diver123 0 #1 March 18, 2004 Alright, so my birthday is this Saturday and I've asked for a hot air balloon ride as a gift... I found out the name of the company and called them up to request permission to make a jump while I'm up there... The company ok'd it and it will be so... My question is: Would it be a distasteful practical joke to not let anyone in the other basket (there will be two balloons and some of my party will be in the one that I'm not) know I'm jumping and scare the crap out of them??? I'm getting mixed reviews and don't want to permanently damage anyone's feelings. Thoughts? "pull high! It's lower than you think..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wanab 0 #2 March 18, 2004 hmm Not sure... Sounds funny as hell I would go for it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #3 March 18, 2004 Do it. Freakin funny. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #4 March 18, 2004 How are you going to hide your rig? Otherwise, I say go for it. Better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. You might want to let one person in on the secret.... That's kinda cool...I want to do that to my mom and sister... Edit to add: BTW, tell us how it goes/what happens after you do it! So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #5 March 18, 2004 I'd think the fact that you're wearing a rig when you get into the balloon would give it away... unless of course the other balloon isn't loading in the same place as the one you'll be in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pleifer 0 #6 March 18, 2004 try to hide it under a huge jacket... you know it gets cold up there _________________________________________ The Angel of Duh has spoke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #7 March 18, 2004 To make it even more priceless, you need to play the part of a falling, helpless victim complete with screams, arms flailing and your friends in the basket screaming frantically trying to grab you as you fall over. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JUDYJ 0 #8 March 18, 2004 My vote is enjoy yourself! I would do it and my family would understand that that is who I am. And they will talk about it for years to follow! IF you are going to be Stupid - you better be tough! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #9 March 18, 2004 Why don't you just tell everybody your gonna make a jump and let them enjoy watching you..... That's my over 40 answer...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #10 March 18, 2004 QuoteTo make it even more priceless, you need to play the part of a falling, helpless victim complete with screams, arms flailing and your friends in the basket screaming frantically trying to grab you as you fall over. doesnt that happen on everyones first baloon jump anyways? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diver123 0 #11 March 18, 2004 I agree. However, since I purchased a cheap windbreaker from GoodWill and modified it with a small piece of velcrow in place of the front zipper, I think it will do a good enough job of hiding it that no one will get suspicious... Plus, I could put the leg straps under my pants right? "pull high! It's lower than you think..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #12 March 18, 2004 well, if you think it's ok to have a laugh at someone elses expense then go ahead. But remember, a joke at someone elses expense is still just as funny. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diver123 0 #13 March 18, 2004 Ah yes, should've specified. This will be my 2nd balloon jump. I asked for the ride to pay for the jump :) I guess I share the same sentiments as you all, but a few of my friends that won't be participating have expressed concerns that it is, in their words; "a sick and twisted joke"... They cited playing on someone's emotions like that with an item as serious as death is over the line... In any case, I guess we'll see... I'm going to have someone take video and pictures so I'll have some footage to share. "pull high! It's lower than you think..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #14 March 18, 2004 I think that if they know your a skydiver I am sure they will figure it out once they see the canopy. I would maybe tell one person in the other basket so someone is in on it as long as they can keep it quiet ~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #15 March 18, 2004 Try to put your rig in the balloon BEFORE everybody gets in. Then you can put your rig on once you get airborne. Nobody in the other one will know. Make sure you have a way to signal them(tell them you need them all to look over at a certain time - like when you sound an air horn - so you can take a picture). Then, when they're watching, "fall" out. They'll freak out for about 20 seconds until you pull....then they'll be laughing their asses off, or they'll want to kill you.. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diver123 0 #16 March 18, 2004 Right on! Great idea about the air horn thing... I didn't even consider the fact that they may be looking in a different direction I'll definitely get that set up. Thanks for the tip. "pull high! It's lower than you think..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiles 0 #17 March 18, 2004 have a blast- sounds like a great birthday!!The last balloon jumps we did- I drove around trying to pick up jumpers...adventure... 1 jumper wanted to land at work a few miles away, altitude sucked but he went for it anyway- -another jumper landed in a school field sliding thru the goal posts with 1/2 kids and teachers watching thru windows- -all the rest landed in a farm field with rows of blueberry bushes (yuckers)--farmer wasn't too pleased SMiles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #18 March 18, 2004 QuoteDo it. Freakin funny. agreed!____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #19 March 18, 2004 Or else fall out with your pants down around your ankles, they'll never notice the rig... Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #20 March 18, 2004 Sorry, my vote is to tell them. How would you like to be one of them, thinking that they just saw a loved one fall to their death? I guess it's cause I've lost loved ones in this sport, and it's not a joke. Tell them, so they can take pictures and enjoy the day with you. Putting a rig on in a balloon basket is very hard to do. There are too many things that pins and handles can get caught on. Not to mention, who's going to give you a good gear check cause you're all excited and want to scare them, and forgot to do your chest strap. Yeah, that will get their attention when you fall out of the rig. Have fun, enjoy the day. I guess you can tell I'm with the over 40 crowd for the answerMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawndiver 0 #21 March 18, 2004 Are there going to be others besides your party going up as well? Pulling a joke like this on friends and family who know and will forgive you is one thing, but if other people are involved I for one would be pissed after spending $$$$ to go for a nice balloon ride. They may also take it out on the balloon company, which in turn may not be so willing to cooperate with skydivers in the future... Shawn_________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CornishChris 5 #22 March 18, 2004 Imagine if they tried to stop you climbing out and they fell out. How would you feel? They are paying customers too - if you let them know they will enjoy the ride more. What's funny to you might not be to Mr & Mrs Bloggs on their wedding anniversary. CJP Gods don't kill people. People with Gods kill people Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aero04 0 #23 March 18, 2004 My first thought was go for it, and get video, preferably in the other balloon, so we can see the other people's expressions. After reading the other folks responses, I think it might be better to tell them. It would really suck to scare the shit out of them, then have them pissed at you for who knows how long. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BartsDaddy 7 #24 March 18, 2004 I think it would be funny to do what you are planning. But after doing a balloon jump at rantoul last year and having a family that was out for a drive that happened to see the balloons pick me up, They told me they saw me fall out of the balloon and thought I was dead until they saw the parachute. I felt verry bad for them and i would never think to put my loved ones thru that. But according to what your family is like it could still be funny as hell Handguns are only used to fight your way to a good rifle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
osuskydiver 0 #25 March 18, 2004 Sounds liek a great plan to me. DO IT! By the time you read this you have already read it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
