ago, dated a young lady who told me she had her dad run a background check on me through a certain agency.....talk about the willies.....
yeah, that one didn't work out.....

Well I have to say that if he wasn't sure where to take you then he's not a real gentlemen. Then again most first dates aren't usually at Ruth Chris steak houses either......
I disagree about affording it, not all people are the same, however plan accordingly and take the other enablers into account. To explain this for every situation.....well peeps would be typing for days.... Good thing everyone has an OPINION....

That's an easy one.....the one with the mostest....

Actually it should be split aka Going Dutch. These are modern times when woman are equals to men, treat them as such until you find out otherwise.... some people might be offended that you pay for everything but might not know how to tell you that, especially if they really are into you....

Amen brother......well said.

I would disagree with your opinion for two simple reasons. Each tandem system is slightly different and a rating requires a TI to become proficient with that system. I am not one of those gifted people, but I personally know I need to pack a tandem more than once to become proficient at it, especially cross-training to another system. and two, skydiving in and of itself is not rocket science. Just because you have the experience doesn't automatically make you qualified to teach. Some people do it better than others. Just the way it is. The purpose behind the TI I/E requirements should drive this home. I have found very few people that after sitting through even 2-3 coach courses were masters at it, never mind becoming a coach I/E. So i ask you to look at it as a whole and not at an individualistic approach to the subject.Chers!

I should have stated Army Installations require you to keep your weapons in the arms room as follows: Military personnel residing in troop billets that own or possess will store the item(s) in a unit arms room. Military personnel and their family members residing in family quarters, BOQ, and BEQs who own or possess any weapons will store the item(s) in their residence. Firearms in on-post quarters will be kept unloaded and in a place separate from ammunition. Under double lock when quarters are unattended. For most purposes one lock may be the quarter’s entrance and the second lock may be a locked container, trigger lock, or lock cable, chain, or rod through the firearm's guard or barrel, or stored in a locked room, closet, or cabinet. Out of the reach of children under age 18.
AF, Not sure you all have rules..... kidding.....

At most military installations even with a Concealed carry license you can't carry walking around to use say the PX/BX since it's Federal Property. However you can carry concealed if you are transiting through the installation.
And yes you still have to have your weapons in the armory if you live on post. Somethings haven't changed.

only one way to fix that........

Just withdrawals.........
I am down from 6 cups a day to ony 2 .......

a balmy 128