Why do whuffos walk on skydiving gear?

[billvon 3,008]

>I don't buy this. If someone left a t-shirt on the ground I would not tread on it - I
>would walk around it.

And if you saw an old fishing net spread out on a dirty wharf? I suspect you might walk across it if it was in your way. After all, it's just a filthy net. Whuffos don't know any better.

[skygypsie 2]

You want to talk bat shit crazy bitch...as a fulltime

DZ Staff Packer for a 5 years now, I can not even

describe how ballistic I become when this happens

almost every busy jump day !

It's bad enough a Packer has to bust ass keeping

tandem loads running back to back; without a TI

having to wait for a rig, dripping wet from 100

degree hangars, the ongoing screams of a just

concluded tandem, dogs running through the

packing floor, kids chasing a ball through the lines &

the multitude of spectators trying to get a

photo...add in some dumbass running through to

greet their buddy that just landed, just as I'm

running stows & trips over the lines

Then you get the concerned parent asking

questions like: " how long does it take to pack one

of these, how many mistakes ( mals) have you

packed, where did you learn how to do this, how

long have you been doing this, or how many

parachutes have you packed ?"

Now factor in the clueless nitwit that wants to see

what the orange thingy will do if it's pulled, on a rig

hanging on the rack, or the entourage of family &

friends that set up lawn chairs circumfacing the

packing floor, or the jumper that has the kid for the

weekend & figures the Packer makes for a great

babysitter; while cleaning up smooched skittles,

bubble gum, chips, & has to keep picking up the

Juicy Juice box right where I need to lay down the

canopy !

The worst is a student; who wants to learn to pack to

get his/her A & figures NOW is a good time to get a

practice lesson, by assisting me when they attempt

to run the lines, or help clear the cells...UGH

Stay off my damn pack


** Did I mention I love my job, & I can't wait for jump season to get under way...
I told you I'm a bat shit crazed bitch with close to 7000 tandem packs

[airtwardo 7]

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[skygypsie 2]

[skyflower_bloom 0]

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I looked at the picture, and the problem is sooo obvious: You've got a big fat black line in the form of carpet tape running exactly where you don't want people to walk. That line just screams "FOLLOW ME!!!". If you were to run black lines the other way, or better yet, a criss-cross pattern in the suspension line area, it would cut the traffic way down. I'm not sure how to do this. That's all I got.

that was the first thought that popped into my head too! make the tape perimeter around not through the lines, it completely screams see if you can walk on me without falling over, like a sobriety test, lines be damned

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi

[riggerrob 643]

The brightest DZOs sympathize with packers' problems and separate packing from the rest of the operation.
Manifest is near the front door, then students are ushered a short distance into a classroom, where they watch a video about skydiving. Then instructors "herd" towards a mock-up (outside) where they practice exits. Then students are led to a dressing room, off to the side of the packing area. Ideally a stout wall separates packers from students.
Meanwhile, spectators have been sent over to the picnic benches/bleachers overlooking the landing area.
After the jump, students review video in a room away from the packing area, and ideally close to the cash register.

IOW packers should be isolated - in a separate hangar - with their own (obnoxious) music, and supply of Gatorade/Red Bull/pick your poison. Packers should never be thanked or complimented or tipped and only allowed out after sunset.

Did I mention sympathetic DZOS at the beginning of my rant?
Hah!
Most DZOs cannot even spell the word "sympathetic!" Just tell DZOs that giving packers their own, separate hangar will speed up the flow of dollars ... er tandem students.

Sarcasm and humour intended!!!!

[skygypsie 2]

Sarcasm and humour intended!!!!
-------------------------------------------------

...& appreciated

Hey, at every season's start; the operations 'flow' is

directed as you describe it should be, but as the

days go on & season gets under way...it seems it

becomes every man for himself.

Put it this way, the DZO or an instructor or 2, will

finally re-direct the chaos, once they hear me blow &

some little kid runs out of the hangar crying

[skyjumpenfool 2]

Quote

Sarcasm and humour intended!!!!

...Sarcasm and humour deeply appreciated!!!!

Birdshit & Fools Productions

"Son, only two things fall from the sky."

[Lastchance 0]

When I first started jumping I was smoking in the packing area. Our S&TA came over and told me that if I burned a hole in somebodies parachute that there would be hell to pay. I went home that night and had my last cigarette. That was July 29, 2003. I have never had another one since. Thanks Bob.

I may be getting old but I got to see all the cool bands.

[virgin-burner 1]

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When I first started jumping I was smoking in the packing area. Our S&TA came over and told me that if I burned a hole in somebodies parachute that there would be hell to pay. I went home that night and had my last cigarette. That was July 29, 2003. I have never had another one since. Thanks Bob.

that's pretty cool!

“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.”
-Hunter S. Thompson
"No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."
-Yoda

[obelixtim 150]

Quote

When I first started jumping I was smoking in the packing area. Our S&TA came over and told me that if I burned a hole in somebodies parachute that there would be hell to pay.

Saw this happen one time, but the hole was burned in the new canopy of a rather large mean looking skydiver. When the roaring started it was hilarious to see all the smokers fleeing for cover.....

My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing....