NWFlyer 2 #1 June 11, 2006 The thread about "Surprises During a Repack" got me to thinking about this topic, especially during boogie season as we sometimes find ourselves needing a rigger outside of our normal skydiving environment, or as newer jumpers buy gear and want to learn who to go to. What's the best way to evaluate a rigger to decide if he/she is the right rigger for you? What are some of the things you would look at to make that decision? Or do you just go with "whoever's around?" Does your calculus vary by location (for example, would you treat the rigging loft at a major DZ different differently from someone at a smaller DZ?). What kind of questions do people ask of a rigger to make this determination? What kinds of questions do you ask of other jumpers/other riggers to make this determination?"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #2 June 11, 2006 Hell that's easy. Try moving to a new city and evaluating a new mechanic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marinho 0 #3 June 11, 2006 My personal opinion! I think people should evaluate riggers by the following: Facilities capabilities; Equipment capabilities; Knowledge and experience; Known by the skydiving community; And finally and the most important of all, professionalism and honesty! I hope this helps,Gus Marinho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #4 June 11, 2006 QuoteI think people should evaluate riggers by the following: Facilities capabilities; Equipment capabilities; Knowledge and experience; Great criteria, but I think what I'm also trying to get at is how does someone who is not trained as a rigger tell if a rigger/rigging loft posesses these characteristics? QuoteKnown by the skydiving community; This is an interesting one; I can definitely see the benefit of working with an experienced rigger who has built a solid reputation, but how does that translate into evaluating newer riggers and/or riggers at smaller DZs who may be fine riggers but haven't built that reputation yet? Should a jumper pay attention to who they trained with? Who their mentors are? QuoteAnd finally and the most important of all, professionalism and honesty! The last one I can definitely assess; that's just as important in a rigger as it is in anyone else I do business with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings 0 #5 June 11, 2006 Three things, IMO. Knowledge, experience and honesty. Anything else is a bonus. The first time I learned to pack, my jumpmaster threw me to the senior rigger. He made sure I understood each step before moving on to the next. Throughout the whole time, I was treated with respect and my questions were answered before we continued packing. He might not be a good person, but he knows what he's doing, he's not arrogant about it and he's not selfish with his knowledge. My two cents.Why don't you just go to the police station in a red clown suit and let everybody know what we're doing here? I have a phobia for moobs. Thanks, youknowwhoyouare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sunshine 2 #6 June 12, 2006 QuoteShould a jumper pay attention to who they trained with? Who their mentors are? YES!! The rigger that trained me is a well known rigger with a solid reputation. I know he's the one responsible for making me the awesome rigger i am today. As for facilities, well thats a hard one to judge. For someone like me who is not a fulltime rigger, i don't have a real rigging loft. I use my sister's spare bedroom. Of course i welcome anyone to come to my sister's house and check out my workspace. ___________________________________________ meow I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #7 June 12, 2006 QuoteHell that's easy. Try moving to a new city and evaluating a new mechanic. Apples and oranges. A sloppy mechanic will very seldom cost you your life.My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #8 June 12, 2006 Depends on what kind of mechanic. <------ fixes airplanes for a living. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #9 June 12, 2006 QuoteDepends on what kind of mechanic. <------ fixes airplanes for a living. Do you think that he was referring to an A&P? Not.My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peckerhead 0 #10 June 12, 2006 Watch them pack your reserve. If they won't let you watch go somewhere else. It's YOUR gear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darnknit 0 #11 June 12, 2006 Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Should a jumper pay attention to who they trained with? Who their mentors are? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YES!! The rigger that trained me is a well known rigger with a solid reputation. I know he's the one responsible for making me the awesome rigger i am today. so who are the ones who mentored and trained the rigger you studied under? pulling is cool. keep it in the skin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #12 June 12, 2006 Quote Do you think that he was referring to an A&P? Not. Your right. I wasn't. Funny thing is the chief mechanic at our Aproved Maintenence Organization was just replaced so that is exactly the situation we are in for the second time in two seasons. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aironscott 3 #13 June 12, 2006 If I remember correctly my reserve pack jobs worked great for you. So did Todd's. That makes at least two around here that you should be able to reccomend. Aaron“God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #14 June 12, 2006 QuoteIf I remember correctly my reserve pack jobs worked great for you. I was still a student then and didn't have a choice in riggers, Princess. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aironscott 3 #15 June 12, 2006 Well played. And I won't remind the dz.commers exactly how many riggers you needed in your early days. Or why. Peace“God Damn Mountain Dew MotherFuckers!” