Been out for 20+ years

[Master_Yoda 0]

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Quite frankly, 500 jumps really isn't jack shit in the big scheme of things...

You only have 3100 jumps in 23 years!!!

You don't jump often do you?

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...If you expect me to sign off your alleged skills that 'purdy' much isn't going to happen.

I purdy much wouldn't let you DIRT dive with me after a comment like that.

This sport is supposed to be fun. Guys like you were always a bummer on the DZ.

[BASE469 0]

Yes, I, unfortunately, only have 3100 jumps, it's not a very impressive total...somehow when you teach AFF for a living, it really cuts into the time you have to pound out a lot of jumps. However it does demonstrate a certain level of survivability and currency. If I don't jump every couple days I don't feel like I'm at the top of my game and you've been away from a rapidly evolving sport for 20 years??? I don't think you will ever have to worry about jumping with me. On those rare occassions when I take time off from working with my students to make a jump, it is always a well planned and organized event with people that I know to be safe and competent. Yes, I am one of those assholes at the dropzone that curtail everyone's fun by insisting we be safe, because I've got this weird thing about going home to my wife at the end of the day.

[davelepka 4]

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I think sitting through the whole first jump course would have been an overkill, but I guess it would depend on the jumper.

I never said the guy should expect to sit through the entire FJC. My exact quote is here -

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I would fully expect to sit through some refresher training, be it as part of a FJC

"Part" of the FJC. If the guy shows up for recurrency training, and they are conducting a FJC, there's no reason he could not sit in on the malfunction part of the training, as opposed to occupying another instructor who might be needed elsewhere.

[riggerrob 643]

When "rusty old farts" show up at Pitt Meadows, I ask them to read through the first jump course text book.
Then quiz them on material mentioned in the textbook.

If their first few answers are correct, ground school is brief.

Rob Warner
grumpy, old, grey-bearded Master Rigger
Strong Tandem Examiner
Canadian POPS record participant
6,400 jumps over 33 years

[Master_Yoda 0]

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Yes, I, unfortunately, only have 3100 jumps, it's not a very impressive total...somehow when you teach AFF for a living, it really cuts into the time you have to pound out a lot of jumps. However it does demonstrate a certain level of survivability and currency. If I don't jump every couple days I don't feel like I'm at the top of my game and you've been away from a rapidly evolving sport for 20 years??? I don't think you will ever have to worry about jumping with me. On those rare occassions when I take time off from working with my students to make a jump, it is always a well planned and organized event with people that I know to be safe and competent. Yes, I am one of those assholes at the dropzone that curtail everyone's fun by insisting we be safe, because I've got this weird thing about going home to my wife at the end of the day.

I'm very familiar with guys like you who stroke their own egos by playing the safety card as they butt in on other peoples jumps. When I jumped on Ft. Bragg I had to take it because they usually out-ranked me. But I'm not in the Army anymore. I don't want your opinion or advice.
With any luck, we'll never be on the same dropzone together.
So what state is Salisbury in? You don't have a location set on your profile and I just would like to know where you jump so can avoid it in the future.

[Master_Yoda 0]

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When "rusty old farts" show up at Pitt Meadows, I ask them to read through the first jump course text book.
Then quiz them on material mentioned in the textbook.

If their first few answers are correct, ground school is brief.

Rob Warner
grumpy, old, grey-bearded Master Rigger
Strong Tandem Examiner
Canadian POPS record participant
6,400 jumps over 33 years

And I would be more than happy to do so.
blue skies to you, brother.
Chris

[davelepka 4]

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I'm very familiar with guys like you who stroke their own egos by playing the safety card as they butt in on other peoples jumps. When I jumped on Ft. Bragg I had to take it because they usually out-ranked me. But I'm not in the Army anymore. I don't want your opinion or advice

God help the DZ you shopw up on. Between your posts about recurrency jumps, new gear, and helmets, it appears that you have made your mind up about how everything works at the DZ these days, and don't need any sort of new fangled training or adivce about anything.

I tried to be on your side, but you sound like an asshole. Remember the as campaign, "This isn't your fathers Oldsmobile"? Well, this isn't 1990 skydiving anymore, and if you expect to fit in, succeed, and survive, you are need a serious attitude adjustment.

[Master_Yoda 0]

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I'm very familiar with guys like you who stroke their own egos by playing the safety card as they butt in on other peoples jumps. When I jumped on Ft. Bragg I had to take it because they usually out-ranked me. But I'm not in the Army anymore. I don't want your opinion or advice

God help the DZ you shopw up on. Between your posts about recurrency jumps, new gear, and helmets, it appears that you have made your mind up about how everything works at the DZ these days, and don't need any sort of new fangled training or adivce about anything.

I tried to be on your side, but you sound like an asshole. Remember the as campaign, "This isn't your fathers Oldsmobile"? Well, this isn't 1990 skydiving anymore, and if you expect to fit in, succeed, and survive, you are need a serious attitude adjustment.

Sorry you feel that way, Dave. Something is certainly getting lost in the translation here. You can't hear the inflection in my voice or see my body language. If you did, perhaps you wouldn't have chosen to judge me harshly.

I've said several times I have no issues with going thru a ground school as seen fit by a DZO or instructor. I have no problem with hanging in a training harness reviewing emergency procedures or taking a written test. There's certainly no problem making a currency jump or two or three with an instructor. And I've stated my desire to get coaching immediately upon completing the recurrency jumps.

I'm not on this board to make enemies. Nor am I on this board to impress anyone with my relatively limited experience that's now 20 years old. I am trying to get a feel for the state of the sport TODAY. What's in, what's out, what's hot, what's not? If skydiving was still all about 4-way RW and CRW, I wouldn't bother coming back. Been there, done that, don't care about it. I'd just as soon go bass fishin' in the mornings and sip a pint of home made beer while picking my banjo or mandolin in the evenings. But now free flying is popular and it looks like a lot of fun. The wingsuits are irresistable! It's the NEW STUFF that's the reason I'm back. And I look forward to learning from people with more experience than I. I think it's my reaction to BASE469's "nanny state" style of advice giving. It's over the top and ego driven nonsense.

I think I'm pretty nice guy and easy to get along with. I just can't stand skygods. I couldn't 20 years ago and I can't now. Maybe you'll change your mind once you meet me. If we ever meet.

Until then, blue skies
Chris