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snowmman 3
QuoteUsing line from a chute instead of demanding some different attach hardware for the money seems very resourceful on the most shallow of surfaces. I would have used those seat belt operation demonstration props the flight attendants have been using for the last 54 years (aka extenders). But I guess jerking a canopy out of the backpack and madly slashing cord from the pack makes for better story.
I guess I can live with myself knowing my choice is not very exciting but much quicker to attach and release without having to disable a primary chute.
If I did use the cord cutting technique, it would have been done to the other reserve.
Just because farflung suggests it, doesn't mean using 2" webbing would have been more optimal for attaching the bag to Cooper.
I can see the cord being optimal.
Try both. Narrow cord seems good for the problem...in addition to the easier tensioning and knot tying. Unless you're thinking some kind of single wrap where you use the buckle and tensioning device? You still have to connect the other two metal ends together somehow. Knotting would use up some of the length.
Remember also, that the bag was open at the top with no closure or drawstring. Cord is better for solving that? assuming there's enough extra cloth available at the time to create a neck.
Minimally, the amount of 2" webbing available was too small? (from farflung's extenders).
(edit) alternative, maybe better, might have been to cut the nylon sheeting and use it, maybe in addition to the cord. Maybe his knife couldn't handle that. Or maybe the cord was sufficient.
(edit) wrapping the bag with his raincoat, and tying it, comes to mind as a good solution.
The Motives of a skyjacker:
After reading a book that provides details and the psychological analysis of several Skyjackers, one has the tendency to examine their own subject and to compare him with other subjects regarding the 1971 incident.
Profile of a skyjacker:
1. In late 1970 or 1971 he was diagnosed with a hereditary kidney disease - a disease for which there was no cure and most patients inevitably spent the rest of their life on a machine. At the time of his diagnosis they had not learned that certain varieties of this disease move in stages - often with many good yrs before the final stage requiring dialysis.
2. He has spent most of his adult life in prison since he was 20 yrs old...4 yrs then 18 mths, then 4 yrs (as John Collins) and he had only been out of the last prison less than 3 yrs. He was 46 yrs old and he had spent 17 yrs in 6 different prisons since he was 20. Only about 9 of those yrs had been spent as a free man. What time he was out of prison he was "on the run". Never learned a trade he could make a living at. When he wasn't in prison the law was looking for him.
3. Now he was facing what he thought was the end of his life. He had no insurance and no medical care. He had NO where to turn and he couldn't support his wife and step children. He liked having a good time and women and booze - he had been making up for the time behind the wall.
4. His yrs in prison - these guys always talked about doing the "Big one". Many of these conversations during the 60's centered around the Vietnam war and the skyjacking. Several skyjackers where incarcerated in the general population of prisons through out the US. (20 such prisoners within the system in the USA were interviewed for a book and was a fraction of the ones incarcerated within the penal system in the states.)
5. He faced living off of welfare in squalor - even then Medicaid (if we had Medicaid in 1971)might not pay for diaylsis. This is NOT how he wanted to die. He was depressed - he didn't know where to turn or how to do it.
6. He worked out swimming daily in all kinds of weather - he started to watch what he ate. When he was singing the world sang with him and he could charm the panties off the women, but he never felt like the man he should be - he felt lacking and felt he was inadequate. He settled for women like himself - low self esteem, heavy drinkers and if they had any money when they awoke the next morning they found themselves relieved of their cash and jewelry.
7. He was trying to change, but now he felt cheated by life and the disease - that he would never make it out of the hole he
was in. His family had disowned him - he had NO one to turn to.He didn't want to die a slow agonizing death on a machine living in squalor.
8. The news was full of Skyjacking attempts. He started to make his plan. It had to be someplace he was familiar with and that is why he chose the N.W.
He didn't believe he would succeed, but he had no reason to exist.
9. He was "ascared" and figured he would be caught in the attempt. It made little difference he was alone - and he never seemed to make it outside of the prison walls for very long - constantly running from the law. He couldn't do that any more. At least in prison he would have access to medical treatment.
10. If he was killed in the attempt - that was okay also, because no one would remember him - after all his family had washed their hands of him - he had been an outcast since he was 18 yrs old. The skyjacking was a means to the end of his life. Be it dead or in prison...right now prison didn't look so bad.
11. His life was a failure - nothing he ever did was right for very long...he indicated to the stewardess he had a grudge. He had several grudges. He worked hard - but, he always slipped right back into his old ways or his past would catch up with him then he would loose his job. He was tired of trying - he wanted to give up on life, because he didn't have a life.
12. When the money was ACTUALLY delivered to the plane - he was in awe. Yes, he was like a child because he never expected to get that far. He really felt they would have taken him prior to or at the time the money was delivered. I believe it was when he was waiting for the money that he started to break down - this was taking longer than he expected - he didn't want to suffer - he just wanted it to end quickly.
13. Holding the money in his hands - more money than he ever expected to see in a life time - his excitement level was peaking. Had to get the Damn Show ON THE ROAD. Now his adrenalin was running high. Not much was said to anyone after this time - suddenly it was all about survival.
14. He had prepared for survival bringing a few things he would need - such as strapping and hardware in the event he needed them. When he went out that aft stair he knew he was going to die. He held on for a few moments because he knew he was going to die - that to let go meant the end of his life. He almost didn't jump...but it was too late. He started to count Mississippi one. Mississippi two as he had been taught.
This is how I envision the man I knew doing this - this is what I think he had going thru his mind. I know what he used to be and I know how he thought when he was down - I also know how he worked his way thru things...and his regrets and dreams.
Another thing I know - his survival was NOT a waste - the time Tina spoke with him when he was the lowest he had ever been in his life - it made an impression and one he felt he had to honor. Only in the throes of death do some individuals learn the ways of goodness...and usually on their death bed and suffering thru a long illness.
Whatever Tina said to the Skyjacker - he never forgot it and when he was actually was on his deathbed many yrs later - he remembered the things she told him...and the book from which she quoted them to him. He took that book with him or he went out and bought one just like it...it became the principals by which he lived - how he tried to live his life. He didn't get it ALL right all of the time, but he tried.
One cannot rule out that Cooper may have been a recruited to bring about reform within our system and aviation changes. Hubbard's own book hints between the lines on page 176 how Congress gave indiviudals NO choice - forcing them to lie to the public and their superiors and themselves. Perhaps one of them couldn't live with it. It stands to reason if anyone of them had the money to commission this book - maybe he would have commissioned other things.
Per my own perspective if this was a deed recruited - the money came out Texas...and may be why Weber was chosen.
I found it profound that the writer of the book (Hubbard and the suspect Weber) had an extraordinary connection in Texas that was connected to Kennedy.
The individual who sent me the book was unaware of this connection and so was I until just a moment ago...when looking back to verify the commissioning of the book - and TEXAS popped up again...I bet I know who the anonymous grant came from.
Farflung 0
The Belt extensions are typically 18 to 24 inches in length. They have a male and female end. Yes you can connect an extension to itself or daisy chain them together to proportions which would have restrained Mr. Creosote. Each extension has an adjustment tab just like their longer counterpart.
Thinking outside the friggin bag. Let's do some math. Yankee greenbacks are roughly 3 x 6 inches in area and around half an inch in height when 100 of them are stacked together. There were 100 packs of twenties bound and gagged. Allowing for a 1 inch height (more than double), each of the bundles would be 18 cubic inches with 100 of them being 1800 cubic inches. I know this is not as exciting as a small toddler.
In the cockpit, the mighty cockpit....the pilot sleeps this flight. So he won't miss the 'Pubs Bag' one bit. They are for the operating manuals and very well built with rough dimensions of 18 x 13 x 8 inches (1872 cubic inch volume). If you observe pilots walking around the airport you will see examples of these containers. Just don't look directly at the pilots or show fear.....they sense fear ya know.
Now look at the bag picture again.....look at it....marvel at the elegant simplicity with which it was lovingly crafted. First, the lid is a double overlapping variety which receives the handle through a custom fitting slot. After closing the top there are two (2) latches on either side of the handle which will secure the bag and contents. But wait...what if one of the latches fail? That's why there are two. What if the other latch breaks? The handle you are carrying the case with will prevent the cover from opening and if it does get that far your hand (or belt extension) will then stop it. Suspenders and a belt in an anti-gravity room.
