Hvance

Thanks for the detailed post. I actually talked for a good bit with Adam recently regarding USC's club. You guys have done a great job. I'm all for plastering posters everywhere. We just have to be careful here. They have to be approved or the club gets into trouble, and that's not a place you want to be. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Sounds like that will not be fun.. Good luck! I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Mike G. has written some excellent articles on buying gear. Read those and talk to your local instructors/rigger. Check them out here: http://www.chutingstar.com/expertadvice_en/ I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

It's not that I completely AVOID the packing area, I just believe that many individuals have different perspectives. Some guys might want to focus on their pack job and not be bothered by new guys or anyone at all while others might be totally friendly and be more than happy to show you a few pointers. I guess it's safe to say that I like to watch from a distance to get an "idea" of what's going on and just wait for my actual packing class to become fully knowledgeable of what's at stake. The thought of packing my first parachute is nerve racking for me! How is it that you have an "A" license and don't know how to pack? Looks like that's his USPA # actually. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

@pilotdave: That's an interesting idea. I'll have to see if any of the reporters are willing to jump. @jtnesbitt: http://sportige.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sanford-stadium.jpg Could be done, if the school would allow it. @clintster: Money certainly helps, and no one starts off with large funds. We have to build credibility first. Sport jumpers will pay most of their own way. We will look into fundraising ideas/sponsorship, but as we all know..it's not a cheap sport. The model I'm looking at is having everyone who wants to jump join the club ergo pay the nominal dues. The incentive is discounts on jumps/etc. From that pool of jumpers, we'll work on getting students to do AFF. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

It's not that I completely AVOID the packing area, I just believe that many individuals have different perspectives. Some guys might want to focus on their pack job and not be bothered by new guys or anyone at all while others might be totally friendly and be more than happy to show you a few pointers. I guess it's safe to say that I like to watch from a distance to get an "idea" of what's going on and just wait for my actual packing class to become fully knowledgeable of what's at stake. The thought of packing my first parachute is nerve racking for me! Watching others pack often was what helped me most. Ask ten people how to pack, and you'll likely get thirteen answers. I've found that combinations of methods often work best for me. Ask, and ask often. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Damn, I'll keep an eye on this.. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Eh, it's not worth getting mad about. Had just laid down my packjob few weeks ago and someone tripped and pulled my steering lines out forcing me to start over. But all things considered, it's not that big a deal. I have, and will make similar mistakes, so I don't want to chew anyone out. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Looks like a fun plane to jump from.. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Well, there's one major hurdle Hunter is going to have to overcome. UGA had a functioning club at one time in the past but the powers that be would not recognize it "officially" for liability reasons. The club fell by the wayside when the drivers graduated. "Officially" at UGA could mean several things. I submitted our application to be an organization which should be approved in the next few days. That doesn't give us much more than the right to reserve space/advertise with permission/etc. Next year I'll try to get skydiving approved as a club sport. That would open the doors to more funding/etc. I've already spoken at length with the coordinator there and she's very excited about the prospect. She won't make the final call, but I feel confident that I can sell it to the committee. Of course, skydiving will never be "official" in the way that NCAA sports are. We're too much on the fringe for that. You'll know what happens when it happens Andy. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Actually, it could be done with a specific unawareness.... IF as you put the d-bag in the container, you lay it down on the bridle, then pull the bridle up the the side, it could be under a riser or line group. If it goes unnoticed, and the container closed, it would flip the bag through during deployment. That's why after putting the d-bag in the container, you need to check the bridle routing FROM where it exits the D-bag to the velcro (or pin for those without velcro) and on its way from there. JW That makes sense. I could see that happening. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

They do and that's the paper I was referring to in my OP. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

False. He has made a very realistic promise. Just do what I do and DON'T call them from the hospital or emergency room. +1 I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

We already have a topless packer at our DZ. He provides no motivation.. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

That's awesome! I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Everything warm blooded seems to be able to trip over my rig. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I jump the G2, and I'm a big fan. Excellent visibility, a sturdy locking mechanism which is easy enough to open, and the fact that others can read my lips with it on are a few great reasons I love it.

Every 100 jumps swap the risers left to right. Rotating the rings: Turning the biggest ring on each riser (and the small one too) with ones fingers some random amount, so that the harness and other rings aren't pulling or pushing on the same spots on the ring all the time. As Rob says, not necessary. Nothing wrong with inspecting the rings occasionally though. Ah, I understand. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

What do you mean by rotating rings? I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Both good reasons to check every time... I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I usually do pack for myself. That packjob was at the end of a boogie and I was tired. And now I see what happened... This wasn't packed at the farm last weekend and had a card on the rig that says something similiar to: You're welcome for the free packjob. I was drunk and blindfolded though, good luck! was it? Haha, no. Someone else had that one..Travis maybe? That packjob opened fine I think. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I usually do pack for myself. That packjob was at the end of a boogie and I was tired. And now I see what happened... I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Very helpful reply. Much appreciated! I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

In another thread, I mentioned that me and a few other jumpers at UGA are working on starting a new club. Trying to think through effective and cheap (preferably free) ways to advertise on campus. Any good ideas? Things I've got so far: -Flyers legally placed around campus -Setting up a table in busy areas during class -Getting school paper to cover event/club -Having a packing class outdoors in a crowded area -Activities fairs Thanks! I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Had a step-through yesterday (uneventful after a controlability check). I didn't pack this one, so I can't say whether it was packed that way or not. An instructor (popsjumper) had mentioned that the d-bag might have flipped through the lines on opening causing the same problem. How might that happen? A rare, random occurrence or caused by specific things? My deployment sequence felt normal. Canopy inflated in ~3-4 seconds. Was stable belly to earth. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.