Royal Subjects

[DBCOOPER 5]

BPA renewal
£117.60 = $188.56
Ouch

Replying to: Re: Stall On Jump Run Emergency Procedure? by billvon

If the plane is unrecoverable then exiting is a very very good idea.

[RMK 3]

Unbelievably, the BPA is giving themselves a congratulatory slap on the back for the few pounds saving from prior years. Around 2007-2008 the cost was actually over £150 (over $300+ at then exchange rates). They even had the temerity to thank their insurance underwriter in the annual report (they’re getting f*cked and giving out thank you notes??)

I’m both a USPA & BPA member and gladly pay for my USPA card each year. Re BPA - well the UK has a way of (no matter how much better another country can do something) still thinking they’re the best in the world.

"Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to attend his classes"

[cpoxon 0]

Cost of living is generally higher in the UK. Our third-party insurance makes up the majority of the cost but also has 40 times the coverage of yours.

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[cpoxon 0]

Thanks for all your help and support Michael.

The BPA has worked hard over the years to reduce the insurance aspect of the membership and now have partners who are very supportive of our Association and its aims. It's an ongoing process. We welcome constructive suggestions from the membership (as opposed to ill-advised abuse).

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[RMK 3]

Don’t take it personally; I see that you and other council members are trying to make things better. However cost-of-living and coverage limits aside, we have the highest skydiving membership costs on the planet (not just a US comparison). This is not an example of finance & business negotiation at its best; then again there are few professional financiers/negotiators in the membership ranks.

Sorry, but even though I’m an optimist, if I’m standing waist-deep in shit, I’m not going to say “this is great, good thing it’s not chest-deep shit” – No, I’ll acknowledge that I’m standing in shit.

You’re right I’m not supportive of the BPA. Many years as member has somewhat turned me off.

... re third-party coverage amount, I’ve had a private policy for years with greater cover (though I’m still obliged to pay the BPA nonetheless)

"Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to attend his classes"

[cpoxon 0]

There's a London Skydiver's meet tonight at the Montague Pyke on Charing Cross road. Come along and we'll discus the myriad of issues (and possible solutions)>

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[RMK 3]

I have late meetings today followed by a cocktail reception, but will take you up on the offer for next month’s London Skydivers pub drinks.

Charing Cross Rd; that’ll attract a dodgy crowd...have they looked into more civilised surroundings such as May Fair? (Just Kidding)

"Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to attend his classes"

[Bip 0]

Quote

BPA renewal
£117.60 = $188.56
Ouch

The lucky lucky bastards.

Double that and you will still be paying less than me.

[shropshire 0]

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BPA renewal
£117.60 = $188.56
Ouch

Not to mention lift ticket prices

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[DBCOOPER 5]

Seem like a lot of insurance. Has there be a history of claims that high?

Replying to: Re: Stall On Jump Run Emergency Procedure? by billvon

If the plane is unrecoverable then exiting is a very very good idea.

[kuai43 7]

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Cost of living is generally higher in the UK. Our third-party insurance makes up the majority of the cost but also has 40 times the coverage of yours.

Perhaps ask if you need that much coverage?

Every fight is a food fight if you're a cannibal

Goodness is something to be chosen. When a man cannot choose, he ceases to be a man. - Anthony Burgess

[demoknite 0]

And most places close late in the fall and dont open until spring. So you actually get 3/4 of a years coverage. You cant jump with anyone else unless you have certain stickers in your logbook. It's a testament that they actually have a decent skydiving scene in that country. However, their top performers get the bulk of their training done abroad.

[Joellercoaster 6]

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Not to mention lift ticket prices

Do a few jumps in Australia, then complain about UK ticket prices.

If you're still not bleeding directly from the hip pocket, there's always Japan.

--
"I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan

"You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

[Joellercoaster 6]

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And most places close late in the fall and dont open until spring. So you actually get 3/4 of a years coverage.

You can use your BPA membership in places with better weather, and unless those places are the US or Canada, their insurance still covers you.

The sticker thing is just the same as a lot of places, the difference being... wait for it... you get a sticker.

Less whining, more skydiving.

Or at least, if you're going to complain, understand why the situation is what it is - one sizeable hint being, it's not because the BPA thought it would be cool.

Joel
Not affiliated with the BPA except he has to give them money, same as you do

--
"I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan

"You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

[chuckakers 425]

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$188.56

The amount you pay isn't really important. The real question is what do you get for your money.

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[demoknite 0]

Quote

Quote

And most places close late in the fall and dont open until spring. So you actually get 3/4 of a years coverage.

You can use your BPA membership in places with better weather, and unless those places are the US or Canada, their insurance still covers you.

The sticker thing is just the same as a lot of places, the difference being... wait for it... you get a sticker.

Less whining, more skydiving.

Or at least, if you're going to complain, understand why the situation is what it is - one sizeable hint being, it's not because the BPA thought it would be cool.

Joel
Not affiliated with the BPA except he has to give them money, same as you do

Not whining, just stating the facts. I dont drink the BPA's kool-aid, I just pay my money and jump like a loyal subject should.

[cpoxon 0]

"Facts"? "Most places"? I just went through in my head the 20-odd DZs in the UK and I can think of at least 10 that remain open throughout the winter. I'm not sure what your definition of "late fall" and "spring" are but I don't think they are the same as mine seeing as the ones that do close are generally closed for December/January. The Scandanavians have quite a short season. Those in the northern states of the US have short seasons. They still pay annual subcriptions.

Skydiving Fatalities - Cease not to learn 'til thou cease to live

[mr2mk1g 10]

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Quote

Cost of living is generally higher in the UK. Our third-party insurance makes up the majority of the cost but also has 40 times the coverage of yours.

Perhaps ask if you need that much coverage?

We get £2,000,000 third party cover. Trust me, you need that, in fact even that might not be enough if you only cripple someone rather than kill them outright and they can no longer work.

[Mac 1]

For £9.80 per month, the cover of insurance, and the work done by the BPA council and members to maintain a high standard of parachuting in the UK, I think its worth it. I pay more per month to insure my phone.

I used to be a BPA hater, I voted with my feet, and left it, choosing to do other parachute sports other than Skydiving. I am now back, and with more knowledge of the high standards of our training and controls, it helps to ensure BPA rated instructors, and dropzones are of a very high standard, and that is good for the sport in the UK.

Yes there are areas that require changing, and bringing into the modern age, but for less than the cost of iPhone insurance, I just suck it up, go jump, and have fun.

[Andy9o8 2]

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The Scandanavians have quite a short season.

At-sa why they jump from cliffs!

[demoknite 0]

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"Facts"? "Most places"? I just went through in my head the 20-odd DZs in the UK and I can think of at least 10 that remain open throughout the winter. I'm not sure what your definition of "late fall" and "spring" are but I don't think they are the same as mine seeing as the ones that do close are generally closed for December/January. The Scandanavians have quite a short season. Those in the northern states of the US have short seasons. They still pay annual subcriptions.

Not really trying to get in to semantics on dropzone.com, but my three home DZs all closed for the winter and just quickly glanced over some online and found 4 that were closed. Some that claim to be open 7 days a week all year long actually arent or just do few tandems or AFFs that stumble in so you might have only 3 or so loads over an otherwise nice January weekend just as an example. I know Langar is notoriously hardcore, but that is an exception and not the rule.
Like I said, I gladly pay my BPA monies, right along with my TV license fee, even though I watch very little TV, and my road tax. I know all of those things are for the greater good but not without its downfalls.
If I want to jump at those times, I just go to AZ or FL and jump with all of the Norwegians and New Yorkers who also go there and I dont even have to have an FS1 sticker.