argon

No doubt about it-my tandem master spent alot of time answering gear questions and now 3 days later I still can't believe I had very little fear at all. We did an unpoised exit-(kinda rolled out the door on our hands and knees headfirst)tumbled a few times then got nice and stable-out came the drogue. My first thought was that I have missed out on a LOT of fun. I got some catching up to do!!!! *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

You know I always knew there was a reason that beer is not just for breakfast anymore. I'm just starting again after a 20 plus year lay off. I'm figuring 245+ out the door-I think that is big but not "really" big. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

For reasons I still don't personally understand, I stopped jumping in 1983. Static Line jumps simply scared the shit out of me. Even finally progressing to a hop and pop left me wondering if I really wanted to pursue further training. But the sport never really escapped me,occasional copies of Parachutist seemed to find their way into my reading. Commercial Pilot,Multi engine and instrument ratings kept me busy.A subscription to Skydiving Magazine always kept me informed but to make a Looonnnngg story short ,I happened to spend a couple of hours at the Ranch in Gardiner NY and was overwhelmed by the good vibes.A week later I found myself strapped into a tandem harness taking a wonderful ride to 14Kft in a twin otter. I was amazed that I was calm beyond belief and couldn't wait to get out that door. I can't belief I have wasted over 20 years not doing this. I worried that I would have so much sensory overload I wouldn't enjoy the jump. On the contrary-it is burned so clearly in my mind I've been practically buzzed for 2 days!!! That sensation of FREEFALL is so wonderful,so ethereal an absolute pleasure--I'm without words.A rough landing in very gusty winds have left me with a sore butt -- something I'm glad to have after finally experiencing a skydive that makes me want to be back in the breeze again-this time for good. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

He could not be receiving compensation and the jumpers could not have actually paid the dz. If it was a group of friends taking a plane ride with some chosing not to land with same-cool. If not-it is a clear violation of Part 91 FAA regs. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

In New Jersey,motorcycle insurance pays NO PIP person injury protection-better hope it's clearly somebody elses fault if an accident happens. WHat kills me is the average street person(not politically correct-I know) can go into a grocery store-perform an armed robbery-get blasted by the cops-get all his med costs covered and then get to sue the cop. (Please don't ask me how i know this.)Tort reform,medical coverage for all americans-come on people write your politicians-if everybody did-we wouldn't be having tis discusion. Blue skys to all. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

You are kidding right? Just skydiving,you don't think you could ever need coverage for anything else. 200/month max. Not a chance. Decent coverage figure 600+ month. What about chillin' during the off season and having a bout of kidney stones or some other benign malady. I don't care how old you are,get anything that requires a surgical procedure or more than a routine hospital visit and you'll lose everything. At this point in the game skydiving is the least of your worries. Remember-never,ever,ever volunteer ANY information unless SPECIFICALLY asked. JUst remember you can't get blood from a rock.... *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Brain injuries can't be fixed. Will a helmet save you at 120mph no. But maybe in mid air collision it might keep you conscious enough to save your life. Last time I checked even those door frames are hard enough to rattle your cage. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

What would stop would be legal actions from the poor who would be unable to risk loosing more than they own. Thus, you would have a court system that continues to provide access to the wealthy (at a cost), but prevents court access for the poor. Improved definitions of negligence and gross negligence, coupled with better charges to a jury would be more helpful. Perhaps it might also make more sense to have money related issues handled by a professional judge who can deliver a more consistent series of decisions. A jury is a reasonable decision making body when criminal or liberty issues are at stake, but complex litigation might be better handled by a solo judge. The right to sue is assured to every citizen and is one of the ways individuals are able to protect themselves from big business and government. Eliminating that right would make us far less free. Tom Buchanan What you are saying is true. The extreme nature of jury awards,deep pockets etc is the problem though. Unfortunately there will always be those that have and those that don't. But it IS the rich that own the companies-that make the products-that give all of us jobs. Look at what the lawsuit "industry" has done to general aviation. I'm not saying we should stop someone from sueing-but malicious lawsuits cost only the defandant money-the person bringing the lawsuit has NOTHING to lose. I will not be involved in flight instruction anymore just for that reason. My suggestion are "professional" jurors or arbitrators. But ,yes you are indeed correct in what you say and one extreme does not fix another.--- When was the last time a new Otter came out of a factory? A 182? A new Beech Baron is over 1 million dollars-alot of that cash isn't in production cost-but INSURANCE cost for the company. I still stand by my soapbox though. TORT REFORM. We will ALL benefit. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

