skylord

So true. I completely agree, and was shocked to learn that 23 million take it. Yikes! Amazing! Not for me! Um, could any replies to this post be done with audio files, since I seem to be having trouble with my eyesight. My braille keyboard will be here in a couple weeks. Skylord Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Renee, Best of luck, I had the same surgery last June, be SURE to get into physical therapy as soon as you can, do the therapy as much as you can, and work through the pain. I've had both knees scoped, and the shoulder was by far the longest to heal and rehab. I'm a newbie know-nothing as to skydiving, but you may want to think about doing a tunnel first before going back up in the air. Almost a year, and I can still feel that someone was in there. I am MUCH better, but the rehab was much longer than I expected. Let us know how you're doing! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Not on mine, but those people put beetroot on their BK Whoppers. I thought they had poisoned me. Nothing surprises me from the Aussies. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I went nearly one year, and what I found helpful was doing a tunnel session before my AFF-6 recurrency jump. I did the tunnel at Perris, then drove over for the jump to Elsinore. As fun as the tunnel was, there is never anything like that door opening on jump run. But just like others have said, arch, relax, have fun! I dearched on the floater exit a bit, flipped onto my back, but recovered quickly. When I started a slow spin, I told myself I just did fine in the tunnel, what am I doing differently? I fixed it, the jump went fine. It was so much fun to get back in the air again....let us know how your jump was!! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Nick, Wow, turbo caffeine!! Actually, for me that was a very informative and interesting post. Thanks for taking the time. I can tell you that as one who has very recently graduated to solo status, I completely agree that the AFF program is too short. I remember looking at the syllabus, and thinking "Seven jumps till I'm on my own???" I remember feeling like the course was going too fast for me, and although I did well, I did self repeat one jump, and had an instructor hold me back on another. As to the Lutz video, what kills me is his attempts to blame the instructors and the DZ by suing them. Plus, even given the fact that maybe he was paralyzed with fear in freefall, he didn't even attempt to steer his reserve away from power lines. My original question had to do with the main side chasing our wayward friend down in free fall. As part of your certification as an AFF-I, do they have someone act like an out of control student and then teach you how to chase them down? I thought it amazing to watch how the AFF-I was able to keep up with someone back to earth and folded in half, as the annnouncer intones "And his instructors watch him go bye-bye." Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I've watched Sparky Lutz video over a dozen times, and I am really impressed with his main side instructor. The guy looked like an aerial contortionist just trying to keep up with that bag of panicked protoplasm. Do they simulate that when you're training to be an AFF-I? Do you have to demonstrate that kind of stuff or is it learned by experience? Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

So there was this guy named K-Bone who claimed to be a skydiver AND air traffic controller at LAX......... Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

"The Skydivers", courtesy of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. An all time classic. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

The US is the only place in the industrialized world that has a 40 hour week. It is not 8 hours straight, you usually get four or five short breaks a day, and lunch. Sometimes not, though, too, depending on staffing. For 24/7 facilities, new hires usually end up on Wed/Thurs. days off, and work the same rotation we vets do, for example, 2-10 pm, 1-9 pm, 7 am-3 pm, 7am -3 pm, 6am-2 pm, or something like that. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

QuoteSkylord has got the skinny on it. He's in the TRACON, I'm an Enroute controller ( or "center puke" as the tower guys call us.)Quote John, Yes, center puke, but I spent 9+ years at ZLA (can't disclose the actual name or I will have to kill you). "Tower guys" is a term I never heard. "Tower Flower", now we're talking!! Oh, how come center controllers lunch breaks are 30 minutes or less? If they were longer than that you'd have to re-train them. HAR-DE-HAR-HAR!!!!! I would just let everyone know out there seriously that there is a tremendous demand for young people for this profession. It pays well, but we only take the best. All the existing hiring lists will be completely drawn down by this time next year. Deciding on ATC as a profession was by far the best decision of my life. And I do enjoy working jump planes! Which is why I am soooo pissed at being told on my first solo jump to "go" when the green light was off. In two years, 11 months, I can retire and jump my ass off, or as a pilot fly jump runs with a sweet check coming in every month. Either way, I want some of you I've met working my flight. Six figures, all benefits, don't dismiss this opportunity....... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Thanks for the heads up on this thread, here is the info for US ATC. First off, it is a great, great job. I've been in it for almost 18 years now and never regretted a day of it. It is challenging, difficult, but rewarding. I work at Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), the busiest facility of its kind in the world. Most of us were hired right after the 1981 PATCO debacle, which this year will be 24 years ago. The average career span of an ATC is 20-25 years, so we are retiring in great gobs. Over 12,500 will be hired in the next ten years. You take a civil service ATC aptitude test, and get put on a hiring list depending on your score. Once they get to you (which will be fast now that they are hiring people) you MUST pass a security and medical check. You must be at least 18, a US citizen, and you cannot have reached your 31st birthday unless you have previous qualifying ATC experience. High School diploma/GED required, and two years work experience (can be waived). Watch "Pushing Tin", and then shut it off after 20 minutes. That's the only realistic part of the movie. Visualization is the key in ATC, the scope gives you something to look at, and the rest you have to "see" in your head. We don't run around with each other's spouses (ok, maybe a bit of that happens) and we for damn sure don't lay around on runways getting sucked up into the sky from wake vortices. They've just changed the pay and benefits for FAA ATC new hires. You get hired, and you report to the Academy in Oklahoma City. They used to pay you what your facility starting salary was (busier the facility, the higher your pay.) Now they start everyone at about $17,000/yr. They used to pay per diem, up until about two weeks ago, so now you have to pay your own way except for airfare. They stripped away life/health/retirement benefits too. So, you have to be able to support yourself and family from (likely) a different city and pray no one gets sick or worse. I think that totally sucks. But I digress. Once you successfully complete academy training, you get assigned to your first facility, at your expense. No move money. IF you came to my facility, your pay would increase to about $45,000/yr., and after six months you would become eligible for retirement/health/life benefits and participation in the govt. quasi-401k program. If you are not successful, you will be terminated from the job. How's that for pressure? No chance at a less complex faciility. Your pay increases according to how fast you check out on different ATC control positions. Once done with training, you'll have a base salary of just over $100,000/yr, and while that sounds nice (and it is) you will work your ass off for it. Like skydiving, you will scare yourself shitless a few times, and wonder what the hell you did wrong in a previous life to deserve this. But anything worth doing is worth suffering for, within reason. We have a special retirement system that allows you to retire at 20 years of ATC service AND age 50, or 25 years at any age. So what's the job like? It is not the 24/7 frenetic panic mode, ulcer generating environment you see stereotyped in the movies. We do have some slow times, but when it gets busy, you have to think quick and you have to think right. You have to be able to work well with others because this really is a team job. Again, a great job let me know if you want more info. I have enough stories to write a book! Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I went out to the DZ to video a friend's landings. I was not jumping, and I have never been injured in my limited career so far. Anyway, I was walking out to the student landing area at Elsinore, and I was looking up to see where her canopy was. Sure as shit while not watching where I was going my foot went straight into a huge varmint hole and I collapsed into a heap. Ouch!! I remember thinking that I should bribe a jumper who had landed into loaning me their rig so I could justify the ride in the golf cart. I was OK, but embarrassed, no real damage, but boy it sure is funny what can get you...... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I would and have. But that's another thread..... Bob, the FGF-2 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