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #16 June 12, 2006 No great secret, but also not relevant to the discussion. Anyone else have thoughts on this topic? How did you choose your rigger? I'm sure there's some great ideas out there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigger_john 0 #17 June 12, 2006 I think the "ask the rigger to let you watch you pack your reserve is a good indicator" but it won't tell you anything about the riggers ability to make repairs. Word of mouth IMO is probably the best recomendation._________________________________________ Nullius in Verba Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicknitro71 0 #18 June 12, 2006 Good looks Gus, don't forget good looks I can't wait to check out your new portable facility at the WFFC!Memento Audere Semper 903 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #19 June 12, 2006 Krissanne..my $.02: I went to several riggers and asked to watch them work. I was looking for (not in order of importance): -Attention to detail -Attitude (gotta be good or, good enough is good enough) -Shop equipment -materials used and available stock -years of service -workload -personal service or delegation to rigging students -recommendations from other jumpers I found the gamut...and went with the one that satisfied the most of my concerns. Worst case was the one who would not let me watch and had few recommendations and even some "do not use" comments from jumpers. Best case was the one who took the time to let me watch and let me ask questions and took the time to answer and make sure I understood and even went the extra mile to point out things to look for in evaluating the finished product. It was not surprising that this guy had very good recommendations from jumpers. Middle ground was the ones who had a large workload and couldn't/didn't have the attention to detail or who delegated to students or understudies or employees (though they did closely supervise them). They all had similar equipment (some more than others) and used similar materials and most had adequate stock on hand. One thing that was interesting I found was that the "newer" riggers were more anal-retentive in getting it right...maybe that lessens with experience and confidence, though. I found one that I completely trust. Good luck.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marinho 0 #20 June 12, 2006 QuoteGood looks Gus, don't forget good looks I can't wait to check out your new portable facility at the WFFC! What's up Nick?!? I think I got the good looking thing too, so thanks God I'm fine! So you're going to Rantoul!!! Want to do some work?? I hope so... We were invited to be the rigging services at SkyFest and everybody there will have a chance to look our mobile facility for the first time! After Skyfest, I'm driving straight to WFFC. I'll problably have one day of just sitting and relax!PM and tell me your plans!!! I wish you here, I have 25 more rigs to go and all kind of repairs and production going on. I'll talk to you next week. Cheers,Gus Marinho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #21 June 12, 2006 Is it just me or what...I find it ironic that a rigger is hijacking this thread. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marinho 0 #22 June 12, 2006 QuoteIs it just me or what...I find it ironic that a rigger is hijacking this thread. Ooopsss! Shame on me!!!!! I hope you forgive me! Cheers,Gus Marinho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #23 June 12, 2006 Quote-Attitude (gotta be good or, good enough is good enough) I like this one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jumper03 0 #24 June 12, 2006 QuoteQuoteGood looks Gus, don't forget good looks I can't wait to check out your new portable facility at the WFFC! What's up Nick?!? I think I got the good looking thing too, so thanks God I'm fine! So you're going to Rantoul!!! Want to do some work?? I hope so... We were invited to be the rigging services at SkyFest and everybody there will have a chance to look our mobile facility for the first time! After Skyfest, I'm driving straight to WFFC. I'll problably have one day of just sitting and relax!PM and tell me your plans!!! I wish you here, I have 25 more rigs to go and all kind of repairs and production going on. I'll talk to you next week. Cheers, hmmm...is that fancy-dancy bar tacker gonna make it into the mobile loft? Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rushmc 23 #25 June 12, 2006 > but it won't tell you anything about the riggers ability to make repairs. Quote You can ask what repairs they can or will do. I have most of the equipment needed but there are many repairs I will not do because I am not good enough at doing them (in my own opinion) A good rigger will send you to someone who can do something they will not try themselves. Of course a little humility is needed in this case too."America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
jumper03 0 #24 June 12, 2006 QuoteQuoteGood looks Gus, don't forget good looks I can't wait to check out your new portable facility at the WFFC! What's up Nick?!? I think I got the good looking thing too, so thanks God I'm fine! So you're going to Rantoul!!! Want to do some work?? I hope so... We were invited to be the rigging services at SkyFest and everybody there will have a chance to look our mobile facility for the first time! After Skyfest, I'm driving straight to WFFC. I'll problably have one day of just sitting and relax!PM and tell me your plans!!! I wish you here, I have 25 more rigs to go and all kind of repairs and production going on. I'll talk to you next week. Cheers, hmmm...is that fancy-dancy bar tacker gonna make it into the mobile loft? Scars remind us that the past is real Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rushmc 23 #25 June 12, 2006 > but it won't tell you anything about the riggers ability to make repairs. Quote You can ask what repairs they can or will do. I have most of the equipment needed but there are many repairs I will not do because I am not good enough at doing them (in my own opinion) A good rigger will send you to someone who can do something they will not try themselves. Of course a little humility is needed in this case too."America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