2nd jump,S/L with a T10,spot was WAY off,landed in the middle of an apple orchard. Missed the trees,landed in the row between them-but then got stung by a bee. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

TORT REFORM-as long as a person can sue, and pay absolutely NOTHING in legal fees unless they can collect the problem will exist. If the law even forced the plaintiff to pay a percentage of legal fees if they loss the case and not collect damages this shit would stop immediately. If YOU as an individual or as a representative of a company have ever been exposed to the civil court system as a defendant you would see my point. Remember FREEDOM isn't free and if we want to continue to jump,ride motorcycles,ski or do any what some may call "extreme" sports we ALL have to unite and fight this nonsense. People buy houses next to AIRPORTS and then complain about airplane noise-and you know what-the squeeky wheel gets the oil. AOPA does its share for general aviation,AMA for motorcycling and even the USPA does perform a function--just imagine if those that chose to take part in extreme sports had the political clout of the AARP or the NRA. It IS UP TO US-this shit has to stop--Have you ever noticed that you can't sue a judge or any member of the judiciary-you can sue a cop that gives you a ticket-but you can't sue a judge that releases a child molester to commmit another assault. Remember EVERY vote counts and everytime you complain about a loss of your freedom-no matter how insignificant is a step toward a better America. Just my 2 cents -forgive the soapbox act, *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I had actvively raced Winged Sprint Cars throughout the northeast until 2001. Each time the driver and anyone entering the pits would have to sign a waiver-a covenant NOT to sue. As in skydiving-things can happen. Racers are like skydivers(hopefully) risks are accepted and its generally understood shit can happen. There was a very high profile driver named Doug Wolfgang that sued a race track and VOLUNTEER firefighters that put his flaming ass out during a practice session--to make a long story short the court invalidated the waiver and everyone in the sport had the same reaction. Bottom line -he got nothing, and they still race all over the country two or three nights a week. TORT REFORM is what is needed, write your representatives and senators-unfortunately the most of them are trial lawyers--It's just one sad state of affairs..... *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I've never shipped a rig-but I am a part-time watchmaker and ship many VERY expensive watches. The ONLY way to ship is United States Postal Service Registered Mail. It's not the fastest but most certaintly the most secure and least likely to receive damage. Priority Mail is also very good and now trackable. I wouldn't ship a cannon ball UPS.Fed-ex isn't very far behind. PS: You'll play hell trying to collect on a claim through UPS if one is made--don't even ask.... *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I had a spinal fusion performed in december,1998 L-4/S1 JUST the anesthesia bill was 10,500 dollars. Now,you tell me if its worth it. My wife is an advanced practice trauma nurse-the average trauma case is 250KPLUS. If you don't plan on a future-who could need insurance.Just my 2 cents. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

Don't Sue. Be glad she is ALIVE, I'm an inexperienced jumper,but I have experience with severe spinal injuries and live in chronic pain everyday and will for whats left of my life. The only people that truly benefit from a law suit are the Attorneys. You'll long be bankrupt and your wife will still be recovering before you get a cent (if you do)in the meantime ALL costs to everyone increase. Remember-the only guarantee in life is DEATH. When you have with sound mind chose to undertake ANY hazardous activity--your number might be up.To me to sign the waiver,take the risk and unfortunately get hurt and then want to change your mind all of a sudden and sue for damages is nothing but bad karma. Do what you gotta do,its just my two cents. This law suit stuff is the reason I don't do the flight instruction thing. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL

I really enjoy this website, I've lurked about for a long time and learn something everytime I log in. I've never had the urge to post until now-this is my first. Man, please don't take this the wrong way, in the last 25 years I've done just about anything to get in the seat but flying jumpers is SERIOUS business-you want to build time-haul some banners up and down the beach or do the CFI thing for a while until you completely crippled climbing into 152 6-8 hours a day. Times are changing-insurance is a bitch and alot of employers don't want to know anything until you are Part 135 qualified. You may be a really competent pilot and with fresh tickets like yours you probably are reasonably current--but sorry man at my age I want a least one turbine engine pulling me into the sky-and two are even better. To be honest I've spent alot of time flying alot of barely airworthy garbage at night in bad weather with only freight that wasn't alive and breathing and have JUST recently paid off some of my last training-Sorry man-you are NOT experienced enough.I know-you need hours to get a job and a job to get the hours but like I said before-not yet. Just my opinion. *********** Freedom isn't free. Don't forget: Mother Earth is waiting for you--there is a debt you have to pay...... POPS #9329 Commercial Pilot,Instrument MEL