feuergnom 28 #1 July 18, 2003 after hanging around in the forums i notice that it seems to be quite common for u.s.-jumpers to get their gear packed by a packer. it also seems common that you don't learn how to pack while beeing a student (seems strange to me cause i think packing is one of the basic skills a skydiver should learn) one more point: if i read about reserve-rides it's sometimes stated that the reason was a packers error. isn't it to easy to blame someone else? i packed right from the beginning (under supervision of my teachers of course) and i think i will stick to this (btw - saves a lot of dough for jumping) so what do you prefer and for what reasons? (pls feel free if you think if i missed a point in the poll. thx)The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle dudeist skydiver # 666 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #2 July 18, 2003 How about an entry for "can pack just fine just sometimes don't want to/don't have time" or something... ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #3 July 18, 2003 That about sums it up. Can pack, mostly pack, occasionally can't be arsed. I packed after my second jump. I found that learning actualy gives you a much better understanding of how a parachute wants to open...it all makes much more sense after. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #4 July 18, 2003 QuoteHow about an entry for "can pack just fine just sometimes don't want to/don't have time" or something... Same here! Once in a while I don't feel like packing, - Or at meets where there isn't much time to dirt dive, much less pack between loads. But on "normal" jump days, I pack myself. But I usually do an extra-careful check of my main bridle and pin when I don't pack myself. On the other hand, I am appalled by the number of newbies I see that "learned" how to pack, but will stand around waiting for a packer to come available and miss loads for it. WTF? Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybrat68 0 #5 July 18, 2003 I pack for myself 99.5% of the time for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, if I have a mal, I have noone to blame but myself. For the .5% of the time that I have someone pack for me, it's one other person that I trust completely and she only packs for me if I'm involved in some sort of event and I've already packed for most of the day and I'm just simply exhausted. The second reason I pack for myself is to save money for more jumps. I have a friend that figured he spent $750 on pack jobs in one year. That's 44 more jumps he could have made. After doing the math, he too packs for himself! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
feuergnom 28 #6 July 18, 2003 QuoteQuoteHow about an entry for "can pack just fine just sometimes don't want to/don't have time" or something... ok. now if i only knew how to update/edit a poll it would be fine (can it be done???)The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle dudeist skydiver # 666 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Brisco 0 #7 July 18, 2003 I never pack for myself. I know how to do it - packing (and jumping your own pack job) is a requirement for the A license - but I HATE it! My first student pack job took me about 3 hours and then just as I was gearing up to jump it, the winds kicked up and students were put on hold. Since it was rather late in the afternoon and I have a 2+ hour drive home, I left. On my next visit to the dz, I had to pack again (only took about an hour this time) and jump my pack job. Passed my requirement, but swore never to pack again. About a month ago, I bought a used rig and bought a brand new zero-p canopy. I tried to pack it. That new zero-p stuff is slipperier than owl shit. It took me about 6 hours to get that damn thing in the bag. And I didn't have the nerve to jump that pack job so as soon as I got to the dz I marched right over to the packers and had one of them re-pack it. I had some satisfaction at least in watching a professional packer work up a sweat trying to get that thing packed. I keep promising myself that I'm going to start packing. Someday perhaps.... Brisco Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Luv2Fall 0 #8 July 18, 2003 Have my own rig now and have jumped it three times and each time I paid a packer to pack it. I hate packing and love having a more experienced person doing it. Having said that, this weekend I plan to do all my packing...........................although it's worth paying $6.00 to have it done, the money adds up and takes away from my jump money. So I'm going to start doing all my own packing with the exception of the final jump on Sundays.................I'll gladly pay then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kyros1 0 #9 July 18, 2003 Depends. When I am visiting US and I want to get many many jumps I am getting my 2 rigs and I let packers to do their job... so I can do back to backs. When I am at my local DZ I pack sometimes. I pack at home for sure Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites aneblett 0 #10 July 18, 2003 couldn't afford to eat if I paid packers... S.E.X. party #2 ..It is far worse to live with fear, than to die confronting it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites lazyfrog 0 #11 July 18, 2003 I mostly pack myself, except if I'm back to back or need to do ther stuff like getting briefed or debriefed etc...