Now I've got my swag outta' da bag and can manage it a little easier (just a little, mind you). Now with two (2) seat belt extensions I (not Cooper) would thread the male part through the handle on the freshly filled chart bag twice, since I have two extensions and sure as heck wasn't paying for 'em. Then it's dealer's choice as to what part of the harness to lace the extensions through. The leg straps perhaps or either side of the chest strap. Even some sort of combo or off the shoulder look if you were feeling sassy that night. So many choices. Yet the favored technique is a shopping bag secured with some of that yellow colored twine that the post office used to require for mailing any size package.
Plus when I hit the ground I will be carrying a smart looking samples case instead of a long canvas bag with SeaFirst Bank stenciled across the sides. Nothing like blending in with the other jump qualified Fuller Brush men.
I suppose Cooper selected the ultimate equipment since he escaped and went on to enjoy his fortune. No substitution for success as they say. However, I would use the Pubs Bag and Belt Extensions. I would also have asked for what I was most familiar with in regard to chutes. The one with the Red and Green apples and gold key, not that I would use any of that stuff, but it is all I know. Force of habit would have me removing the packing card and perhaps noticing the 'For Training Purposes Only' stamp. Additionally, I would have been pulling out the rappel line from the neck of the harness when the belt extension plan failed rather than slashing line from another backpack. But Cooper's actions are proving as time goes on to be wiser in nature rather than the fandango which they represent to me.
Orange1 0
Everyone: if Jo ever posts something that actually is considered proof, or otherwise might be important to the case, please let me know, because I simply cannot read those long rambling posts anymore.
Amazon 7
QuoteQuotePretty easy one. I would say he chose wisely. I think he chose what he knew. I would have done likewise. I would have gone for simple round for a night jump into trees.. less performance the better. As far as the reserve being a training prop.. most of the old belly warts that were used for training were just old worn out or older no longer used ones for doing the hanging harness. Still looks real because it probably was.. just not a current reserve.
As far as a hard pull.. one could pack one of the old rigs in such a way to make it harder to get the pins out of the cones.. not distributing the material properly.
I myself never found a problem pulling any of the ripcords on any of the old gear and trust me I jumped a LOT of old junk. Usually the adrenalin was just fine to help with any possible hard pull. My first sport rig was a sporterized surplus 4 pin rig with a Papillion in a sleeve. The reserve was a belly mount C-9 with a pilot chute.
Verying rigs had the ripcords in various places. Not a lot of standardization. Two hand was recommended if you did have a hard pull. I never have had to use two hands on ANY jump.
The only reason I bring the pull up, is because Cossey did. Cossey said the pull on that chute
required two distinct movements - out, then up
hard. Cossey said without those two distinct and
separate movements Cooper would not get the
chute open (most likely). It was a chute Cossey
had packed for himself left at the jump school.
When Cossey found out the chute had been taken he was (visibly) upset (and still is?). This particular
chute was NOT one Cossey would have chosen to be sent to the plane. Cossey provided two additional
chutes which were reliable (he says).
Thanks.
G.
I have a couple of those old rigs sitting around still. The cable to the pins runs thru a cable housing. that goes up over the shoulder then down the preferred method is to pull the ripcord out of its pocket and pull OUT...if you pull UP you are binding the cable... BAD IDEA.
Its also important to stuff the parachute and sleeve containing it into the top of those rigs while packing it .. so that it is nice and tight up there. That will maintain the cable housing the ripcord cable with the proper alignment...again to prevent binding.. and a hard pull.
snowmman 3
cooper also had an unused belly container from the one reserve.
(edit) We've debated whether the large hooks on the back would clip over harness webbing (without the right ring attachments)
Here's a funny thing: Scott never said much. But he gave a talk that was reported on, where he had an odd description of Cooper dealing with the money, that isn't in agreement with what we've been told. Also Scott wouldn't have seen Cooper with the money, so it was odd.
the weird thing was that Scott had Cooper taking the money out of the bag and repackaging it, or trying something.
I think though, that probably isn't correct.
snowmman 3
QuoteNigel: re Mae West... just like Snow shouldn't assume 80yrs + people can't use email, you shouldn't assume a younger generation has no general knowledge about the 20th century pre...say, the Cooper hijacking.
