Hvance

Three years ago someone in Sweden had bought new gear, picked it up already packed from the factory and jumped with it in the USA. Due to some stupid Swedish rules, he had to repack it before he could use it in Sweden and as they opened up the container they noticed that the reserve was not hooked up to the risers... I'm no rigger, but how does that happen? I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

You suck, Hunter. Hahaha. What I meant to say was that my water training was administered by Gandalf the Grey. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Congrats! I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

A shame. I was looking forward to seeing that jump. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

That I can agree with. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Neat idea. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

You lost me in this post. I get the general principle that you don't mess with other people's stuff, but I don't see why you got so upset. If I saw someone just pick up my rig and set it down, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt at least. Definitely wouldn't be mad. Just saying.. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I had my water training done by a plain old AFFI. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

The vein of the responses reflect what I've heard, that in most all cases a hook knife won't be able to solve the problem quickly enough. How to find the right line fast, etc... No reason not to have one though. Rather carry it on every jump and never use it, than need it once and not have it. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Tried the G2 on this past weekend. Took a lot of self-control not to buy one... You can see your mouth very easily, and the field of vision is great. With the helmet on, you can see just as if it weren't on. No obstruction. And that visor feels very solid. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

That was fun to watch. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Who knows who will be there, but I'm sure you'll find people to jump with. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

TSA has a document available on the USPA site describing the SOP for these things. I'd print it out just in case. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

theonlyski pointed out the relevant difference in the analogue. That Ferrari has the capacity to be quick/corner/etc, but you can still creep around the track if you aren't comfortable. With a canopy, there's no comparable way to make inputs. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Back when the earth was still cooling college was cheap Andy. Depending on the type of loans, you may be able to simply borrow more than you need. I don't know the details. I didn't pay for my rig that way. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Well written letter. I wonder you have yet to receive a response.... And well done on the silver medal. (At least nominally if not physically.) I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Most everything has been discussed by now. You have to really think to come up with a safety type question that's not been covered at some length. I'm with the other posters. Wouldn't do it. Perhaps if I had a good deal of experience, I might consider it, but the potential dangers aren't worth the rather limited benefits. I try to be reasonably conservative with safety type stuff though. There are enough risks in skydiving that I can't eliminate to be adding in new ones. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

We're all poor and they are available. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

I jump at the Farm and a group of us just went up to XP and we had a blast. It's a very nice tunnel. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

Looking forward to seeing the video.

Great post in general. Liked this line in particular. Applies to everyone. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

What she said. Cheapest is probably Lodi. As for best, you'll get a lot of different opinions on that one. I've only jumped at Perris and Eloy out west, and they are both great dropzones, but I've no experience of the student program at either place. I'm sure there are many good options. For this time of year, I'd probably look at Southern California. It's starting to cool down in the north. You'll probably enjoy the conditions and find more people around at dropzones further south. I recall reading in another thread of a similar vein that both dzs have solid student program. One of them (Perris maybe?) has some sort of weekend camp for newer jumpers. Someone more familiar can clarify. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

To confuse people further, the label on the velo gives a "MAX" suspended weight corresponding to a 2.2:1 wingloading, which is arguably more of a guideline than an "absolute maximum." PD would say that it is the max in that at such a wingloading, the canopy behaves unpredictably/etc. Not a "you will die for sure" way. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.