---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tbrown 26 #12 July 18, 2003 I always do my own packing. Once paid a packer to help me bag a brand new canopy, the slippery ZP fabric was f#@*ing impossible and I was going to miss a 10 min. call without help. This same packer had quite a lucrative day yesterday, packing for a 4 way team & their cameraman. They were making something like 10 jumps and wanted to go straight to debrief, so they just budgeted packing fees into their training budget. I can see that as a legitimate reason. At $6 a pack X 5 rigs X 10 jumps, my friend probably had a good day, even if he only got part of the $. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zenister 0 #13 July 18, 2003 QuoteHow about an entry for "can pack just fine just sometimes don't want to/don't have time" or something... exactly...and we've done this poll several times before too ____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites councilman24 37 #14 July 18, 2003 Good thing you didn't start 15 years ago, or jump at a small DZ now. Paid packers didn't exist and don't exist at many DZ's. When I started it was hard enough to get someone to volunteer to hold tension on the round. (If I have to explain that, well, I guess I'm just an old fart.) If I was on a big way or training with a team where I was required to use a packer, I'd be very uncomfortable. That's not to say that packers aren't conscientious, but this is one place I want to trust myself. If you'd rather spend your money for a pack that's fine, but I'd suggest everybody learn how to pack efficiently. Hey it gives you an excuse to play with your parachute on rainy days or in the winter. What I really want is for you to know your own equipment. It's always bothered me when a jumper never wants to watch his reserve packed, maybe doesn't know what color it is, doesn't know how to hook up a three ring or check the line rotation on his main, etc etc. When you want to make the B-17 and the packers are backed up, you at least have an option.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Brisco 0 #15 July 18, 2003 Oh, I have a very keen interest in my equipment - I want to know the in's and out's of all of it and as soon as my reserve is due for a re-pack, you can betcha I'm going to ask to watch. I just don't like packing! Especially this brand new (9 jumps) Sabre2 210 zero-p! I feel like I'm mud wrestling with a pig and the pig enjoys it. I've watched some folks pack and they get their canopy folded up oh-so-neatly and just slide it into the bag with nary a grunt or groan while I almost always end up with a giant ball of crap about 6 times bigger than the bag, all the while turning the air blue with cuss words, sweat dripping from every pore on my body and strongly considering setting fire to the whole damn mess and just doing a ash scatter dive on my next jump with a rental rig! I eventually learn how to do it efficiently, but for now, if I packed for myself, I'd only make 2 loads a day - the breakfast load and the sunset load. Brisco Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites FallingAngel 0 #16 July 18, 2003 I always pack my own gear, main and reserve. I'm proud to say I'm the only one who's packed my new gear...What can I say, I like my openings(plus I can pack fairly quickly when motivated) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites uma 0 #17 July 18, 2003 I am with those who say that they usually -- but not always -- pack their own gear. I actually like the packing; it gives me some time to decompress from my jump and focus on the gear, and I am definitely of the opinion that it is best to rely on myself. That said, once in a while, if I'm really wiped out or just feeling a little lazy, there are always some great packers who I am more than happy to give some well-earned money to! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites andy2 0 #18 July 18, 2003 i like packing, I pack for myself, of course I've only packed about 20 times, maybe that will change as that stretches into hundreds. I could see once I start working at the DZ instructing (way down the road) I would pay someone to pack out of necessity, to get on that next load... --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skyfool 0 #19 July 18, 2003 I almost always pack for myself. I have no problem with other jumpers using packers (it keeps people employed, right?). I take pride in knowing what the hell I'm doing, whether that's in freefall, under canopy or sweating it out on the packing carpet. If I have a malfunction, I'd like to be able to know what I did wrong so as not to do it again. On the rare occasions that I do use a packer, I only go to someone I trust. Oh yeah, and the money thing is important too. Blue Skies Patrick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites champu 1 #20 July 18, 2003 only been jumping for a little while, but I learned how to side-pack and pro-pack (only actually use pro-pack of course) and I don't mind doing it. I'm still working out the finer points of the folding and bagging step but I manage, and openings have been really good so far *knock on wood* when I was first learning to pack it was on a student rig with a ripcord/spring-loaded pilot chute, man was that a pain in the ass... if I didn't have a throw-out I'd prolly just have a packer do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkymonkeyONE 4 #21 July 19, 2003 I generally pack for myself because I don't trust hardly anyone to pack a small Velocity (other than one of my school packers), I generally have time to pack for myself anyway (except back to backs), and packing keeps me in better shape that just sitting on my ass and drinking a coke. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MattyBoy 0 #22 July 19, 2003 That's a bit of a limited poll. I hire a rig from my DZ (where I know and trust the packers). As the pack job is included in the hire cost, why not let them do it...especially on a hot day! I may be gullible but at least I have a magic fish Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zenister 0 #23 July 19, 2003 interesting. is including the pack job as part of the rental price common in the UK? i'm also guessing you rent (hire) the rig by the jump?____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EvilSteve 0 #24 July 20, 2003 How about a voting option for "Pack for myself and anyone else I can get to give me $5." Heh. I used packers when I didn't know how to pack, but as soon as I learned, I stopped. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites czechbase 0 #25 July 20, 2003 For one, I'd rather save the money and two, I just prefer if I pack. Just feel safer www.motavi.com 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
Brisco 0 #7 July 18, 2003 I never pack for myself. I know how to do it - packing (and jumping your own pack job) is a requirement for the A license - but I HATE it! My first student pack job took me about 3 hours and then just as I was gearing up to jump it, the winds kicked up and students were put on hold. Since it was rather late in the afternoon and I have a 2+ hour drive home, I left. On my next visit to the dz, I had to pack again (only took about an hour this time) and jump my pack job. Passed my requirement, but swore never to pack again. About a month ago, I bought a used rig and bought a brand new zero-p canopy. I tried to pack it. That new zero-p stuff is slipperier than owl shit. It took me about 6 hours to get that damn thing in the bag. And I didn't have the nerve to jump that pack job so as soon as I got to the dz I marched right over to the packers and had one of them re-pack it. I had some satisfaction at least in watching a professional packer work up a sweat trying to get that thing packed. I keep promising myself that I'm going to start packing. Someday perhaps.... Brisco Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luv2Fall 0 #8 July 18, 2003 Have my own rig now and have jumped it three times and each time I paid a packer to pack it. I hate packing and love having a more experienced person doing it. Having said that, this weekend I plan to do all my packing...........................although it's worth paying $6.00 to have it done, the money adds up and takes away from my jump money. So I'm going to start doing all my own packing with the exception of the final jump on Sundays.................I'll gladly pay then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kyros1 0 #9 July 18, 2003 Depends. When I am visiting US and I want to get many many jumps I am getting my 2 rigs and I let packers to do their job... so I can do back to backs. When I am at my local DZ I pack sometimes. I pack at home for sure Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aneblett 0 #10 July 18, 2003 couldn't afford to eat if I paid packers... S.E.X. party #2 ..It is far worse to live with fear, than to die confronting it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazyfrog 0 #11 July 18, 2003 I mostly pack myself, except if I'm back to back or need to do ther stuff like getting briefed or debriefed etc...---------- Fumer tue, péter pue ------------- ourson #10, Mosquito Uno, CBT 579 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #12 July 18, 2003 I always do my own packing. Once paid a packer to help me bag a brand new canopy, the slippery ZP fabric was f#@*ing impossible and I was going to miss a 10 min. call without help. This same packer had quite a lucrative day yesterday, packing for a 4 way team & their cameraman. They were making something like 10 jumps and wanted to go straight to debrief, so they just budgeted packing fees into their training budget. I can see that as a legitimate reason. At $6 a pack X 5 rigs X 10 jumps, my friend probably had a good day, even if he only got part of the $. Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #13 July 18, 2003 QuoteHow about an entry for "can pack just fine just sometimes don't want to/don't have time" or something... exactly...and we've done this poll several times before too ____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #14 July 18, 2003 Good thing you didn't start 15 years ago, or jump at a small DZ now. Paid packers didn't exist and don't exist at many DZ's. When I started it was hard enough to get someone to volunteer to hold tension on the round. (If I have to explain that, well, I guess I'm just an old fart.) If I was on a big way or training with a team where I was required to use a packer, I'd be very uncomfortable. That's not to say that packers aren't conscientious, but this is one place I want to trust myself. If you'd rather spend your money for a pack that's fine, but I'd suggest everybody learn how to pack efficiently. Hey it gives you an excuse to play with your parachute on rainy days or in the winter. What I really want is for you to know your own equipment. It's always bothered me when a jumper never wants to watch his reserve packed, maybe doesn't know what color it is, doesn't know how to hook up a three ring or check the line rotation on his main, etc etc. When you want to make the B-17 and the packers are backed up, you at least have an option.I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brisco 0 #15 July 18, 2003 Oh, I have a very keen interest in my equipment - I want to know the in's and out's of all of it and as soon as my reserve is due for a re-pack, you can betcha I'm going to ask to watch. I just don't like packing! Especially this brand new (9 jumps) Sabre2 210 zero-p! I feel like I'm mud wrestling with a pig and the pig enjoys it. I've watched some folks pack and they get their canopy folded up oh-so-neatly and just slide it into the bag with nary a grunt or groan while I almost always end up with a giant ball of crap about 6 times bigger than the bag, all the while turning the air blue with cuss words, sweat dripping from every pore on my body and strongly considering setting fire to the whole damn mess and just doing a ash scatter dive on my next jump with a rental rig! I eventually learn how to do it efficiently, but for now, if I packed for myself, I'd only make 2 loads a day - the breakfast load and the sunset load. Brisco Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FallingAngel 0 #16 July 18, 2003 I always pack my own gear, main and reserve. I'm proud to say I'm the only one who's packed my new gear...What can I say, I like my openings(plus I can pack fairly quickly when motivated) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uma 0 #17 July 18, 2003 I am with those who say that they usually -- but not always -- pack their own gear. I actually like the packing; it gives me some time to decompress from my jump and focus on the gear, and I am definitely of the opinion that it is best to rely on myself. That said, once in a while, if I'm really wiped out or just feeling a little lazy, there are always some great packers who I am more than happy to give some well-earned money to! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy2 0 #18 July 18, 2003 i like packing, I pack for myself, of course I've only packed about 20 times, maybe that will change as that stretches into hundreds. I could see once I start working at the DZ instructing (way down the road) I would pay someone to pack out of necessity, to get on that next load... --------------------------------------------- let my inspiration flow, in token rhyme suggesting rhythm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyfool 0 #19 July 18, 2003 I almost always pack for myself. I have no problem with other jumpers using packers (it keeps people employed, right?). I take pride in knowing what the hell I'm doing, whether that's in freefall, under canopy or sweating it out on the packing carpet. If I have a malfunction, I'd like to be able to know what I did wrong so as not to do it again. On the rare occasions that I do use a packer, I only go to someone I trust. Oh yeah, and the money thing is important too. Blue Skies Patrick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #20 July 18, 2003 only been jumping for a little while, but I learned how to side-pack and pro-pack (only actually use pro-pack of course) and I don't mind doing it. I'm still working out the finer points of the folding and bagging step but I manage, and openings have been really good so far *knock on wood* when I was first learning to pack it was on a student rig with a ripcord/spring-loaded pilot chute, man was that a pain in the ass... if I didn't have a throw-out I'd prolly just have a packer do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #21 July 19, 2003 I generally pack for myself because I don't trust hardly anyone to pack a small Velocity (other than one of my school packers), I generally have time to pack for myself anyway (except back to backs), and packing keeps me in better shape that just sitting on my ass and drinking a coke. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattyBoy 0 #22 July 19, 2003 That's a bit of a limited poll. I hire a rig from my DZ (where I know and trust the packers). As the pack job is included in the hire cost, why not let them do it...especially on a hot day! I may be gullible but at least I have a magic fish Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #23 July 19, 2003 interesting. is including the pack job as part of the rental price common in the UK? i'm also guessing you rent (hire) the rig by the jump?____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EvilSteve 0 #24 July 20, 2003 How about a voting option for "Pack for myself and anyone else I can get to give me $5." Heh. I used packers when I didn't know how to pack, but as soon as I learned, I stopped. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
czechbase 0 #25 July 20, 2003 For one, I'd rather save the money and two, I just prefer if I pack. Just feel safer www.motavi.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