Orange1: I'm back to assuming hangdiver was lying. Otherwise how can you explain his absence? He must have been lying.
snowmman 3
supposedly no sleeve on Cooper's rig.
28' C-9 in a NB-6 container.
Amazon: ever jump something like that? (the NB-6 normally gets a 26' canopy, apparently)
Amazon 7
QuoteAmazon said "Its also important to stuff the parachute and sleeve containing it into the top of those rigs while packing it"
supposedly no sleeve on Cooper's rig.
28' C-9 in a NB-6 container.
Amazon: ever jump something like that? (the NB-6 normally gets a 26' canopy, apparently)
Most of my C-9 jumps were with unsleeved canopies but most sport rigs of the time did have a sleeve or a bag of some type... yup I still have a few of the old pins and cones in my collection
snowmman 3
QuoteQuoteAmazon said "Its also important to stuff the parachute and sleeve containing it into the top of those rigs while packing it"
supposedly no sleeve on Cooper's rig.
28' C-9 in a NB-6 container.
Amazon: ever jump something like that? (the NB-6 normally gets a 26' canopy, apparently)
Most of my C-9 jumps were with unsleeved canopies but most sport rigs of the time did have a sleeve or a bag of some type... yup I still have a few of the old pins and cones in my collection
When ckret was here, he kept saying crazy things about how the rig selection implied something about Cooper. Most people disagreed.
Ckret liked to say what a bad idea it would have been to take the unsleeved canopy (assuming the Pioneer rig was sleeved..we've never been able to identify the Pioneer precisely..I'll find that post though)
From looking at a NB-6 on the outside, there's no way to tell whether it's sleeved or not, right? In 1971, you'd just say "looks good, probably the same as other military emergency rigs, maybe even one I've jumped?"
I always thought it was odd that ckret wanted to imply knowledge about the insides, just from looking at the outsides.
snowmman 3
Pioneer type 226 sn 9/57 was left on the plane
Amazon: does "type 226" mean anything to you?
(edit) I just had a new thought. Could the 26 have meant it held a 26' canopy? Did Pioneer do rigs with 26' canopies then? It's unclear to me whether the Pioneer was a pilot emergency rig or a sport rig.
QuoteQuoteQuote
Are there odds on that bet?
Vegas called...it's somewhere in between a snowman's chance in hell~
and
~ walkin' away from night landing on a C-9 in an Oregon thunderstorm.
I dunno...maybe I heard them wrong from Vegas, who the heck is 'Slim the Nun' ?
Drizzle and a bit of rain in November.. thunderstorms in November in the Pacific NorthWET... not so much.. just a weather fact.
What kinda odds would you give me at in drizzley weather..at night over trees with a C-9... given proper financial rewards
With or without a CHAINSAW?!
~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~
Amazon 7
QuoteCkret posted way back in the thread:
Pioneer type 226 sn 9/57 was left on the plane
Amazon: does "type 226" mean anything to you?
(edit) I just had a new thought. Could the 26 have meant it held a 26' canopy? Did Pioneer do rigs with 26' canopies then? It's unclear to me whether the Pioneer was a pilot emergency rig or a sport rig.
No idea I am not a rigger.
Therre were a lot of 26' and 28' canopies over the years.
It would be easy to spot a pilot rig from a sport rig... most sport rigs back in the day had D rings up front to clip the belly mounted reserve onto. That type of rig would be easy to spot the difference. Most emergency rigs the USAF and NAVY used did not have those on them.
They did have rigs that were designed for those with jump training that did have the D rings for the front mount reserve. People who were on jump status got to use those for training or other operations. When you come up for doing your jump training I would be happy to show you all the different types.. I have a LOT of them
Amazon 7
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuote
Are there odds on that bet?
Vegas called...it's somewhere in between a snowman's chance in hell~
and
~ walkin' away from night landing on a C-9 in an Oregon thunderstorm.
I dunno...maybe I heard them wrong from Vegas, who the heck is 'Slim the Nun' ?
Drizzle and a bit of rain in November.. thunderstorms in November in the Pacific NorthWET... not so much.. just a weather fact.
