RyanOBrian 0 #1 October 1, 2009 http://www.pauldavidson.net/2007/01/30/a-few-brief-thoughts-on-why-i-would-never-want-to-be-a-parachute-packer/ _____ A Few Brief Thoughts on Why I Would Never Want To Be a Parachute Packer January 30th, 2007 There’s bad jobs, and then there’s bad jobs. Yet when faced with a slew of bad jobs that range from porta-potty cleaner to tollbooth taker to late shift urinal serviceman to bottle-capper — it seems that I have recently unearthed what I believe to be the worst job on the face of the Earth. A job that, when you really get down to it, has zero perks or positive aspects to it whatsoever. That job? Being a parachute packer. While you can find positives in some jobs, like the quiet time you have to yourself or the fact that some really boring jobs allow you the time to slowly get your real dreams in order, the job of actually just packing parachutes in preparation of people jumping out of planes has got to be devoid of positives. Some people, of course, will tell you that individuals who possess the ability and skill to fold cloth into really small spaces (think “flag folders” and “napkin folder waiters”) might really enjoy the repetitive job of folding, securing and zipping up parachutes at a local airfield somewhere in middle America. But while flag folders reap the benefits of seeing said folded flags grace funerals and patriotic events… And while napkin folders see diners’ faces light up when they catch errant crumbs of food with said folded napkin… And while cruise ship workers, skilled in the art of making your towel look like a goose, then putting your sunglasses on said goose so when you come back to your cabin you freak out, giggle in their cabins knowing just what they’ve done to disrupt your evening…the parachute packer is a lonely, thankless, potentially tragic job. Here. Take a look. I’ve done the math. * I pack your chute really well and you take it, not knowing I packed it in the first place. I’m some faceless parachute packer and all you care about is that your chute opens. Which it does. Which doesn’t do me any good whatsoever. Parachute packer gets screwed in this scenario. * I pack your chute really well and you take it up, jump out of the plane, and the chute doesn’t open — and then I’m just the stupid parachute packer who didn’t pack your parachute correctly, and I potentially may even be indicted in some huge murder trial or insurance payout scam. Parachute packer gets screwed in this scenario. * I pack your parachute, but since I’m fed up with not being recognized for my skilled-packing, I bring you the pack and when I hand it to you I tell you that I packed it personally for you. Which makes you nervous. Which makes you think I’m either crazy or hitting on you, which could be construed as sexual harrassment — which may very well get me fired. Parachute packer gets screwed in this scenario. * I pack your chute quietly. I don’t talk to you at all. I just pack pack pack pack and then go sit in my little office in the back with the TV that has no cable — just an antenna. I also probably end up having to label those damn videos of you people jumping out of planes so when you get back down you have something to remember your entire experience by — which of course was all the result of my superior parachute packing. Parachute packer gets screwed in this scenario. In the beginning, and in the end for that matter — the parachute packer never gets notoriety (unless it’s bad), never gets attention (unless it’s bad) and never gets any positive “good job” verbal reinforcements from any of the clients because being a parachute packer means you’re better when you’re quiet, you don’t cause any problems, and you just pack pack pack those parachutes like a robotic automaton. That’s why I would never want to be a parachute packer. I just hope you understand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyBastard 0 #2 October 1, 2009 wow. i never thought of it that way. i hope i never do.Dude #320 "Superstitious" is just a polite way of saying "incredibly fucking stupid". DONK! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #3 October 1, 2009 There's really no such thing as a "parachute packer." Is that like being an avocado packer, an onion packer, or a fudge packer? That's why I became a parachute technician and earned a FAA Rigger's ticket? So I could be sued like the big boys . . . Oh, wait a minute . . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robskydiv 0 #4 October 1, 2009 When I was jumping at GoldCoast skydivers in Moss Point, there was this man and his wife who were professional packers. They worked fast, all day long and I never heard them complain. They would pack all of the CREW Dogs rigs when they were in town and all of the RW teams rigs when they were around and fun jumpers in between. I never heard them complain a bit. They were actually quite nice. It's not for everybody that's for sure. They never packed mine 'cause I pack my own main. Isn't being a packer a good way to start out? That's where many people begin before they get their ratings. Is is really that bad? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutumbo 0 #5 October 1, 2009 QuoteWhen I was jumping at GoldCoast skydivers in Moss Point, there was this man and his wife who were professional packers. They worked fast, all day long and I never heard them complain. They would pack all of the CREW Dogs rigs when they were in town and all of the RW teams rigs when they were around and fun jumpers in between. I never heard them complain a bit. They were actually quite nice. It's not for everybody that's for sure. They never packed mine 'cause I pack my own main. Isn't being a packer a good way to start out? That's where many people begin before they get their ratings. Is is really that bad? i wouldnt mind doing it, figure it would be a good way to get experience in the sport. . . great way to meet alot of people and learn new stuffThanatos340(on landing rounds)-- Landing procedure: Hand all the way up, Feet and Knees Together and PLF soon as you get bitch