I saw them in Anaheim last weekend, it was a great show, but it may not top the Elevation Tour if you aren't that thrilled about the new album. They did six songs I think from that one. Let us know how you thought the concert was..... Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

How about we start a collection for this poor little girl for college. I'm a very busy person, and if someone could set up an account and do all the coordination, I'll make the first contribution. This was awful, and I don't ever want to listen to the audio. I've done that for too many airplane crashes. This girl will be traumatized, she is incredibly aware and level headed. What an incredible job the dispatcher did. My, this was the saddest story I've heard in many, many years. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

PsychoMan, Wanna go? Just FAM out and....oh, never mind. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Frenchy Goggle Fraternity. There are about 4 threads on it here in the Bonfire........ Bob FGF-2 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Well, August was winter for you, and I saw big rainstorms going through the southside. I'd love to visit Sydney, Tasmania, and all that other shit you have going on down there. But I must say, no to beetroot. I'm afraid if I gave you the ticket you would have a beetroot withdrawal, they'd have to stop the concert to have you hauled away, oy oy oy if you know what I mean. Bob Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Lainey, All Queensland. Brisbane, Bargara, and Cairns. I jumped at Mission Beach (Tandems only). That movie about the couple that got left out on a dive trip was getting ready to be released (Deep Water, Open Water, something like that). I did an interview with your "Today" show while on a Reef ship after I got back from a dive. Boy, was the dive coordinator anxious. I really thought about yelling, "Those bastards almost left us behind!!!" I thought better about that All kidding aside, I love your country and will probably retire there. You are great........ Bob, still trying to find a U2 fan that doesn't need airfare Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

FGF Number waiting for you, we just need to see you and the goggles with photographic proof...... Bob The Kinder, Gentler FGF-2 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Mister Numero Uno, No plans for Hollister, I just wish I had the same draw you have. You are a sexy bitch, sir!!! So far no takers.... Numero Dos Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Lainey, I was in Oz for the first time last August. I love your continent/country, but as cute as you are I can't pay airfare for someone who thinks a Whopper from Burger King (or "Hungry Jack's") includes beet root. So who else is out there besides Frenchy's friend?? Bob Marks THE FGF-2 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

Well, I have ended up with an extra U2 concert ticket (Floor, General Admission) for 4/2 at the Anaheim Pond. Who wants to go? PM me, I just want to hang out, that's all. My daughter and her boyfriend will be with me. We are going up tomorrow, and getting in line first thing Saturday morning. Of course, all FGF members (female only, sorry Frenchy) have the first crack. Get back to me asap. I was told that if I can't get someone to go to a paid for U2 concert, I might as well hang it up. Be quick, I'll be travelling back from the East Coast tomorrow. In the event of a tie, I will use any description as to my irresistability as the tie breaker.... So, lay it on me if there is any doubt Bob Marks Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

All, Unfortunately I was travelling, I'm in DC right now for meetings. Thanks for the birthday wishes!!!! Yikes, I'm in trouble with Darcy! Bob FGF-2 Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman

All, It's my birthday on the 26th!! So, please in lieu of cash, cars, gifts, bequests, or stuff, please indulge me in my birthday poll. I look forward to waking up tomorrow after putting this poll out to the cultured, kind, caring, feeling, serious group you all are, feeling validated, warm, and even fuzzy. Skylord the Birthday Boy Bob Marks "-when you leave the airplane its all wrong til it goes right, its a whole different mindset, this is why you have system redundancy." Mattaman