UPT 2016 and 2017 passager harness

[camamel 0]

For the last two years or so UPT use a different webbing to built there passenger harness. The coating is thicker so adjusting these harness is very very hard. So hard in fact that my instructions leave them on the side and takes the old ones. With my latest addition I am now stuck with 40% of these. Last year we follow UPT recommandation and wash it two or three times with basically no result. This time we will try to soak them even longer, maybe a day or two...but I am not expecting that much. I talked with UPT earlier this week and they are not happy with this webbing either because it is very difficult for them to sew that webbing. So I know they work very hard with their supplier to find a solution...but until then is there any of you guys in the field that found a trick or two? Because on my side so far nothing is working.

Thanks

When you think you're good...this is when you become dangerous.

[DougH 270]

Sure. They have to suck it up. They seem to get easier after more use.

We have two of the new harnesses, and yes they require more umph to adjust, it isn't terrible.

Tandem instructors should be burly men and women, they can't handle a little extra effort every 20-25 minutes?

Second alternative, train someone on initial adjustments so the whiners have less adjustments to do.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[camamel 0]

I agree with you Doug with 25 min between load it is always possible. Easier with heavy passager but with smaller one not fun. Here our season is short but we are a pretty busy DZ. We can do 8 or 9 loads in 2h.So when we end up with less the 10 min in between I have to dress a few passagers myself so the instructors can still do a nice and relax service to their customers. This is where it hurts my business.
Being a regular customer, an Instructor and an Examiner for UPT for the last 30 + years I can assure you that these guys will come out with a solution pretty soon. Keep you posted,

When you think you're good...this is when you become dangerous.

[kawisixer01 0]

I have this re-occuring fear that as I'm sliding a chest strap up my fingers are going to slip off and I'm going to backhand a student. lol. One thing I've noticed on the newer harness is that the lowers release levers seems thinner and can deform much easier, making it so that the detents on the ears don't line up when you re-latch it.

[DougH 270]

My math included the time on the way to altitude for them to rest their sore harnessing muscles.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[riggerrob 643]

I punched one student in the face, .
Embarrassing!
Then I modified my technique by pulling up outboard of their ears.
Over the years I have jumped so many different tandem harnesses from so many different manufacturers, that I cannot remember the specific model.