What kinda odds would you give me at in drizzley weather..at night over trees with a C-9... given proper financial rewards
With or without a CHAINSAW?!
I will jump with a chainsaw if you will
snowmman 3
Quote
With or without a CHAINSAW?!
weird. I come in after using my chainsaw and airtwardo is mentioning chainsaws.
When someone mentioned a 21' 2-1/2" rusty gas pipe, I realized I have a 20' gas pipe on my junk pile, rusty, but it's only like 1-1/4" maybe 1-1/2" O.D.
how are you guys watching me? Is Jo involved? Or the mysterious "granter"?
(edit) airtwardo: poser! no use jumping with a chainsaw without gas and oil too! go thru a tank pretty quick.
snowmman 3
QuoteQuoteCkret posted way back in the thread:
Pioneer type 226 sn 9/57 was left on the plane
Amazon: does "type 226" mean anything to you?
(edit) I just had a new thought. Could the 26 have meant it held a 26' canopy? Did Pioneer do rigs with 26' canopies then? It's unclear to me whether the Pioneer was a pilot emergency rig or a sport rig.
No idea I am not a rigger.
Therre were a lot of 26' and 28' canopies over the years.
It would be easy to spot a pilot rig from a sport rig... most sport rigs back in the day had D rings up front to clip the belly mounted reserve onto. That type of rig would be easy to spot the difference. Most emergency rigs the USAF and NAVY used did not have those on them.
They did have rigs that were designed for those with jump training that did have the D rings for the front mount reserve. People who were on jump status got to use those for training or other operations. When you come up for doing your jump training I would be happy to show you all the different types.. I have a LOT of them
yeah, we've been thru this a lot, just thought you might not have read all the pages in the thread :)
The pioneer did have D rings. So I guess all the language describing it as a "sport rig" was correct. There was also a mention of padding (even from Cossey I believe).
So what sport rig would have 226 associated with it, in 1971?
was the 9/57 a manufacture date? Seems not..that would be too early for sport rigs probably.
Amazon 7
QuoteQuote
With or without a CHAINSAW?!
weird. I come in after using my chainsaw and airtwardo is mentioning chainsaws.
When someone mentioned a 21' 2-1/2" rusty gas pipe, I realized I have a 20' gas pipe on my junk pile, rusty, but it's only like 1-1/4" maybe 1-1/2" O.D.
how are you guys watching me? Is Jo involved? Or the mysterious "granter"?
Not to worry snowmman.. he is referring back to this "incident"
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3563597#3563597
Amazon 7
I have a canopy all white....28' DOM of 4/53.... I don't think I will jump it.
snowmman 3
QuoteQuoteQuote
With or without a CHAINSAW?!
weird. I come in after using my chainsaw and airtwardo is mentioning chainsaws.
When someone mentioned a 21' 2-1/2" rusty gas pipe, I realized I have a 20' gas pipe on my junk pile, rusty, but it's only like 1-1/4" maybe 1-1/2" O.D.
how are you guys watching me? Is Jo involved? Or the mysterious "granter"?
Not to worry snowmman.. he is referring back to this "incident"
http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=3563597#3563597
OUCH! That is nasty.
amazon! protective gear! I wear the chaps, gloves, helmet, face mask.
Legs are the most common injury..
snowmman 3
QuoteYes it would be the D O M of the rig.
I have a canopy all white....28' DOM of 4/53.... I don't think I will jump it.
well that's new information then, (ckret may have misposted, but I copied exactly what he posted)
So: what pioneer "sport" rigs were manufactured 9/57 with d-rings?
were any?
377 22
QuoteOkay it's about time we out 377.
Jo said "I do not believe 377 is hiding anything other than the possibility that he might be assisting a writer with his expertise."
Jo,
I really am not writing anything or assisting any authors. If any movie or TV producers want a 727 jet jump dummy I'd likely go for it, but I'd use Snow as a Wind Drift Indicator. Remember those WDIs Amazon?
Snow's slanderous expose of my past was really a breach of confidence. I am not one to lawyer up though. I am in the one step program. My name is 377. I am a jump junkie. I accept my past and am trying to become a better person: one jump at a time.
377
This was all I felt it was - and I do not understand their explanation at all. Guess I need for a jumper and rigger to show me the difference.
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