vipergts

I love this forum. Talk about a response, this thread is not even 12 hours old and tons of input already. Some well made points: "If you weren't prepared to do it, you wouldn't have gotten onto this site!!" Your right. Taking it a little out of context, “You don't conquer skydiving....it conquers you.” Jasmin, I completely agree, I did a poor job of conveying the conquering part, what I really meant was conquering that little inner voice that says "YOUR NUTS." I do not think that you can truly conquer any sport, once you start thinking you have conquered it, that indicates you have closed your eyes are not open to new and different ways of looking at things. I really appreciate everyone's replies. I have decided to take the tandem route, I want to be able to take it all in on the first jump.

Alright everyone, I need a little help. I have been seriously thinking about skydiving as a serious hobby for several reasons: 1. It is Extreme( I love extreme things) and @ 26 and being moderately successful I want something else to conquer (just remember, my success is relative (in my book I consider myself successful(by my own definition)(you know accomplishing the things I wanted to by age 26))) 2. I am scared as hell of skydiving and I have always wanted to conquer things I am scared of. 3. I want something that will take up my time and to keep me motivated to (stay in shape, keep mentally sharp (extremely focused when needed), and to give me a reason to get thought the LONG weeks). I am just having trouble pulling the trigger, I would prefer to have some take the plunge for the A License with me but I can not find anyone willing or crazy(if that is really a prerequisite) to go jump with me. I have always been a fan of teams, mainly for the strength and commoderarity they build, not to mention having another neewbie to jump with would be great, however I can’t find anyone. Somebody please push me over the edge... Thanks, Robert

Finally something I can answer. You need to CARRY IT ON THE PLANE, DO NOT CHECK IT!!!!!! Everything I ever experienced with commercial air travel (500 segments, 500K miles in 3 years, aka ROAD WARRIOR) tells me NEVER NEVER NEVER check anything of value. Things to make you life easier: 1. Make sure all knives are out, check those; if they lose them it is no big deal. 2. Get to the airport early, be at security 1.5 hours before your flight. When you go though security it is likely you are going to get snagged. Put the rig in a some kind of bag to minimize this chance, but xray is going to see it and want to inspect it anyway. 3. Put a huge sign "DO NOT PULL!!!!" on the reserve handle and tie it down for added safety. 4. Bring the Cypres card if you have one, and if they ask, it measures altitude and releases the reserve parachute. No it doesn't have CO2... (Don't mention the words cutter, explosive charge, yadda yadda) Exactly what spy said. 5. If you get flack do the following a. Be calm, don't get all fired up. b. Ask to have the FAA REP or the head of security come over. Explain things to the REP and everything should be ok. Usually Joe security does not have a clue. If they do give you a hard time, do not let them bully you and keep you from taking it on onboard, if you run into problems here ask for the airline rep and start again. This make take some time so defiantly error on the safe side, who knows they may be asleep and not even notice but error on the safe side. Good Luck and let us know how it went. Robert