slapped by a planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lippy 918 #6 October 2, 2009 Is the guy who wrote that a packer? Is he even a skydiver? That doesn't sound like how I was treated when I was a packer nor who I treat packers when I use them now.I got nuthin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ifall 0 #7 October 2, 2009 The guy who wrote that comes off as a "glass half empty" type douchebag to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GaryRay 0 #8 October 2, 2009 Quotehttp://www.pauldavidson.net/2007/01/30/a-few-brief-thoughts-on-why-i-would-never-want-to-be-a-parachute-packer/ _____ A Few Brief Thoughts on Why I Would Never Want To Be a Parachute Packer January 30th, 2007 There’s bad jobs, and then there’s bad jobs. Yet when faced with a slew of bad jobs that range from porta-potty cleaner to tollbooth taker to late shift urinal serviceman to bottle-capper — it seems that I have recently unearthed what I believe to be the worst job on the face of the Earth. A job that, when you really get down to it, has zero perks or positive aspects to it whatsoever. That job? Being a parachute packer. While you can find positives in some jobs, like the quiet time you have to yourself or the fact that some really boring jobs allow you the time to slowly get your real dreams in order, the job of actually just packing parachutes in preparation of people jumping out of planes has got to be devoid of positives. Some people, of course, will tell you that individuals who possess the ability and skill to fold cloth into really small spaces (think “flag folders” and “napkin folder waiters”) might really enjoy the repetitive job of folding, securing and zipping up parachutes at a local airfield somewhere in middle America. But while flag folders reap the benefits of seeing said folded flags grace funerals and patriotic events… And while napkin folders see diners’ faces light up when they catch errant crumbs of food with said folded napkin… And while cruise ship workers, skilled in the art of making your towel look like a goose, then putting your sunglasses on said goose so when you come back to your cabin you freak out, giggle in their cabins knowing just what they’ve done to disrupt your evening…the parachute packer is a lonely, thankless, potentially tragic job. Here. Take a look. I’ve done the math. * I pack your chute really well and you take it, not knowing I packed it in the first place. I’m some faceless parachute packer and all you care about is that your chute opens. Which it does. Which doesn’t do me any good whatsoever. Parachute packer gets screwed in this scenario. * I pack your chute really well and you take it up, jump out of the plane, and the chute doesn’t open — and then I’m just the stupid parachute packer who didn’t pack your parachute correctly, and I potentially may even be indicted in some huge murder trial or insurance payout scam. Parachute packer gets screwed in this scenario. * I pack your parachute, but since I’m fed up with not being recognized for my skilled-packing, I bring you the pack and when I hand it to you I tell you that I packed it personally for you. Which makes you nervous. Which makes you think I’m either crazy or hitting on you, which could be construed as sexual harrassment — which may very well get me fired. Parachute packer gets screwed in this scenario. * I pack your chute quietly. I don’t talk to you at all. I just pack pack pack pack and then go sit in my little office in the back with the TV that has no cable — just an antenna. I also probably end up having to label those damn videos of you people jumping out of planes so when you get back down you have something to remember your entire experience by — which of course was all the result of my superior parachute packing. Parachute packer gets screwed in this scenario. In the beginning, and in the end for that matter — the parachute packer never gets notoriety (unless it’s bad), never gets attention (unless it’s bad) and never gets any positive “good job” verbal reinforcements from any of the clients because being a parachute packer means you’re better when you’re quiet, you don’t cause any problems, and you just pack pack pack those parachutes like a robotic automaton. That’s why I would never want to be a parachute packer. I just hope you understand. that made me think of CNN or FOX news in regards to party affiliation, it was worthless and 1 sided and using the strawman argument. FAIL!JewBag. www.jewbag.wordpress.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhaig 0 #9 October 3, 2009 oddly enough I dreamed last night that I was packing. I haven't jumped in a couple of years so it was odd.-- Rob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #10 October 3, 2009 sat⋅ire /ˈsætaɪər/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [sat-ahyuhr] Show IPA Use satire in a Sentence See web results for satire See images of satire –noun 1. the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. 2. a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule. 3. a literary genre comprising such compositions. I had a close relationship with my packer, not only was he a cool guy but he taught me so much about how the various systems functioned and what to look for. As a n00b he was the best guy to talk to. After all you are trusting your life to the guy. So love thy packer, buy him a drink or two and some lunch every now and again and remember to tip and tip often.Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #11 October 3, 2009 What a pile of shite. If the author doesn't like the job, then there's an aklternative .... do something/anything else. As for being a thankless task.... maybe it's because he's a twat.... anyone that ever packs my canopy foor me (rare, I mostly pack for myself) ALWAYS gets Thanked. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #12 October 3, 2009 Packing is not that bad. It helped me get through two degrees (BS and MA) with no debt! All I had to sacrifice was my right knee. "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
