ILikePizza

I've done some searching, but haven't seen anything specific to altimeters. Safe to assume they're OK in a carry-on as well? ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

I'm headed to Perris in a couple weeks and have done a quick read through a few posts on 'first time' in the tunnel (beer). Lots of good tips to think about. However, i see a lot of people saying the tunnel is hard work. How does this compare to a jump for 14k? I got 10 minutes. Would anyone suggest breaking it up? I asked for two 5 minute blocks. I'm planning on jumping as well that day. Does it make sense to mix the tunnel in with the jumps? ...Just looking for some advice on how best to work out kinks in belly flying too. Thanks! ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

+1 there. My helmet has made friends with other helmets on two jumps. I had a guy show up at my DZ with about 120 jumps compared to my 30 and we jumped a few times together. He offerred a few pointers, and I got excited when I realize that I was able to control my fall rate, turn some points with him, etc. The other thing is that we did some really fun jumps with a few guys between 30 - 100 jumps where we played tag, did a four way with 5 points (I considered that a MAJOR accomplishment :P). We talked to some instructors about a Mr. Bill, and a tube exit and some other fun stuff. So, I can't offer experienced advice, but I can say that your willingness to jump with these guys will have the same effect on them that the experienced guys had on you. Plus, it's fun to jump with guys whoh are relaxed and don't worry too too much if your not getting ever point. ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

I'm still a bit nervous each time I get within 3 miles of the DZ. A couple deep breaths, and the first sight of a smiling jumper coming in from the LZ to the hangar and those things go away pretty quickly. The key is to relax and focus on listening, learning, and asking questions. It's a safe sport with the right attitude and attention to detail (or so I'm told in these here forums ) I've seen a few people walk away from the loading area because they had a bad feeling about a jump. That's fine. Do what you feel comfortable with. Everyone has fears and concerns, that's what makes it so amazing when you land safely on that 25th jump and youre instructors demand you buy beer and party with them. ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

um..... ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

After your AAD fires, just reach up and grab your right front riser. Pull on it with both arms as hard as you can. ... But seriously ... Please just ask your instructors that question! They'll get you all the information you need. +1 on the relaxing part! HAVE FUN! ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!!!!!! Congrats!! ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

+1 big time. I'll give a shout to the guys at Cross Keys for being all about chatting about gear, rigs, landing patterns. ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

We had a guy come into Cross Keys about 2 weeks ago from the Ranch and he just brough two cases with him for his first jump at the DZ. He jumped from about 10h00 to 15h00 and left. He never had a beer. But, he knew that he would get some attention walking across the packing mat with two cases. We jumped several four-ways with the guy, even had a few coaches volunteer to jump with us. Great day of learning and hanging out. I think that's the key. I wouldn't turn down a gatorade, but I would come shake your hand if you walked in with a case... ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

EVERYTHING ELSE IS NEXT!!! Just to give you my two cents... I'm at 42 jumps at this point, and am still saving for gear. That should only take another 5 years. I just wandered around the drop zone asking who wanted to spend a jump on a rookie and all sorts of people started to speak up. It was actually pretty sweet, I've done a lot of 4 ways and have gotten into FS a little. I totally agree that staying on your belly is important. I figured by 100 jumps or so I might get a freefly coach to teach me to sit and do some transitions... but just keeping up with some of the guys on their bellies is a bit of a challenge. Way fun though! It is true too that there are some cool exits and things to try that are posted on YouTube. Tube exits and Mr. Bills are wicked fun! ALSO! Start to pay really close attention to what people are doing under canopy. I've picked up a ton of pointers from people and have made some mistakes that have been really important lessons. Have fun! ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

Very well stated sir! I will take that advice and run... err... jump with it. ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

+1 Please share the details on the DZs in the US with fuckable DZO daughters. ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

One of my instructors had a low cutaway, so he pulled his reserve on his side, and it broke his neck. He walked away from it, but if you just think about your body being jerked around... it can definately be dangerous. Logic says a tandem would compound the risk... I'm sure the passenger doesn't have a whole lot of risk of detaching if the gear is properly connected and well maintained. ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

+1000000 ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000

I don't need soft or cushy treatment. Like I said, when we're at the DZ and some one sees me fuck up or do something stupid, I would not be surprised, offended, or pissed off if that person chewed me out in front of a crowd of people. That is deserved, and please bug out and scream at me if you feel so inclined. It's in the context of the forums that I was referring to. I did read some of what that dude posted and I agree, his attitude merits the response. My point was to quote your post to make an example of what I see as a much larger theme. I didn't intend to call you out or anything, even though it probably seems that way. Unfortunately your post was the post that really caught me. No offense in any way, and I think the tone is justified in many ways. Anyways... I guess I'm a softie and want us all to take it easy (in the forums!). ...And I'm not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph... Did we just become best friends? D.S. #1000000