Kerr

They'd probably have to join the EU first -- Kerr

I'd be interested to know what the answer to this is. I served on a jury last year (Murder trial at the Old Bailey) and as an atheist was wondering what would happen when it came to be sworen in. It turns out that in the UK each court as a a copy of each of the major religious texts, and can get copies of almost anything at short notice. Each of these comes with a version of the oath tailored for the particular religion, mainly just changing the name of the book/text and deity. That takes care of the different religions. There is also a version that has no reference to any religion and you don't need to hold onto any book. I was slightly surprised that out of 12 jurors, 10 took the non religous version. Most of the witnesses did the same. On a related note, I was reading some articles recently that stated that although freedom of religion has been part of US law since its inception, this freedom did not formaly extend to atheism, in all states, untill relativly recently. Anyone got anything on that. -- Kerr

Havn't there been a few cases reasently where US citizens have been detained indefinitely without trial or even charged with anything? I'd consider that a pretty large breach of freedom. Certainly many would consider parts of the Patroit Act to stand in stark contrast to the principles of freedom. It can be argued that the Patroit Act and detaining people indefinitely without trial is in the interests of national security, however it must also be accepted that these measures reduce the freedom you so clearly hold dear. In the current climate, crowing about freedom while it is being taken away from you, makes you look blind to the reality fo the situation. -- Kerr

Get well soon Todd!! Big Vibes from across the pond, hope to see you at Eloy again real soon. -- Kerr

I'd guess this is the most probable reason. I doubt that the manufacturing cost is any higher. I sure that they would have done sepperate testing of the tandem settings to make sure that they were the best for the job, but I doubt that made much impact to the end price of the unit. Manufacurers will charge what they think the market will bear. The tandem market supports a higher priced Cypres, therfore it costs more? The Military version has more features, but I bet they charge way more than the extra r&d would justify. Maybe all the extra cash goes in a big legal defence fund? -- Kerr

Yeah, sorry, my bad . I think in the UK, riggers are certified by the BPA not the CAA. I got confuzzled. Still, the point stands. -- Kerr

Are you talking about takign it on as cabin luggage? I've never had a problem with BA, but I just check it in as hold luggage. I've known plenty of people take there rig on as cabin luggage though without a problem. Things may have changed recently though, as a lot of things have when flying. I've not heard that they now have a specific policy. Give them a ring and find out. If they don't have a policy either way, you have two opptions: 1, Just try and take it on, don't tell anyone you have it. 2, Get BA to confirm that it is OK for you to have it in the cabin and send you letter to that effect. I wouldn't trust either check in staff or airport security to know what the policy is. You might run into some officious git that thinks no-one should by carrying a parachute onto a plane and will try and make your life hell. I frequenty carry my lead as cabin luggage (because Phoenix airport has a wierd process for handeling security alerts on inbound luggage) and one time the security at Gatwick wouln't let me through with it. I'd taken it through the same check half a dozen times before without a problem, but now this guy wasn't having any of it. He actually thought I could use my weight belt as a weapon. Eventualy he called his supervisor over who looked at the belt asked me how much it weighed and then let me take it. The supervisor didn't look too impressed with the original guy. -- Kerr

My understanding is that it's even more specific than that. The rig needs to be packed by a USPA certified rigger. So if you have US kit in the UK that you get packed by a BPA rigger before taking a trip to the US then you could in theory be asked to get it repacked by a USPA rigger. Of course I've never heard of this happening to anyone and I'd be stunned if any DZ tried to enforce it. Still, letter of the law... -- Kerr

So you're thinking that she needs just one specific old horny skydiver? -- Kerr

Both of them? At the same time? -- Kerr

Yeah, I know it isn't a pay for option, but the web site reads like it's an ask for option. It's interesting that you got one, the website says it's only for people over 5'10". -- Kerr

Has anyone here tried the EXT option? I'm 6'3" / 6'4" and thought it sounded like a nice idea. I've also had problems with my current jav's main closing flap opening if the closing loop isn't extra tight, so I'm keen on the wings version. -- Kerr

I'm no patent lawyer, so what would I know, but isn't there some sort of compulsory licensing regulations that can force a patent holder to give fair and reasonable licenses to their patents? Anti-trust regs? I'd guess that the other manufacturers just aren't that interested in the idea. At least not interested enough to pursue it. Kerr -- Kerr

Yeah, this is my worry. My kit (Raven-M in a Javelin) was last packed in the US so I'm going to have to get it repacked in the UK at 120 days. I will probably be out in the US again about a month after that. I'm not going to be a happy bunny if I need to get it repacked in the states, just because it was packed by a BPA rigger not an FAA one. Unfortunately that's my reading of the regs. Maybe I'll hold off getting the repack done here. Maybe I'll just order a new rig and have it waiting for me Kerr -- Kerr